HARE-HUNTING RESUMED. 147 



LETTER XI. 



I HAVE already observed that a trail in the 

 morning is of great service to hounds, and that 

 to be perfect they should always find their own 

 game ; for the method of hare-finding, though 

 more convenient, will occasion some vices in 

 them, which it will be impossible to correct. 



Mr. Somervile's authority strengthens my ob- 

 servation, that when a hare is found, all should 

 be quiet; nor should you ride near your hounds, 

 till they are well settled to the scent. 



" Let all be hush'd. 

 No clamour loud, no frantic joy be heard ; 

 Lest the wild hound run gadding o'er the plain 

 Untractable, nor hear thy chiding voice." 



The natural eagerness of the hounds will, at 

 such a time as this, frequently carry even the 

 best of them wide of the scent, which too much 

 encouragement, or pressing too close upon them, 

 may continue beyond all possibility of recovery : 

 this should be always guarded against. After a 

 little while, you have less to fear. You may 

 h2 



