164 Hark Away. 



results, and, as far as I could form an opinion from 

 careful observation, I should have little fear of further 

 outbreak. Of course, some o± the hounds may have 

 been bitten by those who have fallen victims to the 

 disease, and, as it appears to be the opinion of the 

 learned that seeds of this malady may lie dormant 

 for months — or, as some assert, for years — there 

 can be no absolute certainty of immunity ; but, as I 

 have before observed, the premonitory symptoms 

 cannot fail at to once arrest the attention of the 

 huntsmen in time to prevent serious consequences. 

 Were I in charge of these animals, and had the 

 opportunity of watching the cases that occurred at 

 Ascot, I should have no fear that the approach of 

 the complaint would escape my observation. The 

 symptoms are so marked, and the changed condi- 

 tion of the animal so apparent to those under whose 

 eyes they constantly are, that, with the knowledge 

 that such a contingency was impending over them, 

 suspicion would at once be roused. 



Up to the time of the outbreak the Royal hounds 

 had been doing good work, showing some capital 

 runs, notably one on the first public day of the 

 season, when they had a clinker from Salt Hill, by 

 way of Burnham Beeches, Beaconsfield, Chalfont, 

 and on to Chenies. Having ridden with them on 

 that occasion, and having specially noted their con- 

 dition, and the way they did their work, I am per- 

 fectly certain that the disaster is to be attributed 

 to an accidental introduction of disease, and not to 

 any inherent ailment attributable to locality, or to 

 any defect in food, dwelling, or drainage. I think 

 there is little doubt that as soon as the frost brea 



