122 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



hold out two days together. I meet them again on 

 Thursday morning in Wilmcote Pasture, near Stratford ; 

 and should think myself very happy in your good com- 

 pany. I must be there at six in the morning. It may 

 be that a little variety may please you, and induce you 

 for once to condescend to hunt hare. If you do, it will 

 be a great satisfaction to 



Your most humble servant, 



W. SOMERVILLE. 



Pray let me know by the messtenger if you can con- 

 veniently come on Thursday; and I will wait for you 

 at Edstone." 



Ball was of course the poet's horse, and evidently the 

 only one he had ; and it speaks highly for his kind feel- 

 ings that he declined taxing the animal's pK>wers with 

 unnecessary severity. He says he must be at Wilmcote 

 Pasture at six in the morning, which was doubtless the 

 usual hour of meeting in those days. The eloquent 

 persuasion with which he endeavours to induce his 

 friend to join him in the field is admirably expressed. 



It is impossible to read Somerville's poem without 

 being thoroughly convinced that many of the customs, 

 events, and circumstances connected with the chase, 

 which we are generally disposed to consider as modem 

 disco veriesi or improvements, were known to him and 

 must therefore have been practised in or before his 

 time. He says. — 



" In thee alone, fair land of liberty, 



Is bred the perfect hound, in scent and speed 

 As yet unrivalled, while in other climes 

 Their virtue fails — a weak, degenerate race." 



His instructions in the selection of an appropriate 

 site for a kennel are admirable, and his directions 

 appertaining to kennel discipline have scarcely under- 

 gone any alterations. On the size of hounds Somerville 

 has given an excellent lesson ; and although some 

 masters have disregarded it, experience has corrobor- 

 ated the value of the poet's admonition : — 



