THE EIGHTH DUKE OF BEAUFORT 



On all these trips the Duke made friends and 

 strengthened his position and influence in the world 

 of sport. But he never forgot more serious busi- 

 ness, and the Badminton Farmers' Club was at this 

 time a very flourishing body, though even here 

 some murmurs of complaint at bad times made 

 themselves felt. However, it is evident that the 

 members had not yet come within sight of the 

 dark days when farmers would be no longer able 

 to hunt. 



In the autumn of 1875, Heber Long, who was 

 leavinof Badminton to become huntsman to the 

 South and West Wilts, was presented with a testi- 

 monial by the local farmers. Heber was a son of 

 Charles Long, a much esteemed whipper-in under 

 William Long, and belonged, therefore, to a family 

 whose services to Badminton and hunting were not 

 soon to be forgotten. 



The way he came by his name was as follows. 

 The Duke asked Charles why he had given the 

 boy the name. "Well, your Grace," was the an- 

 swer, " I came across the name of Heber the 

 Kenite in the Bible, and at the same time I was 

 reading some sermons by Bishop Heber, so I 

 thought I could not do better." 



The Farmers' Club presented Heber with a silver 

 horn and a purse of 138 guineas. 



In 1876 a visitor notes his admiration for the 

 hounds, hunted according to Badminton tradition 

 in three packs — the big dogs, the middle pack, and 



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