HUNTING TOURS. 119 



CHAPTER VL 



A DAY ON THE FLAGS IN 1862. 



The annual assemblage of the cognoscenti 

 to inspect the entry of young- hounds for the 

 ensuing season, in whom so much of the 

 huntsman's fondest hopes are centered, is 

 invariably an event of much interest, never 

 perhaps greater than in the present instance, 

 as in addition to those bred by Mr. Cregoe 

 Colmore, he has secured a very considerable 

 increase from Badminton. The object on 

 these occasions is to award the pieces of plate 

 provided by Mr. Colmore for those persons 

 who have lent their aid to the good cause, 

 and who have succeeded in rearing the most 

 promising young hounds. Three of those 

 very acceptable and highly appreciable pre- 

 sents were in readiness to be presented, for 

 the best, the second best, and the third best 

 of the entry. The custom of giving prizes 

 for these purposes is happily on the increase, 



