THE BLOODHOUND IN THE VALE. 141 



the following account many of the incidents come 

 from the pen of Lady Theodora Guest, who has 

 kindly given me her memories of the day in 

 writing. 



The meet was at twelve o'clock, and Lord 

 Wolverton and his hounds did not keep us 

 waiting. It was a lovely spring day, and never 

 did the smart hunt - dress of Master and men 

 show to greater advantage. The uniform was a 

 green coat with gilt buttons, and on the latter 

 a coronet and the letter " W." For the lady 

 members of the hunt the costume was a green 

 habit, with the same buttons as those worn 

 by the Master. The hounds were magnificent 

 creatures, standing seven- or eight -and -twenty 

 inches; and as Major Whyte- Melville, who was 

 often out with them, has recorded, " their limbs 

 and frame were proportioned to so gigantic a 

 stature," and, thanks to the Master's "care in 

 breeding and the freedom with which he has 

 drafted, their feet are round and their powerful 

 legs symmetrically straight." No slight praise from 

 such a judge, yet well did the hounds deserve it. 



And presently we were to see them as they 

 are depicted in Mr Goddard's picture, " sweeping 

 along like a whirlwind," and putting horse and 

 rider to the test to keep in touch with them. 

 It was, indeed, a sight worth seeing as the big 

 hounds let themselves out, their deep-toned music 

 pealing forth again and again and ringing far 

 over the land. 



