THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 

RUNS 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE 
 
 FOX-HOUNDS. 
 

 + m 
 
RUN 8 
 
 LANARKSHIRE & RENFREWSHIRE 
 
 FOX-HOUNDS, 
 
 AND OTHER SPORTING INCIDENTS. 
 
 , 
 j- 
 
 BY 
 
 "STRINGHALT." 
 
 GLASGOW: 
 
 KERR & RICHARDSON, 89 QUEEN STREET. 
 1874. 
 
DEDICATED 
 
 BY KIND PERMISSION 
 
 COLONEL BUCHANAN OF DRUMPELLIER, 
 
 MASTER OF THE LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE 
 FOX-HOUNDS, 
 
 STRINGHALT." 
 
PKEFACE. 
 
 AT the request of a number of gentlemen who hunt with 
 the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Fox-Hounds, I have 
 thrown together a few sporting reminiscences connected 
 with this particular district, and at the same time have 
 added reports of a number of runs which I have from 
 time to time written for the Glasgoiv Herald and Sporting 
 Gazette. I regret that I have not retained the dates of 
 some of them; but most men who have hunted with these 
 hounds will remember the events. 
 
OEIGIN 
 
 GLASGOW HOUNDS 
 
 THE first record I can find connected with hounds in Lanark- 
 shire is an account of a meeting held at Bothwell Bridge, on 
 the 8th April, 1771, when it was agreed as follows, by John 
 Orr, Esq., Barrowfield, on the one part, and John Baird and 
 Robert Dunmore, Esqs. (as taking burden on them for the 
 Glasgow Hunt), on the other part: 
 
 That they shall have a united Hunt, which shall be called 
 by the name of " The Roberton Hunt," and which shall have 
 two meetings at this place annually. The first of these to be 
 some time in October or November next, as the gentlemen 
 shall agree upon; and the second (or Spring Meeting) to be 
 in April following. 
 
 The following regulations are now agreed upon, to which 
 such others as are afterwards thought proper shall be added : 
 
 1st, That a Preses shall be chosen at every April Meeting, 
 before the Hunt party, who shall continue for a year, and 
 shall have the regulation of everything concerning the Hunt 
 for that year; and Captain Roberton is accordingly chosen for 
 the first two meetings. 
 
 2ndly. That a Treasurer shall be chosen annually, into 
 whose hands each member of the Hunt shall pay, the first 
 day of the meeting, such sums as shall be thought necessary 
 
10 
 
 for paying any incidental expenses, of stopping earth, damages 
 done to enclosures, &c., &c. ; and Mr. Matthew Orr, Stobcross, 
 is accordingly chosen for the first two meetings. 
 
 3rd. That the Hunt shall have a uniform, to be worn by 
 all the members at these meetings ; and it is agreed that the 
 uniform shall be a dark brown frock, of Hunters' beaver, made 
 without lapells, and to button at the sleeves ; with a waistcoat 
 of the same cloth, with lapells, and lined with white silk shag; 
 both to have plain silver buttons. 
 
 4th. That the Hunt shall have an Earth-stopper, and they 
 shall give him annually a coat and waistcoat of coarse green 
 cloth, and two pair of white plaiding breeches, and a leather 
 cap; and they nominate for that office Thomas Greer, being 
 satisfied that he is properly qualified for that important 
 charge. 
 
 5th. Whereas, it will be necessary to have a Kennel Yard 
 and Benches put up for the Hounds, Captain Roberton has 
 been so good as promise to supply the Hunt with Benches, 
 and wood to make the Kennel Yard of, for the putting up of 
 which the Hunt are to be at the expense. 
 
 SECOND MEETING. 
 
 BOTHWELL BRIDGE, 
 
 22nd August, 1771. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Roberton Hunt, Members present 
 
 CAPTAIN ROBERTON, PRESES. 
 MESSRS. GEORGE BUCHANAN. 
 ANDREW LEITCH. 
 MATTHEW ORR. 
 
 Resolved, that the Kennel Yard shall be built as agreed 
 upon at the last Spring Meeting, and James Wilson was 
 engaged to execute the same. 
 
11 
 
 THIRD MEETING. 
 
 BOTHWELL BRIDGE, 
 
 29th September, 1771. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Roberton Hunt, Members present 
 
 CAPTAIN ROBERTON, PRESES. 
 MESSRS. JOHN BAIRD. 
 JOHN BOGLE. 
 ARCHIBALD BOGLE. 
 ALLAN SCOTT, Cowlairs. 
 ANDREW HOUSTON. 
 ANDREW LEITCH. 
 ROBERT DUNMORE. 
 JOHN ORR, Barrowfield. 
 ROBERT DREGHORN. 
 CAPTAIN STEWART. 
 MATTHEW ORR. 
 
 Absent Members: 
 
 SIR THOMAS WALLACE. 
 MESSRS. THOMAS HOUSTON. 
 GEORGE BUCHANAN. 
 THOMAS DONALD. 
 JOHN STUART. 
 JAMES DUNLOP, Carmile. 
 JAMES DUNLOP, Houshill. 
 ROBERT MUIRHEAD. 
 CAPTAIN NAPIER. 
 BRUCE CAMPBELL. 
 WILLIAM BOGLE. 
 
 The above list of gentlemen are the constituted Members 
 of the " Roberton Hunt/' and it is resolved that no more 
 Members are to be admitted without being Ballotted for, at a 
 Meeting of the Hunt, nine of whom make a quorum, and a 
 majority of white balls admit. 
 
 Resolved, That each of the Members shall pay a Guinea to 
 the Treasurer, to defray contingent expenses. 
 
 Resolved, That Thomas Greer, the Earth-stopper, shall be 
 furnished with a green coat and waistcoat, two pair of plaiding 
 breeches, the coat to have a red cape, and to have " Earth- 
 
12 
 
 stopper to the Roberton Hunt" embroidered on the breast 
 
 of it. 
 
 Resolved, That it shall be left to the Preses and Treasurer 
 to give orders about stalling the stables and putting up the 
 Kennel Yard. 
 
 Resolved, That there shall be a board made of an oval 
 form to enlarge the table; that it shall be one foot wider, 
 and four feet longer, than the present one this to be left to 
 the Preses and Secretary. 
 
 Resolved, That the Treasurer shall bespeak four Delph 
 bowls to make a bottle of Rum each, with u The Roberton 
 Hunt " written on them. 
 
 It is ordered, That the Treasurer shall send up a hogshead 
 of London porter, six dozen strong Beer, five dozen Port wine, 
 and one dozen Sherry. 
 
 It is also ordered, That the Treasurer shall send up six or 
 eight gallons French Brandy, put into a Dutch case. 
 
 Resolved, That the first " Hunting Meeting" shall begin on 
 the first Glasgow Fast-day, and that the " Glasgow Hounds " 
 shall hunt that day at Blantyre Whins, Mr. Orr's hounds 
 being to hunt the day following at Orbiston. 
 
 It is ordered that the Treasurer shall send up forty stone 
 of cracklings before the Meeting. 
 
 It is recommended to the Preses to order Greer, and other 
 people, to have a strict search for all the earths in the country 
 before the Meeting. 
 
