AN EARLY HOUR RECOMMENDED 149 



to you to require it ; for, since my principal view in 

 writing these Letters is, to make the instruction that 

 they contain of some use to you, if you should want 

 it ; if not, to others — the being as clear and as explicit 

 as I can, will be far beyond all other considerations. 

 Repetitions, we know, are shocking things ; yet, in 

 writing so many Letters on the same subject, I fear it 

 will be difficult to avoid them. 



First, then, as to the early hour recommended in 

 my former Letter — I agree with you, that it requires 

 explanation : but you will please to consider, that you 

 desired me to fix the hour most favourable to the 

 sport, and, without doubt, it is an early one} You 

 say, that I do not go out so early myself. It is true, 

 I do not. Do physicians always follow their own 

 prescriptions ? Is it not sufficient that their pre- 

 scriptions be good? However, if my hounds should 

 be out of blood, I go out early ; for then it becomes 

 necessary to give them every advantage. At an 

 early hour, you are seldom long before you find. 

 The morning is the part of the day that generally 

 affords the best scent ; and the animal himself, which, 

 in such a case, you are more than ever desirous of 

 killing, is then least able to run away from you. 

 The want of rest, and perhaps a full belly, give 

 hounds a great advantage over him. I expect, my 

 friend, that you will reply to this, "a fox-hunter, then, 

 is not a fair sports?nan" He certainly is not ; and, 

 what is more, would be very sorry to be mistaken for 



1 An early hour is only necessary where you are not likely to find 

 without a drag. 



