HUNTING DIRECTORY. 155 



should assist his Hounds. 



" The huntsman, at a check, had better let liis liounds 

 alone, or content himself with holding them forward, 

 without taking them off their noses. Hounds that are 

 not used to be cast, will of themselves acquire a better 

 cast than it is in the power of any huntsman to give them ; 

 will spread more, and try better for the scent; and, if 

 they are in health and spirits, they will want no en- 

 couragement. 



"If they are at fault, and have made their own cast, 

 (which the huntsman should always first encourage them 

 to do) it is then his business to assist them further. The 

 first cast I bid my huntsman make, is generally a regular 

 one ; not choosing to rely entirely on his judgment : if 

 that does not succeed, he is then at liberty to follow his 

 own opinion, and proceed as observation and genius may 

 direct. When such a cast is made, I like to see some 

 mark of good sense and meaning in it ; whether down 

 the wind, or towards some likely cover, or strong earth : 

 however, as it is at best uncertain, and as the huntsman 

 and the fox may be of different opinions, I always wish 

 to see a regular cast, before I see a knowing one ; which, 

 as a last resource, should not be called forth till it is 

 wanted. The letting homids alone is but a negative 

 goodness in a huntsman ; whereas it is true, that thts last 

 shows real genius ; and to be perfect, must be born u ith 

 him. There is a fault, however, which a knowing hunts- 

 man is too apt to commit: he will find a fresh fox, and 

 then claim the merit of having recovered the hunted one. 

 It always is dangerous to throw hounds into a cover to 

 retrieve a lost scent; and, unless they hit him in, is not 

 to be depended on. OvWen to the last extremity, should 



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