lS8 TH0UGPIT3 UPON HUNTING. 



First, then, as to the early hour recommended in my 

 former Letter — I agree with you, that it requires explana- 

 tion : but you will please to consider, that you desired me 

 to fix the hour most favourable to the sport, and, without 

 doubt, it is an early one*. You say, that I do not go out 

 so early myself. It is true, I do not. Do physicians always 

 follow their own prescriptions ? — Is it not sufficient that 

 their prescriptions be good ? — However, if my hounds 

 should be out of blood, 1 go out early ; for then it becomes 

 necessary to give them every advantage. At an early 

 hour, you are seldom long before you find. The morning 

 is the part- of the day that generally affords the best 

 scent ; and the animal himself, which, in such a case, you 

 are more than ever desirous of killing, is then least able 

 to run away from you. The want of rest, and perhaps a 

 full belly, give hounds a great advantage over him. I 

 expccl, my friend, that you will reply to this, " a fox- 

 " hunter, then, is not a fair sportsman,''' — He certainly is 

 iiot ; and, what is more, would be very sorry to be mis- 

 taken for one. He is otherwise from principle. In his 

 opinion, a fair sportsman, and a foolish sportsman, are 



* An early hour is only necessary wbeie you are not likely to find 

 "witkout a drag. 



