HISTORY OF THE KILDARE HUNT 



Foxes were much more numerous at the end than 

 at the beginning of Lord Naas's Mastership, and 

 the following is quite exceptional reading after 

 1859. The Baron, however, perhaps gives the true 

 explanation: 



" Feb. 22nd. Meet at Kilcock. Drew Courtown, 

 Ballycahan, Grange, Hortland, Donadea, Mount 

 Armstrong, Straffan, Lodge Park and Turnings, 

 all blank. Very bad. Think there must have been 

 neglect in the earthstopping." 



March may be represented by the following: 



" March ist. Hounds met at Blackchurch; drew 

 Johnstown, found, had a ring when away sharp to 

 Kilteel, then after a check in the covert he broke 

 as if for Johnstown, scent being very bad, cold east 

 wind, we dragged on slowly into Johnstown and 

 gave him up." Later I read: Found Saunders Grove, 

 went away slowly, but the scent improved and we 

 were going on good terms when he got to ground 

 in a shaw above old Punchbowl; he did not stay 

 long in it, but bolted and went away very fast to 

 Kilteel, then on to Johnstown, through it and away 

 over Newtown and got to ground in Collierstown; 

 a good run of one hour and fifty-five minutes." 



I could go on page after page with accounts of 

 similar runs during this wonderful season of 1862. 

 Space, however, bids me put down the details of 

 the last day of Lord Naas's Mastership. 

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