34 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



was erected a large cupola, with a clock, which relieved the 

 structure from the monotony of its rather extreme length. 



The kennels were large enough to hold easily a hundred 

 couple of hounds, although the pack seldom amounted to that 

 number, except when the young hounds were brought home in 

 the spring of the year from their walks. The kitchen-garden 

 extended over two acres of ground, laid out in various divisions, 

 with wide walks of grass and gravel ; producing fruit and 

 vegetables sufficient to supply several families all the year 

 round, but the old squire liked a profusion of every kind, and 

 all at Bampton was on a large scale. 



There was also what may be considered in these days a 

 curiosity — an apiary, or bee-yard, consisting of about a hundred 

 hives, the greater portion of the honey being devoted to the con- 

 coction of metheglin or mead, for which delicious compound (the 

 very old wine being equal to Frontignac) Bampton Manor had 

 long been celebrated. It were almost needless to say that the 

 old squire took great pride in having everything of the best, 

 both in and out of the house ; and the cellars contained, besides 

 wines of the best vintages, the finest beer and the best pressed 

 cider in the whole county, as well as a large supply of brown 

 stout (resembling porter), made from an old family ^receipt. 



CHAPTER III. 



On the following morning, William Beauchamp was the first 

 to enter the sleeping-chamber of Sir Francis Burnett, to 

 inquire how he had passed the night. 



" Very indifferently," was the reply; "my arm has pained 

 me greatly, and I feel fevered and restless." 



" I am sorry indeed to hear it. Sir Francis, and hope you will 

 follow my advice in keeping to your bed ; there is nothing like 

 warmth and rest in such cases ; and my father, who is a good 

 doctor, will make you a composing draught, unless you prefer 

 seeing our country -^sculapius." 



" No, no, Beauchamp ; I don't want the contents of an ajDothe- 

 cary's shop poured down my throat ; a seidlitz-powder will do 

 quite as well as any of their stufi"." 



"That you can have directly," said Beauchamp, ringing 

 the bell ; " and if you will put yourself under the governor's 



