THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 223 



be, good judges say. Some persons will tell you a pack of 

 foxhounds should seem to be all of one family ; but I think 

 that characteristic should only extend to the look, as 

 breeding too much in-and-in, as it is called, will not do 

 with either the human or brute race, and no doubt the 

 objection extends to the canine. Whether it be from that 

 cause, or otherwise, I cannot say, but these hounds have 

 not much tongue with even a moderate scent, and still 

 less, of course, with a good one. With a good one, how- 

 ever, they go at a tremendous rate. It would do your 

 heart good to see Villiers, Peyton, and Harrison ride a 

 sharp burst. They are beautiful horsemen and not to be 

 beaten by any man in this country, or, I believe, in any 

 other. 



" I need not tell you anything of the Duke of Beaufort's 

 hounds, as you have so often hunted with them from 

 Oxford ; but I believe you never saw the Duke of Graf ton's 

 pack. You would be much pleased with Rose, their 

 huntsman, better known as ' Tom Rose.' He is the very 

 pattern-card of a huntsman, in all respects ; has a most 

 intelligent countenance, the voice of a Stentor, speaking 

 excellent dog language, and is a good horseman. The 

 hounds are not so neat as Mostyn's, but have more 

 power ; and they appear to be higher in flesh, which Rose 

 says is necessary in his very strong country, wherein the 

 woods are large and rough. The Fitzroys are considered 

 good sportsmen, but there is a gloom thrown over their 

 appearance in the field by the colour of their coats a dark 

 green, which looks very sombre by the side of a bright 

 scarlet, which is that of the Mostynites. The latter have 

 the letter M on their button, which lately gave rise to a good 

 joke. One of them appearing in Leicestershire in this 

 costume, with a martingal on his horse, was asked by one 

 of the Mite, ' whether the letter M implied martingal ?' If 

 you are not smothered in an Essex ditch (how can you 

 hunt in such a slow country as that ?) I would advise you 

 to come here next season. I think you will agree with 

 me that the country is a sporting one the field composed 

 of sportsmen, and the whole thing done well. As for 

 Shaw, the huntsman, you will be delighted with him. 

 To use a common phrase, he is as quick as lightning in all 

 his motions a little too quick, some of the knowing ones 

 say ; and I like to watch his countenance, when his hounds 

 are at a ticklish point. He has a peculiar expression of 



