768 MANUAL OP MODERN FARRIERY. 



the hounds come near them, or to steal away. In some in^ 

 stances thej will lie close until the dogs nearly touch them. 

 When the huntsman beats hedges for hares, and starts one, it 

 seldom happens to escape, unless the dogs are particularly 

 well trained. They soon know that hares are likely to be 

 found there, and all are upon the alert to seize it ; conse- 

 quently hedges should be beaten by a man considerably in 

 advance of the dogs. 



When hares are started in localities which they know well, 

 they seldom run well ; and it has been generally noticed that 

 during fog they mostly take a good country, and in the event 

 of their going down the wind, they seldom return ; in which 

 case the hounds should be pushed as much as possible, and 

 when the game is sinking the old hounds will get in advance 

 and run at head. 



" Happy the man, who with unrivall'd speed 

 Can pass his fellows, and with pleasure view 

 The struggling pack ; how in the rapid course 

 Alternate they preside, and, jostling, push 

 To guide the dubious scent; how giddy youth 

 Oft babbling errs, by wiser age reproved ; 

 How, niggard of his strength, the wise old hound 

 Hangs in the rear, till some important point 

 Rouse all his diligence, or till the chase 

 Sinking he finds ; then to the head he springs. 

 With thirst of glory fired, and wins the prize." 



Discard all babblers from the packs, for, although the 

 other dogs will soon find them out, and disregard them, still 

 it is unpleasant to hear their noise, and they are consequently 

 very inappropriate companions for the others. 



Keep no dogs which run false ; the loss of a single hare 

 is more than such a dog is worth. Although harriers and bea- 

 gles must be taught that they are not to mouth and destroy the 

 hare, still it is but reasonable occasionally to give them one 



