30 THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT'S PACK 



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 his own hounds. 

 Now, if there ever was a time when foxes required a Httle 

 law, it is the present, seeing they are generally too fat 

 and ill-bred to outrun hounds. Why then all this hurry- 

 scurry 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, possessing 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 sufficient cause to speak highly of it. My 

 neighbour's pack, the celebrated William Codrington, 

 who hunted the South Wilts country, was composed 

 almost entirely of hounds from this kennel ; as was that 

 also belonging to Mr. NicoU, who at that time hunted the 

 New Forest. I find, moreover, on referring to Mr. Warde's 

 stud book, that in the year 1806 he entered two Utters 

 of young hounds that season, one of six, the other of four, 

 by the Duke of Beaufort's Pontiff ; at the same time, he 

 entered also two Utters by Lord Yarborough's Dealer. 



Mr. Warde had also a famous hoimd, named Roderick, 

 by the Duke of Beaufort's Ragland, entered in 1810, 

 from which were lineaUy descended several of the hounds 

 I purchased of him in the year 1826. As a breeder of 

 fox-hounds, Mr. Warde had obtained the greatest celebrity 

 in his time, and in the year 1786 he had three couples of 



