I40 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



their parts. I have well considered the business 

 over, and in consequence of the uncomfortable feeling 

 which appears to exist between the two countries, I 

 have made up my mind to ask no favours, but to 

 insist upon my rights ; and next season to take pos- 

 session of the coverts which belong to my country 

 and to draw them with my hounds, unless a satis- 

 factory, a fair and sportsmanlike arrangement can be 

 made, and which I feel convinced is practicable, if 

 attempted in a neighbourly way, to the mutual advan- 

 tage of both countries. I, in consequence, determined 

 to open my mind to the Secretary of the V.W.H. 

 Club, and on Wednesday last when I met Mr. Crowdy 

 I did so. 



You must recollect I was asked quite at the end of 

 the last season to hunt the Buscot coverts ; and to 

 enable me to do so I was obliged to give up my 

 Oxon country, which notice I was obliged to send in 

 before the ist April. 



Having given up that end of my country, it is quite 

 impossible for me to go on with my hounds, without 

 an accession to it on the other side. 



I must add that I cannot quite understand you 

 when you say that you regret Buscot this year, as 

 you are aware that, by our arrangement, you had the 

 power of hunting it alternately with me up to the 

 1 8th March. 



Believe me, &c., 

 Thos. Thornhill Morland. 



{Private.) 

 Sheepstead, March i6th, 1844. 

 Dear Lord Gifford, — The enclosed may pos- 

 sibly be considered as expressed in rather strong 

 terms ; but I feel assured you will take it as it was 

 meant, which is in all friendship. I have been in- 

 duced to unburthen my mind in this, I trust, distinct 



