THOUGHTS UPON HUNTINGi 32I 



they would behave well), they certainly would meet with 

 less success than they are at present used to : our cold 

 flinty hills would soon convince them^ that the difference 

 of strength between one fox and another — the difference of 

 goodness betwixt one hound and another — are yet but 

 trifles, vAien compared with the more material difference of 

 a good-scenting country and a bad one*. 



I CAN hardly think you serious, when you ask me, If 

 the same hounds can hunt both hare and fox ? — However, 

 thus far you may assure yourself, that it cannot be done 

 with any degree of consistency. As to your other ques- 

 tion, of hunting the hounds yourself, ihal is an undei- 

 taking which, if you will follow my advice, you will let 

 alone. It is your opinion, I find, that a gentleman might 

 make the best huntsman : I have no doubt that he would, 



* Great inequality of scent is very unfavourable to hounds. In heathy 

 countries the scent always lies ; yet I have remaiked, that the many 

 roads which cross them, and the many inclosures cf poor land that surround 

 them, render hunting in such countries, at times, very difficult to hounds. 

 The sudden change from a good scent to a bad one, puzzles their noses, 

 and confuses their understandings ; and many of them, without doubt, 

 follow the scent unwillingly, owing to the little credit that they give to 

 it. In my opinion, therefore, a scent which is less good, but more equal; 

 is more favourable to hounds. 



