184 HUNTING IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES. 



subject, but the fact is beyond question, and it bears 

 so closely and forcibly upon what I have been saying 

 about the destruction of foxes, that I shall mention 

 an anecdote relating to it. The hounds of a noble 

 lord,* who some years ago hunted one of the Midland 

 counties, were advertised to meet at the covers of a 

 gentleman which were in those days more celebrated 

 for the number of pheasants which they harboured, 

 than for the good runs wliich they afforded to fox- 

 hounds. As it was well known that there was no 

 chance of a find, the keeper, as I am charitable enough 

 to suppose that it must have been done without his 

 master's connivance, procured a bagman, which was 

 to be put down in due form when the hounds were 

 drawing; this disgraceful intention having come, by 

 some means or other, to the ears of the noble owner 

 of the pack, he was determined to be even with the 

 intended perpetrator of the insult. Riding up to the 

 cover side exactly as the hand of his watch rested 

 upon the appointed hour, he thus addressed his hunts- 

 man. " My hounds meet at half-past ten, and I wait 

 for no one, throw them into cover, Harry;" in they 

 went, and a blank draw was the result. " Why there 

 is not even the slightest touch of a fox," says his 

 lordship, and away he trotted to another cover seven 

 miles distant, leaving the keeper, the bagman, and a 

 large party of gentlemen in the lurch, who were at 

 breakfast, and anxiously expecting the arrival of the 

 hounds. 



Before I conclude my labours, I suppose I must, 

 according to custom, give a description of a perfect 



* The Late Lord Middleton. 



