NOTES OF THE CHASE.

BY CECIL.

SIR JOHN COPE'S HOUNDS.

The anniversary of the judges taking their accustomed circuit has, for many years, been celebrated at Strathfieldsaye by His Grace the Duke of Wellington inviting those learned personages to partake of the hospitalities of his favourite country seat, to meet whom the masters of hounds in the neighbourhood are usually bidden to the feast. The continued indisposition of Sir John Cope forbade the possibility of his accustomed visit; but Mr. Assheton Smith, hale and hearty, was among the guests, leaving on the following morning to join his own hounds at Lower Wick Farm, one of the nearest fixtures-albeit some twenty miles, as the crow flies, intervenes-to say nothing of the circuitous route inevitable upon a suitable road for carriage travelling. On the following morning, being the 1st of March, Sir John Cope's hounds, in accordance with the usual custom, met at Strathfieldsaye. A very numerous field of sportsmen, prompted by their respect for the noble Duke, many of whom came considerable distances, were in attendance at the hour of meeting; many carriages, occupied by the youth and beauty resident within the precincts of a morning's ride, also gave prestige to the gay scene, to which a delightfully fine morning afforded an additional attraction. Thus the assemblage was far more numerous than usual in a provincial country, excepting on similar occasions.

Various causes frequently combine to frustrate the enjoyment of sport when most desired, but so singular an instance of total failure seldom occurs. During the whole day not a single note from the hounds was heard to proclaim the haunts of the vulpine race, notwithstanding the coverts at Strathfieldsaye, Heckfield, and Swallowfield were drawn, comprehending a considerable extent of country. It was my peculiar misfortune, on a previous attendance upon this very powerful pack, to see them draw a long time before they found, and then they had a miserably bad scent; therefore, to represent their performance from personal observation is totally out of the question. However, report speaks very highly of them, and they are said to have had some capital runs during the season; but it is very certain many portions of their country are very thinly stocked with foxes. From what unfortuitous combination of causes can this fact arise? Certainly not from an over-abundant preservation of game. There is no better opportunity of ascertaining the quantity of game than when hounds are drawing the coverts, and I saw but very little; situations apparently better adapted for the propensities of the wily animal are rarely to be met with. To intimate that any one of the keepers, having charge of the numerous coverts visited on this occasion, perpetrated, or even connived at, the destruction of the foxes, without

incontestible proof, would be a libel too illiberal to insinuate. Reports on such occasions are often too vague to bear repetition; and, therefore, without being able to account for the cause or causes of the scarcity of foxes, I must confine myself to the statement of the fact. The previous day had been most boisterous; the foxes might have felt too well contented in their subterranean retreats, to have quitted them for their usual nocturnal rambles; and thus, being stopped in their carths, failed to afford the anticipated diversion. Without doubt, any keeper who destroys foxes is most egregiously mistaken as regards his personal interest; for every day's experience in the affairs of woodcraft gives evidence, that where game is most carefully protected foxes are also in fair abundance.

As a master of hounds Sir John Cope is of long standing, a most enthusiastic supporter of fox-hunting, and represented as being particularly fond of his hounds. While they were drawing the coverts at Heckfield, an event occurred calculated to excite much pleasing reflection, and yet not unmingled with regret-at least such was the effect on myself. It was a feeling one can scarcely explain, except by the narration of the circumstance. Coming unexpectedly upon a glade in the wood, the imposing view of Bramshill House, Sir John Cope's residence, presented itself; an ancient stately pile, in perfect keeping as a baronial mansion; proudly commanding, from its elevated position, a view over a vast extent of the country, which the worthy baronet has for many years gladdened by the cheering notes of horn and hound. That the owner of it should ever suffer a day's indisposition, and thereby be deprived of his usual enjoyment, could not fail to create feelings of deep regret.

Sir John Cope's hounds are turned out well, the men efficiently horsed, and Shirley (the huntsman) is assisted by two whippers-in, which in woodlands are indispensable. Without such auxiliaries riot cannot be properly restrained, hounds cannot be kept together, in default of which they soon acquire the abominable habit of skirting; a vice arising, in many cases, from bad management and imperfect discipline. That some hounds are more prone to it than others, there can be no doubt; at the same time it is capable not only of being checked, but also of being corrected. It is generally the highest-couraged and most hard-working hounds that fall into this error; such as are most difficult to manage, but the most valuable when properly treated.

