110 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



himself, has every convenience for so large an establishment, and 

 is particularly healthy and clean. He has also another kennel at 

 Hursley, four miles from Winchester, from which he hunts his 

 Forest country, and whence he gets his cub-hunting. Foster, the 

 huntsman, resides in a comfortable house about a quarter of a mile 

 from the kennel, where his own five horses stand, as also eight 

 others for the use of the two whippers-in — those ridden by Mr. 

 Villebois being kept. at the mansion-house. 



Mr. Villebois lays claim to the honorable appellation of an old 

 master of fox-hounds — having been now twenty-three years in the 

 service. His dchut is said to be this : when he resided at Preston 

 Candover, he was master of a pack of harriers ; and having found a 

 fox with them in a country not hunted by fox-hounds, he had a 

 capital run, and killed. In commemoration of this, he has an 

 excellent picture (by Marshall) in his dining-room, in which he is 

 represented in the act of dismounting his horse for the purpose of 

 cutting off the brush. This is supposed to have spoiled him for 

 cutting off the scut ; and, aspiring to higher honours, he succeeded 

 Mr. Paulet in the management of the 'Hampshire hounds. These 

 he continued to keep, with the subscription, for a period of three 

 years, when he purchased the pack from the Club, and has ever 

 since hunted the country at his own expense. 



It may not be too much to assert that nothing in the shape of a 

 country Club can be more respectable than that of the H.H. 

 Having more than once had the honour of dining with them, I can 

 speak to the fact, that not only are their dinners served up in a style 

 almost amounting to elegance, but there exists among the members, 

 in their social hours, exactly that proper portion of jollity and good 

 fellowship, which upon such occasions ought to exist among fox- 

 hunters of the present day. 



At the head of the list of the Hampshire Hunt stood his late 

 Majesty's name (George IV.), for many years previous to his 

 accession to the throne ; and to this are they indebted for the plume 

 of feathers which adorns their uniform button. This honour was 

 conferred upon them when his Majesty resided at Kempshut, within 

 the limits of the Hunt ; and, as himself a master of fox-hounds, his 

 patronage was aptly bestowed. The morning uniform is a plain 



