OXFORDSHIRE 11 



clean, which is no trifling advantage to them, as well as to the horses 

 which follow them. 



The first thing which strikes a stranger to the Duke's pack is the 

 cleanliness and brightness of their skins. This is in some measure 

 to be attributed to local circumstances. The skin, however, of most 

 animals, particularly of hounds and horses, may be said to be their 

 complexion ; and thence we may infer that these hounds are in good 

 condition, which the stoutness of their running also establishes. 

 Philip Payne has hunted them for many seasons, and is a good and 

 judicious huntsman, though now getting slow, from that cause which 

 will make us all slow in our turns. Philip is at least sixty years of 

 age ; and, by his universally good conduct as a servant, has obtained 

 the good will of all the Beaufort family, who are remarkable for 

 kind treatment of their servants, as also of all who attend the Hunt. 

 The Duke himself is particularly polite and indulgent to his field, 

 and in every respect worthy of being at the head of a pack of fox- 

 hounds. 



There is something in the appearance of the Duke of Beaufort's 

 establishment which conveys an idea of what fox-hunting was half a 

 century ago ; when it was perhaps more like fox-liunting than it is at 

 present. The venerable appearance of the huntsman in his green plush 

 coat — the wildness of the country — the strength of the hounds, and 

 the few scarlet coats that are seen with them, give an appearance 

 different to what we see in other countries. The uniform which the 

 Duke and his friends wear is a blue coat lined with buff. The effect is 

 somhre, if not livery-like, and certainly has not so sporting or so 

 lively an appearance as scarlet. Hunting has been called " the image 

 of war ; " and the simile is in some measure strengthened by the 

 effect of a large body of men, well mounted, charging rapidly across 

 a country clad in so martial a colour. Add to this, nothing gives so 

 good a finish to a horse and his rider as a red coat, and it is 

 distinguishable at a great distance ; with the assistance of good boots 

 and breeches, it looks well to the last, and hounds are certainly fond 

 of the colour. 



In one respect, the Duke of Beaufort's hounds stand pre-eminent ; 

 and that is, in the persevering manner in which they carry a cold 

 scent over a cold country. Use is said to be " second nature," and 



