152 HARRIERS 



As there is such a diversity of opinion about the 

 number of hounds requisite to hunt fox or hare, I will 

 merely state that I have been frequently out hunting 

 within the last few years with a very old and experienced 

 Master of harriers, who has occupied that position for 

 nearly thirty seasons, and the number of his hunting-pack 

 in the field has never, at any time I have met them, 

 exceeded eight couples, with which he is enabled to cope 

 with the stoutest hill-hares, generally killing two or 

 three a day. 



Facts are stubborn things to fight with, and 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 

 incontestably proved), all beyond that number would 

 seem to be unnecessary appendages, save only as contribut- 

 ing 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 cir- 

 cumstances, 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 witnessed 

 to a run with his hounds, which, I must admit, did not in- 

 crease 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 surrounding 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 