 Resolved, That all the Members of the Hunt shall be 
 obliged to take off the uniform from Mr. James Hamilton 
 before the first Meeting, and that no Member shall go to the 
 field during the Meeting without it, under a penalty of 
 paying one guinea for each offence. 
 
 It is desired that Alex. Gray shall each day during the 
 Meeting have a dinner provided at thirty shillings each of 
 the gentlemen present to pay two shillings. If the number 
 does not amount to fifteen, the difference to be made up to 
 Gray by the Treasurer; and if they exceed that number, the 
 money to be disposed of as the Members shall think proper. 
 
13 
 FIRST HUNTING MEETING. 
 
 Thursday, 14th November, 1771. 
 "GLASGOW HOUNDS." 
 
 Members in the Field 
 
 CAPTAIN ROBERTON. 
 
 JOHN ORR. 
 
 ALLAN SCOTT, Cowlairs. 
 
 CAPTAIN NAPIER. 
 
 MATTHEW ORR. 
 
 GEORGE HOUSTON, Visiting Member. 
 
 Found a Fox at Hamilton Moor, and killed him above 
 ground. Hunted Hare afterwards. Indifferent day. 
 
 It is difficult to obtain any records of fox-hunting in this 
 neighbourhood up to a recent date. The country has been 
 hunted by Mr. Oswald, Capt. Tait, Sir David Baird, and the 
 Earl of Glasgow, but there are no records of what sport they 
 had. Sometimes the country was divided, and both Renfrew- 
 shire and Ayrshire hunted at the same time. Sir D. Baird 
 was a first-rate man across country, and a keen sportsman. 
 Many good runs have taken place in my own recollection 
 within the last twenty-five years, and many good and true 
 sportsmen have been taken away to the happy hunting 
 grounds, whom we will never see again on this side of Jordan. 
 Nimrod, in his "Northern Hunting Tour," tells us of a run 
 with Lord Kelburn long before my day. They found their 
 fox in Hawkhead (in those days a stronghold for breeding) 
 took him straight over the hill at Gleniffer, on to Crofthead, 
 and killed. His Lordship got into a river in the run and 
 had a severe ducking, but got on again, and was up at the 
 finish. I have failed to discover what burn this could have 
 been, unless somewhere in the hollow, before going up the 
 hill. His Lordship had not the best of tempers, and on one 
 occasion when his first whip displeased him, at Langside, he 
 
14 
 
 rode at him, and Jack Harris jumped a mill lade to get out 
 of his way. The place was shown for a long time, but 
 modern improvements have, I think, done away with it. Old 
 Kemp talks of a run which took place about this time from 
 Netherton braes, away through Calderwood and Earnock to 
 Avon banks, where they picked up their fox on the rocks 
 dead. Of course, in those days the country was not so woody 
 as it is now, but this must have been a slow hunting run. 
 The first run I had the pleasure of participating in with 
 these hounds was, I think, in 1850, over some of the same 
 country, but nothing like the length. We found on Netherton 
 braes, ran through Castlemilk, on down to Limekilns, and 
 killed just as he was going into Torrance. This was a capital 
 run, as at that time there was no wire, and all sound going. 
 I was riding an old gray I bought from Mr. Barclay, a capital 
 hand at refusing when he was not in " the humour," but on 
 this occasion, more by good luck than anything else, I got up 
 first, and saw the fox killed, passing Mr. C. T. Couper leading 
 his pony up the last hill, one of the best ponies I ever saw, 
 but this run was rather too much for him. I did not like to 
 claim the brush, being then a younker. The next two up 
 were Mr. W. Campbell, and Mr. Clark (house-factor, a veteran 
 sportsman), and an amusing scene now occurred. They both 
 jumped off their horses and claimed the brush, rather an 
 angry altercation taking place. Colonel Buchanan, who was 
 riding his celebrated steeple -chase horse, Alfred, but who 
 had come to grief in a boggy ditch, now got up and gave the 
 brush to Clark. I think he was riding the celebrated little 
 horse Reindeer. What a change there is now in this part of 
 the country. In former days we used to have capital sport 
 here, but now you can't ride a yard for wire. Old Mr. Forbes 
 of Callander came through sometimes to the Meet at Cart 
 Bridge, where it used to be in those days; a rare good un he 
 was to go on a horse Mr. Robert Armour afterwards bought, 
 and which he christened " Forby." On another occasion, 
 poor George Hope Johnston (as good a fellow as ever 
 lived, but the pace was too fast for him at the finish), and 
 
15 
 
 Osy Stewart came through from Dumfriesshire, to try and 
 " cut us all down, and hang us up to dry," but the ground 
 was too heavy for George, and I think, at the finish of the 
 day's work, they had only " two legs " between them to ride 
 home. A curious incident happened once to a horse belonging 
 to that prince of sportsmen, Mr. George Middleton. The 
 hounds met at Milliken Park. Mr. M. was riding a great 
 long-legged brute that went by the name of the " Camel- 
 Leopard," and in drawing a strip at Glentyan, when we got 
 to the top there was no way out the field, having to go back 
 and lead down, or drop into the road. The Camel got loose, 
 and running up to the end of the wood, jumped down a drop 
 of about twenty feet into the road, and, to the astonishment 
 of everybody, lit on his feet. The Camel could go when he 
 liked, though, as afterwards, on a bye day, when very few 
 were out, Mr. M. got away well from the covert, jumped a 
 tremendous high wall at the top, and had the hounds all to 
 himself away nearly to the Misty Law, where both fox and 
 hounds were lost. 
 
 Mr. George Middleton was Secretary to the Hunt, and also 
 to the RN. Yacht Club, for many years. He was a thorough 
 all-round sportsman, and good at almost everything, Alas! 
 poor George! with his merry laugh and fund of wit, and who 
 always kept us in a roar when going down to the Meet, is no 
 more, but he has left two chips of the old block, who fully 
 sustain his " prestige." One of the sharpest things about this 
 time the L. and R ever had was over the Fereneze hills. 
 While the field were coffee-housing, a fox jumped up on the 
 moor near the Game wood, just before the hounds, and only 
 about four or five who were near got away on any terms with 
 them. They raced him down to Johnstone Castle without a 
 check to ground. John Harrison, or the old " stone wall 
 jumper," Mr. John Orr on his chestnut, Zezimus, Mr. D. 
 Hunter on his old mare, and your humble servant on Game- 
 cock, were the only ones that had the luck to get away, but 
 we were stumped at a high stone wall at Bardrain. There is 
 now an accommodating gate in this wall. A very long run 
 
