128 MnQQ ot tbe 1buntina*3fiel& 



place the front rank ? I never saw a young sportsman so 

 fond of hounds as this kind-hearted nobleman.' 



In November 1830 the Duke of Rutland announced 

 that he must reduce the number of hunting days of his 

 hounds per week, unless some younger man would 

 undertake the Mastership. The eyes of the Hunt were 

 at once turned to Lord Forester. Here was a nobleman, 

 young, vigorous, rich, the son of a famous hunting sire, 

 with a profound knowledge of all that pertained to the 

 Chase. What better sportsman could they have to carry 

 the horn ? So Lord Forester undertook to hunt the Duke 

 of Rutland's country, and for eight-and-twenty seasons 

 gave the members of the Hunt as brilliant sport as any 

 man could wish for. 



With such kennel huntsmen as Goosey, Goodall and 

 Cooper, and with his own naturally good eye for a horse 

 and a hound, it was not surprising that Lord Forester's 

 kennels and stables became famous. His hounds were 

 noted for their stoutness, and they had need of that 

 quality, for Lord Forester \\as one who extracted the 

 last ounce of sport out of every day's hunting. It was 

 his practice to draw as long as there was light, and when 

 Will Goodall was asked ' What's o'clock ? ' his invariable 

 answer used to be, ' I never carry a watch, as my lud 

 always draws till dark.' No day was too long, no fox 

 too stout for these hounds. Their condition was perfect, 

 and there was no Master in England who did not set 

 great store on the Forester blood for staying power. 



In 1858 Lord Forester, finding that years were 

 beginning to tell upon him, decided to bring his active 

 career as a Master of Foxhounds to a close. The 

 announcement of his resignation was received with 

 general regret, and the good sportsmen to whom he had 



