ENTERING HOUNDS 41 



When your young hounds stoop to a scent, are become handy, know 

 a rate, and stop easily, you may then begin to put them into the pack, a 

 few only at a time : nor do I think it advisable to begin this, till the pack 

 have been out a few times by themselves, and are gotten well in blood. I 

 should also advise you to take them the first day where they are most sure 

 to find ; as long rest makes all hounds riotous, and they may do that en 

 gaiete de cceur, which they would not think of at another time. Let your 

 hounds be low in flesh when you begin to hunt : the ground is generally 

 hard at that season, and they are liable to be shaken. 



If your covers be large, you will find the straight horn of use ; and 

 I am sorry to hear that you do not approve of it. You ask me why I like 

 it ? not as a musician, I can assure you. It signifies little, in our way, 

 what the noise is, as long as it is understood. 



