to6 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING, 



way, that I returned perfedly well satisfied, telling him at 

 the same time, that, if the fox was a fool ^ he could not help id 



Gentlemen, when hounds are at fault, are too apt them- 

 \ selves to prolong it : they should always stop their horses 

 ' some distance behind the hounds j and, if it be possible to 

 remain silent, this is the time to be so : they should be care- 

 ful net to ride before the hounds, or over the scent ^ nor 

 should they ever meet a hound in the face, unless with a de- 

 , sign to stop him. Should you at any time be before the 

 ^ hounds, turn your horse's head the way they are going, get 

 out of their track, and let them pass by you. 



In dry weather, foxes, particularly in heathy countries, 



will run the roads. If gentlemen, at such times, will ride 



close upon the hounds, they may drive them miles without 



any scent*. High-mettled fox-hounds are seldom inclined 



, to stop while horses are close at their heels. 



An acquaintance of mine, a good sportsman, but a very 

 warm one, when he sees the company pressing too close 



* No one should ever ride in a direftion which, if persisted in, would 

 carry him amongst the hounds, unless he be at a great distance behind 

 them. 



