HUNTING DIRECTORY. 27 



Two Kennels lecommended. 



And brush th' entangled covert, whose nice scent 

 O'er greasy fallows, and frequented roads. 

 Can pick the dubious way. Banish far oflF 

 Each noisome stench, let no oflFensive smell 

 Invade thy wide enclosure, but admit 

 The nitrous air, and purifying breeze." 



Beckford is very particular in his instructions respecting 

 the kennel ; and as he very judiciously observes, its size 

 must be suited to the number of its inhabitants ; but, he 

 continues, " I make no doubt, there are many better 

 kennels than mine ; some of which, I think, you should 

 see before you begin to build." No better advice can 

 be given ; and it is highly advisable for any person who 

 contemplates building a kennel, in the first place, to visit 

 several of the principal fox-hunting establishments, from 

 which he will not fail to derive much useful information^, 

 as well as obtain the best possible guide for his own con- 

 templated structure. It is not easy to convey the requi- 

 site directions on paper for this purpose ; and, after all, 

 a little personal inspection of a few of the kennels which 

 are already reared, would convey much better and more 

 lucid ideas to the mind, than a bulky volume written on 

 the subject. The author of the " Thoughts on Hunting," 

 speaking of his own kennel, observes : — " I think two 

 kennels absolutely necessary to the Avell-being of the 

 hounds : when there is but one, it is seldom sweet ; and 

 when cleaned out, the hounds, particularly in winter, 

 suffer both whilst it is cleaning, and as long as it remains 

 wet afterwards. 



*'The floor of each lodging-room should be bricked, 

 and sloped on both sides to run to the center, with a 



b2 



