40 THE DTJKE OF BEAUFOET's PACK. 



young English huntsman ; whereas, it is in truth 

 and reahty most unsportsmanhke, and the surest 

 plan to spoil a good run. 



There are occasions when a huntsman may and 

 must take advantage of a fox, to bring him to hand 

 for the sake of the hounds ; but the practice of 

 clapping them close to his brush, when he first 

 breaks covert, is contrary to all the established 

 rules of fox-hunting, and the clearest proof of a 

 huntsman's want of confidence in Ids oion hounds^ 

 Now, if there ever was a time when foxes required 

 a little law, it is the present, seeing they are gene- 

 rally too fat and ill-bred to outrun hounds. Why 

 then all this hurry-scuny work, before the animal 

 is well upon his legs ? 



The Duke of Beaufort's fox-hounds are also an 

 old established pack of great celebrity, although 

 differing entirely in appearance and character from 

 the Belvoir, and clearly of another strain, possess- 

 ing larger frames, and a more wiry texture of coat. 

 These hounds have always had the reputation of 

 being both speedy and stout ; and for hard rough 

 work, I believe no pack could in my time surpass 

 them. The cross with this blood in my own kennel 

 proved most successful, and I have therefore suffi- 

 cient cause to speak highly of it. My neighbour's 

 pack, the celebrated Wilham Codrington, Avho 



