The Duke of Bueeleueh's. 433 



are not only valuable for cubliunting, but^ wben well 

 rattled,, serve as a source of supply to tlie surrounding 

 country. Within the borders of Berwickshire again 

 are the Hirsel Woods (Lord Homers) which answer 

 the same purpose. 



The kennels are at St. BoswelPs^ on the line of 

 railway which joins Berwick-on-Tweed, Kelso, and 

 Edinburgh. The pack has been in the Ducal family 

 for some generations ; and has long been noted for 

 speed and stoutness. The present hounds, whose 

 breeding has, until quite lately, been confined almost 

 entirely to home resources, retain these qualities in a 

 remarkable degree, can run all day on hill and plain 

 alike, and drive as closely at the end of a long run as 

 at its commencement. The fences of the Duke's 

 country are, at least on the plains, much the same 

 throughout — viz., chiefly thorn hedges, mended with 

 light post and rails, and many of them with a ditch on 

 one side. Sometimes the hedge is planted on a low 

 bank, with width enough to make it obligatory for a 

 horse to take it in two. These hedges are never laid 

 {i.e., stake-and-bound), seldom even trimmed; but 

 stand up ragged and thin, to form partial shelter for 

 cattle and sheep in the chilly winter. In many places 

 )^ou may force your way through them ; or, again^ by 

 steering somewhat to the right or left as you approach, 

 may hit off a spot where timber has been employed to 

 fill up a gap. Thus your horse should be ready to 

 face thorns, pop over timber, or double on-and-off. 

 He will seldom be called upon to fly water ; but should 

 be able to creep in and out of any complication. It is 

 especially a country in which to make a hunter clever; 



H H 



