,17a THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



gree, the variety we have to treat of, yet I was 

 well aware of the impoffibility of fufficiently ex- 

 plaining myfelf in the midfl of a fox-chace, 

 whofe rapidity, you know very well, brooks no 

 delay ; now is the time, therefore, to make good 

 that deficiency : what afterwards remains on the 

 fubje6t of hunting will ferve as a fupplement to 

 the reft ; in which I fhall iiill have it in my 

 power to introduce whatever may be now forgot- 

 ten, or, give a further explanation of fuch parts 

 as may feem io you to require it : for lince my 

 principal view in writing theie letters is to make 

 the intlru6lion they contain of fome ufe to you, 

 if you fhould want it ; if not, to others ; the 

 being as clear and explicit as I can, will be 

 far beyond all other conli derations. Repeti- 

 tions, we know, are fhocking things ; yet, in 

 writing fo many letters on the fame fubJecTt, I fear 

 it will be difficult to avoid them. 



Firft, then, as to the early hour recommended 

 in ray former letter : — I agree with you, it re- 

 quires explanation ; but you will pleafe to con- 

 lider, that you dcfired me to fix the hour moft 

 favourable to the fport, and without doubt it is 

 an early one.* You fay, that I do not go out fo 

 early myfelf : — it is true, I do not ; do phylicians 



* An early hour is only neceflary, where you are not Hkely 

 to find without a drag. 



alwavs 



