fSS THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING, , 



tent himfelf with holding them forward, with-* 

 out taking them off their nofes. Hounds that 

 are not ufed to be call, a tout lout de chamj) will 

 of themfelves acquire a better caft than it is in 

 the power of any huntfman to give them; will 

 ipread more, and try belter for the fcent; and, 

 if in health and IpiritS;, will v/ant no encourage- 

 inent. 



Should they be at fault, after having made 

 their own caft, (which the huntfman fhould al- 

 ways firft encourage them to do) it is then his 

 bulinefs to affift them further; but, except ir\ 

 fomc particular inftances, I never approve of 

 their being caft as long as they are inclined to 

 hunt. The ftrft caft I bid my huntfman make Is 

 generally a regular one; not choofing to rely en- 

 tirely on his judgment: if that fnould not fuc^ 

 ceed, he is then at liberty to follow his own opi- 

 nion, and proceed as obfervation and genius may 

 dirccl. When fuch a caft is made, I like to fee 

 fomc mark of good fcnfc and meaning in it ; 

 whether down the wind, or towards fome likely 

 cover, or ftrong earth : however, as it is at heft 

 •uncertain, and as the huntfman and the fox may 

 be of different opinions, I always wifh to fee a 

 regular caft, before i lee a knowing one; which, 

 as a laft refource, fhould not be called forth, till 

 it be wanted: the letting hounds alone is bat a, 

 negative goodnefs in a huntfman ; whereas, it is 



true. 



