HUGO MEYNELL 81 



country the average number of foxes killed annually 

 has been about forty-six brace, besides many which 

 have been marked to ground and left, for they seldom 

 dig a fox out after the regular hunting commences. 



As Mr. Meynell hunted only three days in the week 

 and Sir Richard Sutton hunts six, it appears there were 

 a greater number of foxes killed in the ' olden times,' 

 in proportion to the number of hunting days. On the 

 other hand, it must be remembered that the country 

 was nearly, if not quite, double the present extent. 

 Neither is the number of foxes killed a criterion of 

 sport. 



It was the custom with Mr. Meynell to have the 

 hounds taken the night before hunting to the immediate 

 vicinity of the coverts which they were to draw on the 

 following day, even if the distance did not exceed a few 

 miles. This was of course done with a view of having 

 them fresh to commence their work, but it must have 

 been a mistaken idea ; for it is quite certain neither 

 man, horse, nor hound reposes so comfortably as in the 

 bed, stall, or kennel to which he is accustomed. 



The good taste which Mr. Meynell displayed in other 

 affairs besides those of the chase led him into the best 

 society of the day ; the man of fashion being combined 

 with the sportsman must have assisted most materially 

 in stamping upon the ' Noble Science ' that distinction 

 with which he impressed it. He has been represented 

 as having been the beau ideal of society, if such a term 

 can be used individually ; and his courteous yet en- 

 thusiastic manner in the field gave him a command 

 which few masters of hounds ever enjoyed. Moreover, 

 there were not so many horsemen, neither were there any 

 of the promiscuous class to interfere with the working 

 details of the chase. In the selection of a stomachic, 

 cordial, restorative, tonic, or by whatever term he 

 might have been pleased to describe it, his choice was 

 certainly singular. Some gentlemen go forth into the 

 hunting field provided with small flasks of sherrAs 

 curagoa, cherry brandy, or similar spirituous com- 



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