16 
 
 also took place from Lin wood Moss it was a frightfully wet 
 day when a fox broke in the direction of Houston, and on 
 through Elphinston. The field here, somehow, all got thrown 
 out, and Mr. Thomas Speirs on his stallion was the only one 
 who went on, with two couple of hounds, to ground at Knock - 
 mountain. A short sharp spin from Craigmarlock down to 
 Finlaystone originated the Craigmarlock Club, Mr. Allan 
 Scott and Mr. Aird being the chief promoters. Amongst the 
 Members were Messrs. Scott, J. Morrison, R Armour, D. 
 Hunter, W. Redfern, Aird, Brodie, Murray, Clapperton, C. T. 
 Dunlop, Kelly, &c. Many jovial Meetings we used to have, 
 which were held in the Waverley Hotel, when song and 
 sentiment prevailed to the '"'wee hour ayont the twal." 
 There was no Forbes Mackenzie in those days. The Club has 
 not held a Meeting for many years. John Harrison, who 
 hunted the hounds before Squires came here, was a first-rate 
 huntsman, but was rather apt to lose his head at an intricate 
 cast with a lot of hard-riding Glasgow men pressing on his 
 hounds (one of whom, a first-rate fellow, and now married, I 
 heard once say, " bother the hounds, can't we do without 
 them "). Latterly, John was a little too much addicted to 
 examining the inside of a black bottle; and I daresay a number 
 of old hunting men will never forget one Christmas day, 
 when, mounted on old Simon, he jumped a tremendous wall, 
 with a wire along the top of it, near the Skiff. John was 
 sent home, and Sandy Chalmers, first whip, took the horn, 
 but they had no sport. The Colonel, when he heard of it, 
 said it served the hunt jolly well right for taking the hounds 
 out on Christmas day. It was entirely a subscription pack 
 then. A nasty accident happened to the father of the present 
 Mr. Sudden, who keeps the excellent hostelry at Kilwinning. 
 One day, when riding a horse belonging to Mr. J. Steven, in 
 jumping out of the Skifflat wood, his horse put his foot in a 
 hole and rolled over him. He was picked up for dead, 
 recovered a little, however, but was never the same man 
 again, and died shortly afterwards. A very unprecedented 
 circumstance once occurred at the Waukmill Glen. A brace 
 
17 
 
 of foxes were on foot; one broke on the south side of the 
 covert, with eight couple of hounds, in the direction of 
 Glanderston, and could not be stopped. Harrison, Mr. R, 
 Armour (on Jack Fleming's old horse, Sandy), Mr. J. Barclay, 
 Archy Chalmers, a beginner then (but who has since gone 
 well), and myself, being on that side, went away with them. 
 The rest of the hounds, with the Colonel, were running a fox 
 in the glen. We took our fox on leaving Glanderston and 
 the Pad to the left, over the Kilmarnock road (here Mr. 
 Barclay stopped, having cut his horse), down the boggy 
 hollow, leaving Knockinae to the left on to Uplaw Muir. He 
 then turned and came back very nearly the same line, and 
 we killed him in the open near the farm-house on the north 
 side of the water below the Pad. While we were breaking 
 up our fox, on looking up to the top of the Pad, who should we 
 see but Colonel Buchanan breaking up his fox, which he had 
 brought up from Glanderston ! the two who'hoops making 
 the welkin ring, and fetching shrill echoes from the hollow 
 earth. This was a very curious incident. We used to have 
 very fair sport in the Carnwath district, when Jack Fleming 
 and the Honourable Mr. Sandilands hunted that part of the 
 county of Lanark with the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire 
 hounds. Both these gentlemen were always very obliging, 
 making handy Meets for the Glasgow division on certain 
 days in the year which shall be nameless! Many a good 
 tumbler we have had at old Ritchie's inn before going home. 
 There was also a buxom-looking widow, who kept an hotel 
 there, who received a good deal of attention from the gay 
 lotharios. One run is worth recording, as being the last old 
 Aird ever rode in. 
 
 Stonebyres was a favourite Meet, and on this occasion a 
 good fox broke to the south side, and they killed him in the 
 open near Lesmahagow. Just as the hounds were running 
 into their fox, Mr. James Merry and Mr. Aird were riding 
 for the brush, but Aird by a judicious nick was up first, got 
 the brush, and presented it to Willie Wilson, who hunted in 
 those days. When Aird got home he did not feel very well, 
 
18 
 
 and remarked that he never perspired during the run. Poor 
 Aird ! he took to his bed shortly afterwards, and died of 
 cholera. Aird, although he did not say much, had a great 
 deal of quiet humour about him, and was a great favourite. 
 He had a curious old horse called the " Pig." A story is told 
 of him, credat judceus, that in drawing some coverts in the 
 high country above Mains, they came to a wall that was 
 unjumpable, but that Aird got off and gave the Pig " a back," 
 and he got over the field, going round by Shuffler's bottom. 
 I was out that day, but I can't say I saw the occurrence. A 
 portrait of Mr. Aird, painted by subscription, and presented 
 to him, hangs in the smoking-room at Kilmardinny, the 
 residence of R Dalglish, Esq., who was always a great friend 
 of his. A likeness of the " Pig" also hangs not very far off 
 the old man. Peace be to his " manes." 
 
 Mr. Pollock of Broom kept a pack of harriers in the Mearns 
 country for some time. He had some very fair sport. Mr. 
 George Stoddart being one of the best men with them, he was 
 very fond of making young uns, and many a cropper he got. 
 When Mr. Pollock went to Ireland, Mr. John Hamilton of 
 Greenbank took the hounds over, but owing to the great 
 increase of wire, he was obliged to give up the country. I 
 must not forget to mention that when Lord Eglinton hunted 
 the country during the interregnum, when the Colonel went 
 up to Lanarkshire for a season, he showed some excellent 
 sport. One extraordinary long run he once had. Finding 
 an afternoon fox at Trees gorse, he ran him on to the Brimmer, 
 and killed by moonlight. Another very sharp thing took 
 place from the Shaw wood. Found at once, he pointed as 
 for Gleniffer, went very near to Glenfield, but turning to the 
 left, along the face of the hills, went up past the Quarry, 
 where a good many of them were leading, away over a fine 
 grass country to the Game wood, going through which, he 
 then bent away up to the Duchielaw, and down to Graham's 
 gorse, round the face of the hill, nearly to Crofthead, where, 
 as it was getting dark, his Lordship whipped off. In this run 
 Mr. Taylor, " champion comique," killed his celebrated trotting 
 
19 
 
 pony by overriding it, not being accustomed to this sort of 
 thing, and had a narrow escape from being prosecuted by the 
 " Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals." 
 
 There are a number of sporting events which have occurred 
 in connection with the L. and R. Hunt and its members 
 I think, in 1859, Mr. J. Houldsworth made a bet that he 
 would jump four of his horses over a five foot stone wall. 
 The place chosen was a wall on the Knapps muir, and 
 Harrison had the hounds out on purpose to encourage the 
 horses. Harrison rode the "Return," and cleared it splendidly. 
 Mr. Ryan (now Mr. H., trainer at Newmarket) next went at 
 it on the " Niger," but hit it with his hind feet, and had 
 another try, but refused twice. Each horse had three trials. 
 Ryan then mounted " Frenzie." He hit it the first time 
 slightly, the next time he dropped his hind legs, and went 
 bang through the wall, cutting himself badly. "Perfection" 
 now had to try; he hit the wall with his knees; the second 
 trial he refused; but the last time, Mr. Thyne giving him a 
 lead, he cleared it in splendid style (Ryan up). As the match 
 was 4 to win, and 2 to hah , it was a draw. 
 
