tlOXTNDS OF ENGLAND. 



25 



passion for the chace is too well known to need description ; 

 suffice it to say that he is doing all I have stated, in his 73rd 

 year, at his sole expense, and dining every day of his life in 

 his scarlet coat, like a fine old English gentleman, as he is 

 all over. George Carter hnnted the Duke of Grafton's 

 hounds for many years, with eminent success; and came 

 after Ned Rose, whose father, " old Tom," hunted the 

 Grafton Pack for half a century. Carter accompanied the 

 hounds when Mr. Assheton Smith purchased them. There 

 are Fadladeens in the hunting-field as well as in literature ; 

 and though Nimrod himself (I mean the original Nimrod— 

 '' the mighty hunter'') were to cast a pack of hounds, his 

 " heaven-born skilF' would be doubted by many a critic of 

 his ''field.'' There are those who call George Carter slow; 

 but if the word " steady'' were used instead, it would better 

 describe him ; for he is a very steady and a very dangerous 

 man to a fox. It must be borne in mind, too, that he has 

 not (like Mr. Smith) the pick of hounds and country. 



The Hambledon is considered to be the best country south 

 of London. Round Waltham Chace and Durley there is 

 plenty of grass ; the foxes fly, and the sport is undeniable. 



