74 THE ErlRL OF KINTORE. 



ducted in such style as to render comparisons with 

 his predecessor in office most disagreeable. He was 

 totally unacquainted with the country, and not in 

 a position to purchase the stamp of horse requisite 

 for Northamptonshire. Yet with these and many 

 other difficulties, he contrived to show more sport 

 than most huntsmen could have done under such 

 untoward circumstances. 



The other cotemporary gentlemen huntsmen 

 with whom I had the pleasure of being more inti- 

 mately acquainted were the Earls of Kintore and 

 Ducie, and, though last, not least, William Cod- 

 rington — all three hunting counties adjoining my 

 own. 



Lord Kintore was a bold, dashing rider and 

 most enthusiastic fox-hunter — full of fun and 

 spirits, kind-hearted, generous, and convivial in 

 private life ; a clever scholar and most entertaining 

 companion. He had shown an early disposition 

 for what became afterwards his favourite and 

 almost only amusement ; and although the possessor 

 of first-rate abilities, his chief pleasure was de- 

 rived from a country life. Of the many MSS. in 

 my possession, the following may not prove w^holly 

 uninteresting to my readers, as illustrative of his 

 Inimorous style of composition : — 



