HOUNDS OF ENGLAND. 



35 



scribing Lord Henry Bentinck^s establishment as beyond 

 all praise. Lord Henry is not only a skilful and energetic 

 ^' hound sman/^ but possesses a peculiar tact in the guidance 

 of his " fiekr^ — a quality, aye^ an accomplishment, of the 

 ]N'oble Science which cannot be too highly estimated in a 

 Master of Hounds. His country is heavy and strongly 

 fenced ; the woodlands hold a good scent,, and are remarkably 

 well arranged as to rides, which are cut parallel and at right 

 angles to each other. Dick Burton came from Lord Chester- 

 field, and whipped-in to Mr. Osbaldeston, He was also with 

 Lord Ducie, and hunted that lovely vale, the Vale of White 

 Horse, and the Cirencester country. But, since he joined 

 Lord H. Bentinck, an improvement in every respect 

 has been the result. He hunts the hounds four days, and 

 the first whip two. Sir Richard Sutton had the Burton for 

 many years. 



Mr. Hellier's country has a great deal of " plough,^^ and 

 some grass in it, and generally carries a good scent. There 

 is a tract of land extending from Louth to Alford, called tlie 

 " Middle Marsh,^' which only wants a few small covers to 

 render it a superb country ; for, at. present, there is nothing 

 to hold a wild fox in the whole of that vale district. Mr. 



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