334 The Post and the Paddock. 



sportsmen, and knew when they were on the scent 

 and when off it. They had not more than eighteen 

 couple of effective hounds, but they were the cream of 

 the cream. Old Tom knew the Forest well, and 

 showed the hand of a master there. The hounds 

 were mainly descended from a hound bred by Lord 

 Egremont, called Jasper, who was a model of a fox- 

 hound both in shape and work. In those days there 

 was a club at the King's house at Lyndhurst, where 

 there was a jovial party, good cheer, and, to a lover 

 of hunting, the month of April was altogether a month 

 of pleasure without alloy. 



There were no hounds more deserving of notice 

 than the Oakley, in days of yore. About the 

 year 1808 or 1809, as well as we recollect, the 

 Duke of Bedford took them under his guidance : 

 he was then a young man, and had no knowledge 

 of hunting. His huntsman, George Wells, had 

 not then had experience to make him sage, and 

 was rather of the wild-boy school. The Duke had 

 no prejudices, went out with other packs, and pro- 

 fited by what he saw. He found he was wrong, both 

 in his theory and practice, and instead of following 

 the wild lifting system, adopted quietness almost to 

 excess, and his pack became in consequence one of 

 the most efficient in the kingdom. George Wells 

 soon discovered that he had been on the wrong tack, 

 that the more he did for them the less they would 

 do for themselves, and from inclination, as well as 

 conviction, willingly acquiesced in the Duke's wishes. 

 Their symmetry was perhaps unrivalled, and they 

 were altogether as good as they were handsome. 

 The fatigue of the chase was too much for his Grace's 

 health, and we believe no man ever gave it up with 

 greater reluctance. 



Before we close we must not forget the venerable 

 Mr. Corbet, who for so many years hunted War- 

 wickshire. He did not ride hard, but his huntsman, 



