THOUGHTS UrON HUNTING. 37 " 



LETTER IV. 



I AM glad that you do not difapprove the ad- 

 vantage I have made of my friend Somervile. 

 I was doubtful whether you would not have cen- 

 fured me for it, and have compared me to fome of 

 thole would-be tine gentlemen, who, to cut a 

 figure, tack an embroidered edging on their coarfe 

 cloth. — I lliall be cautious, however, of abufing 

 your indulgence, and fhall not quote my poet 

 oftencr than is necelfary ; but where we think the 

 fame thing, you had better take it in his words 

 than mine. — I fliall now proceed to the feeding of 

 hounds, and m^inagement of them in the kennel. 



A good feeder is an efTential part of your efla- 

 hlifhment. — Let him be young and adlive ; and 

 have the reputation at leatt, of not dilliking work : 

 he fhould be good-tempered, for the fake of the 

 animals entrufled to his care ; and who, however 

 they may be treated by him, cannot complain.. 

 He fliould be one who will flriclly obey any or- 

 ders that you may give ; as well with regard to 

 the management, as to the breeding of the 

 hounds ; and fliould not be iblely under the a\-. 

 rciSlion of your huntfman,. It is true I have iccn 

 it otherwife : I have known a pack of hounds be-, 

 lang, as it were, entirely to the huntfmau— ^a 

 D 3 liable 



