A Haunch of Fox. 97 



Before the regular hunting began, he had 

 sufficient confidence in his hounds to ^ the 

 fijfst day's meet at Tottenham Park. This 

 brought together a large field, many of them 

 reckoning on the death of a deer; but they 

 were disappointed. I^ot one hound took the 

 least notice of the deer, although on their 

 mettle in chase, and they killed their fox. 

 Before starting, one or two of the men had 

 ironically requested a haunch of venison ; and 

 when the fox was killed ^Ir. Smith rode up to 

 them, offering them ^^ a haunch of fox," and 

 telling them that it was only fair they should 

 eat it. 



It is only right to mention that when Lord 

 Ailesbiuy heard of the reformatory measures 

 going on, he kindly sent a live deer to be 

 placed in the kennel, for the hounds to see 

 and get used to, which had a good effect; 

 and this was all the more kind, as his lordship 

 had been informed by Mr. Assheton Smith 

 that when once hounds had taken to deer they 



H 



