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CHAPTER III. 



THE AMALGAMATION, 



The idea of amalgamating the College and the Oppidan packs 

 of Beagles was first mooted in 1864, but little came of it, 

 probably owing to the reluctance of College to renounce the 

 undoubted advantages which it possessed. A. J. Pound, the 

 Master of the College Beagles in 1865 and 1866, was opposed 

 to the scheme for reasons which he has shown in the Journal 

 Book of the College Beagles (pp. 223, 224). Towards the end 

 of the season of 1864, on March 16tli to be exact, the Oppidan 

 Beagles invited the Master and Whips of their neighbours to 

 their annual drag at Salt Plill, where they partook of refresh- 

 ments, liquid and solid. During these Mr. E. Royds arose and 

 proposed *' That the tAvo packs be amalgamated." These are 

 the words which A. J. Pound has written in the Journal 

 Book, and which adequately express his view of the proposal : 



'* Mr. Pound seconded the motion, though much against the 

 grain. It may be well to make a few remarks here showing the 

 advantages and disadvantages. It may as well first be mentioned 

 that it is almost a settled thing that the two packs be 

 amalgamated next year. The advantage of this arrangement 

 will be entirely on the side of the Oppidans, the increase of 

 country enabling them to hunt every day of the week, and good 

 kennels in lieu of their present ones. The disadvantages on the 

 side of College, inasmuch as the subscription being so much 

 heavier than the present one, none will care to join who do not 

 try to * run to hounds,' and in all probability none. Colleger or 

 Oppidan, who cannot ' run to hounds ' will be allowed to join. 

 The great amusement of the Easter Half will be snatched away 

 from College, and we fear loafing will increase in a double 

 proportion. Still it is to be hoped that Collegers will try and 



