BAD SCENTED DAYS. 131 



the game brushes as it goes along, scent seldom 

 fails. Where the ground carries, the scent is bad, 

 for a very evident reason, which hare-hunters ) 

 who pursue their game over greasy fallows and 

 through dirty roads, have great cause to com- 

 plain of. A wet night frequently produces 

 good chases, as then the game never like to 

 run the cover or the roads. It has been often 

 remarked, that scent lies best in the richest 

 soils ; and countries which are favourable to 

 horses are seldom so to hounds. I have also 

 observed, that in some particular places scent 

 never lies. 



Never take out your hounds on a very windy 

 or bad day. 



" These inauspicious days, on other cares 

 Employ thy precious hours ; th' improving friend 

 With open arms embrace, and from his lips 

 Glean science, season'd with good-natur'd wit ; 

 But if til' inclement skies, and angry Jove, 

 Forbid the pleasing intercourse, thy books 

 Invite thy ready hand ; each sacred page 

 Rich with the wise remarks of heroes old." 



The sentiments of Mr. Somervile always do 

 him honour, but on no occasion more than on 

 this. 



In reading over my letter, I find I have 

 used the word smell, in a sense that, per- 



