ON SCENT. 127 



I got from field-money in my life ; yet I 

 come to beg a favour of your grace — that 

 you would let me take field-money again ; for 

 I have not half the pleasure now in killing a 

 fox that I had before." 



As you ask my opinion of scent, I think I 

 had better give it you before we begin on the 

 subject of hunting. I must, at the same time, 

 take the liberty of telling you, that you have 

 puzzled me exceedingly ; for scent is, I believe, 

 what we sportsmen know least about ; and, to 

 use the words of a great classic writer, " Hoc 

 sum contentus, quod etiam si quo quidque fiat 

 ignorem, quid Jiat intelligo.'"' — Cic. de Div. 



Somervile, wlio, as I have before observed, is 

 the only one I know of who has thrown any light 

 on the subject of hunting, says, I think, but lit- 

 tle about scent. I send you his words ; I shall 

 afterwards add a few of my own. 



"• Should some raoi'e curious sportsman here inquire 



Whence tliis sagacity, this wondrous power 



Of tracing step by step or man or brute ? 



What guide invisible points out their way 



O'er the dank marsh, bleak hill, and sandy plain ? 



The courteous Muse shall the dark cause reveal. 



The blood that from the heart incessant rolls 



In many a crimson tide, then here and there 



In smaller rills disparted, as it flows 



Propell'd, the serous particles evade 



