354 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTliTG. 



I trust them all to your candour; nor can they be in better' 

 hands. I hope you will not find that I have at different 

 times given different opinions; but, should that be the case,' 

 without doubt you will follow the opinion which coincides 

 most with your own. If on any points I have differed 

 from great authorities, I am sorry for it. I have never 

 hunted with those who are looked up to as the great masters 

 of this science; and, when I diifer from them, it is without 

 design. Other methods, doubtless, there are, to make the 

 keeping of hounds much more expensive ; which, as I do 

 not pradlise myself, I shall not recommend to you : — -treat- 

 ed after the manner here described, they -will kill foxes,' 

 and shew you sport. I have answered all' your questions as 

 concisely as I was able ; and it has been my constant en- 

 deavour to say no more than I thought the subjedt required. 

 The time inay come, when more experienced sportsmen, 

 and abler pens, may do it greater justice : — till then, 

 accept the observations that 1 have made : — take them, 

 read thetn, try them. — There was a time when I should rea- 

 dily have received the information which they give, imperfed 

 as it may be ; for experience is ever a slow teacher, and I 

 have had no other. With regard to books, Somerville is- 



