422 HUNTING TOURS. 



of three-and-twenty inches. The very fine rich 

 black, white, and tan which so greatly prevail 

 contribute vastly to their appearance ; with 

 nice shoulders they have rare thighs — points 

 which, I need scarcely repeat, go to combine 

 a most important construction. 



It is not only the pack that becomes a sub- 

 ject of admiration but in due keeping is the 

 stud of horses. Numbering about thirty, a 

 very fair complement for the purpose, it would 

 be difficult to find a similar number, having per- 

 formed the duties in a hunting establishment 

 through such a trying season as the past, look- 

 ing so remarkably fresh and free from injuries, 

 as under the careful management of Hughes, 

 the stud groom, these nags do. Indeed, the 

 splendid lustre of their coats is quite striking, 

 and not to be exceeded in the month of June. 

 Some explanation may be given to this ; they 

 have no debilitating grass in the summer to 

 waste their constitutions. Kept during the 

 term of respite in large roomy loose boxes, 

 thoroughly ventilated, but shaded from the 

 sun, and, consequently, free from the obnoxious 

 intrusions of flies, every opportunity is secured 

 of obtaining that important element of the 

 horse — condition. Then, again, they are all 



