The Bedale Hounds, 1832-1908 173 



speaking, good sport, and one or two excellent 

 gallops. The very good work done by the 

 bitches of the Belvoir drafts must have 

 been a source of great gratification to the 

 Duke of Leeds, proving how exceedingly 

 wise and beneficial to the pack had been his 

 purchase of them. 



We all of us receive strange requests at 

 times, and the following is one which was 

 sent to Sir Henry Beresford-Pierse, when the 

 Duke of Leeds gave up the hounds. Whether 

 it was seriously meant, or only written in 

 chaff, is hard to say. 



''H 1 n. 



February 27th, 1904. 

 Sir. I beg to ask the favour of your influence 

 in order to get me the Mastership of the 

 Bedale Hounds, on the resignation of His 

 Grace The Duke of Leeds. Probably the 

 only kind of office I shall be able to get, as 

 I am too old for Parliament. I do not see 

 that it is requisite for a Master of Hounds 

 to have a large range of stabling, in order to 

 take in the horses of gentlemen desiring to 

 hunt. 



Stabling can always be had in a place like 

 Bedale, for such purpose. I have a good 

 knowledge of the district, a great love for 

 horses, and at one time was a fair good rider. 

 The house occupied by the late Mr. A. at 

 P. B., would be quite large enough for me, 

 and you can appoint an elderly lady, if you 

 wish, to share with me the expenses of 



