262 HISTOKY OF THE KOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT EACES. 



there is ample reason to believe that the Royal Buckhounds 

 were showing good sport. 



Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, in a letter to the Countess 

 of Mar, tells her that at this time she rode a good deal, and 

 had " got a horse superior to any two-legged animal, he being 

 without a fault." In another epistle to the Countess she says : 

 " I think this is the first time in my life that a letter of yours 

 has lain by me two posts unanswered. You'll wonder to hear 

 that short silence is occasioned by not having a moment un- 

 employed at Twickenham ; but I pass many hours on horse- 

 back, and I'll assure you, ride stag-hunting, which I know 

 you'll stare to hear of. I have arrived to vast courage and 

 skill that way, and I am as well pleased with it as with the 

 acquisition of a new sence : his Royal Highness hunts in 

 Richmond Park, and I make one of the heau ononde in his 

 train. I desire you after this account," she humorously 

 adds, " not to name the word old woman to me any more : I 

 approach to fifteen nearer than I did ten years ago, and am in 

 hopes to improve every year in health and vivacity." Thus, 

 in the sixty-fourth year of her age this accomplished lady first 

 took to ride to hounds ; with what result the modesty of her 

 letter is commendably silent. 



On July 30, 1726, it was announced that Colonel Negus 

 had sent several sets of horses to Windsor, and that other 

 preparations were making for his Majesty's going thither in 

 a little time. However, the projected royal sojourn at the 

 Castle was eventually abandoned. The King went to Hampton 

 Court instead ; and thence, during a short visit, made shooting 

 excursions to Bushey and Richmond Parks. The Prince held 

 his court at Richmond, which was probably still associated 

 with the Royal Buckhounds during his sojourn there in the 

 hunting season. Although no records of the sport leak out, 

 there is nevertheless one circumstance mentioned which 

 establishes the fact that the pack must have been in a 

 working way — viz., the races at Ascot by horses " that stag- 

 hunted with the King's hounds." And, during the last four 

 seasons, 147 sjbags and hinds had been hunted with the pack. 



