THE EIGHTH DUKE 



(she bit the top of his finger off) — and put her into a 

 small plantation. Like a fool, she ran into garden 

 and was killed. I was sorry, having for three 

 seasons hunted her. She was bred in Rough ground, 

 and laid up a litter at Shipton last spring. She was 

 very clever, and till to-day, when found, always 

 shifted the responsibility on some one else's shoul- 

 ders. It was awfully hot. No fox could stand 

 before hounds." 



In addition to the field, the Duke found his 

 whippers-in a trial. As a whole perhaps they 

 mar more sport than they make. " Are whippers- 

 in intended as a trial to our patience, or are 

 they a naturally stupid race .'* " inquires the 

 Duke. Then comes a note written in high 

 spirits : — 



"Thursday, February 19th. — Old Berkshire 

 Hounds ; Mr. Morrell invited us (Lord Raglan, 

 Colonel Powlett Somerset, Captain Thomas Leslie 

 and myself), gave us a good hunt in the Shriven- 

 ham country, sent his coach and four to meet us 

 at Farringdon, took us and entertained us (36 to 

 dinner) at Oxford. Slept at All Souls' in Gran- 

 ville's rooms. Had a good day's sport, killing 

 one fox. Hunted next day, Friday, February 20th, 

 at Bradwell Grove, with the Heythrop — a bad 

 scenting day, but so bright one could see a fox a 

 mile ahead, and we killed three ; a merry day's 

 sport, though not a brilliant one. Five hundred 

 people out — many of them to meet me. 



199 



