FAREWELL 155 



treatise : Thoughts upon Hunting, in a series of familiar Letters, were all 

 that I proposed to myself the pleasure of sending. The trouble I have 

 taken in writing them entitles me to some indulgence ; nor need I, there- 

 fore, whilst I endeavour to render them of use, stand in any fear of criticism. 

 Yet if any man, as idle as I have already declared myself to be, should 

 take the trouble to criticise these Letters, tell him this : An acquaintance 

 of mine, who had bestowed much time in improving his place, whenever 

 he heard it found fault with, asked ' Where the critic lived ? Whether 

 he had any place cf his own ? Whether he had attempted any improve- 

 ments ? and concluded with promising a peep at it' The gentleman 

 here alluded to had less h^nulity than your humble servant : take, there- 

 fore, my sentiments in the following lines: 



Si quid novisti rectius istis, 

 Candidus imperti ; si non, his utere mecum. HOB. 



Farewell. 



increase their sufferings ; convinced as I am by experience, that a regular system of education 

 is the surest means to render correction unnecessary. Hard is that heart (if any such there be), 

 which can ill-use a creature so affectionate and so good ; who has renounced his native liberty 

 to associate with man, to whose service his whole life is dedicated ; who, sensible of every 

 kindness, is grateful for the smallest favour ; whilst the worst usage cannot estrange his 

 affection, in which he is, beyond all example, constant, faithful, and disinterested ; who 

 guards him by night and amuses him by day, and is, perhaps, the only companion that will not 

 forsake_him in adversity. 



