THE VINE HOUNDS 199 



from the Duke of Beaufort and Mr. Assheton Smith's 

 kennels. 



In 1835 Mr. Donnithorne Taylor became the master 

 of the Vine hounds ; but he only kept them one season, 

 when Mr. Fellowes resumed the important office. 

 Adamson occupied the situation of huntsman for many 

 years. Sir Richard Ryecroft, Bart., of Many down 

 Park, succeeded Mr. Fellowes, and engaged William 

 Cox as the huntsman, he having previously hunted the 

 Hampshire hounds for Captain Ha worth, where he 

 gained much reputation. Mr. St. John relieved Sir 

 Richard Ryecroft in the year 1849, still retaining Cox 

 to hunt the hounds. If evidence were wanting to show 

 the disadvantages which arise from changes of masters 

 of hounds and huntsmen, this would afford a most con- 

 vincing example. During the period when Sir Richard 

 Ryecroft had the management, the breeding and 

 kennel details were left entirely to the huntsman. As 

 soon as Mr. St. John took the command he essayed to 

 make many alterations, especially in the breeding and 

 feeding departments. He was anxious to introduce a 

 very different style of hounds, and procured a lot which 

 had been drafted from Mr. Drake's draft. Assimilating 

 the condition of hounds with the training of grey- 

 hounds, sheeps' trotters were substituted for horse- 

 flesh ; an experiment which did not continue the season 

 through. Had Mr. St. John kept the hounds longer, so 

 as to have established the kind he appeared anxious to 

 introduce, he might in time have formed a pack with 

 some pretensions ; but during the period when such 

 changes are being effected the pack must inevitably 

 suffer. This gentleman relinquished his trust at the 

 conclusion of his third season to Captain Mainwaring, 

 son of Sir Henry Mainwaring, Bart., of Peover Hall in 

 Cheshire, who was for many years master of the 

 Cheshire hounds. 



The Vine country claims additional distinction from 

 the patronage for many years afforded by the hero of a 

 hundred fights, the late Duke of Wellington. Although 