 A good many private steeple-chases used to take place in 
 former days. A match came off at Houston between Mr. 
 Morrison's " Ballinasloe," and Dr. Grey's " Lucy Long," 
 owners up, when Mr. Morrison won. Another cross country 
 event was run at Kilmarnock, between Mr. Lumsden's 
 " Trotty Veck" and " Ballinasloe." In this instance " Trotty" 
 won, " Lucy Long" third. A steeple-chase also took place 
 over a stiff bit of country at the Mearns muir, between Mr. Wm. 
 Campbell's chestnut and a horse belonging to Mr. Thorburn. 
 Mr. A. Clapperton laid off the ground. We had a bit of fun 
 one New- Year 's-Day at Carmunnock, when a number of the 
 right sort assembled to witness a race between Mr. Allan 
 Scott's long-legged bay, with Mr. William Alston up, and Mr. 
 James Morrison's short-legged bay, owner up. The betting 
 was in favour of Mr. Alston, but going the wrong side of a 
 post he had to go back, and Mr. Morrison won easily. The 
 first steeple I recollect seeing was an " impromptu" affair got 
 
20 
 
 up at Kinning Park, near the present Clydesdale Cricket 
 Ground. As far as I can recollect, Reindeer won the chief 
 event, with Bob Thyne up (a first-rate man in his day). 
 Reindeer afterwards won some matches at Houston against a 
 roan horse, ridden by Noble. I recollect going down one day y 
 expecting to see a match between Binks the Bagman and old 
 Isaac (his first appearance in Scotland). Binks failed to 
 appear, and Isaac cantered round the course. Talking of 
 Isaac, I recollect one day at Bogside Meeting (when the late 
 Lord Eglinton was alive), in a steeple-chase refusing the 
 brook, and actually had to be backed into it I but got out and 
 won the race ridden by Jack Hunter beating a good horse 7 
 Hero, ridden by Colonel Campbell. This Meeting was given 
 up on the death of the late Lady Eglinton, but has since been 
 revived by the present popular Earl. There used to be some 
 good fun at Kilmarnock steeple-chases. As there was no 
 railway in those days, we always drove down, sending on fresh 
 horses to King's Wells, where very often a sporting event 
 came off, early in the morning (which shall be nameless), 
 attended by not the elite of society. Mr. Hew Young had a 
 very good horse, called the "Dentist," which won several 
 races ; Mr. Maxwell, also, won with the " Doctor," and Mr. 
 Norman Buchanan with " Escape." Many a jolly drive we 
 had up and down, but most of the genuine good souls that 
 were wont to join us are now dead or scattered over the 
 world, and Kilmarnock steeple-chases are now no more. 
 
 A funny event happened one day, just after the horses had 
 crossed the brook. The late Sandy Fletcher tried to jump it, 
 went in a header, and had to drive home soaked through. 
 In those hardy days one did not care for a wetting, and a 
 story is told of a well-known old Glasgow sportsman, that 
 after dancing all night he came home, changed his clothes, 
 went down to Kilmarnock to hunt with Tait's harriers, had a 
 header in the Pow burn, dined at Kilmarnock, and drove 
 back to Glasgow without changing. Times have changed for 
 the better since then, but I am afraid our hunting jeunesse 
 dore'e are not so hardy as their forefathers were, although I 
 
21 
 
 could name some very promising young uns coming on, chips 
 of the old block. In 1856 that genuine sportsman, Mr. James 
 Hunter of Newmains and Glenapp, suggested that we should 
 have a hunt steeple-chase, gentlemen riders, only horses regu- 
 larly hunted with the L. and R. hounds to be allowed to run, and 
 riders to wear red coats. The first race came off at Newmains, 
 for a cup given by Mr. Hunter. Mr. Couper's brown gelding, 
 " Wellington," was made favourite, but he came to grief at 
 the second fence, and " Coltness," belonging to Mr. Hunter, 
 which he bought from Mr. W. Houldsworth, won easy, piloted by 
 " Willie Redfern." Mr. H. afterwards sold this horse to 
 Mr. Little Gilmour, of Leicestershire renown, where he after- 
 wards broke his back. I recollect getting a tremendous 
 cropper in this race, riding a bay of Mr. H.'s. Next year the 
 race was run at Carnwath, when Mr. J. Houldsworth, on his 
 mare "Brunette," won, myself second, on "Lanark." During 
 the race Mr. Couper was again unfortunate. Cannoning with 
 another gentleman at a bank, he got very badly cut in the 
 face. Mr. C. Higginbotham, on his grey, came out at the 
 finish, and looked very like winning, but rolled over in the 
 last field, and was out of it. Next time it was resolved to 
 charige the venue to the old ground at Houston, where, for 
 the first time, we had 12 and 13 stone steeple-chases for love, 
 with a scurry for outside horses added. 
 
 These steeple -chases became very popular afterwards 
 amongst all classes of men, and were generally called the 
 " Glasgow Derby," and it was quite a sight to see the road 
 on the way, every sort of vehicle being put into requisition. 
 Mr. J. Houldsworth, Mr. Couper, and Mr. Hinshaw, were the 
 chief winners. The races, which were a first-rate day's 
 outing for all Glasgow, might have been carried on yet if it 
 had not been for the influence of a certain clergyman, 
 persuading the farmers that racing was immoral. Under this 
 uncalled-for interference, the best part of our country was 
 refused us, and a very bad line had to be laid out, the 
 consequence being that at a nasty fence poor Mr. Taylor 
 from Ayrshire was killed. There have been no steeple-chases 
 
22 
 
 since this sad event. Bogside races and steeple-chases are, 
 however, now one of the best Meetings in Great Britain, and 
 are increasing in popularity every year, under the patronage 
 of that first-rate sportsman, the Earl of Eglinton, ably assisted 
 in the management of the Meeting by Mr. Shaw of Ayr, the 
 clerk of the course. 
 
 Mr. Colin Dunlop some years ago kept a capital pack of 
 harriers, and Chalmers, who for a long time was first whip to 
 the L. and R, hunted them. Under the able management 
 of the Master we had excellent sport. One run in particular, 
 with an outlying roe-deer, over a capital bit of country above 
 Mains, was a clipper. Another good thing we had over Ear- 
 nock muir. Mr. Dunlop used to go well on a cobby chestnut 
 he bought from Mr. Thorburn, and he was never far off his 
 beauties. Wire* stopped his hunting at last. An amusing 
 story is told of an old sportsman having lost the fox hounds 
 in a fog, came up with Mr. Pollock's harriers, which were out 
 that day, and had an excellent spin. A tremendous leap Avas 
 taken by Mr. John Orr on the " Priest," one day at Netherton 
 braes. Instead of going down through a large grip at the 
 end of the strip, he cleared the whole thing, about 27 feet. 
 Mr. Thorburn, one day at Greenside, stumped the field at a 
 very nasty place on the side of the muir. A dinner of the 
 two hunts, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, and Linlithgow 
 and Stirlingshire, took place in the Western Club, Glasgow, 
 in 1850 Jack Fleming in the chair; James Merry, croupier. 
 Fleming and Inglis of Torsonce (a thorough sportsman), were 
 the only gentlemen who wore the dress uniform of their hunt, 
 our local pack not having such a thing. Few casualties have 
 happened in my recollection with these hounds, with the 
 exception of Mr. A Clapperton and Mr. A. Crum, both of 
 whom broke a leg. Mr. Monteath and Captain Hay Newton, 
 each broke an arm. A.n excellent picture of the hunt hangs 
 in the lobby of the Western Club, Glasgow, presented to the 
 Club by the late Mr. Hamilton of Minnard, with portraits of 
 most of the old Members in Lord Glasgow's day; and by the 
 kind permission of the managers, I annex a copy of it. The 
 
