1 68 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



of coverts in both hunts. The following letter 

 gives Mr. Atkins's account of the meeting : — 



Kingston Lisle, 

 Monday Night, Septr. 15th, 1845. 



Dear Tom, — We were late at Swindon this after- 

 noon, and I could not conveniently write to you from 

 thence, so I send a special messenger, who I hope 

 will arrive in time to catch you at home. Lord 

 Harrington and I kept our appointment, as did Sir 

 M. Beach, but Lord Bathurst failed ; Beach supposing 

 he was late for the train. We nevertheless made the 

 best of it, and set to work, the upshot of which I 

 trust will bring matters about. 



The arrangement we came to was in accordance 

 pretty much with the form you sent me, with the 

 exception of the Sevenhampton coverts being neutral, 

 which Beach seemed to think would not go down 

 with his people. I therefore did not press it, and 

 after all, if it is better for the mutual sport of both 

 packs, the masters of the hounds can arrange about 

 it according to circumstances. 



The form of what we drew up and signed stands 

 as follows : — 



"Swindon, Sept. 15th, 1845. 



" In consequence of the differences which have 

 lately existed between the Old Berks and the 

 V.W.H. hunts, we the undersigned meet at the 

 request of owners of coverts and other persons 

 interested in the welfare of the two hunts, for the 

 purpose of defining the line which should in future 

 be deemed the boundary of the two countries, and 

 are of opinion — 



"ist: That the Rivers Thames and Cole should 

 form the boundary ; all the country to the south- 

 ward of the former and to the eastward of the latter 



