THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT'S 125 



of Thanet's hounds, from whom he went to Lord 

 DarUngton, and afterwards to the Earl of Lonsdale as 

 huntsman, which engagement he retained twelve years ; 

 he then hunted the Cheshire hounds two seasons, and 

 was engaged to perform a similar duty at Badminton 

 in 1802. This appointment he held till 1826 ; and on his 

 quitting the duke's service, William Long, who had for 

 many years whipped-in to him, occupied his place. 



I never had an opportunity of meeting the sixth Duke 

 of Beaufort's hounds but twice, some twenty years ago, 

 which was in their Heythrop country; on one occasion 

 at Addlestrope Gate, on the other at Boulter's Barn. 

 They had not anything remarkable in the way of a run 

 on either day, except on the first a pretty scurry from 

 Oddington Ashes over the Evenlode brook — in which 

 several enjoyed the delights of a cold bath — nearly to 

 Chastleton, where they lost their fox. I perfectly well 

 remember the aristocratic character of the establishment, 

 and also am anecdote of the noble duke, who found it 

 necessarj^ to remonstrate with a young Oxonian on a 

 previous occasion who had wantonly pressed upon the 

 hounds, so much so as to cause them to lose their fox. 

 It is so consistent with his Grace's kind yet impressive 

 deportment that I must not omit its introduction. The 

 zeal for notoriety had so far overcome the propriety of 

 this young aspirant to equestrian fame, that he had 

 several times pressed the hounds off the scent, which 

 was but an indifferent one ; and at length the fox was 

 lost, when he was doomed to receive this well-directed 

 admonition. His Grace rode up to him, and taking off 

 his hat, exclaimed, '' Sir, I have to thank you, and I 

 beg every gentleman in the field will follow my 

 example, take off their hats to you, and thank you for 

 spoiling a very good day's sport." 



An unfortunate accident occurred at Heythrop — 

 the destruction by fire of part of the mansion when 

 airing it for the reception of the duke and family. A 

 portion was saved, which is still devoted to the use of 

 the servants of the present Heythrop hounds. This 



