CHAP. IV.] T. ^'Gentleman ' Smithy Master. ii 



o 



in Berkshire and elsewhere, and in no way did he belie 

 it. A more thorough Master of the " noble science," 

 or one whose thoughts were more completely engrossed 

 in the ways of ^^fox and hounds," probably never carried 

 a horn. Living en garqon in Brixworth, with the as- 

 sistance of Jack Goddard as first, and Jones as second 

 whip, he contrived to get a deal of successful work out of 

 the worst lot of hounds and horses that had ever been 

 seen in the Pytchley country. The former were a part 

 of Lord Chesterfield's pack, purchased by the Hunt for 

 four hundred pounds after twenty couple had been 

 selected by Derry and sent to Lord Ducie, which it was 

 said were all hanged from being so incorrigibly wild ! 

 With hounds such as these, and horses varying in value 

 from sixty to twenty pounds, there was an amount of 

 sport during these two seasons which had not been 

 approached during the splendour of the reign of Mr- 

 Smithes predecessor. A fine and powerful horseman, 

 the animal he rode, however valueless in appearance, was 

 bound to be pretty near hounds, " pace not fences " 

 being the only real difficulty. So delighted was Lord 

 Cardigan said to be at the close of an excellent run, that 

 he is reported to have fairly embraced the skilful hunts- 

 man who had been the means of causing him so much 

 pleasure. The subscriptions not beicg sufficient to 

 enable Mr. Smith to hunt four days a week, and meet 

 the difficulties of a weak establishment, at the close of his 

 second season he resigned office ; and for the seventh 

 time in ten years, the Pytchley were seeking a new 

 Master. 



Again Lord Cardigan came to the rescue with pecu> 

 niary aid, and Sir Francis Goodricke — brothor-in-law to 



I 



