TALKING IN THE FIELD 71 



pursuers ; and the same manner in which they make the first double, they 

 generally continue, whether long or short. This information, therefore, 

 if properly attended to by the huntsman, may be of use to him hi his casts. 

 When they make their double on a high road, or dry path, and then 

 leave it with a spring, it is often the occasion of a long fault. The spring 

 which a hare makes on these occasions is hardly to be credited, any more 

 than is her ingenuity in making it : both are wonderful. 



Let cavillers deny 



That brutes have reason ; sure 'tis something more ; 

 'Tis Heav'n directs, and stratagems inspire, 

 Beyond the short extent of human thought. SOMERVILLE. 



She frequently, after running a path a considerable way, will make a double, 

 and then stop till the hounds have passed her ; she will then steal away 

 as secretly as she can, and return the same way she came. This is the 

 greatest of all trials for hounds. It is so hot a foil, that, in the best packs, 

 there are not many hounds that can hunt it : you must follow those hounds 

 that can, and try to hit her off where she breaks her foil, which, in all proba- 

 bility, she will soon do, as she now flatters herself she is secure. When 

 the scent lies bad in cover, she will sometimes seem to hunt the hounds. 



The covert's utmost bound 

 Slily she skirts ; behind them cautious creeps, 

 And in that very track, so lately stain'd 

 By all the steaming crowd, seems to pursue 

 The foe she flies. SOMEKVILLE. 



When the hounds are at a check, make your huntsman stand still, nor 

 suffer him to move his horse one way or the other : hounds lean naturally 

 towards the scent, and, if you say not a word to them, will soon recover 

 it. If you speak to a hound at such a time, calling by his name, which is 

 too much the practice, he seldom fails to look up in your face, as much as 

 to say, what the deuce do you want ? when he stoops to the scent again, 

 is it not probable that he means to say, you fool you, let me alone ? 



When your hounds are at fault, let not a word be said : let such as 

 follow them ignorantly and unworthily, stand all aloof Procul, O procul 

 este profani ! l for whilst such are chattering, not a hound will hunt. 

 A-propos, Sir, a politician will say ; ' What news from America ? ' A- 

 propos, ' Do you think both the admirals will be tried ? ' 2 or, d-propos, 

 ' Did you hear what has happened to my grandmother ? ' Such questions 

 are, at such a time, extremely troublesome, and very mal-d-propos. Amongst 

 the ancients, it was reckoned an ill omen to speak in hunting : I wish it 

 were thought so now. Hoc age, 3 should be one of the first maxims in hunt- 



* 1 Stand afar, afar off, ye uninitiated. 



* 2 See Introduction. * 3 Make this your business. 



