76 GOOD SPORT 



the servants wearing green^ as they do to the present 

 time. To those accustomed to see the orthodox 

 scarlet of the chase, a field of three hundred riders 

 wearing the blue and buff might be supposed to 

 have a disappointing effect. But the display is 

 brave as anything to be seen in Leicestershire, 

 the Duke's hunt being one of the best-dressed fields 

 anywhere in the United Kingdom. The late Duke 

 was always most particular about the attire worn 

 by his followers, showing, as it does, a compliment 

 to the master and his pack. One saying attributed 

 to him is to the effect that when a man goes hunting 

 he should put on his best clothes, even if it be his 

 Sunday suit. 



Will Dale, the present huntsman and wearer of 

 the green uniform, is keenness personified, and one 

 of the cheeriest of men. Always thinking of hunt- 

 ing, no day is too long for him in a week of six days' 

 sport, and a year of nine months' active work in the 

 field. The knowledge he possesses of foxhound 

 pedigrees and the leading lines of past generations 

 which are the foundation of excellence to-day is 

 truly marvellous. Huntsman to the Earl of Yar- 

 borough at Brocklesby from 1884 to 1896, Will 

 Dale was selected by the Duke of Beaufort in 1896 

 to manage the kennel at Badminton, and help him 

 in the active duties of the field. His Grace hunts 

 the big dog-hounds on Tuesdays and Fridays, Dale 

 hunting a mixed pack on Mondays and Thursdays, 

 the bitch pack coming out on Wednesdays and 

 Saturdays, with occasional bye-days, when two 

 packs are in the field. 



To see the Duke of Beaufort's hunt start from 

 kennel on a hunting morning is a scene very typical 

 of the best that English country life has to show us. 

 The avenue of stately trees, through which we get 



