THE MEATH HOUNDS. I05 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE MEATH HOUNDS. 



As I look back upon the annals of fox-hunting in 

 Meath, I find that for considerably more than one 

 hundred years the spirit and love of the noble science 

 have flourished there. But in bygone days, instead 

 of one pack supported by all, and hunting the whole 

 country as at present, several gentlemen kept private 

 packs, and as at that time foxes were scarce and 

 coverts few they did not limit themselves to the " wily" 

 animal but also hunted hares. Indeed such was the 

 case with every pack in Ireland at that remote period. 

 The first date I can find relative to hunting in Meath 

 is that of 1740. Mr. Lowther of Huddlesworth, kept 

 a pack, and at the same time, or very soon afterwards, 

 packs were kept by Mr. Gerrard of Gibstown, Mr. 

 Pollock of Mountainstown, Mr. Hopkins of Mitchels- 

 town, and Mr. Waller of Allenstown. Much good 

 fellowship appears to have existed between all, as one 

 hunted one day, another the following, and occa- 

 sionally all the packs were joined together for one 

 grand day's sport. The condition of the pastures of 

 Meath was scarcely as good then as at present, for in 

 some places where hunting is just now easy it was then 

 rather disagreeable, and it very often happened that 

 huntsmen had to dismount and run on foot, the boggy 



