FOX-CHASE ATTEMPTED. 163 



pleased to make concerning that diversion, I 

 shall prosecute my attempt iu such a manner as 

 I think may suit your purpose best. As I fear 

 it may read ill, it shall not be long. A gentle- 

 man, to whose understanding nature had most 

 evidently been sparing of her gifts, as often as 

 he took up a book and met with a passage 

 which he could not comprehend, was used to 

 write in the margin opposite matiere embrouillee, 

 and gave himself no further concern about it. 

 As different causes have been known to produce 

 the same effects, should you treat me in like 

 manner, I shall think it the severest censure that 

 can be passed upon me. Our friend Somervile, 

 I apprehend, was no great fox-hunter ; yet all 

 he says on the subject of hunting is so sensible 

 and just, that I shall turn to his account of fox- 

 hunting, and quote it where I can. The hour 

 in the morning most favourable to the diversion 

 is certainly an early one, nor do 1 think I can 

 fix it better than to say the hounds should be 

 at the cover at sun-rising. Let us suppose we 

 are arrived at the cover side. 



" Delightful scene I 

 Where all around is gay, men, horses, dogs ; 

 And in eacli smiling countenance appears 

 Fresh blooming health, and universal joy." 



SOilERVlLE. 



