THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT's HOUXDS. 165 



and the hunt servants. Somewhat later, the honnd-van 

 woukl come on the scene, drawn by four mules, and driven by 

 Jack West, the then head whip. Perhaps an hour after this 

 the drag came to the door ; either the duke or the Marquis of 

 "Worcester took the ribbons, and the coach was pretty well sure 

 to be filled by such a load from the house as would have 

 gladdened the heart of any public coach-owner, amongst them 

 generally being Tom Clark, the huntsman, whom, as he then 

 hunted six days a week (and they never make half days at 

 Badminton), the duke kindly took thus to covert and home 

 again, when the fixture was at any distance, to lighten his 

 arduous labours. That hunting hounds six days in the week is 

 hard work no man knew better than his grace. The team, w^ien 

 the journey to the meet was a long one (and the fixtures often 

 ran fifteen miles and upwards ; for, where hounds can go six 

 days a week, and be certain of a find, a large extent of ground 

 must be covered), was, as a rule, changed half way, and a fresh 

 one Avorked them to their destination, which was some hotel 

 near the place of meeting. Here dry things, which were 

 brought for every one, were left with the drag and hound- 

 van, and one and all started fresh for the sport. On 

 their return, luncheon was laid out, and having, if needful, 

 got rid of wet garments and refreshed themselves, all 

 went home as comfortably as they had gone to covert. 

 I need not point out what a wonderful help to hounds and 

 men is such a liberal style of doing things in a country where 

 trains serve them very little, if any ; and one of the most 

 amusing things I ever witnessed is to see the self-satisfied air 

 with which the hounds trotted up into their van, as if they 

 thoroughly appreciated (as no doubt they did) being carried 

 comfortably home, instead of having to drag twenty miles through 

 heavy, dirty roads. There was no voice of authority wanted to 

 get them into it. Fond as I personally am of change, could I 

 select my own locality for hunting, there is no country I ^vould 

 sooner drop into than the Duke of Eeaufort's, as, independent of 



