THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. I9I 



hounds. With regard to the drawing up the wind — 

 that is much more material. You never fail to give 

 the wind to a pointer and setter — why not to a hound ? 

 Besides, the fox, if you draw up the wind, does not 

 hear you coming ; and your hounds, by this means, 

 are never out of your liearing ; besides, should he turn 

 down the wind, as most probably he will, it lets them 

 all in. Suppose yourself acling diredlly contrary to 

 this, and then se? what is likely to be the conse- 

 quence. 



You think I am too severe on my brother-sportsmen: 

 if more so than they deserve, I am sorry for it. 1 

 know many gentlemen who are excellent sportsmen ; 

 yet I am sorry to say, the greater number of those who 

 ride after hounds are not : and it is those only to whom 

 I allude. Few gentlemen will take any pains ; few of 

 them will stop a hound, though lie should run riot close 

 beside them ; or will stand quiet a moment, though it be 

 to halloo a fox. It is true, they will not fail to halloo if he 

 should come in their way ; and they will do the same to 

 as many foxes as they see. Some will encourage hounds 

 , which they do not know : this is a great fault. Were every 



