HUNTING IN ROSCOMMON. 209 



their excellence In every particular. Captain Balfe 

 laboured sedulously and successfully to gain the end 

 he has so fully attained, and has now the pleasure of 

 having in his kennel thirty-and-a-half couple of work- 

 ing hounds, including a very promising entry. They 

 average twenty-five inches, and are remarkable for 

 their pace, symmetry, uniformity in size and colour, 

 steadiness, and endurance. With a subscription of 

 ^700 a year, the master of the Roscommon Stag- 

 hounds has certainly achieved more than his most 

 sanguine admirers could have expected, although 

 much was, no doubt, expected from him, as he is 

 descended from a family remarkable for their love of 

 racing and hunting. His father and uncle were both 

 staunch supporters of the Irish turf some years ago. 

 The kennels at South-Park are good, and so are 

 the stables. Captain Balfe is a first-rate judge of 

 horses, and always keeps fourteen or fifteen hunters 

 of the right stamp. John Cooke was whip and kennel 

 huntsman until the end of last season (1876-7). He 

 has been succeeded by William Higgins. M. Harte 

 is feeder, and an excellent canine physician ; indeed, 

 he would be an acquisition to any hunting establish- 

 ment. He lived for many years with Mr. John Dennis, 

 and subsequently with Mr. Tom Bodkin, at Kilclooney. 

 After Mr. Bodkin's death, he came to South- Park, 

 where he has been ever since. Many parts of the 

 large district hunted over by these hounds is a good 

 hunting one, particularly the neighbourhoods of Rath- 

 crogan, Mullaghdowney, and the plains of Boyle. 

 There are many liberal contributors to the hunt fund. 

 Lord De Freyne heads the list with a donation of 

 ;^ioo a year. The Frenches are "sportsmen to the 



