iSz THOUGHTS UPON huntii:g, 



all ahof-^Proady O procul este profani ! — for whilst such are 

 chattering, not a hotind will hunt. — A-propos, Sir, a poli- 

 tician will say ; * What news from America ?' — A-propos^ 

 * Do 3'ou think both the admirals will be tried ?' — or, 

 c-prcpQS, ' Did yon hear what has happened to my grand- 

 mother?' — Such questions are, at such a time, extremely 

 troublesome, and very mal-a-propos, — Amongst the an- 

 cients, it was reckoned an HI omen to speak in hunting ; I 

 "v\'ish it were thought so now. — Hoc age^ should be one of the 

 first maxims in hunting, as in life : and I can assure you, 

 when I am in the field f never wish to hear any other tongue 

 than that of a hound. — A neighbour of mine was so truly 

 a hare-hunter in this particular, that he would not suffer 

 any body to speak a word when his hounds were at fault. 

 A gentleman happening to cough — he rode up to him im- 

 njediately, and said, " / ivish^ S/r, with all my heart, that 

 ** your cough zvas better^'' 



In a good day, good hounds seldom give up the scenf 

 at head 5 if they do, there is generally an obvious reason' 

 for it : this observation a huntsman should always make ; 

 ft will direfl his cast. If he be a good one, he will at- 

 tend as' he goes, not only to his hounds (nicely observing 



