CHAPTEE lY. 



The Hambledon pack increased — A perilous adventure — 

 Anecdote of Lord Palmerston — Accidents — Hard riding — 

 Removal to Swanmere — Death of Mrs. Smith — Society 

 at Exton — Sir Joseph Yorke and others — Visit to London 

 — Resigns the Hambledon Hounds. 



In Mr. Smitli's second season tlie Hambledon 

 pack 'svas increased to forty conjole ; not so the 

 subscrij)tion. A run or two witli them may 

 be related. 



It is held by many sportsmen that foxes 

 which rim to ground shortly after being found 

 are bad, and only fit to be dug out and killed. 

 Mr. Smith's experience has taught him that 

 this is an error, and that the oldest and best 

 foxes will do it on good scenting days — that is, 

 on days which they know to be such, though 

 their pursuers may not. On one occasion a 

 fox was found at Allington ; and Mr. Smith 

 at once sent ofi" the whipper-in to see if the 



