LETTER X. 



Having now disposed of the business of the kennel, as 

 well as having treated of the number of hounds necessary 

 to form the hunting pack, we will follow them from the 

 time of their leaving the kennel in the morning until 

 they arrive at the covert side, or rather, I should say, 

 the place of meeting ; for the covert side should never 

 be fixed upon as a place of meeting, for many reasons. 

 In the first place, if you meet at the covert side, the 

 chances are much against your finding a good fox there ; 

 he will be disturbed by people passing by or through the 

 covert, and leave it before the hounds are thrown in, or, 

 being upon his legs some time before the hounds com- 

 mence drawing, they will be hunting a stale drag to get 

 up to him, whilst he is taking advantage of some hedge- 

 row, to leave the covert and his pursuers far behind. It 

 is difficult to keep foot people out of a wood where the 

 hounds are to meet; and poachers will take advantage of 

 it, either to open the earths, or catch your neighbour's 

 game. 



The place of meeting should be a mile or two from 

 the covert you intend drawing, and so situated, if pos- 

 sible, as to avoid always the same line of woods, or 

 knowing hands will wait at the covert-side until the 

 hounds come, and not go to the place of meeting at all. 



