The Vine. 253 



Isennel in the kingdom yearly sends forth its matrons 

 for the most desirable cross. For their own credit 

 huntsmen will seldom use a hound in kennel that is 

 faulty in the field (even should there be no restraining 

 influence exercised by the Master) ; and if not con- 

 sidered good enough to be used at home, there will 

 certainly not continue to be any great call upon him 

 from outside. This alone constitutes a considerable 

 safeguard against the propagation of hereditary vice 

 in the search after symmetry and fashion. 



The Vine Country as at present hunted, lies within 

 much narrower limits than those laid down by the 

 maps — inasmuch as Pamber Forest, and all to the 

 north of it, has been lent to the South Berks. With 

 this exception, both Mr. Stanford and Mr. Hobson 

 give, on the whole, an accurate outline of the 

 boundaries — which only here and there follow any 

 direction suggested by natural features. The Vine 

 Country, it will be seen, has the Craven and the South 

 Berks touching it on the north, Mr. Grarth^s on the 

 east, the H.H. on the south and south-east, and the 

 Tedworth on the west. Basingstoke is the only 

 quarter a visitor would take up. It is easily accessible, 

 too, from London on the morning of hunting — a nine 

 o^clock train from Waterloo landing one there by a 

 quarter past ten. The soldiers often take a trip 

 thither from Aldershot ; but unless the L. and S.W.K. 

 stretch a point in favour of hunting, and their own 

 interests, and stop this train for them at Farnboro a 

 much earlier start is needed. The Kennels of the 

 Vine are close to Overton station. They aim at iio 

 palatial grandeur; but are in a good position to 



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