CHAPTEE YIIL 



Becomes Master of the Pytchley Hunt — Management of the 

 hounds — Difficulties — Lord Spencer — Kind conduct of the 

 Duke of Buccleuch — Extraordinary runs — Resigns the 

 Pytchley — Hints on buying horses — An unpleasant adr 

 venture. 



Whilst residing in Dorsetshire, Mr. Smith 

 received an invitation from Mr. G. Payne and 

 other members of the Pytchley Hunt to hnnt 

 that country. Wishing to see all the best 

 hunting countrieSj he accepted the offer, though 

 he saw that he had an uphill task before him. 

 The Hunt had then no pack ; but they proposed 

 to purchase that of Lord Chesterfield, who had 

 last hunted the country. This^ however, they 

 failed in. Owing to his lordship's absence in 

 Prance, or some other reason, the pack was 

 not for sale imtil the end of October; and then 

 Lord Ducie outbid the Hunt, and carried them 

 off. He, however, only wanted twenty couples^ 



