THE DUKE AS MASTER 



" I hope you have got a nice house at Ponton and that 

 you and Mrs. Cooper will be comfortable. I will not return 

 to the past, but I cannot help saying that I consider that 

 under your management, care and judgment the Belvoir 

 hounds have certainly not deteriorated, but if anything im- 

 proved, in breeding, shape and make, and I desire to express 

 my gratitude to you for all you have done in my service. 



" May I venture, now that I can have no personal interest 

 in the matter, but am solely actuated by a regard for yourself 

 and your family, to say that I hope you will take care of 

 your health and strength ? 



" I am happy to say I am very well. 



" With my kind remembrance to Mrs. Cooper, 



" I remain, yours, etc., 



" Rutland." 



"Bute House, Campden Hill, 



"Kensington, V^.,May 17th, 1874. 

 " Cooper, — 



" I am very much pleased at your remembering my 

 birthday, and at your and Mrs. Cooper's kind wishes on the 

 occasion. 



" I am sorry to say, though, when one has arrived at 

 fifty-nine, these anniversaries follow one another much too 

 quickly. 



" I am glad to see you have removed to Carlton, and hope 

 that you and your family may have many years of health 

 and happiness before you. 



" I am just recovering from an attack of my old enemy, 

 the gout. 



" I remain, yours faithfully, 



" Rutland." 



" Belvoir Castle, 



"March ^th, 1877. 

 " Cooper, — 



" I fear I have never written to thank you for your 

 letter of the 12th February. I have been suffering much 

 from a severe rheumatic attack in both knees, etc., and can- 



271 



