24 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



pack after a series of most brilliant sport : I am upon the 

 subject of hounds, and I write as I talk, with more prone- 

 ness to say what I think, than to think what I say ; as I 

 would avoid all cause of offence, so would I scorn to 

 flatter any man breathing ; and when I say that the estab- 

 lishment of such a pack as Mr. Berkley's was the more 

 remarkable, as in immediate succession to that which 

 had been so fully tried and approved under the foster- 

 ing care of Lord Tavistock (confessedly one of the 

 highest rank amidst professors of the science), it is 

 but justice to add, that this would be no subject of 

 wonder to those who know Mr. Berkley's devotion 

 to all appertaining to the breeding and manage- 

 ment of hounds. There were many in this pack 

 coming up to my notion of the beau ideal of a fox- 

 hound, and it is beyond dispute that, during the 

 last season of Mr. Berkley's hunting the Oakley coun- 

 try, their performance left nothing to be desired.* 

 Palmam qui meruit ferat. I have, perhaps, a natural 

 inclination, when I see a pack well conducted, to give a 

 full share of credit to the master ; but I am strength- 

 ened in my observation upon Mr. Berkley's knowledge 

 in these matters, and in attributing the excellence of 

 these hounds to his judgment, by the appearance of 



• At the time alluded to, there was no prospect of that which has since 

 taken place, the resumption of the country by its former legitimate possessor. 

 The secession of the Marquis was altogether productive of " wonderful work 

 in the country." 



