HUNTING TOURS. 393 



of several of the Duke of Beaufort's ances- 

 tors, together with horses, hounds, and men 

 engaged in the exciting movements of the 

 chase as it was conducted in the olden times. 

 The precise date I do not know, but con- 

 jecture the pictures must refer to scenes 

 between 1730 and 1740. There are like- 

 wise four in Mr. Croome's dining-room, so 

 very similar in style as to lead to the sup- 

 position that they were executed by the same 

 artist, and therefore that they refer to a similar 

 date. Those at Mr. Croome's are representa- 

 tions of the predecessors of the late Sir 

 Richard Pulestone, Bart., of Emral, in Flint- 

 shire, whose daughter is married to Mr. 

 Croome, and whose family have been so highly 

 celebrated through many generations for their 

 love of the chase and the excellence of their 

 hounds. The unique fashion of dress, the 

 peculiar style of the horses, all of which are 

 represented with snaffle bridles, and the varied 

 character of the hounds, convey pleasing 

 examples of hunting, when our forefathers 

 breakfasted by candlelight, and dined about 

 the time when a modern pack of hounds are 

 tasting their first fox. 



The morning of the 31st of January broke 



S5 



