36 THE ETON COLLEGE HUNT. 



this time onwards, and partly because the kennels of a pack of 

 hounds are next in importance to the pack itself, and the change 

 of kennels was one of the most important of Hunt's many 

 reforms. 



Hunt in his first season killed 15 hares ; that is, he more than 

 doubled the record for any previous season (seven hares by 

 F. Johnstone). In his second season he beat his own record by 

 two. These wonderful results were the effect partly of his talents 

 as a huntsman and partly of the way in which he reformed the 

 E.C.H. He was the first to see the need of three whips at Eton. 

 Moreover they (the whips) soon learnt (for Hunt's tongue was 

 particularly caustic and h*s expressions well chosen and to the 

 point) that they were not out hunting for pleasure. Hunt's 

 tactics were to have one whip wide and forward on each flank, 

 and one with him to stop hounds running heel. 



Rowland Hunt has sent me his own recollections of the 

 E.C.H. , which I append here: 



*' When I took the Eton College Beagles, they were kennelled 

 at a house at the end of the Playing Fields towards Datchet. 

 My recollection is that the conditions there were very unsatis- 

 factory, and that the man in charge made far too much money 

 out of them and did not feed them well. I got the then Head 

 Master to have the kennels moved to somewhere over Barnes 

 Bridge, and they were kept by a man named Lock, and, as far 

 a? I remember, he did them very well, and I think he took them 

 to the meets. I think we improved the pack considerably by 

 getting fresh hounds, some of which were, I think, obtained 

 from the late Mr. Fellowes of Shotesham Park — about 16 inches 

 — really dwarf harriers, but there was no foxhound blood in 

 them, and they had very good noses and could get along. 



*' I think the whips knew about as much about hunting as I 

 did, but, as far as I remember, it was roughly the usual way to 

 have one whip somewhat wide and forward on each flank and one 

 with me to stop hounds running heel or a fresh hare. On 

 account of the short time for hunting, we took every possible 

 advantage of a hare and never allowed hounds to potter. We 

 lifted hounds and cut off corners when the chance occurred, but 

 I don't think it was done enough to stop hounds hunting well. 

 We had to run risks, as it was very difficult to catch a hare in 

 the time allowed between Absence and lock-up. I don't remember 

 for certain which was the best country ; it is too long ago ; 

 but think it was towards Maidenhead. I don't remember 

 any trouble with the farmers, but we got into a deuce of a row 

 with an old gentleman once for killing one of his hares in the 



