8 THE BADMINTON HUNT. 



country and estates. In that Duke's 

 time the hounds attained very great cele- 

 brity, which has been vastly improved upon 

 by modern customs and exquisite good 

 taste. On the 23d of November 1835, 

 the noble Duke expired at his seat, Bad- 

 minton, aged sixty-nine. His Grace had 

 presided over the affairs of the hunting- 

 field thirty-two seasons, and his predecessor 

 forty, quite an unprecedented event in the 

 annals of foxhunting. 



Holding a prominent position in the 

 hall are portraits of the Duke and Duchess 

 of Beaufort on horseback in hunting attire, 

 from the inimitable easel of Sir Francis 

 Grant, who was never more happy in his 

 likenesses. It was a presentation picture, 

 given by the members of the hunt and the 

 tenants on the estate. 



Many can remember the late Duke of 

 Beaufort, and those who did not know him 

 personally, must do so by repute. He was 



