THE DUKE'S HUNT. 15 



— by no means the least enjoyable, though now rarely experi- 

 enced, preface to a day's hunting — might be run up to the fox. 

 Not only many of the traditions of the sport enjoyed at this 

 period have been handed down from generation to generation 

 in the dales, but at the same time much hound and hunting 

 lore. The old school of Bilsdale sportsmen, now, alas ! 

 all but extinct, have often insisted to the writer that the best 

 time to commence operations is so soon as the sun rises. 

 There is much wisdom in this theory, though I doubt that it 

 would not find favour with the Nimrods of to-day, who are 

 riding to the meet at a time when the old-world hunters 

 were discussing in their own minds as to whether their horses 

 were too exhausted to see a second or a third run through. 

 Another version of the old song runs : — 



The Duke of Buckingham's Hunt. 



Early one morning as I was walking, 



Then did I hear of a famous fine hunting ; 



'Twas between some gentlemen and the Duke of Buckingham 



So early as I was walking. 



Chorus. 



There was Dido and Spendigo, gentry was there O, 

 Old Towler who never looks behind him ; 

 There was Countess and Rowler, Bonny Lass and Jowler, 

 These are the hounds that will find him. 



Our fox being young, and the sport just begun, 

 He straightway took out of the covert ; 

 It was up the highest hill and down the lowest dale, 

 Expecting his life for his labour. 



There was, etc. 



Mr. Watkins he rode bay, Mr. Taffe he rode grey, 

 Mr. Draper kept up with his Grace, Sir, 

 Mr. Watson had no share, for he rode his dappled mare, 

 And was forc'd to give over the chase, Sir. 



There was, etc. 



Jemmy trots o'er the plain, as he trips it o'er again ; 

 Bold Watkin's horse never fails him ; 

 Then for ever and a day, to his hounds he will say, 

 Hark away, hark away, altogether. 



There was, etc. 



