ARRIVAL AT THE COVER SIDE 139 



understanding Nature had most evidently been 

 sparing of her gifts, as often as he took up a book 

 and met with a passage which he could not 

 comprehend, was used to write in the margin 

 opposite, matiere embrouillde, and gave himself no 

 further concern about it. As different causes have 

 been known to produce the same effects, should you 

 treat me in like manner, I shall think it the severest 

 censure that can be passed upon me. Our friend 

 Somerville, I apprehend, was no great fox-hunter ; 

 yet all that he says on the subject of hunting is so 

 sensible and just, that I shall turn to his account of 

 fox-hunting, and quote it where I can. The hour 

 most favourable to the diversion, is certainly an early 

 one ; nor do I think I can fix it better than to say, 

 the hounds should be at the cover at sun-rising. Let 

 us suppose that we are arrived at the cover-side. 



Delightful scene ! 

 Where all around is gay, men, horses, dogs ; 

 And in each smiling countenance appears 

 Fresh blooming health, and universal joy. — Somerville. 



Now let your huntsman throw in his hounds as 

 quietly as he can, and let the two whippers-in keep 

 wide of him on either hand, so that a single hound 

 may not escape them ; let them be attentive to his 

 halloo, and be ready to encourage, or rate, as that 

 directs ; he will, of course, draw up the wind, for 

 reasons which I shall give in another place. Now, if 

 you can keep your brother-sportsmen in order, and 

 put any discretion into them, you are in luck ; they 

 more frequently do harm than good. If it be 



