THE HAMBLEDON 207 



Mr. Cockburn's. They were a thick-set, cloggy sort of 

 hounds, as different as possible from the H. H., and 

 however they might be calculated to hunt in strong 

 deep woodlands they were certainly not adapted to 

 associate with the speedy hounds of the present day. 

 Summers, who had been hunting the hounds for Mr. 

 Napper, and previously to that for Mr. Richardson in 

 Sussex, came with them into Hampshire. Having but 

 few opportunities of seeing his performances and those 

 entirely in the woodlands, I can only observe that in 

 the tedious and patience-provoking occupation of 

 hunting a foil-running fox he certainly excels. 



The year 1852 ushered in another aspirant to the 

 honours of M.F.H., and these hounds were transferred 

 to Mr. R. Pearce of South Warnborough, a young but 

 very energetic sportsman. Having begun early in life 

 it is to be hoped he will continue for many years. Such 

 numerous changes must affect the pack seriously. 

 Every master of hounds may be quite correct in the 

 alteration which he is desirous to accomplish, but it is 

 the alteration which occasions the mischief, and more 

 particularly so if there is not time for it to be matured 

 before another system is introduced. Mr. Pearce has 

 exercised good judgment by introducing a large draft 

 from Earl Fitzhardinge's kennel, a sort which cannot 

 fail to be particularly useful in Hampshire. 



During my residence in this country I was very 

 anxious to have seen the Hambledon hounds, but from 

 uncontrollable circumstances I was prevented. My 

 desire to do so was augmented by various causes : it 

 has been hunted by several masters of hounds of high 

 repute, among others by Sir Bellingham Graham and 

 Mr. Osbaldeston, and at the time I was in the county 

 by Mr. T. Smith, who may be said to have rescued it 

 from becoming vacant. This, however, was some 

 thirty years ago, since which time several other gentle- 

 men have hunted it while Mr. Smith was providing 

 sport in the Craven and Pytchley countries, but again 

 to return to the scene of his early experience in w^ood- 



