I^GO THOl/GHTS UPON HUNTING-. 



whose game is not likely to stop. 1 believe I mentioned 

 to you, in a former Letter on hare-hunting, a great fault 

 which I had observed in some harriers, from being let alone 

 too much — that of running back the heel, J have seen a 

 pack of high-bred fox-hounds do the same, for the same 

 reasons. 



When hounds flag, from frequent changes, and a long 

 day, it is necessary for a huntsman to animate them as 

 much as he can : he must keep them forward, and press 

 them on j for it is not likely, in this ease, that they should 

 over-run the scent. At these times the whole work is ge- 

 nerally done by a few hounds, and he should keep close 

 to them. Here I also fear that the hare -hunter will fail*. 



* It is at a time like this that good sportsmen may be of great service 

 to hounds : it is the only time when they want encouragement ; and it is 

 (I am sorry to say) almost the only time when they do not receive it. 

 Those who ride too forward in the morning, will, in the evening, perhaps, 

 be too far behind, and thereby lose an opportunity that is offered them of 

 making some amends for the mischiefs they have already done. When 

 hounds flag from frequent changes, and the huntsman's horse sinks under 

 the fatigne of a tiresome day, then it is that sportsmen may assist them. 

 Such as know the hounds, should then ride up to them: they should en- 

 deavour, by great encouragement, to keep them runningy and get those 

 forward that may be behind ; for when hounds that are tired once come to 