23 
 
 scene is laid at Crook ston, and amongst the prominent 
 portraits are Lord Glasgow on the gray horse, Messrs. J. 
 Oswald, S. Dalglish, J. Tennant, George Stirling, George 
 Houston, M. Pearce, W. Houston, R. D. Napier, A. Smith 
 (Jordarihill), Bogle, C. Stirling, Thompson, Chas. Tennant, 
 Sylvester Stirling, and a man, Lochead, who ran after the 
 hounds. Yery few of the above are now to the fore, but 
 they were all good men in their day, when the present 
 steeple-chase style of hunting was not in vogue, and no 
 " steam-horses " to take you to the Meet. After them, 
 amongst the most prominent Members were 
 
 SIR M. SHAW STEWART. 
 MESSRS. T. D. SPEIRS. 
 
 JAMES MERRY. 
 
 W. AIRD. 
 
 GEORGE MIDDLETON. 
 
 GEORGE LUMSDEN. 
 
 PERSTON. 
 
 W. REDFERN. 
 
 ALEXANDER CLAPPERTON. 
 
 JOHN ORR. 
 
 ROBERT ARMOUR. 
 
 C. T. DUNLOP. 
 
 C. T. COUPER. 
 
 W. KELLY. 
 
 A. SCOTT. 
 
 L. MACBEAN. 
 
 JOHN BRODIE. 
 
 JOHN S. MILLS. 
 
 J. MORRISON. 
 
 R. MONTEITH. 
 
 GEORGE ALSTON. 
 
 W. ALSTON. 
 
 J. K. BROWN. 
 
 ROBERT PATERSON. 
 
 J. MURRAY. 
 
 F. MURRAY. 
 
 C. HIGGINBOTHAM. 
 
 J. HOULDSWORTH. 
 
 JOHN HAMILTON (North Park). 
 
 JOHN HAMILTON (Greenbank). 
 
 JAMES HUNTER (Newmains). 
 
 MAJOR HAMILTON (Dalziel). 
 
24 
 
 MESSRS, GEORGE POLLOCK (Rhindmuir). 
 F. R. REID. 
 GEORGE STODDART. 
 JOHN BARCLAY. 
 
 The following is a List of Subscribers to the Covert Fund 
 of the Lanarkshire and Eenfrewshire Fox-Hounds, for Season 
 1872-73: 
 
 J. H. HOULDSWORTH, Glasgow. 
 
 JOHN MONTEITH, do. 
 
 ALEX. CLAPPERTON, do. 
 
 RICHARD KIDSTON, do. 
 
 DONALD MATHESON, do. 
 
 ALLAN SCOTT, do. 
 
 HUGH NEILSON, do. 
 
 C. T. COUPER, do. 
 
 JOHN ORR, do. 
 
 J. H. BALLANTYNE, Greenock. 
 
 JOHN DONALDSON, Glasgow. 
 
 HENRY LEE HARVEY, Lochwinnocb. 
 
 ALEXANDER CRUM, Glasgow. 
 
 JOHN HAMILTON, of Greenbank, Mearns. 
 
 ADAM MORRISON, Glasgow. 
 
 J. D. HAMILTON, do. 
 
 GEORGE J. KIDSTON, do. 
 
 THOMAS JACKSON, Coatbridge. 
 
 JAMES COATS, Glasgow. 
 
 DURHAM KIPPEN, Glasgow. 
 
 MATTHEW ROBERTSON, Foxbar, Paisley. 
 
 JOHN WATSON, Govan Foundry, Govan. 
 
 WILLIAM JAMES FINLAYSON, Johnstone. 
 
 JOHN C. PEARSON, Glasgow. 
 
 GEORGE J. SMITH, do. 
 
 A. C. HOLMS, do. 
 
 COLIN R. DUNLOP, do. 
 
 ALEX. COCHRAN, do. 
 
 THOMAS R. CAMERON, Paisley. 
 
 JAMES GEORGE DUNLOP, Glasgow. 
 
 M. T. FOZIER, do. 
 
 ANDREW HUNTER, do. 
 
 JAMES SELKIRK, do. 
 
 JAMES COUPER, do. 
 
 GEORGE COATS, Paisley. 
 
 EDWARD COLLINS, JUN., Glasgow. 
 
 C. J. CUNNINGHAME, of Craigenda. 
 
25 
 
 WILLIAM FAULDS, Oakshawhill, Paisley. 
 
 MATTHEW ARTHUR, Glasgow. 
 
 JAMES WALLACE, do. 
 
 F. W. PERMAN, do. 
 
 ROBERT MONTEITH, do. 
 
 JOHN BUCHANAN, Glasgow. 
 
 JASPER HOWAT, do. 
 
 DANIEL M'FARLANE, do. 
 
 JOHN S. WILSON, do. 
 
 J. GARDNER MUIR, do. 
 
 F. R. REID, do. 
 
 WILLIAM CAMPBELL, do. 
 
 ALEXANDER RONALDSON, JUN., Glasgow. 
 
 GEORGE D. FISHER, do. 
 
 ALEXANDER CROSS, JUN., do. 
 
 ROBERT ROBSON, do. 
 
 DUNCAN HOYLE GIBB, Greenock. 
 
 SIR M. R. S. STEWART, BART., Ardgowan. 
 
 JOHN JAMES POLLOCK, Glasgow. 
 
 GEORGE W. RICHARDSON, Paisley. 
 
 NEALE THOMSON, Camphill. 
 
 D. H. M'DOWAL, Garthland, Lochwinnoch. 
 
 WILLIAM WILSON, Glasgow. 
 
 PETER WHITE, JUN., do. 
 
 GEORGE RONALDSON, Linwood. 
 
 JOHN A. BRODIE, Glasgow. 
 
 HENRY FERGUSON, do. 
 
 In 1872, Mr. George Jardine of Hallside was just 
 beginning to come out as a first-rate sportsman, and 
 being well mounted, was going into hunting with a keen- 
 ness which I have hardly ever seen equalled. Unfortunately, 
 to the extreme regret of all true hunting men, with whom 
 Mr. Jardine was a great favourite, through an unfortunate 
 accident he lost one of his legs, and was obliged to give up 
 riding. However, he still encourages sport of all kinds, keep- 
 a good steeple-chaser or two, and often comes out on wheels, 
 always having a good supply of refreshment on board for any 
 drouthy fox-hunter. Referring to Mr. Jardine's horses, he 
 had a rare good one called the " General," and one day James 
 Sudden cut down all the Ayrshire men with him. Unfortu- 
 nately, the " General," who looked very like winning a big 
 
26 
 
 thing some day, broke his leg at Bogside, while going well, 
 and had to be destroyed. I may mention that amongst those 
 who are not subscribers, young Mr. Cockburn, veterinary 
 surgeon, and Mr. James Sudden, landlord of the Eglinton 
 Arms, Kilwinning, are first-rate men with hounds. 
 
