THE BADMINTON HUNT. 25 



another opportunity of meeting the Duke 

 of Beaufort's hounds, and that was on the 

 28th of February 1843, when on a visit to 

 Lord GIfford, who was hunting the Vale 

 of White Horse. An arrano^ement had 

 been made for his Grace to meet at 

 Cirencester woods the day before, but the 

 elements poured forth such an abundance 

 of snow at daybreak, more especially at 

 Badminton, that a whipper-ln was sent for- 

 ward to announce the postponement of the 

 appointment till the following day. That 

 morning, although not affected by frost, 

 was cold and dry, and at the usual hour of 

 meeting, the hounds (the lady pack) made 

 their appearance, and were soon joined by 

 a most aristocratic field. In company with 

 the Duke of Beaufort were the Prince of 

 Tours and Texas, Counts Chaco, Wol- 

 worth, and Esterhazy ; Lord Bathurst, 

 Captains Balfour and Falrlle, Mr Camp- 

 bell of Saddell, several members of the 



