THE EIGHTH DUKE OF BEAUFORT 



present Duke of Beaufort, among other books, lent 

 me a kennel book of the above date. This volume 

 was kept with much care. From it we learn that 

 hare-hunting- was much in favour in the early days. 

 The type of hound used was probably the old- 

 fashioned light-coloured harrier, now still surviving 

 in the Cotley and Sir John Amory's kennels. 

 That there were a few richer-coloured hounds the 

 occurrence in the kennel register of the name 

 Tanned Gypsey seems to show. I also gather 

 that this colour was the exception. 



In 1734 the handwriting of the Badminton kennel 

 entries changes, and at this time there were thirty 

 couple of harriers and only six couple of deerhounds. 

 It is, however, plain that the two were of quite 

 distinct breeds, and each was carefully kept pure. 

 In 1736 the kennels began to be sought to for fresh 

 blood by their neighbours. Lord Bath had a loan 

 or draft of both harriers and deerhounds in 1 738. 

 On the other hand, the Badminton hounds were 

 improved by the introduction of fresh strains, 

 and a hound named Csesar was lent for the 

 purpose by Lord " Padgett." The third Duke of 

 Beaufort and his huntsman evidently took great 

 pains with the breeding of the pack. Some fifteen 

 or sixteen couple were sent out to walk. In 1740 

 the deerhound pack was increasing, and we may 

 therefore conclude that the Duke was more keen 

 about stag-hunting than was formerly the case. 



It was three years after this (in 1743) that Henry, 



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