SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 223 



was indeed rightly named, possessing the wisdom 

 of Solomon in all hunting matters ; and without 

 his assistance we have heard his master declare 

 he never should have killed a fox at that time 

 in his newly-adopted country. Having been ac- 

 customed to large hounds, Mr. Assheton Smith 

 showed great reluctance to lower his standard, but 

 experience soon convinced him of this necessity. 

 It was, however, a work of time, since the dog- 

 hound would give evidence of their descent from a 

 large sort ; but the lady pack, after a few years, 

 became exceedingly level, averaging from twenty- 

 two to twenty-three inches in height ; and up to 

 the time of Mr. Smith's decease, no hounds in any 

 rough country have ever shown greater sport, or 

 killed more foxes. When running over those 

 flinty fallows, we have noticed them, as well as 

 other hounds in like localities, keeping to the 

 furrows, if possible, to avoid cutting their feet ; but 

 on reaching a piece of down-land or old clover ley, 

 they would then spread out and carry a good head. 

 Many have been the runs recorded in Bell's Life of 

 this pack forcing their fox through Collinbourne 

 woods, Thackham, and Dowles all coverts of im- 

 mense size and killing him in the open. A very 

 valuable addition to his kennel was also made by 

 the purchase of the late Duke of Grafton's hounds, 

 which were of a hardy, wiry nature, arid indefati- 

 gable in their work. Mr. Assheton Smith lived 

 long enough to see his hopes and expectations fully 

 realized in the formation of a new country, with 

 a splendid pack of hounds exactly fitted for it ; 



