DIGGING OF FOXES. 309 



find in : foxes cannot break from them un- 

 seen ; nor are you so liable to change as in 

 other covers.* 



Acquainted as I am with your sentiments, it 

 would be needless to desire you to be cautious 

 how you buy foxes. The price some men pay 

 for them mi^ht well encourao-e the robbing; of 

 every hunt in the kingdom, their own not ex- 

 cepted. But you despise the soi disant gen- 

 tleman who receives them, more than the poor 

 thief who takes them. Some gentlemen ask no 

 questions, and flatter themselves they have 

 found out that convenient 7nez%o termino to 

 settle tlicir consciences by. 



With respect to the digging of foxes that you 



run to ground, — what I myself have observed 



in that business I will endeavour to recollect. 



My people usually, I think, follow the hole, 



except when the earth is large, and the terriers 



have fixed the fox in an angle of it; for they 



* A fox, wben pressed by hounds, will seldom jtq into a 

 furze-brake. Rabbits, which are the fox's favourite food, 

 may also be encouraged there., and yet do little damage. 

 Were tliey suffered to establish themselves in your woods, 

 it would be difficult to destroy them afterwards. Thus far 

 I object to them as a farmer : I object to them also as a fox- 

 hunter ; since nothing is more prejudicial to the breeding of 

 foxes, than disturbing your woods late in the season to de- 

 stroy the rabbits. 



