208 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



the cover 1 (which is the usual practice at such times), 

 but let some of them get off: if you do not, what with 

 continual changing, and sometimes running the heel, it 

 is probable that you will not kill any. Another pre- 

 caution, I think, may be also necessary — that is, to 

 stop such earths only as you cannot dig. If some 

 foxes should go to ground, it will be as well ; and if 

 you should be in want of blood at last, you will then 

 know where to get it. 



It is usual, when people are not certain of the 

 steadiness of their hounds from deer, to find a fox in 

 an adjacent cover, that they may be on their right 

 scent when they come where deer are. I have my 

 doubts of the propriety of this proceeding. If hounds 

 have not been well awed from deer, it is not fit that 

 they should come among them ; but, if hounds be 

 tolerably steady, I would rather find a fox with them 

 among deer, than bring them afterwards into covers 

 where deer are. By drawing amongst them, they will, 

 in some degree, be awed from the scent, and possibly 

 may stick to the fox when he is found ; but should un- 

 steady hounds, when high on their mettle, run into a 

 cover where deer are in plenty, there is no doubt that, 

 the first check they come to, they will all fall off. I 

 always have found hounds most inclined to riot when 

 most upon their mettle : such as are given to sheep 



p This, it may be presumed, refers to cub-hunting, and authorities on 

 the subject hold different opinions. What Beckford advises seems to be 

 the best plan, that is, to let all go except the last, and hold him up until 

 he is killed. Another litter may then be disturbed, and the young 

 hounds do not get disheartened by hunting on foiled ground. The 

 practice of holding all up often results in the death of an old fox who 

 would have given good sport later in the season.] 



