THE GALWAY HOUNDS. 1 37 



make the pack perfect. There are fifty couple of 

 hounds now in the kennels ; fourteen were entered 

 last year, and they turned out very well- Mr. Burton 

 Persse keeps a very good stud of hunters : there is no 

 better judge of a horse. He has had a few good 

 steeplechasers — Topthorne, Arab Maid, Zuleika, Ab- 

 dalla, Sultana, The Huntsman, Stella, and many 

 others previously. He is a very good man to ride, 

 and has often sported silk." 



*' What is the extent of the hunting district, and 

 where are the best parts of it ?" 



" The country from Loughrea to Pallas, and from 

 Loughrea to Fairfield is magnificent and almost en- 

 tirely rich grassland — indeed nearly all the country is 

 grass, and rides light. The kennels are within three 

 miles of Athenry, where good accommodation can be 

 had for man and horse at the Railway Hotel, or Kin- 

 sella's. The hunting days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 

 and Saturdays. The sum guaranteed to Mr. Persse 

 is^iooo per annum, and I need scarcely tell you that 

 it does not nearly cover the expenses." 



** Will you mention the names of those who were 

 first-flight men in days long gone by ?" 



*' I will. In no part of England or Ireland will 

 you find better men to ride than in Connaught. I 

 cannot remember all who were deserving of being 

 included in the list of the ' leaders of the chase,* 

 but I will mention a few who were wonderful riders. 

 Lord Clanricarde and John Dennis, were * clinkers * 

 in the hunting-field and between the flags. Burton 

 Persse, father of the present M. F. H., was considered 

 the best rider to hounds in his time, and had most 

 perfect hands. Parsons Persse, his brother, was an 



