THE HISTORY OF THE BELVOIR HUNT 



of hounds. I wish he could be persuaded to take the 

 Cottesmore hounds. It would be the only way to get those 

 fine woodlands set at liberty for fox-hunting. 



" The Rev. Heathcote told me yesterday he was going to 

 make a large gorse between Folkingham and the wood- 

 lands ; this is a step in the right direction. 



" I hope you will be able to get to Gonenby. I detest 

 the place on account of the rail. 



" Thos. Whichcote." 



A hound, Wildboy, sent by Cooper to Mr. Selby Lowndes, 

 had an unlucky accident, for the Whaddon chase master 

 writes : — 



"Whaddon Hall, Stoney Stratford, 

 ''March iith. 

 " Cooper, — 



" I got Wildboy quite safe, and I thought I had written 

 to you to tell you how pleased I was with him, but I am 

 sorry to tell you he got on the line and was completely cut 

 to pieces. I was so sorry, it quite spoilt my day's sport. 

 Now I am very pleased to hear you are hunting again, and 

 hope will continue to do so for many a year. 



" W. Selby Lowndes." 



Cooper was then laid up by an accident to his knee. The 

 other hounds were sent a week later, as another letter from 

 Mr. Selby Lowndes shows. 



The next letters from the Duke were written to Cooper 

 after he had left, and show that, although the master and 

 huntsman had been parted by circumstances, there yet re- 

 mained esteem and respect between them. 



" Bute House, Campden Hill, 



"Kensington, W.,Maj/ ^otA, 1870. 

 " Cooper, — 



" I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 27th, 

 and for the information respecting the young hounds, and 

 I must thank you for the care you have taken of them up 

 to this time. 



270 



