20 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



sent day (one only excepteei), who has given any useful inr 

 formation to a sportsman*. 



It may be objeded, that the hunting of a pack of hounds 

 depends upon the huntsman ; and that the huntsman, ge- 

 nerally speaking, is an illiterate fellow, who seldom can 

 either read or WTite — this cannot well be denied — I must 

 therefore observe, that it is impossible for the business of a 

 kennel to go on as it ought, unless the master himself knows 

 something of it. There must be an understanding some- 

 where ; and without it, no gentleman can enjoy in perfec- 

 tion this noble diversion. 



It was the opinion of a great sportsman, that it Is not 

 less difficult to find a perfeft huntsman than a good prime 

 minister. Without taking upon me to determine what re- 

 quisites may be necessary to form a good prime minister, 

 I will describe some of those which are essentially necessary 

 towards forming a perfedt huntsman ; qualities which, 

 I will venture to say, would not disgrace more brilHant 



* Many French authors have given rules, for hunting the hare and 

 ftag : to make this passage less exceptionable, therefore, it may be better 

 perhaps, innend oi sj>orisma»3 to icud /ox.bufiier» 



