168 WITH HOUND AND TERRIER. 



had it " tree'd," so that she might watch the final 

 scene. For some time the hounds bayed their fox 

 beautifully, vying with each other in their efforts 

 to dislodge it, and when at last they succeeded, 

 there was much excitement, in which Lady West- 

 minster took her full share. 



The spectacle was certainly unique, and a friend 

 in speaking of it says, " Here was the oldest sports- 

 woman in the world sharing the interest with her 

 son-in-law, who was himself owner of one of the 

 biggest packs in the world, ^ and who was probably 

 the only man who had hunted six days a- week for 

 a period of nearly thirty years." Lady West- 

 minster said it recalled the memories of her youth 

 to her, when in the second and third decades of 

 the century, while George IV. and William IV. 

 were on the throne, she had hunted with the 

 Belvoir and Quorn Hounds. 



Another scene which I remember in connection 

 with the latter years of Lady Westminster's life 

 was when a ball was given at Tnwood in honour 

 of her ninetieth birthday. Letters and telegrams 

 had poured in upon her during the earlier part 

 of the day. She had shown the keenest interest 

 in all, and was specially pleased with a very 

 gracious message sent by King Edward VIL, 

 then Prince of Wales. In all the arrangements 

 for the ball Lady Westminster also interested 

 herself, and when the company assembled in the 

 ballroom she was present and received the con- 



^ Mr Guest never had less than a hundred couple in kennel. 



