184(5.] OF HAMPSHIRE. 147 



the most favourable circumstances, not having 

 possession of it till cub-hunting was over, with 

 the uncertainty of the subscription being con- 

 tinued, and with a kennel of hounds not in the 

 most blooming condition, having been too long 

 under the care of that good sportsman, but that 

 wet soul, old John Major. In addition to all, 

 he lost the assistance of Sharpe (son of Mr. 

 Lumley Saville's huntsman), who hunted these 

 hounds for Mr. Shard, and gave great satis- 

 faction in the field. Mr. Smith, however, took 

 to the country in a manner highly creditable 

 to himself, namely, to prevent its becoming 

 vacant, and to afford time for other arrange- 

 ments to be made. Having stated this, it 

 must be gratifying to his brother sportsmen to 

 learn that his sport has been beyond expecta- 

 tion good, and he has given the greatest satis- 

 faction to the subscribers and all others who 

 have been out with him. He hunts the hounds 

 himself; is indefatigable in his exertions to 

 afford sport ; and by way of showing what it 

 is to hunt hounds in a woodland country, I 

 mention the fact that he has lost twenty '-eight 

 pounds of flesh since the first week in November ! 

 "The Hambledon country is de- m TT 



J The Ham- 



cidedly the best in Hampshire. It biedon 

 is a better country for hounds, has 



l2 



