Thoughts Upon Hunting; In a Series of Familiar Letters to a Friend (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1782 edition. Excerpt: ... different hounds: some may require more hounds than others: it is not an easy matter to draft hounds properly; nor can any expedition be made in it, without some method. I Seldom suffer many unsteady hounds to be taken out together; and when I do, I take care that none shall go with them, bufsuch as they cannot spoil. No hound ought to be lest at home, unless there be a reason for it; it is therefore that I fay great nicety is required to draft hounds properly. Many huntsmen, I believe, think it of no great consequence which they take out, and which they leave; provided they have the number requisite. A perfect knowledge in feeding, and drafting hounds, are the two most essential parts of fox-hunting: good hounds will require but little assistance afterwards. By seeding, I mean the bringing the hound into the field, in his highest vigour. By drafting, I particularly mean the taking out no unsteady hound, nor any that are not likely to be of service to the pack.--When you intend to hunt two days following, it is then th.it the greatest nicety will be requisite to make the most of a small pr.ck. Placing hounds to the greatest advantage, as mentioned page 250, may also be considered as a necessary part of fox-hunting. Hounds that are intended to hunt the next d.iy, and are drafted off into the hunting kennel, as soon as they are fed; should be let out again into the outer court in the evening: My hounds have generally some thin meat given them at this time, while the feeder cleans out their kennel. I have already faid that cleanliness is not less essential than food. When When the place of meeting, and time are fixed, every huntsman ought to be as exact to them as it is possible. On no account is he to be before the time; yet, on some...