THE BADMINTON HUNT. 41 



As an instance of the Duke's quick con- 

 ception and appreciation of character : On 

 one occasion when the hounds were about 

 to draw a covert where the, strict preserva- 

 tion of foxes was rather questionable, the 

 keeper, obsequiously approaching, ad- 

 dressed his Grace, stating that " the place 

 was full of foxes, for he took such great 

 care of them." " Oh, thank you," replied 

 his Grace, " if you will only let them alone, 

 they will be sure to take care of them- 

 selves." 



Mr Morreirs hunting establishment being 

 broken up by the sale of his hounds, was 

 the means of setting Tom Clark at liberty. 

 He had been huntsman to the Old Berk- 

 shire some seven or eight years, where he 

 gave great satisfaction. He was a nice 

 weight, a very superior horseman, and 

 handled his hounds with great skill. There 

 are few better opportunities of judging of 

 hounds and men than those which cubhunt^ 



