lOO THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



they are not always safe from each other ; and a stimfiief 

 seldom passes without some losses of that kind. At the 

 same time I must tell you, that I should decline entering 

 more than are necessary to keep up the pack ; since a 

 great number would only create useless trouble and vex- 

 ation. 



You wish to know what number of old hounds you 

 should hunt with the young ones : that must depend on 

 the strength of your pack, and the number which you 

 choose to spare ; if good and steady, ten or twelve couple 

 will be sufficient. 



My young hounds, and such old ones as are intended 

 to hunt along with them*, are kept in a kennel by them- 

 selves till the young hounds are hunted with the pack. I 

 need not, 1 am sure, enumerate the many reasons that make 

 this regulation necessary. 



I NEVER trust my young hounds in the forest till they 

 have been well blooded to fox, and seldom put more than 



* Some also take out their unsteady hounds when they enter the young 

 ones : I doubt the propriety of it. 



