234 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



huntsman to encourage this ; and here, most probably, 

 the hare-hunter will fail. He has been used to take 

 his time ; he has enjoyed a cold scent, like a southern 

 hound ; and has sitten patiently upon his horse, to see 

 his hounds hunt. It is, to be sure, very pretty to see ; 

 and, when you consider that the hare is all the time, 

 perhaps, within a few yards of you, and may leap up 

 the next minute, you are perfectly contented with what 

 you are about : but it is not so in fox-hunting : every 

 minute that you lose is precious, and increases your 

 difficulties ; and while you are standing still, the fox 

 is running miles. It is a satisfaction to a hare-hunter 

 to be told where his game was seen, though a long 

 while before ; but it is melancholy news to a fox- 

 hunter, whose game is not likely to stop. I believe I 

 mentioned to you, in a former Letter on hare-hunting, 

 a great fault which I had observed in some harriers, 

 from being let alone too much — that of running back 

 the heel. I have seen a pack of high-bred fox-hounds 

 do the same, for the same reasons. 



When hounds flag, from frequent changes, and a 

 long day, it is necessary for a huntsman to animate 

 them as much as he can : he must keep them forward, 

 and press them on ; for it is not likely, in this case, 

 that they should over-run the scent. At these times 

 the whole work is generally done by a few hounds, 

 and he should keep close to them. Here I also fear 

 that the hare-hunter will fail} If they come to a 



1 It is at a time like this that good sportsmen may be of great service 

 to hounds : it is the only time when they want encouragement ; and it is 

 (I am sorry to say) almost the only time when they do not receive it. 

 Those who ride too forward in the morning, will, in the evening, perhaps, 



