l26 THOUGHTS UPON HITNTING. 



bounds whenever he can get at them, whether 

 they deferve it or not. 



I have always thought a huntfman a happy 

 man ; his office is plealing, and at the fame time 

 flattering; we pay him tor that which diverts 

 him, and he is enriched by his greatell pleaiure ;* 

 nor is a General after a victory, more proud, than 

 is a huntfman who returns with his fox's head. 



I have heard that a certain Duke who allowed 

 no vails to his fervants, afked his huntfman what 

 he generally made of his field-money, and gave 

 him what he aflced, inflead of it : this went on 

 Yery well for fome time, till at laft the huntfman 

 delired an audience. — *' Your Grace," faid he, 

 *' is very generous, and gives me more than ever 

 ** I got from field-money in my life, yet I come 

 *' to beg a favour of your Grace — that you 

 ** would let me take field money again; for I 

 ** have not half the pleafure now in killing a fox, 

 *' that I had before/' 



As you afk me my opinion of fcent, I think 1 

 had better give it you before we begin on the fub- 

 jecSl of hunting. I mufl, at the fame time, take 

 the liberty of telling you, that you have puzzled 

 me exceedingly ; for fcent is, I believe, what we 



* The Jield-mone^ which is colleded at the death of a fox, 



jljportfmera 



