THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 93 



LETTER VII. 



UNLESS I had kept a regular journal of all that has 

 been done in the kennel, from the time when my young 

 hounds were first taken in, to the end of the last season, 

 it would be impossible, I think, to answer all the questions 

 which, in your last Letter, you ask concerning them. 

 I wish that a memory, which is far from a good one, 

 would enable me to give the information that you desire. 

 If I am to be more circumstantial than in my former 

 Letter, I must recollect as well as I can the regular system 

 of my own kennel ; and, if 1 am to write from memory, you 

 will, without doubt, excuse the want of the hicidus ordo. It 

 shall be my endeavour, that the information which these 

 Letters contain shall not mislead you. 



You wish me to explain what I mea^i by hounds being 

 handy. It respects their readiness to do whatever is re- 



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