THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. #4^ 



So perfectly right is the poet in this, that if you can 

 make your kennel a visit every day, your hounds will 

 be the better for it. When I have been long absent 

 from mine, I have always perceived a difference in their 

 looks. I shall now take notice of that part of the 

 management of hounds in the kennel which concerns 

 the huntsman, as well as the feeder. Your huntsman 

 must always attend the feeding of the hounds, which 

 should be drafted, according to the condition they are in. 

 In all packs, some hounds will feed better than others : 

 some there are that will do with less meat ; and it re- 

 quires a nice eye, and great attention, to keep them all 

 in. equal flesh : it is what distinguishes a good kennel- 

 huntsman, and has its merit. It is seldom that huntsmen 

 give this particular all the attention which it deserves : 

 they feed their hounds in too great a hurry ; and not 

 often, I believe, take the trouble of casting their eye 

 over them before they begin i and yet to distinguish 

 with any nicety the order that a pack of hounds are in, 

 and the different degrees of it, is su;-ely no easy task ; 

 and, to be done well, requires no small degree of circum- 

 spection. You had better not expeft your huntsman to 



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