250 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



the most proper man I have ever yet seen as a master of 

 foxhounds, and as such, of course, popular amongst all 

 descriptions of persons. The farmers, indeed, appear to 

 adore him (as they generally do a really well-bred 

 gentleman, which Mr. C. is), and the gentlemen love and 

 respect him. He is also a good sportsman, and a perfect 

 enthusiast when his hounds are in chase, although, strange 

 to say, he will not ride over anything approaching to a 

 large fence. How he gets on as he does for he is 

 generally pretty near at the end of the run I cannot 

 imagine, unless it be by his intimate knowledge of the 

 country, as well as of the line foxes generally take, and 

 the speed and goodness of his horses, which are first-rate. 

 His huntsman, Will Burrows, is my delight. He is a 

 sulky -looking fellow, and I believe his looks do not belie 

 him ; but it is when his hounds are running that he 

 excites my admiration. In the first place, he is a beautiful 

 horseman ; in the next, his pipe is the clearest and most 

 melodious you ever heard. Then, to hear him cheer his 

 hounds, the bitches, especially, which are his favourites 

 transports one. He finishes his thrilling halloo, which 

 he ever and anon encourages them with, even when going 

 their best pace, with ' Have at him, my lasses, and stick 

 to him till he dies.' But as to his never being many 

 yards from his lasses, who can wonder at that, seeing the 

 cattle he rides ? He has four slapping nags, able to carry 

 fourteen stone, whereas his weight with his saddle does 

 not exceed eleven. And a word or two about his horses, 

 not a bad hint for us who hope one day or another to 

 keep foxhounds. All Mr. Corbet's horses, with the 

 exception of those he himself breeds, are purchased, at 

 weaning time, from his tenants or the neighbouring 

 farmers. He thus has not only a great choice, but has 

 the advantage of having all geldings, and no mares, in his 

 stables. I understand the price he gives is, generally, 

 about twenty pounds, which, reckoning good keep for the 

 next four years, puts excellent five-year-olds into his stud 

 at about eighty pounds, which no doubt is cheaper than 

 purchasing them all risks included. 



" Mr. Corbet's hounds are, in my opinion, very good, 

 but his blood does not, I believe, rank quite so high as 

 that of some other kennels. They say he has done 

 mischief causing a certain degree of slackness by 

 breeding too much in-and-in, or from one particular sort. 



