l^i THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



scent. During a white frost the scent lies high j as it alsd 

 does when the frost is quite gone. At the time of it^ 

 going off, scent never lies : it is a critical minute for 

 hounds, in which, their game is frequently lost. In a 

 great clewj the scent is the sam.e. In heathy countries, 

 wher^e the game brushes as it goes along, scent seldom 

 fails. Where the ground carries, the scent is bad, for a 

 very evident reason, which hare-huntersj who pursue their 

 game over greasy fallows and through dirty roads, have 

 great cause to complain of. A wet night frequently 

 produces good chaces, as then the game neither like to 

 run the cover nor the roads. It has been often remarked, 

 that scent lies best in the richest soils; and countries which 

 are favourable to horses, are seldom so to hounds. I have 

 also observed, that, in some particular places, let the tempe- 

 rature of the air be as it may, scent never lies. 



Take not out j'our hounds on a very windy. or bad day,' 



** These inauspicious days, on otlier cares 

 Employ thy precious hours ; th' improving friend 

 With open arms embrace, and from his lips 

 Glean science, season'd with good-natur'd wit | 

 Bat if th* inclement skies, and angry Jove, 



