OF HOUNDS. 57 



tion (which he called a nick) he had found to 

 succeed very well, but no nearer : as I have 

 neither tried one nor the other, I cannot speak 

 with any certainty about them. 



Give particular orders to your feeder to watch 

 over the bitches with a cautious eye, and sepa- 

 rate such as are going to be proud, before it is 

 too late. The advances they make frequently 

 portend mischief as well as love ; and, if not 

 prevented in time, will not fail to set the whole 

 kennel together by the ears, and may occasion 

 the death of your best dogs : care only can pre- 

 vent it.* 



" Mark well the wanton females of thy pack, 

 That curl their taper tails, and frisking court 

 Their piebald mates enamour'd : their red eyes 

 Flash fires impure ; nor rest nor food they take. 

 Goaded by furious love. In sep'rate cells 

 Confine them now, lest bloody civil wars 

 Annoy thy peaceful state." 



SOMERVILE. 



I have known huntsmen perfectly ignorant of 

 the breed of their hounds, from inattention in 

 this particular ; and I have also known many a 

 good dog fall a sacrifice to it. 



The earlier in the year you breed, the better : 



* When the bitches are off their heat, they should be 

 suffered to run about the house a day or two, before they 

 are taken out to hunt. 



D 3 



