The Vine Hunt, from 1824 to 1834. 83 



the close of his first season, but not before he had 

 conferred permanent benefits on the hunt, by the 

 introduction of some valuable blood from the Duke 

 of Beaufort's kennel, and, still more, by having brought 

 Adamson into the country as huntsman. In the 

 spring of 1826, the hounds were made over to the 

 gentlemen of the country ; but as no one of them 

 chose to undertake the management, Mr. Beaver, a 

 gentleman not much connected with the neighbour- 

 hood, was appointed to act as master : but this 

 arrangement did not give entire satisfaction, and 

 lasted only one year. In the spring of 1827, Mr. 

 Henry Fellowes, then presiding over the establish- 

 ment at Hurstbourne Park, was induced to undertake 

 the management, and the pack, under the title of * The 

 Vine Hounds! * emerging from the difficulties which 

 such a continual change of masters could not but 

 cause, began a long career of success. Mr. Fellowes 

 retained the management, with a brief interval, for 

 some time after I had ceased to hunt, in 1834. I do 

 not remember precisely in what year he made it over 

 finally to a Committee. Subsequently Captain Main- 

 waring was the master for several seasons. For a few 

 seasons they were kept by the present Earl of Ports- 

 mouth, and once they unhappily fell into the hands of 

 a low person, who brought discredit upon the hunt. 

 I rejoice to know that the country is now again hunted 

 by a gentleman and a sportsman ; and though I am 



* When the gentlemen of the country received the pack from 

 Mr. Abraham Pole, they gave it this title ; for the purpose of 

 perpetuating the memory of the old friend who had founded it. 

 The Vine leaf on the button had been worn in Mr. Chute's 

 days, but the hounds had been called simply ' Mr. Chute's.' 



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