LETTER XXII. 



There is nothing more uncertain than scent — even in the 

 words of the old song, " A southerly wind and a cloudy 

 sky," do not always prove, although they may proclaim 

 it, to be a hunting morning. Very much depends upon 

 the state of the atmosphere, and when it is a close, and 

 as our common term is, a muggy day^ no matter what 

 quarter the wind may be in, I would almost answer for 

 its proving a good scenting one. In a misty rain, also, 

 and often in thick fogs, scent will lie breast high. Upon 

 the going off of a frost scent generally fails, but I have 

 seen hounds run hard when the sleet has been actually 

 freezing on our coats. In snow storms, also, whilst the 

 snow is falling, the scent will often serve well, but with 

 storms hanging over our heads there is little. High 

 winds are destructive of scent, generally, as gentle breezes 

 are favourable to it ; but on dumb days, when there has 

 not been a leaf stirring, I have observed there has been 

 scarcely any scent at all. Wet days are unfavourable to 

 a scent in covert, but it will often hold good over the 

 open. A fine looking day, with a hot sun and keen wind, 

 is, on the contrary, seldom productive of sport. 



As variable as our climate, so variable is scent. There 

 is no certain criterion to judge by, but I have observed, 

 almost invariably, a good scenting day to follow the rising 

 quicksilver. On tlie contrary, when the barometer is 



