56 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



rule you should at the same time observe — never to 

 part with a useful old hound, or enter an unhandsome 

 young one. 



I would advise you, in breeding, to be as little 

 prejudiced as possible in favour of your own sort; but 

 send your best bitches to the best dogs, be they where 

 they may. Those who breed only a few hounds, may 

 by chance have a good pack ; while those who breed a 

 great many (if, at the same time, they understand the 

 business) reduce it to a certainty. You say, you wish 

 to see your pack as complete as Mr. Meynell's : believe 

 me, my good friend, unless you were to breed as many 

 hounds, it is totally impossible. Those who breed the 

 greatest number of hounds have a right to expect the 

 best pack ; at least, it must be their own fault if they 

 have it not. 



