THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 2%l 



This was ill judged; they lliould have returned 

 liome immediately. 



When hounds are much out of blood, feme 

 men proceed in a method that muft neceffarily 

 keep them To : they hunt them every day ; as if 

 tiring them out were a means to give them 

 ilrength and fpirit : this, however, proceeds more 

 from ill- nature and refentment than found judg- 

 ment.* As I know your temper to be the re- 

 verfe, virithout doubt you will adopt a different 

 method ; and, fhould your hounds ever be in the 

 ftate here dcfcribed, you will keep them frefli 

 for the iirft fine day; when, fappofing them to 

 be all perfedly fleady, I do not queflion that they 

 will kill their fox. 



When hounds are in want of blood, give them 

 every advantage: go out early; choofe a good 

 quiet morning; and throw off your hounds where 

 they are likely to find, and are leaft likely to 

 change: if it be a fmall cover, or furze-brake, 

 and you can keep the fox in, it is right to do it ; 

 for the fooner that you kill him, when you are m 

 want of blood, the better for the hounds. 



* It is not the want of blood only that is prejudicial to hounds, 

 the trying long in vain to recover a lofl fcent no lefs contributes 

 tp make them flack. 



When 



