Page:Cynegetica.djvu/88

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72
Obſervations on

in conjunction with the ſaid inſtruments, to ſettle and confirm our prognoſtication. In the mean time it muſt be confeſſed, that this ingenious machine is of great uſe to the obſervant Huntſman; and when he riſes in the morning, and finds the air moiſt and temperate, the quickſilver in his glaſs moderately high, or gently convex, he has a fair invitation to prepare for his exerciſe. I know it is a cuſtom with our juvenile Sportſmen to fix the time two or three days before hand to meet a friend, or to hunt in ſuch or ſuch a quarter. But appointed matches of this kind are my averſion and abhorrence: he that will enjoy the pleaſures of the chace, muſt aſk leave of the Heavens. Hunting is a trade that is not to be forced, nor can the beſt Cry that ever was coupled, make any thing of it, unleſs the air be in tune.

The earth alſo hath no ſmall influence on this delicious paſtime; for, though it ſometimes happens (according to the obſervation above) that the ſcent is floating, ſo that you may run down a Hare through water and mire, eſpecially if you keep pretty cloſe

after