NIMRODS NORTHERN TOUR. 89 



and Curious, Gamesome and Gypsey, Trimmer and Bilker, not 

 forgetting Susan among the three year olds ; and Comely and 

 Costly among the two year olds Rutland and Cleveland blood 

 perfect beauties of their kind. Here then, surely, I must stop ! 

 Oh no ; I cannot pass over the young Merlin hounds, out of 

 Countess and Lucy, but only with this slight notice, as I shall 

 have something to say of trvem at a more fitting opportunity. 



Collectively or, in more appropriate language, as a pack 

 my opinion of these hounds was given in a letter I wrote to Mr. 

 Lambton from Scotland, informing him of my intended visit to 

 him on my return home, and in precisely these words : " I 

 think Williamson can show twenty couples of bitches, and ten 

 of dog hounds that it would be very difficult to beat in any kennel 

 in England of the same standard, of course." The opinion, 

 however, of those (competent to give one, of course) who have 

 been where I have not been, for the last five years that is, 

 amongst the crack packs of England is better worth having 

 than mine ; and it is the opinion of several sportsmen who are 

 able to judge of them, in actual comparison with others, that the 

 Duke of Buccleuch's pack ranks third or fourth amongst the 

 crack packs of the kingdom. All I can add is, long may it con- 

 tinue to do so. 



In the field. To enable a man to form a correct estimate of 

 the merits or demerits of fox-hounds in the field, he ought to 

 hunt more with him than it was in my power to hunt with these. 

 He should in fact see them in all situations and difficulties in 

 which hounds are seen on good scenting days and on bad ; in 

 wind and in storm ; with a good fox and a bad one ; amidst 

 every description of riot, and amidst it at all times of the day ; 

 and at all periods of their work ; when much pressed upon by 

 horsemen ; .at the end of a severe burst, as well as at the finish 

 of a long run. In each of these situations, with the exception of 

 high wind, have I seen the Duke of Buccleuch's hounds, although 

 not often. With allowance for this circumstance, then, must my 

 opinion be received. 



In chase. Whether hounds can carry a good head, depends 

 upon two things a good fox and a good scent. Whether they 

 can carry it to the end of a severe run also depends upon two 

 things good condition, and judgment in drafting the pack. 

 With one exception, which I shall allude to hereafter, the Duke 

 of Buccleuch's pack appeared to me to be sufficiently perfect in 

 this respect. As to riot I never saw them amongst roe-deer, 

 but amongst hares no hounds need be steadier. Indeed, from 

 the opportunity Williamson has in the summer of walking them 

 through hares, and drawing the small clumps in the park. 



