ITHOUGHTS UPON HUNTING, 1 99 



LETTER XVir. 



FOX-HUNTING, an acquaintance of mine 

 fays, is only to be followed bccaufc you can 

 ride bard, and do lefs barm in tbat tban in any 

 otber kind of buntinc". Tbere may be fome truth 

 in tbe oblervation ; but, to fucb as loye tbe ri- 

 ding part only of bunting, would not a trail Icent 

 be more fuitable ? Gentlemen wbo bunt for tbe 

 fake of a ride, wbo are indifferent about tbe 

 liounds, and know little of tbe bulinefs, if tbey 

 do no barm, fulfil as mucb as we have reafon to 

 expe6l from them ; whilfl thofe of a contrary 

 defeription, do good, and have much greater 

 pleafure. Such as are acquainted with tbe 

 hounds, and can at times affift them, find the fport 

 more interefling; and frecjuently have tbe fatis- 

 faclion to think, that they themfelves contribute 

 to tbe fuccefs of tbe day. This is a pleafure you 

 often enjoy ; a pleafure, without any regret at- 

 tending it. I know not what effe6t it may have 

 on you ; but I know tbat m.y fpirits arc always 

 good after good fport in bunting ; nor is tbe reft 

 of the day ever difagreeable to me. What arc 

 other fports compared to this, which is full of en- 

 tbuliafm ! fifhing is, in my opinion, a dnili divcr- 

 fion;— -fliooting, though it admit of a companion^ 

 will not allow of many:— both therefore may be 



O 4 conlidored 



