200 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



the Strathfieldsaye estate is in the country formerly 

 hunted by the late Sir John Cope and now by Mr. 

 Wheble, and his Grace has not many coverts in the 

 Vine Hunt with the exception of those at Wolverton 

 Park and Ewhurst, he was for many years prior to his 

 death a very liberal subscriber to the Vine houndsi; 

 something equivalent to a third of their annual expen- 

 diture being contributed by the gallant Duke. Fox- 

 hunting derived not an insignificant prestige when the 

 name of so great a hero became enlisted among many 

 other zealous promoters. Justly appreciating the ad- 

 vantages which a taste for fox-hunting is certain to 

 inspire, his Grace gave great encouragement to the 

 officers under his command to join in the chase when 

 employed on foreign service. Duly estimating the con- 

 sistency of the noble Duke's character, it is not pro- 

 bable that he should relax in what he regarded as a 

 duty when peaceably enjoying the reward of his valour 

 and of his countrymen's gratitude in the possession of 

 an estate awarded as an appropriate tribute. During 

 many seasons his Grace was a frequent attendant in 

 the field, both with the Vine and Sir John Cope's 

 hounds ; yet numerous public duties and increased age 

 must of late years have operated materially to prevent 

 his appearance at the covert side. None but the purest 

 motive — that of patronising a national amusement 

 essential to the welfare of his country — could have 

 actuated his Grace to continue the large amount of 

 £500 per annum under such circumstances. 



The anniversary of the judges making their accus- 

 tomed circuit was for many years the occasion of the 

 Bramshill hounds meeting at Strathfieldsaye. Those 

 learned personages were invited to meet the masters of 

 hounds in the neighbourhood on the previous day, to 

 partake of the hospitalities of this his Grace's favourite 

 country seat. The meeting of the hoimds was a great 

 attraction, to which sportsmen far and near resorted, 

 all intent upon a good purpose. It may be inquired 

 why the Duke of Wellington subscribed to the Vine 



