FOX-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 13 



at a banquet and made a charming speech in 

 excellent French. On the whole there had not 

 been much sport as regards wolf-hunting, but it 

 was an interesting expedition under most pleasant 

 auspices. 



During this year I retired from the Army, 

 and for some seasons afterwards hunted with 

 the Beaufort Hunt — an immense extent of 

 territory, combining almost every description of 

 country — with more than ample for six days a 

 week. At that time three distinct packs were 

 maintained ; Clark was huntsman, and Jack 

 West and Heber Long whipped in ; they were 

 all in green plush, which looked smart enough in 

 fine weather, but was rather apt to hold the 

 wet. Members of the Hunt wore the well- 

 known Blue and Buff, for which distinction 

 ladies also were in great competition. The 

 country always seemed to be full of foxes, and 

 there was no end of sport with them. Many 

 merry spins over the walls, and many a good 

 day's sport did I enjoy with the Blue and Buff. 



The fastest gallop I ever saw in this country 

 was on the 12th December 1864. They found 

 him in Pacey's Plantation, rather a flying start, 

 and only two or three got away with the hounds ; 

 they raced a tremendous pace for forty-two 

 minutes by Crudwell, across Paradise Farm and 



