The Vine. 251 



beyond tlie extent of these two respectively. If it 

 does not quite "go without saying^' that neither 

 description of ground is likely to carry at all times a 

 strong scent, such is a fact — the statement of which 

 will scarcely occasion surprise. There are good packs 

 of hounds in Hampshire ; and there is good hunting. 

 But there are few rapid bursts to be looked for; very 

 little galloping necessary ; and watching hounds with 

 their noses down will be the study and recreation 

 provided for you. It is no bad school, though, nor 

 an unworthy resort for maturer age. Hants nursed 

 Tom Smith till he rose to command the Hambledon, 

 the Craven, and eventually the Pytchley ; and it 

 soothed the declining years of Assheton Smith when 

 he retired from Leicestershire. It taught the one, 

 and it found food good enough for the other — after 

 all his varied experience. And of all the small fields 

 which come out hunting in Hampshire, it may safely 

 be said that a far larger proportion make a study of 

 the sport than amid the more crowded assemblages of 

 fashionable districts. Every man has plenty of room, 

 and plenty of time to look about him ; and most avail 

 themselves of the chance, to learn the sport more 

 thoroughly than where the chief concern must 

 necessarily be to outstrip as many of your neighbours 

 as you can. (At least this is the way I must be 

 allowed to put it — from the plough point of view.) 



The Yine Hounds belong to the country : and are a 

 capital pack — offering another instance among the 

 many we have nowadays of the determination to 

 attain a high standard of hounds, whatever may be 

 the country they are called upon to hunt. It is in this 



T 