In woodland countries, where foxes are numerous, much attention is necessary to prevent hounds changing from their hunted to a fresh fox, and on that account two whippers-in are highly necessary. What can

be more vexatious to a master of hounds, after a fox has been running for some time, is almost beaten, and unless a fresh one jumps up to save his life, the efforts of his darling pack are nearly certain of the reward they have so justly earned; when, running with a good scent into an undisturbed covert, all his hopes are destroyed in a moment by changing foxes? With an attentive, clever huntsman, effectively assisted, this defect in fox-hunting may frequently be prevented-and it is one of the very important duties of servants to guard against. Of course it cannot always be avoided; for example, if the hounds come to a check in an extensive wood, they may change without any possibility of prevention; but if due regard be paid to the hounds that are leading into the covert, and the pack divides, those which took the scent into it are sure to be

right, and the others should be stopped and held on to them as quickly as possible.

There are few events in which the good taste, experience, and discretion of a master of hounds are more particularly called into effect than in that of keeping a field in order. If all men who come out hunting knew the mischief they create by pressing upon hounds when puzzled with a ticklish scent, they would not ride so thoughtlessly as they too frequently do. To perform this duty satisfactorily, a master of hounds must of necessity be in a forward place, and he must be very cautious not to press upon his hounds himself. If any person not the master takes upon himself to remonstrate, his position becomes most onerous, and more than an ordinary share of conciliatory eloquence becomes necessary to avoid giving offence. I have seen a great deal of hunting with masters of hounds who have borne the character of being very rough with persons who have overridden their hounds; but I must admit I have never witnessed anything like remonstrance, unless there has been occasion. Their experience enabled them to distinguish the sportsman from the snob. An anecdote was once related to me of a subscriber to a pack of hounds taking upon himself to address a sportsman of long standing, thereby placing himself in a position by no means enviable; and, as I avoid personalities, the relation of it cannot be deemed out of place. A veteran sportsman, who had hunted many years with the royal and other first-rate establishments, and who bore the highest respect, in consequence of heavy rain was proceeding on his way homewards before the hounds had given up a fox they had been some time hunting, when they overtook him; upon which a young and very inexperienced member of the hunt addressed him-" You are in the way, sic;" an expression not quite professional with sportsmen. The retort was most appropriate" I never was told so before, nor had I any idea that such a feeling prevailed. I shall inquire from the master of the hounds and the huntsman if in their opinion such be the case;" when, riding up to the former, he put the question in the words made use of. By no means," was the answer; "we are always proud and happy to see a gentleman of your standing in society and experience of hunting in the field." The huntsman was then interrogated upon the same point, whose reply was couched in the most respectful words, completely denying any foundation for the uncourteous accusation. The absurd allegation was thus refuted with that gentlemanly tact so thoroughly understood by those who formerly enjoyed the honour of associating with that perfect prince of courteous bearing, George IV.

How long can the glories of fox-hunting exist in Leicestershire and the adjoining counties if the high court of Diana continues to be scornfully insulted, as it has been, by having murdered victims of the vulpine race ignominiously sacrificed at the very foot of her shrine? That such unwarrantable acts have been committed it is vain to deny. What earthly motives could induce any man, or men, residing in that far-famed district to perpetrate such unworthy evidence of his or their malignity? The coldest heart of the most uncultivated savage would repudiate such an offensive design, unless unaccountably possessed with insanity in its most miserable form, inflicted upon his pitiable mortality by the Prince of Darkness in capricious evidence of Satanic influence over human weakness. Viewing these acts in the mildest light, they are totally at

variance with every manly feeling. Supposing any person to have sustained an indignity, or even an injury, imaginary or real, is it in such a manner that any one possessing the heart of an Englishman would seek to reconcile his disturbed spirit? There have been examples of some abandoned wretches of the human species having maimed or injured the cattle or property of persons from whom they have received annoyance, but happily such examples are but few. Men who would commit such acts as poisoning, or otherwise destroying foxes to gratify malicious feelings in hunting countries, would scarcely refrain from exercising their revenge on cattle or property if opportunity presented itself. Some farmers are spoken of as having done the mischief. It is an old saying, "There are black sheep in every flock." Not many, though, in Leicestershire; the farmers there are too good judges; they soon detect a "bad woolled one," and "draft him" accordingly. They have ever borne the highest character for manly bearing. It must be some spurious offspring of some distant shire sprung up among them, thus to have abused their class. Pastured in the land of fox-hunting, their delight in the pursuit has grown up with them, and their interest prompts them to cherish it.

