80 OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 



but what was of the greatest consequence, they 

 had got into blood, and we fixed to meet at a 

 good covert hkely for a run. The hounds im- 

 mediately found, and were going away well with 

 their fox, when my malevolent fellow stopped 

 them, and halloo'd them on to hare : but, un- 

 fortunately for him, a friend of mine saw the 

 whole transaction, informed me of it, and I of 

 course turned my man away. He owned after- 

 wards he did it to spite some gentlemen who 

 were out, and were anxious to have a run, because 

 they did not " caj) " for him the day before, after 

 killing a fox with a short run. This is another 

 instance of the bad effects of allowing servants 

 to take cap-money. I have had other whippers- 

 in of a different character, men who were good 

 sportsmen, fond of the thing, attentive, and good 

 servants in every respect. For instance, Will 

 Ncverd, now Mr. Warde's huntsman ; Jack Cane, 

 Abraham Farrow, Zach. Goddard, the latter many 

 years whipper-in to Lord INIiddleton, and now 

 with Mr. Boycot ; old Jack Cole (not a bad one), 

 now living with Mr. Conyers ; and John Neal, 

 an excellent servant. The best groom I ever 

 had, who took a pride in his master's horses 

 being in condition, Avas William Tompkins, now 

 I believe head groom in the hunting stable of 

 the Duke of Grafton. It often happens as soon 



