76 THE TRINITY FOOT BEAGLES 



have been invaluable in establishing sound traditions of hunting 

 lore. The value of this is the more evident in that we are told that 

 Muo-creridjxe, thoufjh a most loyal and devoted " henchman," did not 

 possess any very great store of hunting experience. 



It is interesting in this connection to note that the next great 

 step in the history of T.F.B., when proper kennels were provided, 

 was the work of a senior man. " Mother " Hunt did not come up to 

 Cambridge straight from school, but had done some " knocking about," 

 and had seen something of " life," in America amongst other places, 

 before coming up to Magdalene. 



Letter from J. F. Muggeridge to H. Duberly 



TuNBRiDGE Wells, Kent, 

 i^eiA. 21, 1869. 



Dear Duberly — I have had two letters from Currey about the 

 beagles. The first was written some time ago, though I have only 

 just received it on my return from the Continent. In it he said that 

 he did not think he should bring up the pack again to Cambridge, 

 and that perhaps he should give it up altogether. I at once wrote 

 back to him and asked him to let us have the refusal of them in case 

 he sold them, as I thought the Cambridge men would be only too 

 glad to buy them ; and I have now just received his second letter in 

 reply to mine. From what I can make out, he says he will bring the 

 pack up to Cambridge again if we will guarantee sufficient money 

 to keep them through the summer months, which, according to his 

 estimate, will be about £20 extra ; I daresay we should have to pay 

 £25. On the other hand, I understand him to say that he will sell 

 us the pack for £40 (13i couple of hounds), which is not at all dear ; 

 but then we shall have to add to that their keep, which for the first 

 year will bring it up to quite £80 + their journey from Ireland 

 + their taxes to £97, which is more, I think, than we can raise 

 amongst the " lovers of true sport." I think, however, that we could 

 manage the first proposition, either by doubling the subscription (and 

 I fancy we shall have many more subscribers this season) or l)y those 

 most interested in the sport making up tlie difference amongst them- 



