2 34 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



THE queen's county HOUNDS. 



More than a century has elapsed since the melodious 

 notes of the foxhounds were first heard in the Queen's 

 County: 



" Many seasons past was often heard at morn 

 The dear sweet notes of huntsman's cheery horn, 

 And sweeter still the grand melodious sound 

 Of deep-toned music from the eager hound." 



About 130 years ago, Colonel Pigott of Capard kept 

 a pack of deep-mouthed southern hounds, and about 

 the same period, Colonel Barrington (Sir Jonah's 

 grandfather) had a pack at CuUenagh, some of the 

 blood of which was to be found in the Emo kennels 

 when that pack was hunted by a very remarkable cha- 

 racter, "ould" Paddy Forde, who died not many years 

 since, 



'• When his reverend locks in comely curls did wave, 

 And on his aged temples grew the blossoms of the grave," 



for he lived for nearly a hundred years. Poor 

 "Paddy," he was an original of the purest water — 

 eccentric amongst the eccentrics. He could never see 

 any person smoking at the covert side without mani- 

 fest indignation. " Shure thim cigars spilt the scent 