 At the present time (January,! 874) the Colonel hardly ever 
 goes up to Lanarkshire, except for cub-hunting, the country 
 being not worth hunting on account of woods and wire. I have 
 seen, however, some very fair runs in the New Monkland 
 country, and also at Castlemilk, but the last-named country 
 is now almost unrideable on account of wire. 
 
 Renfrewshire, I am happy to say, never showed more foxes 
 than at the present time. Most of the best part of the country 
 is in the hands of Colonel Buchanan, our esteemed Master, 
 and Mr. C. J. Cunninghame of Craigends, a keen sportsman, 
 quite enough guarantee for the preservation of foxes. I must 
 not forget to give a word of praise to old Scott, the keeper at 
 Barrochan, who always has a fox; in fact, it has become quite 
 a proverb in the Hunt, " We're sure to find a Barrochan." 
 Captain Stewart of Castlemilk has always no end of foxes; 
 and old Hunter can always show both game and plenty of 
 the "varmint." The best Meets are Houston kennels, 
 Finlayston, Bishopton, Bridge of Weir, Broadfield, Neilston 
 (for the Pad), and the Fereneze hills. Mr. George Kidston, 
 a genuine sportsman, and keen preserver of foxes, has taken 
 a long lease of Finlayston house and shootings, one of Colonel 
 Buchanan's properties, lying in the centre of the best part of 
 the country, and, it is needless to say, there is a fox in every 
 covert. 
 
 Squires, who succeeded John Harrison, is as fresh as ever, 
 and generally manages to kill his fox, and his cheery voice 
 has lost none of its music. 
 
 Through the kindness of an old Member of the Hunt, I am 
 enabled to give the following quotations from his diary : 
 
 " October 20th, 1849. Met at Craigends Gate to open the 
 season a large Meet. Trotted on to Barlogan. Found at 
 
27 
 
 once, and ran a sharp ring of a couple of miles over the 
 muir, and back to covert. Two very unfortunate accidents 
 happened in this spin. Mr. George Baird's horse, after 
 clearing a wall, took paralysis, and had to be shot; and 
 another gentleman broke his mare's leg sharp off, and the 
 mare was also destroyed. After ringing about, got our fox 
 away again, but unfortunately ran to ground. Found again 
 in Elphinstone, and had ten miles at a clipping pace, very few 
 up at the finish. Mr. Barclay riding a new chestnut, cut him 
 very badly, and had to drive home. 
 
 " Saturday, October 27th. Bridge of Weir. Drove down 
 'Tom Thumb.' A nasty morning, misty and rain, which, 
 however, took off about one o'clock. Found in the Torr 
 Wood, and got him away towards Castle Semple, but he 
 turned back, and we ran through Carruth to Duchal, where 
 the drains, as usual, saved his life. Mr. James Merry, who 
 was then acting M. F. H., tumbled into a brook during the 
 run, and sundry other spills took place. 'Jerry' badly cut. 
 
 "Nov. 3. Castle Semple. 'Harlequin' not fit, but George 
 Wilkie offered me a mount on his chestnut, but no persuasion 
 could get him into a horse-box. Willie Campbell, however, 
 offered me his old game horse, which he had ridden down to 
 the station, he intending to ride Mr. M'Kenzie's gray, and I 
 was admirably carried for the day. Found a leash of foxes in 
 Green side; all three broke in view of the hounds, ran one to 
 Carruth again, as usual, into a drain. Went back, got on the 
 line of another one, and went a burster down to Castle 
 Semple, where, owing to dead leaves, scent failed, drew the 
 Scifflat blank. 
 
 " Nov. 10th. Met at Neilston village. Drew the Pad and 
 Knockinae blank, but found at Fereneze, and ran as straight 
 as an arrow to Johnstone Castle, and killed. Pace tremendous, 
 the best of the season, many casualties, and Mr. J. Mills' 
 horse had to be left at Johnstone. Kode a new purchase 
 from Hew Young, the ' Screw,' and was well carried. 
 
 " Nov. 17th. Johnstone Castle. Drew the coverts here 
 and Gleniffer blank. Found at Hawkhead, had a pumper up 
 
28 
 
 to Gleniffer, and back to Hawkhead time, twenty-five 
 minutes. 
 
 " Nov. 24th. Bishopton. A good run, but did not kill. 
 
 " Nov. 27th. Cathcart Bridge.. A large field out, and a 
 great number of people on foot. Found at Merrylees, and 
 killed. Found again at the Lynn, and had the run of the 
 season, one hour and ten minutes, and killed in the open. 
 
 " Dec. 22. Hillend (Lanarkshire). Only four men out, 
 the two Messrs. Wilkie, Willie Campbell, and myself. Found 
 at once in Auchengray, and ran straight to Armadale over a 
 boggy country. The scent being breast high, we fell behind, 
 and had to be guided by " chawbacons." Caught them up 
 near Avon bridge, where the fox doubled, and we lost him 
 time 1 J hours. Had to ride home 25 miles. All the subscribers 
 annoyed they were not out. 
 
 " Feb. 9th, 1850. Met after a long frost at Bridge of Weir. 
 Drew the Torr, Carruth, Milliken, and Castle Semple, all 
 blank, and gave it up. 
 
 "16th February, 1850. Went through with Redfern, Jamie- 
 son, Kelly, and John Orr, to meet Ramsay at Cathlaw, east 
 gate (Linlithgowshire). Found plenty of foxes, and had a 
 fast half-hour over a heavy country. Kelly's horse badly cut. 
 
 " Feby. 23rd. Bishopton. Found at Westferry, and ran a 
 very fast ring of about nine miles to ground ; found again in 
 Elphinstone, and had a splitter of one hour twenty minutes to 
 ground at Finlayston, only nine men up, lots of horses having 
 come to grief; two left at Port-Glasgow, one at Paisley, and one 
 at Govan. 
 
 " Tuesday, 8th Oct. The Kennels, and had a good run. 
 
 " Saturday, 13th Oct. Castle Semple, and a short spin from 
 Linwood to Milliken. 
 
 " 26th October. Shelford Toll. A good run from Caldwell 
 to the Brimmer to ground, and a fast hour and a half from 
 the Pad, and had to whip off at dark. 
 
 " 2nd Nov. Johnstone Castle, and had a very fine hunting 
 run of half an hour. 
 
 " Saturday, 25th January, 1851. Castle Semple. A very 
 
29 
 
 fine run of forty-five minutes from Bridge of Weir to Carruth, 
 and killed. Barclay got the brush. 
 
 " Feb. 1st. Bishopton. Found in Westferry, had a sharp 
 burst and lost. Found again in Elphin stone, ran him through 
 the Wreas over High Barlogan, and back nearly to where 
 they found. A slight check took place here, or nobody would 
 have seen them again. Picked it up again, and ran to the 
 Kilmalcolm strips, and back over Barscube hill to Barrochan, 
 on through Drums to ground at Westferry. This was one of 
 the longest runs that has taken place in this country." 
 
 LANARKSHIRE & RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 CUB-HUNTING. 
 
