64 REMINISCENCES; ETC. 



with reeds, for the sake of warmth in winter and coolness in 

 summer, each lodging-house being made to hold twenty 

 couples of hounds. The yardsannexedtothe respectivekennels 

 are raised in the centre, with gutter-bricks all round them, 

 converging to the sides, so that the water, which is laid on by 

 pipes with taps to them, is instantaneously carried off, and 

 there is no underground drain near to catch and detain the 

 moisture. Close by is the huntsman's house, so that all riot 

 and disturbance are quelled immediately on any outbreak. 

 The old cart-shed is still retained for young hounds, and as 

 a place of litter for puppies. Adjoining the kennels is a 

 spacious paddock, enclosed all round with a lofty wall, in 

 which the hounds can run at large when inspected by the 

 huntsman or by strangers. Built into the wall about the 

 centre of it is a pavilion, with a raised platform, and having 

 a door of admission only on the outside, for the accommo- 

 dation of ladies on coming to see the hounds. 



Let us cross from the kennels to the beautifully smooth 

 lawn in front of the dining-room at Tedworth. The spec- 

 tator, standing at one of the windows, looks into an open 

 part of the park, studded here and there with noble timber. 

 It is the first morning in November, somewhat dark and 

 lowering, but the clouds, sailing through the sky steadily 

 from the south-west, give indications of a good hunting- 

 day. The leaf has not yet wholly fallen, but the gust is 

 sweeping it in eddies from each group of trees over the 

 stately hall. The woods which fringe the distant hills are 

 clothed with their richest mantle of russet and gold. The 

 best pack in the kennel are already rolling themselves and 

 disporting upon the grass ; the huntsman and whippers-in 

 are not far off, splendidly mounted, and, with their equip- 

 ments, a sight to look at. In every direction are pouring in 

 horsemen of every age and calling, coats of every colour, 

 but the '' pink " far predominating, and a sprinkling of 

 the loveliest women in the world, either on horseback, or in 



