CHAPTER V 



Something about two Tom Smiths. — The Earl of Kintore. — A Note 

 from North Britain. — Difficulties in the way of obtaining a good Pack 

 of Fox-hounds. — Sad true words. — Lord Ducie in the Hunting 

 Field. — A Generous Competitor. — A cart-load of Geraniums. — 

 Faithful and True. — Root-growing the Farmer's last resource. — Old 

 Codrington, the Fox-hound Genealogist. — Hospitalities at Spye 

 Park. — Tom Moore and Bowles. — Frederick Villebois. — Tench versus 

 Trout. — Sir Wheeler Cufife. — The Secret of Rejuvenescence. — Rough 

 Words from a Rough Rider. — Summit with a Long Tail. — The 

 Author placed in a Novel Position. — Peculiarities of the Craven 

 Country. 



It has been said by a clever writer on fox-hunting, that 

 of all the Smiths (and their name, is legion) there has 

 been only one Tom Smith. I have met with two in my 

 sporting career, and scarcely know to which of the two 

 the palm of merit should be awarded in preference to 

 the other. 



Tom Smith, of Leicestershire renown, could kill his 

 fox handsomely with a good pack of hounds. The other 

 Tom Smith, of Hambledon and Craven notoriety, could 

 kill his fox without a good pack — I was going to say, 

 without any hounds at all ; that is, I have seen him, 

 when the scent failed, doing the work hounds ought to 

 have done, through his extraordinary knowledge of the run- 

 ning and wily movements of the animal he was pursuing. 



As a horseman and rider to hounds, I always considered 

 the Craven Tom Smith, although a heavier man, quite 

 equal to his namesake, and in this opinion I am not 

 singular. Had the former possessed the money power 

 of the latter — for money makes the mare to go — i.e. 



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