12 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



tion you might expe6l from them ; and who their 

 predecelTors were I have yet to learn. Even So- 

 mervile is lefs copious than I could with, and 

 has purpofely omitted what is not to be found 

 clfewhere ; I mean receipts for the cure of fuch 

 difcafes as hounds are fubje6l to. He holds fuch 

 information cheap, and beneath his lofty mufe. 

 Profe has no excufe, and you may depend on 

 every information that I can give. The familiar 

 manner in which my thoughts will be conveyed 

 to you in thL'fe letters, may -fuffieiently evince 

 the intention of the author. They are written 

 with no other delign than to be of ufe to fportf- 

 men. Were my aim to amufe, I would not en- 

 deavour to inftriidl. A fong might fuit the pur- 

 ^pofe better than an effay. To improve health 

 by promoting exercife ; to excite gentlemen who 

 are fond of hunting to obtain the knowledge 

 necefiary to enjoy it in perte6lion ; and to Icflcn 

 the punilTiments which are too often infli6^ed on 

 an animal fo friendly to man, are the chief ends 

 •intended by the following letters. 



I fhall not pretend to lay down rules which 

 are to be equally good in every country ; I fhall 

 think myfelf fuihciently juftified in recommend- 

 ing fuch as have been tried with fnccefs in the 

 countries where I have generally hunted. As 

 almoft every country has a different dialed, you 

 will alfo excufe, I hope, any terms that may not 



be 



