NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 115 



somewhat of a clearer insight into his, than the mere operations in the 

 field would afford me, being persuaded, from all I had heard, that it was 

 by no means an every-day one. 



I was much pleased with the site* and business-like appearance of the 

 St. Boswell's kennel and stables, all of which, with the houses of the 

 huntsman and the head groom, present one uniform front, but of course 

 divided into two separate court yards, with large] folding gates to each. 

 Nor was I less satisfied with the internal arrangements, which every one 

 who sees them must admit are formed by a master hand, and I have 

 reason to believe the directing hand was that of Williamson himself. 

 But what most surprised me was the moderate charge at which these 

 premises had been erected — namely not quite 15001., which may also be 

 attributed to the well known good eye to economy, as w'ell as to a country 

 or a fox, which said Williamson is known to possess. In the kennel are 

 ample accommodations for a four or five days in the week pack, which is 

 the best estimate I can make of its size, with my pen ; and between the 

 stables of the duke's horses and those of the servants, which form two 

 distinct establishments, are at least forty stalls. In fact I counted nine- 

 teen horses in what are called his Grace's stables, and the number of those 

 necessary for servants for four days a week, may very easily be calculated. 

 There is a room in the head groom's house fitted up for the use of the 

 duke, in which a suit of clothes is always kept, well aired, on hunting 

 days; and, in case of being benighted, there is a bed in which a more 

 fastidious duke than his Grace of Buccleuch might find himself quite at 

 his ease, after a good day's sport. 



There was a stillness about the kennel as I approached it which con- 



* At the head of a small eommon, intersected with roads. 



q2 