The destruction of foxes for the preservation of game is fortunately going out of fashion very fast. Unbiassed game-preservers are become convinced they may have plenty of game without annihilating the more popular sport of fox-hunting; but those who do have the foxes killed are not in the habit of insulting a whole country by parading their victims as trophies.

A more infelicitous moment for the exhibition of hostilities by cultivators of land could not have been selected. The auspices of agriculture are by no means flattering; the advocates of unrestricted commerce have within the last few years gained a very great ascendancy over the interests of the farming population.

Deprive the landed proprietor of his rural amusements and attractions to his country seat, drive him from his home, and he will seek amusements elsewhere he will spend his reduced income in other parts. Insult visitors, and they will seek their pleasure where they are welcomed with greater courtesy. If depreciation in the value of agricultural produce continues, combined with the accomplishment of these events, what will be the condition of the British farmer? These pages do not treat on politics; it would be out of place to introduce them, although there is a vast field for observation touching agricultural prosperity in connection with field sports.

By the union of interests, everything agreeable, satisfactory, and profitable is produced. Hunting, of all other amusements, is by these means preserved. One country gentleman is fond of his game; he may not hunt, but preserves the foxes for the amusement of those who do. He gains by that act of consideration a vast amount of social pleasure ten times more gratifying than the enjoyment which a few more pheasants could afford him. If farmers feel annoyed at seeing their fields ridden over, they bear in mind the fact that horses and servants are maintained upon the produce of their land, and its value is therefore considerably enhanced. Railways have effected such changes in affairs that farmers may exclaim, "Gentlemen do not continue on the spot as they were wont to do; and the railways afford them opportunities, if

they think proper to avail themselves of the accommodation, of consuming much of the produce from distant countries." This may be the case to a limited extent, and the greater cause for offering attractions. A very rigid economist might purchase foreign oats in London at a lower price than he could perhaps procure the growth of Lincolnshire, and he might have them forwarded by rail to Melton; but he would not be able to procure the fine quality a fastidious judge requires, nor would he be a gainer in the end, as the condition of his stud would soon proclaim. Hay is too abundant and too good in all the midland counties to make it worth any person's while to procure it from a distance.

Considering the various causes which preside over the fate of mortals, the vicissitudes of life to which our earthly tenements are subject, so many changes are not recognisable in masters of hounds as may be supposed. Many reasons present themselves to lead to the impression they would be very general. Some give up because they become weary of the onerous office, others find the expense inconvenient, many enter upon countries for fashion's sake, never purposing to continue more than a few brief seasons. On reference to the hunting arrangements in 1834, there appear to have been nearly one hundred packs of regularly established fox-hounds in England and Wales; about the same number are still in operation. The following names were then, as they are still, hunting the same countries: Earl Fitzhardinge, Lord Forrester, Lord Hawke, Sir John Cope, Colonel Wyndham, Mr. Meynell Ingram, Mr. T. A. Smith, Mr. Farquharson, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Drake, Mr. F. Villebois, Mr. Millbanke, Mr. Barnett, Mr. Horlock, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Drax, and Mr. Pinches; to which Sir Richard Sutton must be added as a master of hounds; but he has changed during the time from the Burton to the Cottesmore country, and subsequently to the Quorn. The Dukes of Beaufort and Cleveland, Lords Yarborough and Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Pryce Pryce, continue in possession of the countries which their ancestors hunted. Thus one-fifth have kept up the same establishments for a period of nearly twenty years, and many of those mentioned have kept hounds a much longer time.

In addition to these, independently of five or six packs of stag-hounds, there are about sixty packs of harriers recognized as regular establishments, besides a vast number more kept in quite a private way. Can it be asserted with any truth, that we have not quite as many oppor tunities of enjoying the pleasures of woodcraft as our forefathers had? If the customs and fashions of hunting have changed, they have done so in conformity with the changes in our social policy; and reason will lead us, at least, to infer that those changes are improvements. If some packs have been discontinued in localities inconvenient to their continuance-as, for example, proximity to London-other packs have been established, which, by the assistance of railroads, are equally available to Metropolitan sportsmen. They, at any rate, have no cause to "rail" at the change of the times, now that they can "rail" to the fixtures of a good pack of hounds in much less time than it formerly occupied them in emancipating from the smoke of their "little village."

When Beckford treated the subject upon which he wrote so skilfully some seventy years ago, his ideas and recommendations applied most admirably to the social habits of the day, by which some of the operations of fox-hunting must be, in every age, to a certain extent, governed. It was