THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 22^ 



tlie hounds to be taken off the scent to get to him, an4 

 he should no longer have any scent when they find him, 

 the fox might be lost by it. This is a reason why, in. 

 Jarge covers, and particularly such as have many roads ia 

 them, skirting hounds should be left at home on windy 

 days. 



Skirters, I think, you may find hurtful, both in mer^. 

 and dogs. Such as skirt to save their horses, often head 

 the fox. Good sportsmen never quit hounds but to be 

 of service to them ; with men of this description, skirting 

 becomes a necessary part of fox-hunting, and is of the 

 greatest use. — Skirters, beware of a furze-brake! If you 

 head back the fox, the hounds, most probably, wi)l kill 

 him in the brake. Such as ride after the hounds, at the 

 same time that they do no good, are least likely to do 

 harm : — let such only as understand the business, an4 

 mean to be of service to the hounds, ride wide of them. I 

 cannot, however, allow, that the riding close up to hounds 

 is always a sign of a good sportsmari j if it were, a 7non^ 

 key, upon a good horse, would be the best sportsman 

 in the field. — Here must I censure (but with resped) 

 that eager spirit which frequently interrupts, and some- 



