130 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



of scent that they carry), but also to the various circum- 

 stances that are continually happening from change of 

 weather and difference of ground : he will likewise be 

 mindful of the distance which the hare keeps before the 

 hounds, and of her former doubles : he will also re- 

 mark what point she makes to. All these observations 

 will be of use, if a long fault make his assistance 

 necessary ; and, if the hare should have headed back, 

 he will carefully observe whether she met with any- 

 thing in her course to turn her, or turned of her own 

 accord. When he casts his hounds, let him begin by 

 making a small circle : if that will not do, then let him 

 try a larger : he afterwards may be at liberty to 

 persevere in any cast that he shall judge most likely. 

 As a hare generally re-visits her old haunts, and 

 returns to the place where she was first found ; if the 

 scent be quite gone, and the hounds can no longer 

 hunt — that is as likely a cast as any to recover her. 

 Let him remember in all his casts, that the hounds 

 are not to follow his horse's heels ; nor are they to 

 carry their heads high, and noses in the air. At these 

 times they must try for the scent, or they will never 

 find it ; and he is either to make his cast quick or 

 slow, as he perceives his hounds try, and as the scent 

 is either good or bad. 



Give particular directions to your huntsman to 

 prevent his hounds, as much as he can, from chopping 

 hares. Huntsmen like to get blood at any rate ; and, 

 when hounds are used to it, it would surprise you to 

 see how attentive they are to find opportunities. A 

 hare must be very wild, or very nimble, to escape 



