106 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



Russell (but much better known by the name of " Jack Russell") — 

 who, though he resides about thirty miles from him, hunts a good 

 deal with Mr. Templer, and who also stands high among the 

 Devonshire bruisers. This gentleman finds hunting so conducive to 

 his health, that with stag-hounds, fox-hounds, harriers, and otter- 

 hounds, he contrives to enjoy it all the year round. The last- 

 mentioned pack are kept by himself ; and he has killed the almost 

 incredible number of twenty-five otters in the last two summers, for 

 which he should receive the thanks of the fish ! Each of these 

 gentlemen spent the evening with us at Mr. Templer's, and added 

 much to its conviviality and pleasure. 



Having passed the night under the hospitable roof of Mr. 

 Templer, on the next morning we inspected all the lions. The 

 stable, kennel, and fox-yards of course were not forgotten ; but what 

 most particularly attracted my notice, as something I had never met 

 with before, was the school in which Mr. Templer perfects the 

 education of his hunters, and which I strongly recommend to 

 all those who have large studs of horses. The following is the 

 plan : — 



A piece of ground, about twenty feet diameter, is railed around, 

 and within the rails are a single and a double leaping bar. Without 

 the rails — where of course a larger circle is described — are a large 

 double fence (two rails and two ditches), and a drain cut to imitate 

 a brook. In the centre a stage is erected, on which the groom 

 stands, holding the rope which is attached to the horse in the school, 

 and he goes around as if in a lunge. Mr. Templer was kind enough 

 to send three of his hunters into the school, and I was much 

 gratified by the sight. They appeared to be quite at home, taking 

 the fences as they presented themselves with the greatest judgment. 

 One of them in particular — Moscow, by Czar Peter — gave us a 

 specimen of the superior use some horses can make of their corporal 

 powers, in comparison with others who appear, equally capable. 

 "When he came to the single bar, which was higher than most gates, 

 he seemed to play with it ; and it was quite a matter of indifference 

 to him whether he went close up to it, or whether be sprang two or 

 three yards before he came to it, as he was certain to leap a foot 

 higher than the bar. If a horse could play these harlequin tricks 



