THE DUKE AS MASTER 



olds and also one-year-olds that show any promise of becom- 

 ing stallion hounds, and giving me the character of the three- 

 year-old and two-year-old stallion hounds, whether hard run- 

 ners or line hunters; especially of Alfred — Stormer, and Trusty 

 dogs, and Ruby's and Nightshade's puppies. Should there 

 be a puppy of the Nightshade litter of great promise, I should 

 be inclined to try him with an old bitch. I am in posses- 

 sion of Goodall's opinion of all your hounds also three years 

 old. 



•' I am, etc., 



"H. Bentinck." 



The next letter is from the Speaker in the House of Com- 

 mons, and has the Speaker's stamp on the envelope. The 

 letter tells its own story, and reminds us how many dis- 

 tinguished statesmen and men of office have loved hunting. 

 The reference to the " father of the pack " must mean 

 Rally wood (1853). 



" OssiNGTON, Newark, 



" April 2,rd. 

 " Sir,— 



" I was sorry I did not see you before the end of the day 

 on Monday to tell you how much pleased I was with the 

 hounds and with the dogs' sport. I will thank you to re- 

 mind me of the name of the hound — a seven or eight-season 

 hunter, and sire of several hounds — out that day, whom 

 you called ' father of the pack.' I admired him very much, 

 and should like to send to him from Rufford Kennel. 



" I am, ever yours, 



"J. Evelyn Denison." 



The next letter is from the Duke, and is dated from 

 Cromwell Road. It is of no particular interest, except the 

 last sentence, which runs, " I don't think a man who has 

 hunted hounds would be desirable as a whipper-in." 



In July, 1 86 1, the Duke was evidently on a visit to Mr. 



253 



