OLD HAMPSHIRE PACKS 195 



agreeable companion; and I remember with gratitude 

 his kindnessi to me when a boy. The Honourable W. 

 Bowes, assisted by his brother-in-law Barry Price, had 

 a clever small pack two or three seasons, lying at the 

 inn at Everleigh ; and I frequently joined them from 

 the late Mr. Beache's at Netheravon, and recollect a 

 capital run from Southgrove, their best covert. An 

 active man, Wilkinson, well known in Leicestershire, 

 was their huntsman. Mr. Powlett Powlett of 

 Somboume used for many years to hunt the Stock- 

 bridge side. He also patronised Overton some months 

 in the year, and from thence the Crux Easton district. 

 His twenty-four good runs from Freefolk Wood are not 

 yet forgotten. It happened that between the time of 

 Mr. Poyntz and the latter gentleman there was a 

 general carnage of the vermin, and only a few old cun- 

 ning foxes remained. Mr. Smith, the father of the 

 present gentleman, always kept a strong pack of 

 harriers at Tidworth ; and I believe latterly they were 

 all small, high-bred fox-hounds, and generally hunted 

 foxes. I am sorry I cannot supply you with dates ; but 

 if there is any other information you wish for that is in 

 my power to give you, I shall be happy to do so. 



" Yours truly, 



" T T " 



This letter furnishes an admirable sketch of the mode 

 in which fox-hunting was conducted in former days. 

 Lord Stawell's hounds, like the Old Berkeley, were 

 removed from one part of the country to another as 

 foxes happened to be heard of, and their destruction 

 was as much the motive for hunting as sport — instance 

 the case of killing six cubs in September. Our fore- 

 fathers were no doubt jovial souls; but of what 

 materials their heads were composed to endure such 

 potations of port it is difficult to imagine. And what 

 an old veteran the alderman of Andover must have 

 been ! There is an originality in the management of 

 Mr. Poyntz' hounds, and if we take it as a specimen of 

 fox-hunting in early times, the high fame which Mr. 

 Meynell attained in Leicestershire is accounted for. 

 Hounds constantly moving from one place to another, 



