The Ditke of Buccleuch. 349 



Buccleuch have ever been ardent followers of the chase, 

 and though they seldom have listened to the sweet music 

 of hound and horn in the Boughton Woods, it is that 

 Scotland and the Eoxburghe country have a prior claim 

 upon their consideration. 



Master of hounds for many a year in his own native 

 land^ the late Duke never failed to give ample support to 

 the '^ P.H.," who, until within the last few years, only 

 hunted this vast district for the purpose of breaking in its 

 young hounds, and occupying a few weeks pleasantly in 

 early spring, and again in early autumn. Thinking it 

 hard that they should be expected to preserve foxes for 

 the benefit of those who lived in other and remote parts 

 of the " P.H." country^ the cry for regular hunting and a 

 separate establishment became too loud to be disregarded 

 any longer, and arrangements were made which secured 

 a pack with horses and men sufficient to afford two days 

 a week exclusively in the Brigstock district. To this 

 new disposition of things, the Duke of Buccleuch 

 heartily lent himself ; going so far as to make it the sine 

 qua non of his continued support. 



A Meet at Boughton House forms a rendezvous for 

 the entire neighbourhood ; but despite its associations 

 and the picturesqueuess of the surroundings, there is an 

 air of absenteeism about the old ducal mansion and 

 grounds, which does not fail to strike the heart of every 

 visitor, be he sportsman or otherwise. After having 

 obtained the " Measure of Home-Rule " which gave them 

 a separate establishment under the old imperial regime, 

 things for a while went swimmingly with the " North 

 Pytchley," and Castle (Rockingham) rule was voted the 

 perfection of government ; but after two years of office^ 



