80 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



been led to expect all that belongs to knowledge and experience on the 

 art of hunting fox-hounds— the said William Williamson, alias Will, 

 alias the Laird of St. Boswell's, having whipped-in to, and hunted fox- 

 hounds thirty-two seasons, with only one interruption from a fall, in 

 which he broke his arm! ! How far these expectations were realized, 

 will appear in due time. 



But this was a day memorable on another account. It produced, as 

 allowed to be, one of the finest runs ever seen over Scotland. The place 

 of meeting was Stitchel, the fine seat of Sir John Pringle, Bart., about 

 ten miles from Dunse, where a large field from all sides of the country 

 were assembled, but unfortunately for himself, though fortunately for 

 his horses, the noble owner of the pack was prevented by some important 

 business from making one of them. After a formal introduction to Wil- 

 liamson, by Lord Elcho, and a slight glance at the pack, we proceeded 

 to business, the result of which I shall present to you in two reports — 

 one from the Kelso Mail, and the other from my own observation of it. 



*' Duke of Buccleuch's fox-hounds. This celebrated pack has now 

 for some time been in the field in this district, and from the sport it has 

 already afforded, there is every prospect of a most successful season. 

 On Tuesday last there was a splendid field of sportsmen, including 

 amongst their number most of the noblemen and gentlemen at present 

 hunting with Lord Elcho's fox-hounds in Berwickshire. The sport on 

 Tuesday has seldom been surpassed. The hounds met at Stitchel, where 

 they found immediately, and after a short run down by Newton Don, 

 and Sydenham, foxey gave his pursuers the slip by taking refuge in a 

 conduit at Sydenham- lodge, and as it was found impossible to induce 

 him to resign his place, it was resolved to proceed forthwith to East 



