202 NIMKOD'S NOilTllEliN TOUR. 



upon it, require a good horse and a good rider to stick to them. His 

 establishment is maintained in first-rate style without any subscription- 

 huntsman, two whippers-in, &c. They are all well-mounted, for he breeds 

 for the turf, and when they do not turn out racers, he puts them into the 

 huntino- stable." In another place this writer does justice to the master and 

 his men. " Like master like man," says he, "all Baillie's men are 

 very civil, and Andrew Lumsden, the huntsman, uncommonly so." 



The morning following this, to me, most agreeable evening, was 

 passed very much in the manner in which most mornings are passed at 

 the houses of fox-hunters, on non-hunting days. The first step was to 

 the stables, which are most commodious and excellent; and although 

 not filled as they were wont to be when the kennel was also filled, 

 contained some good hunters, the property of the two only sons then 

 remaining at home. In one of these stables, I passed a delightful hour, 

 when listening to Mr. Baillie, seated on the corn chest and recapitulating 

 some of the proceedings of the Mellerstain hounds, and those who fol- 

 lowed them in former days. Amongst others, the following anecdote 

 amused me, " You may find some of my blood," said he, " in your 

 friend Lord Kintore's kennel; and," added he, " you may perhaps hear 

 his lordship, as a friend of mine once heard him, holloaing" — ' Have at 

 him, old Baillie,' to a hound in chase ; and, * old Baillie again,' at 

 another good hit." He then spoke of the Hon. John Elliot, of whom 

 Nim North speaks so handsomely as a sportsman, a horseman, and a 

 companion, — and regretted his absence in India. When at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, said Mr. Baillie, he went out with the hounds, mounted by 

 a rich butcher. " It does me good," said the butcher, '' to see that 

 thick man ride." By all I have heard of him it would do me good to 

 see this thick gentleman in any situation, but I fear I never shall. 



