HUNTING TOURS. 1 75 



The present limits of the Heythrop hunt were 

 not, however, then defined, neither was it re- 

 cognised by that descriptive term. Long be- 

 fore the present century the Badminton country 

 not affording sufficient scope for the sporting 

 spirit inherent in the ducal family of Beaufort, 

 and keenly exemplified in the fifth Duke, 

 his Grace undertook to hunt this country two 

 alternate months. Where he resided I know 

 not. The sixth Duke lived for many years 

 at Cornbury Park, and the hounds were also 

 kept there. When the late Lord Churchill 

 inherited that place and came to reside there, 

 his Grace took Heythrop House, and kennels, 

 with a view to temporary convenience, were 

 erected in the park. In the year 1802 

 Philip Payne was engaged as huntsman at 

 Badminton, having previously occupied a 

 similar position in Cheshire, and with the 

 Cottesmore Hounds. An anecdote is related 

 of him on his arrival at Badminton, illustra- 

 tive of his introducing a new system of 

 kennel management. After having fed the 

 hounds, and about to walk them out into the 

 park, the whippers-in proceeded, as had been 

 their custom, to couple up the hounds. "Oh, 

 take those couples away," he exclaimed, "we 