 As a great number of our readers have a very imperfect 
 idea what the above term means, a few words will easily 
 explain it. Fox-hounds, as a rule, will not take naturally to 
 hunting the fox only, but at first will dash after any species 
 of game, strange as it may seem to the uninitiated; not like 
 a pointer, who, when quite a puppy, will point naturally even 
 at barn-door fowls or any small birds; therefore, the object 
 of cub-hunting is to train the young hounds into hunting the 
 fox, and break them off other game, especially roe-deer, the 
 size of whose bodies impregnates the air with a very strong 
 scent; and unless young hounds have plenty opportunities of 
 seeing deer, with a cold scent, or a blank day, the best are 
 apt to flash off after haunch. In olden times it was often the 
 habit of masters of hounds to begin by hunting hare, on 
 purpose to make the hounds put their noses down and hunt 
 patiently on a cold scent, and then take to hunting the fox 
 afterwards. And even now many packs of harriers are 
 composed entirely of what are called dwarf fox-hounds. 
 Before taking the field, even in cub-hunting, the huntsman 
 is not idle, having a great deal of work to do in exercising 
 
30 
 
 the young hounds, taking long rides in the country, especially 
 in the direction of the different districts likely to be hunted, 
 not only to get his hounds into condition, but to accustom 
 them to the country, and make them steady on the road. 
 After all these preliminaries are gone through (the difficulties 
 attending which are little known or cared for by the swell in 
 his red coat, who turns out on the opening day to gallop over 
 the hounds), the first day's cub-hunting takes place. The 
 date of commencement entirely depends upon the state of the 
 country, being much earlier in England than in Scotland, on 
 account of the crops being sooner off the ground. The hounds 
 are cast into covert early in the morning, while the dew is on 
 the ground. No one is acquainted with the exact spot where 
 the Meet is to take place, unless it be some particular friend, 
 some regular old stager, whose age, or sometimes purse, pre- 
 cludes him from joining in the regular chase, but who, ever 
 passionately fond of the sport, loves to witness the schooling 
 of the young hounds. An early hour is selected, to prevent 
 the attendance of a number of persons, who, by their noise, 
 would distract the attention of the hounds. It is delightful 
 to see the pack thrown into covert at daybreak, when all is 
 freshness and joy around when the choristers of the wood 
 are in full harmony, and everything appears fresh and 
 beautiful. The whips are placed so as to stop the hounds if 
 an old fox goes away, the object being to kill a cub and blood 
 the young hounds, thus giving them a taste of the animal 
 they are intended to hunt. The huntsman generally takes 
 out some old and steady hounds, who by their example teach 
 the young ones what they are to do; and it is astonishing how a 
 young, well-bred hound will score to the cry of an old steady 
 customer, whose voice is never mistaken by the huntsman. 
 Young foxes at this time of the year are generally easily 
 brought to hand, and a sensible huntsman will allow no 
 hallooing and cracking of whips by his servants, which serves 
 only one purpose, to frighten the young hounds and disgust 
 the old; and, as "Scrutator" says "I have often heard, 
 when a young hound is running riot, a whipper-in hallooing 
 
II 
 
 with all his might and cracking his whip, and I can conceive 
 little ' Mischief safe in high covert chuckling within herself, 
 and saying, ' All very fine, Mr. Jack, but I don't care a straw 
 for your cracked voice ; I shall have my fun out/ " the 
 proper way being to wait till the young rioter comes out, 
 thinking the coast clear, and then pounce upon her with one 
 or two good dozes of whip-cord. But now the hounds are 
 running in full chorus. 
 
 " Not Handel's sweet music more pleases the ear, 
 Than that of the hounds in full cry." 
 
 Somervitte. 
 
 A whole litter of cubs is afoot; now " Vanguard " views one, 
 then " Valiant." " Have a care, ' Vanity,' " cries the whip, 
 as the little beggar makes a dart at " Pussy." They are 
 running with a burning scent 
 
 " Making the welkin answer them, 
 And fetching shrill echoes from the hollow earth ; " 
 
 and with the animating cheer of old Squires, the blood in the 
 veins of every true fox-hunter tingles again. " Who-hoop," at 
 last a cub is killed; a great deal of ceremony now takes place: 
 in the breaking up of the fox the young hounds are all 
 collected together, and encouraged by every means to taste 
 blood, and if any promising young fox-hunter is present, who 
 has this day seen his first fox killed, he is blooded also, and 
 must submit patiently to having a pad drawn across his face. 
 Colonel Buchanan has begun the season well, finding 
 plenty of foxes in Lanarkshire, and we hear capital accounts 
 of Renfrewshire, his crack country. We will defer, however 
 giving a more detailed account of the hounds, &c., till after 
 the opening day, which takes place on the 3 1st October, at 
 Houston, when we hope to see going in their old places, not 
 only the tried and keen supporters of the Hunt, but also a 
 number of new young 'uns sporting the pink. 
 
32 
 
 SPLENDID SPORT WITH THE LANARKSHIRE 
 AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 On account of the unexampled severity of the weather, 
 I am sorry I have not been able to report anything worth 
 recording in the Herald of the above celebrated Scotch 
 pack. What with rain and wind, hounds have hardly been 
 able to hunt at all. However, the runs of the following three 
 days amply make up for the previous scarcity of sport : 
 
 Thursday, 7th. Met at Hawkhead south gate, the Meet 
 having been put off from Tuesday on account of the funeral 
 of Captain Speirs, M.P. for the county, whose death cut off 
 in the prime of life is lamented by all classes; a keen 
 sportsman in every sense of the word, a first-rate preserver of 
 foxes, and a popular country gentleman. Squires trotted 
 direct up towards Waukmill Glen, where, in the new gorse, 
 they found at once. He broke to the left up through 
 Patterton round covert, over the Stewarton Road, through the 
 Rouken, passing Eastwood to the left, on to ground in Lady 
 Mary's Wood, trotted back to the Rouken, and came on what 
 Colonel Buchanan thought was a run fox, as the hounds 
 caught him at once. They then made a move up the country 
 to Glanderston Gorse, the shooting around which is leased by 
 the popular Secretary of the Hunt and keen sportsman, Mr. J. 
 Morrison, where, the moment the hounds were thrown in, no 
 less than two brace of foxes were afoot, one of which gave 
 them a good ring round the rocks to ground, near Waukmill 
 Glen. 
 
 Saturday, 9th. Met at Barrochan, where, much to the 
 disappointment of Mr. Hinshaw and his keeper, Scott, the 
 home coverts were drawn blank. This, however, was not to be 
 wondered at, as the lie is very bare, and from the stormy 
 state of the weather, the foxes are mostly in the low country, 
 where there is much better covert. There were two litters 
 here, and no doubt exists that Mr. Hinshaw is one of the 
 
33 
 
 keenest preservers in the county. Drew the Wreas and Cors- 
 lie covert blank, but found in Elphinstone big wood. After 
 dusting his jacket well in covert, he broke at the bottom end, 
 going straight through Lawfield Gorse, on up the hill to the 
 left, round High Barlogan, and back to the Wreas ; but here, 
 as the country was covered by the franchise hollowing on 
 every hill, Squires gave it up, and trotted away down to 
 Drums, where they found at once. He came out at the 
 bottom of the glen, and bent up the hill to the left over the 
 march wall, as if his point was Elphinstone, but turned sharp 
 back again to the right, going over the left side of Barscube 
 Hill, and on to ground at Knockmountain Gorse. This was 
 a very pretty twenty minutes, the hounds going as straight as 
 an arrow from find to finish. 
 
