THE VALE OF WHITE HORSE 153 



were situated. Carter hunted the hounds during the 

 first five or six seasons, and Grant, who had previously 

 lived with Lord Kintore, the remainder of the time. 



The Worcestershire country was then taken in hand 

 by a committee, of whom Mr. Cookes and Mr. Edward 

 Dixon were the active members. Kennels were then 

 built at Ranks wood, a short distance on the east of the 

 ancient city ; and they are very central. This lasted 

 only about three or four seasons, when Colonel Clowes 

 came forward, and has had the management ever since. 

 I have never seen the hounds since that gentleman has 

 had them, but from report am led to believe they are a 

 very effective, useful lot. William Stansby, who was 

 for many years first whip at Badminton, has hunted the 

 Worcestershire hounds several seasons with great 

 success, and cannot fail to know the essential qualities 

 of a fox-hound, and the necessity for condition. The 

 second whip is spoken of in high terms for his assiduous 

 attention to the hounds, and observance of his duties 

 in assisting the huntsman. Worcestershire is indiffer- 

 ently circumstanced with respect to walks; recourse 

 must therefore be had to other kennels for young 

 hounds, and an annual draft from Earl Fitzhardinge 

 has assisted in making up the deficiency. 



Very few countries present greater attractions for 

 fox-hunting than the Vale of White Horse, and this 

 arises from two causes the natural capabilities of the 

 country, and the celebrity of the masters of hounds, 

 who have at various times occupied it. I understand 

 it has been enlivened with the cheering notes of horn 

 and hound from a very early date ; but by whom it was 

 hunted I am not in a position to state (unless it was by 

 the late Lord Berkeley), prior to Mr. Codrington, who 

 commenced in or about the year 1818. This gentleman 

 has been represented as a very superior sportsman of his 

 day, and he continued till 1824, when Mr. Harvey 

 Coombe entered upon it and hunted it conjointly with 

 the Old Berkeley for three seasons. Lord Kintore had 

 it a similar period, when the late Earl Ducie, then the 



