The Duke of Beaufort's, 263 



THE DUKE OE BEAUEOET^S. * 



Quite one of the leading countries of England is The 

 Badminton^ which for several generations has been 

 maintained by the Dukes of Beaufort in true princely 

 fashion. An immense area is as thoroughly hunted 

 as it is, in return^ staunchly preserved. From Bath 

 to Cirencester — thirty miles as the crow flies — is a 

 fair diameter, by no means in excess of the distance 

 across country between several other extreme points. 

 No wonder that in this extent there is room for five 

 days a week from early autumn to latest spring ; 

 that there is suitable and ample ground for cub- 

 hunting, while in other parts a May fox may be killed 

 with impunity; that nearly every variety of country 

 is to be met with ; or that the Duke's followers are to 

 a man fond and proud of their hunt. The relations 

 between the Duke and his field are marked by a 

 cordial regard and mutual reliance, giving him a hold 

 upon his following such as no mere sense of gratitude 

 for his liberality could of itself eff'ect, great as is their 

 debt to him in this respect. His Grace bears on 



* Vide Hobson's Foxliimting Atlas, or the Pocket Map of 

 Badminton Hunt, by Houlston and Sons, Paternoster-buildings, 

 and of High-street, Chippenham. 



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