HUNTING TOURS. 425 



been in existence, it could not have attained 

 to the great perfection it has done but by the 

 masterly and unfailing- guidance that bas pre- 

 sided over it for many years. Though it takes 

 a length of time to bring a pack of hounds to 

 a high state of perfection, relaxation of 

 management would very soon have occasioned 

 a reverse ; but that has never happened. The 

 character of the pack had no doubt attained 

 very great fame under the management of the 

 Lord Yarborough who, as previously men- 

 tioned, resigned it to his son in 1816 ; but it 

 has been vastly raised since then, through 

 sources which I have already attempted, too 

 inadequately I fear, to exemplify. The late 

 Earl Yarborough most unfortunately suffered 

 from ill-health for several years previous to 

 his decease, and had not been able to accom- 

 pany his pack in the field for more than five 

 years prior to his death. But, with a won- 

 derful turn for business matters, and a most 

 devoted attention to all events connected with 

 his vast estates, most especially the welfare and 

 happiness of his tenantry, the seeds were most 

 probably sown which so sadly shortened his 

 life. Yet the hunting establishment was 

 maintained in its full vigour, and with the 



