172 COVERT-SIDE SKETCHES. 



England that he is as near perfect as a huntsman as possible. 

 He is very quiet, but at the same time very quick : a fine 

 horseman, whether across the walls or in the vale, and he has 

 done Avork that many men would shrink from in the way of 

 travelling, to enable him to hunt his hounds and still discharge 

 his regimental duties. He will, moreover, always be noted as 

 having hunted the hounds when they had the celebrated Great- 

 wood run on February 22nd, 1871 — a day that may fairly claim 

 to rank with the Billesdon Coplow of the Quorn, the Wendover 

 day of Mr. Delme-Eadclifife's, Lord Drumlanrig's great run, or the 

 Pytchley Waterloo day, when Mr. Anstruther Thomson was 

 master. All I can say is, I sincerely hope it may be many 

 years ere the marquis resigns the horn into other hands. 



There are few such establishments as that at Badminton ; few 

 hounds hunt such an extent of country, or so many days a 

 week ; and very few countries indeed where foxes are so well 

 preserved; but then the duke is a fast friend to the farmers, 

 always cheery with them, and exceedingly liberal with game 

 and venison, which finds its way to their tables instead of to 

 a London poulterer. That is the reason they never have any 

 lack of foxes. 



