214 A RUN WITH HARRIEIIS. 



this is one from which some useful information 

 may be derived as to the effectiveness of any pack 

 of hounds depending on numbers. If eight or 

 ten couples of harriers are deemed sufficient for 

 every common purpose (which has been most in- 

 contestably proved), all beyond that number would 

 seem to be unnecessary appendages, save only as 

 contributing to the melody of a full choir of voices 

 or tongues. 



The gentleman I have mentioned as content 

 with eight couples of harriers in the field is a man 

 in affluent circumstances, and does not restrict 

 himself to this short complement from necessity or 

 parsimony, but from choice ; and having had long 

 experience, he may be regarded as good authority 

 in everything appertaining to the science of hare- 

 hunting. I may here mention the finale I wit- 

 nessed to a run with his hounds, which, I must 

 admit, did not increase my ardour (never very 

 great) for pursuing the timid. 



A hare had been found on the summit of a 

 high hill, which commanded a view of the sur- 

 rounding country for several miles ; and as hares 

 generally take a circuit, returning to the spot on 

 which they are found, the day being sultry, and 

 " Scrutator" in a lazy, listless state of mind, I 

 kept my position, from which I could behold all 



