NIM ROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 85 



The condition of the duke's horses was most creditable to his 

 groom ; and, as was the case with those under Williamson's care 

 for they form two separate establishments every horse was 

 then in work. There was not even a single case of foot lameness 

 in either of the studs, and I only saw two legs bandaged, to re- 

 move some temporary inflammation to which hunters are always 

 subject from blows and other causes. But I must add a few words 

 more on this interesting subject, as well as pleasing one to me, 

 inasmuch as it is a great gratification to be able to speak well of 

 any man, and more especially when writing of that class of men 

 which contribute so much to the pleasures of fox-hunting as a 

 good hunting groom contributes. I am bound to say, then, that 

 independently of his professional skill, of which his horses gave 

 proof, I never met with a more civil, unaffected, or sensible man 

 in his line than Matthew Marshall, the Duke of Buccleuch's head 

 groom. He was brought up in the stables of the Earl of Home, 

 and the duke gives him every chance to be a first-rate hunting 

 groom, as he is almost always to be seen in the field, attired in 

 the proper hunting costume of the servant, and mounted on one 

 or another of the duke's own horses, but in a run quite in- 

 dependent of his Grace, who has his pad-boy out on his second 

 horse. The advantages he receives by this are greater than many 

 persons may imagine, who might not have given the subject their 

 full consideration. He sees and feels his horses in their work-"; 

 and thereby partakes of 'the practical experience which the train- 

 ing groom avails himself of, by his constant presence with his 

 race-horses when they are doing, what is called, good work, and 

 his nearly constant presence at all other times. Matthew, or 

 " Matty" as he is called in Scotland, is in the prime of life 

 indeed appearing to possess the rare gift of an old head upon 

 young shoulders ; particularly neat and clean, and servant-like 

 in his person and demeanour, and a very good horseman. 



Now a word or two for old Frank Collison, of whom I have 

 before spoken, and to whom I was mainly indebted for seeing 

 the finish of one of the finest runs ever seen in Scotland. Frank 

 was on the hunting establishment of the late Duke of Buccleuch, 

 He whipped-in to John King for twenty years ; then was made 

 huntsman for seven years when Williamson became huntsman 

 and is now hunting, what may be called the same hounds 

 (though they have changed masters backwards and forwards) his 

 twentieth season ! He has, I should imagine, arrived at the 

 period which is commonly called " the grand climacteric," 

 although there is nothing in his appearance denoting the usually 

 accompanying decay of either body or mind ; and having already 

 said that the young horses in the present duke's stud are made 



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