104 



to the astonishment of every one, the whole coverts were 

 drawn blank, which previously were well stocked with foxes; 

 and over this part of the country some of the best runs of the 

 season have taken place. On a well-known sportsman being 

 asked how he could account for this state of matters, he 

 answered in the following terms: — How could we expect 

 sport, the country has been so overrun lately with Liberal 

 canvassers that all the well-bred foxes have gone to Ayrshire, 

 thus spoiling our sport. However, it 'is to be hoped that after 

 the turmoil of election is over the " noble animal " will once 

 more return to his " native heath." 



' ' We hold in abhorrence all vulpecide knaves, 

 With their gins and their traps, and their velveteen slaves; 

 They may feed their fat pheasants, their foxes destroy, 

 And mar the prime sport they themselves can't enjoy ; 

 But such sportsmen as these we good fellows condemn. 

 And I vow we'U ne'er drink a ' qusesitum' to them." 



IVarburton. 



CLYDESDALE BEAGLES. 



Wednesday, 4th. — Met at Tollcross House, where Mr. 

 George Dunlop, one of our most promising young sportsmen, 

 and a chip of the old block, in the absence of his father, 

 dispensed the usual hospitalities. A hare was at once found 

 in a ploughed field near the house, and, after a capital run, 

 although very much of a ring, was ultimately lost. Found 

 again outside the policies, and had a clipping hour and a kill 

 in the open. Peter, young Mr. Duulop, and a well-known 

 member of the Hunt, who is seldom far away from them, were 

 all there. The little "dawgs" hunted their hare very patiently 

 all through the run, with a very catching scent, and I was 

 glad to see them at last rewarded with a " scut." I have had 

 the pleasure of participating in the sport of this excellent 

 little pack of beagles several times this season, and am 



