NIM ROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 139 



well be imagined that I gladly availed myself of his invitation to an arm 

 chair in his parlour, with the prospect of an hour or two's conversation 

 with him on subjects which have ever been most inteiesting to me. 



Cur walk through the kennels and stables having occupied all the 

 forenoon, it was now two o'clock, and in five minutes afterwards Wil- 

 liamson's roast beef appeared on the table. Now, although I was engaged 

 to dine at Kelso at seven, there was no resisting that, and down w-e sat 

 to it tete-a-tete in good earnest. Here then was an opportunity that 

 might never occur to me again of strengthening or refuting my opinions 

 on matters relating to the chase, and in the course of our conversation I 

 questioned him on the following points: — First — on the value of what is 

 called blood to hounds? and his answer delighted me, by reason of its 

 beino- so entirely in accordance with my own, which has already been 

 made public. " I think," said he, " blood is of the utmost importance to 

 the well-doing of fox-hounds, if had whilst the stimulus of the chase is 

 existing, but of little or none afterwards. I consider it very satisfactory, 

 consequently very beneficial to hounds to mark their fox to ground ; and 

 am incHned to believe, that a repetition of losing their foxes, makes hounds 

 slack, with an indifferent scent." 



Secondly — To the question of whether large or small hounds were pre- 

 ferable ? he thus judiciously replied. " The choice somewhat depends 

 on the nature of the country they are wanted for. Well-bred small 

 hounds must have the advantage of large ones equally w'ell-bred, in very 

 close countries, and amongst hills; but I have reason to believe, that 

 large hounds are generally speaking more sure of their fox than small 

 ones. They are more patient, and not so much given to quit the line of 

 scent." This, 1 know, is the opinion of Foster, huntsman to Mr.Villebois, 



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