FOX-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 17 



Taunton (who had formerly been an officer in the 

 King's Dragoon Guards) a man of huge frame, 

 with strong character and much determination 

 and perseverance. 



Enthusiastic on the subject, he undertook 

 the task of reviving the Chase of the Wild Red 

 Deer in North Devon and West Somerset, and 

 was Master of the Staghounds from 1855 to 1881 

 with very successful results. 



He died in 1883 when about sixty years of 

 age, and was buried in the churchyard at Bag- 

 borough. 



Granville Somerset was a Queen's Counsel 

 with an immense amount of Parliamentary 

 practice at the Bar, and how he got through all 

 his business and made a fortune as well was a 

 wonder to all, for he was to be seen with hounds 

 in autumn, winter, and spring, beginning on 

 Exmoor and ending in the New Forest ; but 

 wherever he went he was always welcome as a 

 most genial companion. 



What a delightful place to stay at was 

 Badminton ! Full of guests throughout the 

 winter, and unlimited hospitality, surely there 

 never existed a more kindly couple than that 

 warm - hearted Duke and his good Duchess ! 

 How fond of hunting, too, was their only daughter 

 Lady Blanche, so universally beloved ! She 



