212 A frenchman's opinion 



cover, if it be a large one, unless he can get a 

 great distance before the hounds. If you are 

 desirous to get a run over such a country, the 

 likeliest means will be to post a quiet and skil- 

 ful person to halloo one off, and lay on to hiin. 

 The further he is before you, the less likely ne 

 will be to return. The best method, however, 

 to hunt a cover like this, is to stick constantly 

 to it, not suffering the hounds to break, as 

 long as one fox remains : do this two or three 

 hunting days following ; foxes will then fly, and 

 you will have good chases. 



Nothing is more hurtful to hounds than the 

 frequent changing of their country : should they 

 change from a good scenting country to a bad 

 one, unless they have luck on their sides, they 

 may be some time without killing a fox ; where- 

 as hounds always have a great advantage in a 

 country which they are used to. They not only 

 know better where to find their game, but they 

 will also pursue it with more alacrity afterwards. 



This letter began by a digression in favour 

 of. hunting; it will end with the opinion of a 

 Frenchman, not so favourable to it. This gen- 

 tleman was in my neighbourhood on a visit to 

 the late Lord C , who, being a great sports- 

 man, thought he could not oblige his friend 



