LETTER IX. 99 



assertion made by some, that a pack of hounds, if left 

 to themselves, would seldom account for their fox. 

 Really good hounds would seldom miss one. In the 

 days of my strength and prosperity I would have backed 

 any five couples out of my pack, barring the first year's 

 entry, to find and kill their fox by themselves, without 

 any assistance, throughout the season, taking bad and 

 good scenting days together. Hounds are too much 

 hallooed and hustled in the present day to admit of 

 their being intrinsically good, nor are they allowed 

 sufiicient time by many huntsmen to exhibit the good 

 qualities they may possess. 



H 2 



