LETTER III 



I BEGIN this Letter with assuring you that I have done with the kennel : 

 without doubt, you will think I had need. If I have made even the 

 name frightful to you, comfort yourself with the thoughts that it will not 

 appear again. 



Your criticism on my switches I think unjust. You tell me, that 

 self-defence would of course make you take that precaution. Do you 

 always walk with a whip in your hand ? or do you think that a walking- 

 stick, which may be a good thing to knock a dog on the head with, would 

 be equally proper to correct him, should he be too familiar ? You forget, 

 however, to put a better substitute in the room of them. 



You desire to know what kind of hound I would recommend. As you 

 mention not for any particular chase, or country, I understand you gener- 

 ally ; and shall answer, that I most approve of hounds of the middle size. 

 I believe all animals of that description are strongest, and best able to 

 endure fatigue. In the height, as well as the colour of hounds, most sports- 

 men have their prejudices ; but in their shape, at least, I think they must 

 all agree. I know sportsmen who boldly affirm, that a small hound will 

 oftentimes beat a large one ; that he will climb hills better, and go through 

 cover quicker ; whilst others are not less ready to assert, that a large 

 hound will make his way in any country ; will get better through the dirt 

 than a small one ; and that no fence, however high, can stop him. You 

 have now three opinions ; and I advise you to adopt that which suits 

 your country best. There is, however, a certain size, best adapted for 

 business ; which I take to be that between the two extremes ; and I will 

 venture to say, that such hounds will not suffer themselves to be disgraced 

 in any country. Somerville, I find, is of the same opinion. 



But here a mean 



Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size 

 Gigantic ; he in the thick- woven covert 

 Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake, 

 Torn and embarrass'd, bleeds : but if too small, 

 The pigmy brood in every furrow swims ; 

 Moil'd in the clogging clay, panting they lag 

 Behind, inglorious ; or else shivering creep, 

 Benumb'd and faint, beneath the shelt'ring thorn ; 

 For hounds of middle size, active and strong, 

 Will better answer all thy various ends, 

 And crown thy pleasing labours with success. 



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