ON THE KENNEL. 17 



canum vis, as Virgil calls it, is so exquisite in a 

 hound, that I cannot but suppose every stench 

 is hurtful to it. It is that faculty on which all 

 our hopes depend ; it is that which must lead 

 us over greasy fallows, where the feet of the 

 game we pursue, being clogged, leave little 

 scent behind : as well as over stony roads, 

 through watery meads, and where sheep have 

 stained the ground. 



Cleanliness is not only absolutely necessary to 

 the nose of the hound, but also to the preserva- 

 tion of his health. Dogs are naturally cleanly 

 animals: they seldom, when they can help it, 

 dung where they lie : air and fresh straw are 

 necessary to keep them healthy. They are sub- 

 ject to the mange ; a disorder to which poverty 

 and nastiness will very much contribute. This, 

 though easily stopped at its first appearance, if 

 suffered to continue long, greatly lessens the 

 powers of the animal ; and the remedies which 

 must then be used, being in themselves violent, 

 often injure his constitution: it had better be 

 prevented. Let the kennel therefore be your 

 particular care. 



" Upon some little eminence erect, 



And fronting to the ruddy dawn ; its courts 



On either hand wide op'ning to receive 



The sun's all-cheeiing beams, when mild he shines, 



And gilds the mountain tops." 



