206 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Fox Hunting superior to all other Diversions. 



too often are fatal to tliem. Farmers, for their lambs 

 (which, by the bye, few foxes ever kill), gentlemen for 

 their game, and old women for their poultry, are their 

 inveterate enemies. 



" Fox-hunting, an acquaintance of mine says, is only 

 followed because you can ride hard, and do less harm in 

 that than in any other hunting. There may be some 

 truth in the observation; but to such as love the riding- 

 part only of hunting, would not a trail scent be much 

 more suitable ? Gentlemen who hunt for the sake of a 

 ride, who are indifferent about the hounds, and know 

 little of the business, if they do no harm, it is to the full 

 as much as we have reason to expect from them ; while 

 those of a contrary description do good, and have much 

 greater pleasure. Such as are acquainted with the 

 hounds, and can at tunes assist them, find the sport 

 more interesting, and frequently have the satisfaction to 

 think that they themselves contribute to the success of 

 the day. My spirits are always good after good sport in 

 hunting ; nor is the rest of the day ever disagreeable to 

 me afterwards. What are other sports compared with 

 this, which is all enthusiasm ! Fishing is, in my opinion, 

 a dull diversion ; shooting, though it admits of a com- 

 panion, does not allow of many : both therefore may be 

 considered as selfish and solitary amusements compared 

 with hunting ; to which as many as please are welcome. 

 The one might teach patience to a philosopher ; and the 

 other, though it occasions great fatigue to the body, 

 seldom affords much occupation to the mind. Whereas, 

 fox-hunting is a kind of warfare ; its uncertainties, its 

 fiitigues, its difficulties, and its dangers, rendering it 

 interesting above all other diversions." 



