LETTER XIII 



IN some of the preceding Letters, we have, I think, settled the business 

 of the kennel in all its parts ; and determined what should be the 

 number, and what the qualifications, of the attendants on the hounds : 

 we also agree in opinion, that a pack should consist of about twenty-five 

 couple : I shall now proceed to give some account of the use of them. You 

 desire that I would be as particular as if you were to hunt the hounds your- 

 self. To obey you, therefore, I think I had better send you a description 

 of an imaginary chase ; in which I shall be at liberty to describe such events 

 as probably may happen, and to which your present inquiries seem most 

 to lead : a further and more circumstantial explanation of them will neces- 

 sarily become the subject of my future Letters. I am, at the same time, 

 well aware of the difficulties attending such an undertaking. A fox-chase 

 is not easy to be described ; yet, as even a faint description of it may serve, 

 to a certain degree, as an answer to the various questions which you are 

 pleased to make concerning that diversion, I shall prosecute my attempt 

 in such a manner as I think may suit your purpose best. As I fear it may 

 read ill, it shall not be long. A gentleman, to whose understanding Nature 

 had most evidently been sparing of her gifts, as often as he took up a 

 book and met with a passage which he could not comprehend, was used 

 to write in the margin opposite, matiere embrouillee, 1 and gave himself no 

 further concern about it. As different causes have been known to produce 

 the same effects, should you treat me in like manner, I shall think it the 

 severest censure that can be passed upon me. Our friend Somerville, I 

 apprehend, was no great fox-hunter ; yet all that he says on the subject 

 of hunting is so sensible and just, that I shall turn to his account of fox- 

 hunting, and quote it where I can. The hour most favourable to the 

 diversion, is certainly an early one ; nor do I think I can fix it better than 

 to say, the hounds should be at the cover at sun-rising. Let us suppose 

 that we are arrived at the cover-side. 



Delightful scene ! 



Where all around is gay, men, horses, dogs ; 

 And in each smiling countenance appears 

 Fresh blooming health, and universal joy. SOMEKVILLE. 



Now let your huntsman throw in his hounds as quietly as he can, and 

 let the two whippers-in keep wide of him on either hand, so that a single 



*> ' Tangled stuff.' 



77 



