358 THOUGHTS Ui>6N tiViftl^t, 



" than matter, and of that which is, for the most part^ 

 *' very erroneous." — All who have written on the subje<ft 

 cf hunting, seem to agree in this at least — to speak indif* 

 ferently of one anothef. 



YotJ have observed in one of your letters, that I db 

 not always follow my own rules j and, as a proof of if, 

 you have remarked that many of my hounds are oddly 

 named. I cannot deny the charge* 1 leave a great deal to 

 my huntsman ; but if you aim at perfedion, leave as little 

 as you can help to yours. It is easier, I believe, in every 

 instance, to know what is right, than it is to follow it ; but 

 if the rules 1 haVe given are good, what does it signify to 

 3'ou whether I follow them or not ? A country fellow used to 

 call every diredling post that he saw, a doBor. He was askedy 

 Why he called them so ? — " Why, master," said he, ** I 

 *' never see them but they put me in mind of the parson 

 " of our parish, who constantly points out a road to u& 

 " which he does not follow himself." 



If I can add to the amusement of such as foflovv i\nt 

 diversion, I shall not think my time has been ill employed ^ 



