♦thoughts upon hunting. 227 



LETTER XIX. 



FINDING, by your lail: ktter, that an early 

 hour does not fuit you, I will mention fome 

 particulars which may be of ufe to you when you 

 hunt late : an early hour is only necefTary whiere 

 covers are large, and foxes fcarce ; where they 

 are in plenty, you may hunt at any hour you 

 pleafe. When foxes are weak, by hunting late 

 you have better chaces ; when they are ftrong, 

 give me leave to tell you, you muft hunt early, or 

 you will not always kill them. I think, however, 

 when you go out late, you fhould go immediately 

 to the place where you are moll likely to find ; 

 which, generally fpeaking, is the cover that 

 hounds have been leaft in. If the cover be large, 

 )Tou fhould draw only fuch parts of it as a fox is 

 likely to kennel in ; it is ufelefs to draw any other 

 at a late hour. Befides, though it be always 

 right to find as foon as you can, yet it can never 

 be fo necelTary as when the day is far advanced : 

 if you do not find foon, a long and tirefome day 

 is generally the confcquence. Where the cover 

 ■ is thick, you fhould draw it as exadly as if you 

 were trying for a hare : particularly if it be furzy : 

 for, when there is no drag, a fox. at a late hour, 

 Q a v.-ill 



