NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 285 



indeed, as when I last saw them, would go very far in confirtnation of 

 the opinion I have ventured to give. 



There are pecuUarities attending every huntsman's proceedings in 

 and out of kennel, and Lord Kintore is not without his. In the kennel, 

 he is a strict disciplinarian, both as regards hounds and men — the con- 

 sequence of which is, no man's kennel I ever was in is so clean as his, 

 and no old maid over her tea-table is more particular with Betty that all 

 should be right, than he is with Joe Grant at feeding time. He feeds in 

 lots of five, which makes it nearly an hour's work. The meat for the 

 shy feeders is unusually thick and good, and they have every encourage- 

 ment given them to fill their bellies. It is then gradually reduced in 

 substance ; and with several of the other sort, he appeared to count the 

 mouthfuls. I must do him the justice to say, I consider him a perfect 

 master of condition of hounds. 



On going to or returning from cover, or going from cover to cover, Lord 

 Kintore is likewise a rigid disciplinarian; more so, indeed, than, until he 

 gave me his reason for it, appeared to me to be necessary. His hounds 

 are kept very close to his horses' heels, and scarcely allowed what may 

 be considered a necessary indulgence. Their making so free with the 

 porridge pots in the cottages, however, renders this sharp discipline 

 necessary ; and Lord Kintore is the last man in the world to deprive a 

 poor family of their dinner. 



His Lordship has another peculiarity. He counts his hounds on his 

 leaving every cover which has not held a fox ; unwilling to trust to their 

 following him away to horn. This, on unlucky days, and those short 

 ones, is rather a consumer of time ; but we may conclude that he is not 



