120 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



Graham and Mr. Osbaldeston occupied when they hunted the 

 Hambledon country. There are stables for twenty-one horses ; and 

 the kennel, built by Sir Bellingham under the superintendence and 

 direction of Mr. Nicoll, is a very comfortable one for a small 

 establishment, and agrees well with hounds. The roof is thatched, 

 which is considered an advantage in keeping hounds warm in severe 

 weather. 



The Hambledon country is decidedly the best in Hampshire. 

 It is a better country for hounds, has more of grass, and less of 

 flints, than those hunted by Mr. Villebois, or the late Mr. Chute, 

 and has altogether a more fox-hunting appearance. That part of it 

 in the neighbourhood of Waltham Chase, Durley, Eowheig, Twyford 

 Park, &c. is capable of showing very good sport indeed. 



There are several good sportsmen and hard riders in the Hamble- 

 don Hunt ; and amongst the subscribers are three naval officers — 

 Admiral Colpoys, Sir William Hoste, and Captain Collier, all very 

 fond of the sport. I do not recollect ever meeting a sportsman 

 belonging to this noble profession who did not ride hard. A sailor 

 is used to smile at danger, and thinks nothing of being capsized upon 

 dry land. Sir William Hoste has been in Leicestershire, and can 

 shew them how to ride as well as to fight, and we must also allow 

 that " fas est ab hoste doceri." 



There are two other gentlemen of this Hunt — Major Eidge and 

 Captain Close — who, though they spent all their younger days in 

 India, took care not to leave behind them their passion for fox- 

 hunting, but have verified the words of the Poet who says, 



" Ccelum, nod anitnani, mutant, qui trans mare currunt." 



On hearing an excellent view-halloo one day from the former 

 gentleman, Mr. Nunes, who was five years master of the Hambledon 

 hounds, exclaimed, "Could you not sw^ear he was got by a fox- 

 hunter ! " The Major's father once hunted the Hambledon country. 

 One very killing pack might be drafted from the Hambledon 

 kennel, and there is a good parent stock. Such hounds as Lexicon 

 and Pallafox, by Colonel Wyndham's Labourer; Tracer, by Lord 

 Middleton's Traitor; and Foreman, of the Kichmond blood; with 

 such bitches as Dairymaid, bred by Mr. Saville ; Bridesmaid, bred 



