I20 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



has had the hounds, he has had only five changes of 

 his hunt-servants is, to say the least of it, a good 

 sign. In many countries the frequent changing of 

 masters, huntsmen, and whips, militates greatly 

 against the sport. Huntsmen and whips must know 

 a country thoroughly well to be perfect in their busi- 

 ness. A master should pay strict attention to the 

 breeding of his hounds, and unless he is thoroughly 

 acquainted with the different peculiarities of all mem- 

 bers of the pack he can never breed first-class hounds. 

 This knowledge is not easily acquired. Not only 

 must a man be well informed in stud lore, but he must 

 have seen and studied the results of the different 

 crosses in blood before he can be versed in the science 

 of breeding. Harry Hardy is a most popular servant, 

 and a very good one in every respect. He came to 

 Lisrenny as whip in i860, and has been there ever 

 since, save that he left, and lived in England for a 

 season or two, and then returned. He first served as 

 whip to Mr. Briscoe. The sport this season has been 

 first-class ; Mr. Filgate assured me that he never had 

 better sport in the month of November. I am sorry 

 to say the '* fields" are generally very small. Foxes 

 are numerous throughout his country. I may remark 

 that an earth near the kennel is occupied by one or 

 two pet foxes, and add of Squire Filgate that at all 

 seasons 



" A fox is his delight — 

 But most a wild one for the morning." 



I have to thank him for a great deal of kindness 

 and hospitality, and I hope my readers will derive as 

 much pleasure from reading this notice of his hunting 

 establishment as my visit afforded me ; if they do 

 they will be thoroughly pleased. 



