OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 33 



hunt, and preserved Foxes with a spirit and an 

 anxiety which did him credit, and materially 

 raised him in the estimation of his neighbours. 



A stock of old Foxes is as necessary for sport 

 as a stock of old hounds ; Foxes of the year are 

 weak, and those of two years old know but little 

 country. 



To hunt a country and make the most of it, 

 so as to give general satisfaction, requires some 

 consideration. Supposing you have a thorough 

 knowledge of it, use your own judgment and never 

 be led by others, for you will find they have most 

 commonly some selfish motives, and Avill often 

 mislead you. In the summer months, if you are 

 with your hounds, and have not gained that local 

 knowledge of your country at all times so indis- 

 pensable, you will find it useful and agreeable to 

 ride with them early in a refreshing summer's 

 morning. At the same time you can receive in- 

 formation respecting your litters of Foxes ; and, 

 besides, if any of the young hounds should happen 

 to be lost in the succeeding hunting season, they 

 will the better know their way home. A country 

 ought to be regularly hunted, the good and the 

 bad alternately, to give general satisfaction, and 

 in the long run you will have a better chance of 

 sport. If you are continually disturbing your 

 best country, you may have blank days, and the 

 4 



