HARE-HUNTING. 769 



by way of encouragement. Mr. Beckford always gave the 

 pack the last hare they killed, if they had done their day's 

 work satisfactorily. 



Some early sportsmen never permitted a hare to be hal- 

 looed, or the hounds to be assisted when at fault, but suffered 

 them to work it out by themselves ; this, though tedious, 

 was considered a sure way to ascertain the goodness of the 

 hounds ; others, like the pot-hunters of the present day, took 

 all advantages, and killed them as speedily as possible. 



The method of rewarding the young hounds was curious, 

 and would not exactly suit the designs of many a hare-hunter 

 of the present day. The hare, after being laid on the grass, 

 and bayed by the hounds, was skinned before them ; and 

 after the gall and lights were taken away, which were 

 supposed to be peculiarly liable to make the hounds sick, 

 the huntsman, who carried a small wallet with bread cut in 

 pieces, dipped them in the blood, and with the entrails gave 

 them to the hounds ; the hare was afterwards distributed, 

 and if any young hound was fearful to come in amongst the 

 rest, he had the head given to him by himself ; after this 

 feast, the hounds had bread given to them to prevent sick- 

 ness. Indeed, it was said that the flesh of an old hare 

 was not very good for man, being hard of digestion, and breed- 

 ing melancholy blood ; but leverets were allowed to be 

 nourishing. 



It is a too frequent occurrence first to ride over a dog, and 

 then cry ware horse ! Great caution should be used not to 

 ride over hounds, as it has spoiled many an excellent dog. 

 When the ground is open, dogs may be first spoken to, and 

 afterwards they may be ridden over ; but in roads and nar- 

 row paths this must not be done, as it is impossible they can 

 get out of the way, and the rider, in such circumstances, 

 should draw up, as it is most cruel to ride among a pack 



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