THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 69 



easily give them up one of the kennels and grass-court ad- 

 joining. Their play ends frequently in a battle ; it there- 

 fore is less dangerous, where all are equally matched. What 

 Somerville says on this subject is exceedingly beautiful. 



*' But here, with watchful and observant eye. 

 Attend their frolicks, which too often end 

 In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head 

 Wave thy resounding whip, and with a voice 

 Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the stern debate. 

 And quench their kindling rage j for oft, in sport 

 Begun, combat ensues ; growling they snarl. 

 Then on their haunches rear'd, rampant they seize 

 Each others throats ; with teeth and claws, in gore 

 Besmear'd, they wound, they tear, till on the ground, 

 panting, half dead the conquer'd champion lies : 

 Then sudden all the base ignoble crowd 

 Loud-clam'ring seize the helpless worried wretch. 

 And, thirsting for his blood, drag diff 'rent ways 

 His mangled carcass on th' ensanguin'd plain. 

 O, breasts of pity void ! t' oppress the weak, 

 To point your vengeance at the friendless head. 

 And with one mutual cry insult the fall'n ! 

 Emblem loo just of man's degen'rate race." 



If you find that they take a dislike to any particular hound,' 

 the safest way will be to remove him, or it is probable they 

 \N^irkiIl him at last. When a feeder hears the hounds quar- 



