I02 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



handsome letter. Could I undertake it with comfort 

 to myself, and with a chance of doing the thing as 

 I think it ought to be done, I would in a moment 

 obey the call with pleasure, but I am unfortunately 

 so hampered in various ways that I must, tho' reluc- 

 tantly, decline the engagement. Have a turn your- 

 self; I will gladly subscribe to you, and perhaps we 

 could make some arrangement here about kennel and 

 stables for this part of the country ; and your own 

 would do for the other ground, for I agree with you, 

 that all the country should be hunted, and I would 

 by no means give up the Lydiard Woods. My advice 

 is, let Kintore go on quietly as long as he likes, 

 which I think will be to the end of the season. I am 

 sure he is anxious to do so if he can, and to shew us 

 all the sport in his power, and it is not his fault he 

 has not a better lot of hounds. He is to have a few 

 couple from Will Long, which I hear are likely to be 

 of service to him. 



Hoping that we shall soon meet in the field, 

 I remain, dear Duffield, yours very truly, 



Pryse Pryse. 



In 1830 Lord Kintore gave up the country, 

 taking his hounds and servants to Keith Hall, 

 his own place in Scotland. There he took 

 to farminor on a large scale. Before leavinp; 

 Wadley he sent the follov\^ing letter to one 

 of his predecessors in office, hunting with 

 whom he had first learnt to love the vale : — 



Wadley, May 25th, 1830. 

 Dear Sir, — I regretted missing you and your son 

 the other day, when I called purposely to thank both 

 for "The earths well stopped and foxes plenty" since 



