84 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



Ihould often fee deer, and they will not regard 

 them ; and it', after a probation of this kind, yoa 

 turn out a cub before them, with fome old hounds 

 o lead them on, you may affure yourfelf they 

 will not be unfteady long; for as Somervile 

 rightly obferves, 



" Eafy the lefTon of the youthful train, 



When inrtinft prompts, and when example guides." 



Flogging hounds in the kennel, the frequent 

 pradice of moft huntfmen, I hold in abhorrence : 

 it is unreafonable, unjufi, and cruel ; and carried 

 to the excefs we fometimes lee it, is a difgrace to 

 humanity. Hounds that are old offenders, that 

 are very riotous, and at the fame time very cun- 

 ning, it may be difficult to catch : fnch hounds 



may be excepted they deferve punifliment 



wherever taken, and you fhould not fail to give 

 it them ivhenyou can. — This you will allow is a 

 particular cafe, and neceility may excufe it — but 

 let not the peace and quiet of your kennel be 

 often thus diilurbed. When your hounds offend, 

 punilh them: — when caught in the fa6t, then let 

 them fuffer — and if you be levere, at leafi: be juft. 



When your young hounds floop to a feent, are 

 become handy, know a rate and ftop eaiily, you 

 may then begin to put them into the pack, a few 

 only at a time ; nor do I think it advifeablc to begin 



this. 



