86 HUNTING TOURS. 



The year 1842 inaugurated a fresh dynasty. 

 The late Lord Ducie, from indisposition, 

 found it imperatively necessary to relinquish 

 for a time the mastership of the V.W.H., but 

 with a fond hope, that was, however, never 

 realised, anticipated a renewal of the sport 

 he so dearly loved. His lordship had hunted 

 that country about twelve seasons, and with 

 vast assiduity established a pack of hounds 

 whose attainments were of a very high order, 

 and which he was reluctant to disembody by 

 disposing of them in lots. They were, therefore, 

 transferred to Lord Henry Bentinck, under 

 certain conditions, as I have always under- 

 stood, the particulars of which, however, it 

 is unimportant to inquire into. This pack 

 was composed of much very valuable blood 

 from the Duke of Beaufort's, Mr. Osbal- 

 deston's, and Mr. A. Smith's kennels. Full- 

 sized hounds Lord Ducie had a great leaning 

 towards, but merit and performances were a 

 sine qua non. To these Lord H. Bentinck sub- 

 sequently made additions from Mr. Horlock's 

 and Mr. Wyndham's packs, and again at tlie 

 sale of Mr. Foljambe's Hounds, in 1845, some 

 more very valuable acquisitions were obtained. 

 The blood of the Belvoir, the Brocklesby, the 



