254 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



cannot say that I could have hunted the fox, but 

 I assure you I could very easily have hunted the 

 aniseed, Is it to be expected, that the same hounds 

 will have patience to hunt a cold scent the next day 

 o'er greasy fallows, through flocks of sheep, or on stony 

 roads? However capable they may be of doing it, I 

 should much doubt their giving themselves the trouble. 

 If, notwithstanding these objections, you still choose 

 to turn one out, turn him into a small cover ; give him 

 what time you judge necessary, and lay on your hounds 

 as quietly as you can ; and, if it be possible, let them 

 think they find him. If you turn out a fox for blood, 

 I should, in that case, prefer the turning him into a 

 large cover, first drawing it well, to prevent a change. 

 The hounds should then find him themselves ; and the 

 sooner he is killed the better. Fifteen or twenty 

 minutes is as long as I should ever wish a bag-fox 

 to run, that is designed for blood : the hounds should 

 then go home. 



Bag-foxes always run down the wind : such sports- 

 men, therefore, as choose to turn them out, may at 

 the same time choose what country they shall run. 

 Foxes that are found, do not follow this rule invariably. 

 Strong earths, and large covers, are great inducements; 

 and it is no inconsiderable wind that will keep foxes 

 from them. A gentleman who never hunts, being on 

 a visit to a friend of his in the country, who hunts a 

 great deal, heard him talk frequently of bag-foxes: as 

 he was unwilling to betray his ignorance, his discretion 

 and curiosity kept him for some time in suspense, till 

 at last he could not refrain from asking, What kind of 



