56 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



the hunt bought for him, and thirty-two couple of 

 hounds. 



Lord Henry, as I said before, was not a good judge 

 of either a hound or a horse, the former he knew less of 

 than the latter. A horse had but one (certainly a good 

 one) recommendation to him — going well — no matter 

 what his shape was, if he saw him, go through a good 

 run, he would buy him if he could.* No doubt the pick of 

 the kennel and stable we got, and when they were chosen 

 by Henry Briscoe, it is easily supposed he took none 

 but the right sort, for no man is a better judge of a 

 hound or a horse than he. Not good, however, was the 

 best, and it took Briscoe some years to make them to 

 his liking, and that is as near perfection as possible. 

 Any man who remembers the hounds when he got 

 them, and when he gave them up to the present Mar- 

 quis, and who knows anything of what a pack of hounds 

 ought to be, must agree that a more improved pack 

 was seldom made in so short a time. 



One word now about my dear old friend " Henry." 

 We all call him "Henry," from peer to peasant, the 

 latter dubbing him " Hinry," or if very respectful, 

 *' Hinry Sur ;'" but first we must drink his health. So 

 fill your glass again ; and though we coupled him be- 

 fore with three others, we must now give him a bumper 

 with " three times three, and one cheer more." He is 

 now as well and as "fit" as he was at the time 

 of which I shall now tell you, and may he long 

 continue to be so. Take the time from me. Hip, 

 hip, hurrah for Henry Briscoe ! 



* I do not share my informant's opinion as to Lord Waterford's 

 judgment. The owner of so many chasers and racers could never 

 have lacked discrimination in his purchases. [Author]. 



