CHAPTER I. 



THE FOURTH DUKE OF GRAFTON, M.F.H., 

 COLONEL GEORGE FITZROY. 



Born on the Grafton estate, at a very early age 

 I was sent hunting by my mother on a pillow, in 

 front of the head groom ; and, having persistently 

 followed the Grafton Hounds for so many years, I 

 may reasonably call myself a '' Grafton " man. 



The first Master of hounds my memory records 

 was George Henry, fourth Duke of Grafton, of 

 great renown on the turf, a most successful breeder 

 of racehorses, as turf history tells us. His Grace 

 won many races, and his great success upon the 

 turf appears to have stimulated him to turn his 

 attention to the improvement of hunters in the 

 Grafton country. Having so fine a stud to select 

 from, the Duke, in his great generosity, kept a 

 proper selection of sires at Wakefield Lodge for 

 the benefit of his farmers and friends. After a 

 few years had passed, the Grafton country became 



B 



