212 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



troughs. Walker told me he knew every one, save one, of the South 

 Wold pack, when he drew them for his inspection. 



This reminds me of two anecdotes. A major of a crack regiment once 

 asked Mr. Assheton Smith how he managed to remember the names of 

 all his hounds? " Pray, sir," replied Mr. S. " don't you know the 

 names of all your men?" A quondam master of fox-hounds, however, 

 never could acquire a knowledge of more than a few couples of his kennel, 

 saying — " How is it possible to know them all? When I look at a 

 hound on one side I find three spots ; but if he turns the other to me, I 

 find five." Some brothers and sisters, however, are sometimes so much 

 alike that it even puzzles their owriers to distinguish them, as in the case 

 with Dragsman and Dragman in Lord Kintore's kennel. I observed his 

 lordship always looked at their legs before he drew them to the trough, 

 one not being quite so straight at the knee as the other. Huntsmen also 

 distinguish, in great part, by the countenance, as shepherds do sheep. 



In ten minutes more we were at the place of meeting, where a sufii- 

 ciently numerous field were got together ; and although a stranger to 

 Mr. Ramsay, I was instantly set at my ease by his approaching me with 

 outstretched hand, and telling me he was happy to see me with his 

 hounds. He then apologized for not having sent for me quite the horse 

 he wished to send, in consequence of his stable having gone wrong, as 

 the term is. '' I have plenty of them," said he, " but am unfortunate 

 in having several at present amiss, and the horse you are going to ride is 

 rather short of work, as I have only lately purchased him. On our next 

 day's hunting I shall be able to mount you better*." 



* Among other casualties, Mr. Ramsay told me three of his horses had gone wrong 

 through being clipped. I shall never hold with that practice, neither did I see a dozen 

 hunters clipped in Scotland. 



