The Sixth Duke of Grafton^ M.F.H. 89 



In hunting matters the Duke adhered to the 

 system adopted by his grandfather ; he was a 

 great buyer of horses in his own country, and 

 became the possessor of a stud which was second 

 to none. Horse breeding was encouraged by the 

 best of blood being placed at the service of the 

 farmers at Wakefield. Some of the elders of the 

 hunt used to hope that his Grace would resume 

 the old livery, but the Duke said ' he preferred 

 the scarlet and did not care to go back to the 

 green.' 



The hounds and horses, by the kindness of 

 Lord Southampton, found accommodation at 

 Whittlebury for the first season under the sixth 

 Duke of Grafton's mastership, whilst the new 

 kennels on Wakefield Lawn were being built. 

 His Grace was always held in high esteem by 

 the farmers, w^ho greatly appreciated his liberality 

 in distributing game amongst them. The giving 

 of prizes for the best puppies walked by the 

 farmers was instituted by this Duke. 



