240 THE SOUTH DEVON HUNT 



horse. The late Lord Portsmouth had it, and of him 

 it was said that, given a fortnight's practice, he would 

 be a good judge of a giraffe ! In addition, Mr. Vicary's 

 character for integrity and impartiality, qualities not 

 always associated with the necessary talent, was an 

 additional factor that accounted for his being so 

 much sought after as a judge. 



It will be understood, then, with what alacrity he 

 set about improving the personnel of the pack, paying 

 due regard to symmetry and parentage but not 

 losing sight of hunting qualities. He was observant 

 of hounds in their work, a much easier thing, by the 

 way, for a man who has a good memory for a hound 

 than for another, and had begun his hunting career in 

 South Devon in the days of Westlake and had also seen 

 sport in Cheshire, in Warwickshire, with the Duke of 

 Beaufort and with Lord Fitzhardinge's and other good 

 packs. I sometimes think one is more observant and 

 learns more in a single day in a strange country than 

 in half a season amid familiar surroundings at home. 



The joint-masters began with a pack of thirty-one 

 couple. Casualties and other causes reduced this 

 number by four couple, but in the meanwhile the 

 additional purchase of eleven - and - a - half couple 

 brought up the strength of the pack to thirty-eight 

 couple and a half. In their second season, the pack 

 numbered forty couple and a half; in their third, 

 forty-four and a half, and in their last season, forty- 

 three couple. From five days a fortnight the hunting 

 days increased to three days a week, none too many 

 considering the Haldon side was included in the area 

 to be covered. 



From the following list of Mr. Vicary's favourites 

 it will be seen that the best kennels in England were 

 represented in the pack. 



