THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 435 



room for them to turn should they overrun the scent. 

 On high roads, and dry paths, be always doubtful of 

 the scent, nor give them much encouragement ; but 

 when a hit is made on either side, you may halloo as 

 much as you please, nor can you then encourage your 

 hounds too much. A hare generally describes a circle 

 as she runs ; larger or less, according to her strength, 

 and the openness of the country. In enclosures, and 

 where there is much cover, the circle is for the most 

 part so small, that it is a constant puzzle to the hounds: 

 they have a gordian knot in that case ever to un- 

 loose ; and though it may afford matter of speculation 

 to the philosopher, it is always contrary to the wishes 

 of the sportsman. 



Huntsman ! her gait observe ; if in wide rings 

 She wheel her mazy way, in the same round 

 Persisting still, she'll foil the beaten track. 

 But if she fly, and with the fav'ring wind 

 Urge her bold course, less intricate fhy task ; 

 Push on thy pack. 



" Besides running the foil, they frequently made 

 doubles, which is going forward, to tread the same 

 steps back again, on purpose to confuse their pursuers ; 

 and the same manner in w^hich they make the first 

 double, they generally continue, whether long or 

 short. This information, therefore, if properly attended 

 to by the huntsman, may also be of use to him in 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. 



