158 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING, 



LETTER XI. 



I HAVE already observed, that a trail in the morn- 

 irig is of great service to hounds ; and that, to be perfe<5t, 

 they should always f^nd their own game ; for the method of 

 hare-finding, though more convenient, will occasion some 

 vices in them, which it will be impossible to corredV. 



Mr. Somerville's authority strengthens my observa- 

 tion i that, when a hare is found, all should be quiet; -nor 

 should you ride near your hounds till they are well settled 

 to the scent. 



*' let all be hush'd, 



No clamour loud, no frantic joy be heard ; 

 Lest the wild hound run gadding o'er the plain 

 Untradable, nor hear thy chiding voice." 



The natural eagerness of the hounds will, at such a 

 time, frequently carry even the best of them wide of the 

 scent ; which too much encouragement, or pressing too 

 close upon them, may continue beyond all possibility of 



