148 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



country, which I think is indisputable and appears 

 to me to have been acknowledged by you. This 

 division is just and fair to both countries ; and you 

 must be aware that Lord Gifford only brought his 

 hounds once to Beckett all the last season, and 

 therefore my taking these coverts so essential to my 

 division can affect you very little. 



I cannot assent to the proposal that the question 

 should be referred to masters of hounds, as there 

 are no fixed rules or a committee as in the Jockey 

 Club, by which differences of this sort can be ad- 

 justed. The masters of coverts, in this case, are 

 surely the more proper judges ; by their consent the 

 division of 1832 was made, and acted on by Lord 

 Ducie. They alone can say whether that division was 

 temporary or permanent, and in what country they 

 consider their coverts are situated. This is, I con- 

 ceive, the only question to be decided, and to them, 

 therefore, let it be referred, and by their answer I am 

 willing to abide. If, on the other hand, you have 

 any other grounds on which to support your claim, 

 perhaps you will be kind enough to inform me what 



they are. 



I am, &c., 



Thos. Thornhill Morland. 



The Hon. James Button, 



White's Club, St. James's. 



White's, Friday, June 14th, 1844. 

 Dear Morland, — As my mediation has proved 

 ineffectual, I have now only to refer the matter to 

 Gifford, who, between ourselves, ought to have 

 arranged it in the first instance, and I have for 

 that purpose forwarded him your letter. Permit me, 

 however, to correct one error. I positively deny 

 ever having acknowledged your right. I had no 

 power to do so; but if you refer to my letter of 



