446 HUXTIXG. 



hounds were at fault, the cast was made in a small 

 circle to begin with, and then their huntsman tried 

 wide ; whereas they now generally, and especially 

 if the game is supposed to be not far before them, 

 make a wide cast at first, and then contract the 

 circle if the wide cast fails. There is reason in 

 this ; for if the hare is on, the wide cast will cross 

 her; and if she is not, she has most likely squatted. 

 The old system was, " avoid a view, if possible." 

 The modern one rather encourages a view, but no 

 hollooing ; for as hares regulate their speed in great 

 measure by the cry of hounds, they are less apt to 

 have recourse to shifts when the cry bursts upon 

 them at once. In fact, to suit the taste of the day, 

 which is to have every thing that moves, fast, it 

 was necessary that the greater part of the system 

 of huntino' the hare should be chano-ed. It used to 

 be insisted upon, that harriers should never be lifted 

 as long as they can possibly carry a scent ; and 

 Beckford says, " a hare is not fairly hunted unless 

 the pack be left almost entirely to themselves ; that 

 they should follow her every step she takes, as well 

 over greasy fallows as through large flocks of sheep; 

 nor should they be cast, but when nothing can be 

 done without it.'' This may have been all very '; 

 well when gentlemen followed hounds on foot, or j 

 were content to be some hours killing one hare ; or | 

 for Mr. Beckford himself, who (although he admits 1 

 having bred an infinity of harriers before he could 

 get a pack to please him) thought hare-hunting 

 should be taken as a ride after breakfast, to get an 

 appetite to dinner. 



