332 CANDOUR OF AUTHORS. 



I believe, during our present correspondence, 

 that I have twice quoted the Encyclopedie with 

 some degree of ridicule. I must, notwithstand- 

 ing, beg leave to say, in justice to myself, that 

 I have great esteem for that most valuable work. 



On opening a very large book, called the 

 Gentleman's Recreation, I met with the follow- 

 ing remarkable passage : — " Many have written 

 of this subject, as well the antients as moderns, 

 yet but few of our countrymen to any purpose ; 

 and had one all the authors on this subject, (as 

 indeed on any other,) there would be more trou- 

 ble to pass by than to retain ; most books being 

 fuller of words than matter, and of that which 

 is for the most part very erroneous." All who 

 have written on the subject of hunting seem to 

 agree in this at least, — to speak indifferently of 

 one another. 



You have observed in one of your letters, 

 that I do not always follow my own rules ; and, 

 as a proof of it, you have remarked that many 

 of my hounds are oddly named. I cannot deny 

 the charge. I leave a great deal to my hunts- 

 man ; but if you aim at perfection, leave as 

 little as you can help to yours. It is easier, I 

 believe, in every instance, to know what is 

 right, than it is to follow it : but if the rules 



