438 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



'* Hares seldom run so well as when they do not 

 know where they are. They run well in a fog, and 

 generally take a good country. If they set off down 

 the wind, they seldom return ; you then cannot push 

 on your hounds too much. When the game is sink- 

 ing, you will perceive your old hounds get forward ; 

 they then will 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 reprov'd ; 

 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 fir'd, and wins the prize. 



'* Keep no babblers ; for though the rest of the 

 pack soon find them out, and do not mind them, yet it 

 is unpleasant to hear their noise ; nor are such fit 

 companions for the rest. 



*' Keep no hound that runs false; the loss of one 

 hare is more than such a dog is worth. It is but rea- 

 sonable to give the hounds a hare sometimes. 



"It is too much the custom to ride over a dog, 

 and then cry 'ware horse. Take care not to ride over 

 your hounds : I have known many a good dog spoiled 

 by it. In open ground speak to them first ; 3^ou may 

 afterwards ride over them if you please ; but in roads 

 and paths they frequently cannot get out of your way ; 

 it surely then is your business either to stop your 

 horse, or break the way for them, and the not doing 

 It, give me leave to say, is absurd and cruel ; nor can 



