HUNT CLUBS. 29 



(perhaps nearly the deepest and darkest woodlands in 

 England), have undergone perpetual changes with the 

 Worcestershire and Staffordshire hounds, from time 

 immemorial. Shropshire has also experienced many 

 alterations ; and, in fact, there are very few countries 

 the boundaries of which are the same that they were 

 fifty years ago ; nevertheless, there are rules and regu- 

 lations acknowledged in the sporting world, by which 

 the line of demarcation is preserved, and as long as 

 any established hunt continues to draw covers thus 

 marked out, their rights are held inviolable.* 



How long it is since Hunt Clubs were first esta- 

 blished, we have no certain authority ; but it was about 

 the middle of the last century that matters appertaining 

 to fox-hunting were recognised with other subjects of 

 county interest. That hunt which lays claim to the 

 greatest antiquity, as I have been credibly informed, 

 although the hounds are little better than a trencher- 

 fed pack, the country round composed of everlasting 

 dingles, woods, and precipices, and the thing chiefly 

 supported by the yeomanry of the country, is the Sin- 

 nington, in Yorkshire ; and amongst other peculiarities 

 characteristic of this ancient club, the huntsman is 

 always retained quite as much on account of his 

 warbling qualifications as his knowledge of the chase ; 

 and unless he has " Bright Phoebus," " Old Towler," 

 and " The grey eye of Morning," with a few other 



* The two most interesting cases in point, which bave occurred for many years, 

 are the dispute between the Duke of Beaufort and Mr. Horlock, which I am 

 happy to say has been amicably arranged. The other is that between Gen. 

 \Vyndbam and his brother Col. George Wyndham, wliicb it is to be lamented is 

 still at issue. 



