CURIOUS DISTINCTION 63 



through dirty roads, have great cause to complain of. A wet night fre- 

 quently produces good chases, as then the game neither like to run the cover 

 nor the roads. It has been often remarked, that scent lies best in the rich- 

 est soils ; and countries which are favourable to horses, are seldom so to 

 hounds. I have also observed, that, in some particular places, let the 

 temperature of the air be as it may, scent never lies. 



Take not out your hounds on a very windy or bad day. 



These inauspicious days, on other cares 

 Employ thy precious hours ; th' improving friend 

 With open arms embrace, and from his lips 

 Glean science, season'd with good-natur'd wit ; 

 But if th' inclement skies, and angry Jove, 

 Forbid the pleasing intercourse, thy books 

 Invite thy ready hand ; each sacred page 

 Rich with the wise remarks of heroes old. 



The sentiments of Mr. Somerville always do him honour, but on no 

 occasion more than on this. 



In reading over my Letter, I find that I have used the word smell, in a 

 sense that, perhaps, you will criticize. A gentleman, who, I suppose, was 

 not the sweetest in the world, sitting in the front boxes at the playhouse on 

 a crowded night, his neighbour very familiarly told him that he smelt strong. 

 1 No, Sir,' replied he, with infinite good humour ; ' it is you that smell I 

 stink.'' 



