The Royal BMckhounds. 269 



Prior to this last appearance in public, an oppor- 

 tunity was afforded me of looking over the Royal 

 Kennels at Ascot Heath, and observing the healthy 

 state and splendid condition of the Queen's Hounds. 

 The season has been an especially trying one, from 

 the fact of rabies breaking out and causing the loss 

 of several of the pack. At once the hounds were 

 stopped from hunting, and every precaution taken 

 under these trying circumstances. Goodall was 

 strongly advised to have the entire pack destroyed ; 

 but the noble Master, Lord Hardwicke. having the 

 fullest confidence in the judgment and experience 

 of his huntsman, allowed him to follow his own 

 course, the result being so far satisfactory that, on 

 the occasion of my visit, no hounds could be seen in 

 a healthier state, and, judging from appearances, I 

 should say there is every reason to believe that, by 

 the care and attention that was paid, the disease 

 was thoroughly stamped out. It would, indeed, 

 have been a signal disaster, if so fine a lot of animals 

 had been sacrificed in a scare. Fortunately, Lord 

 Hardwicke gave them a chance, and saved from 

 destruction a pack of matchless hounds. 



I doubt whether any master in the United King- 

 dom could produce a finer lot than those paraded 

 on the flags for my inspection — notably, General, 

 Ganymede, Reveller, Scorpion, Wizard, Whitebait, 

 Baronet, Marplot, Boreas, Captor, Flora, Fair Maid, 

 Governess, and Folly. The season has been so 

 interfered with by frost and snow that the sport has 

 been greatly curtailed, though some capital runs 

 have been shown, especially one from Brick Bridge, 

 the deer being uncarted at Westley Mill, in a snow- 