 Tuesday, 12th, Caldwell. Found in a moment (Colonel 
 Mure being a keen preserver of foxes), and went away over 
 the Lugton Road, up the hill towards Dunlop, and back to 
 the left, to ground at the Grange Wood. This was a very 
 pretty twenty-five minutes for hounds, but part of the line 
 was rather boggy, and "'ammer, 'ammer on the 'ard, 'ard 
 road," was the order of the day. Now came the run of the 
 season as yet. The moment the hounds were thrown into 
 Shelford Toll covert, a fine old dog-fox broke near the toll 
 and went away a burster as if for Neilston Pad, but, suddenly 
 changing his mind, turned sharp to the left at Smiddy Hill, 
 down over the Cowdon Burn, across the road and up the hill 
 to Millthird. This was a pumper for the horses, and the 
 hounds got rather the better of them. Colonel Buchanan, 
 having got a bad start, seeing the hounds turning to the left, 
 galloped up the road and caught the hounds at a small strip 
 of wood on the top of the hill, with their heads up. The fox, 
 being pumped with the tremendous pace they had raced him 
 up the hill, had lain down. He jumped up in view of the 
 hounds, and away they went "a-splitter" on to Middleton, 
 through which the fox went turning to the right down to 
 the old road, then along the face of the hill past Woodneuk 
 West Arthurlie, and the game covert to the gorse at Trees. 
 
34 
 
 The hounds going through the bottom side had a slight check 
 Mr. J. Orr, Mr. Thorburn, and Mr. Couper having taken the 
 top line, and being well up, viewed two couple of hounds 
 going on out at the west end. One of them rode back and 
 told Squires, who at once cast forward and hit him off over 
 the boggy glen, rather pointing towards the reservoir. They 
 went by Brownside Braes, leaving Glenfield to the right, on to 
 Gleniffer. The fox came out at top end near a row of high 
 trees, and turned down to the right over the road past Staneley 
 Moor, leaving Greenshieldmuir to the right, very near on to 
 Bardrain Wood, as if his point was now Johnstone Castle. 
 Here, being very far through, he began dodging, and turning 
 to the left, lay down before the hounds; but jumping up in 
 view, they raced him into a drain near the Witch Burn, bolted 
 and killed him. Time, one hour and ten minutes ; distance 
 gone over, about twelve miles, with only one check. This 
 run was acknowledged by all who were out to be one of 
 the very best these hounds have ever had, being over the 
 cream of the country, all grass and good going. Squires went 
 in his usual form on " Whiteface ;" in fact, the old 'un is very 
 hard to beat, always sticking to his hounds, and can show his 
 heels to some of the hard riders yet. He got a nasty bite 
 from the fox when bolting him, which, I am afraid, will pre- 
 vent him using his right hand for a day or two. I hope to be 
 able, before the season is over, to give you another screed ; 
 but it will be a long time, I am afraid, before I shall have the 
 pleasure of chronicling such a run as the above. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE & RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 Since the opening day, when they had such a good thing, 
 our local pack have had nothing particularly worth recording ; 
 but to many old hunting men, who now no longer participate 
 in the joys of the chase, an account of what is going on in 
 the pursuit of the noble science, however meagre, is always 
 
35 
 
 interesting; and many a good laugh they sometimes have 
 upon the size of the jumps, as related by the young 'uns after 
 dinner, the fences having grown much larger since their 
 hunting days. " Squires " has killed six brace and a half of 
 foxes since he began regular hunting, unfortunately falling in 
 mostly with dodgers, and sometimes the field have been to 
 blame in heading a good 'un when his mind was bent in 
 going away. On Tuesday, the 15th, they had a short thing 
 from the Skiff of about four miles, the only fault being too much 
 "Macadamizing." After running down to the bottom end? 
 his point evidently being John stone Castle, he turned up the 
 glen and broke to the west, leaving North Muir Dykes to the 
 left, then down towards Castle-Semple, along the Beltree 
 Strip to ground at Lochside House. The Colonel, Squires, 
 Dr. Wolsey, Mr. Cramsie (5th Fusiliers), Mr. Jackson, and 
 Mr. Clapperton only got away, the rest of the field were left 
 coffee housing at the bottom of the covert, and, I am told, 
 had a Mount Pisgah gallop without hounds, led by a hard- 
 riding member of the Hunt, towards CaldweU. Went back 
 and killed a brace. Another fox broke away up by Bardrain, 
 but even suppose Squires had wanted, the high country was 
 too hard to ride. 
 
 Saturday, 18th. Met at Barrochan, and I need hardly 
 repeat what I have so often said before, wherever old Scott is 
 the "tod" is not very far off. While they were drawing the 
 Northend Wood a fox was viewed away from the Garden- 
 Stick covert. It was a little time before Squires got his 
 hounds on, and then, owing to a nasty catching scent, as is 
 generally the case with a lifting frost, they hunted him slowly 
 on past Boghall, over the road to the high wood above Park 
 Erskine Glen. Just as the hounds went away, it would have 
 frightened some of the quiet ones to hear the anathemas of 
 old Fulton, as some of the duffers, who don't know sown 
 grass from the flags in Buchanan Street, went helter-skelter 
 over his seeds. But to return to our 'muttons, or rather the 
 hounds, the fox doubled back out at the bottom end, crossed 
 the Drums Koad near to Hardgate Toll, and went on very 
 
36 
 
 pretty but slow hunting all left to themselves, passing Kirk- 
 lands on to Barrochan, where they lost him, owing to there 
 being no scent. It was a treat to see the hounds hunting it 
 out all in a body, and, as a good judge remarked, .the Colonel's 
 hounds can burst him up with a scent, and Jmnt him with 
 none ! Found again at once in Corslie Hill gorse, where he 
 ran a great risk of losing his life, on account of there being 
 riders in every possible position than the right one. How- 
 ever, as luck would have it, he got away down towards Bar- 
 rochan. Being headed at the road, he turned back towards 
 Olives, which covert he did not enter, but went over the cream 
 of the Renfrewshire country to ground at Elphinstone. A 
 rather amusing incident occurred during the day. 
 
 " Dismounting, said one, at a gate which was fast, 
 The crowd pushing by knocked me down as they passed ; 
 My horse seized that moment to take his own fling ; 
 Oh ! who'll again doubt hunting a good-natured thing. " 
 
 Warburton. 
 
 A rough-and-ready party, from the middle of Renfrewshire, 
 caught the above gentleman's horse, who at once tipped him 
 a shilling. "Hoots, man," says he, rejecting the proffered 
 "bob," "d'ye no ken I'm ane o' your ainsels" highly in- 
 dignant at being mistaken for anyone but an Al man with 
 the L. and R. pack. On the way home I met with the usual 
 number of men with plenty of excuses for not being there or 
 thereabouts; and to quote Warburton again: 
 
 " How trifling a cause will oft lose us a run, 
 From the find to the finish how few see the fun ; 
 A mischance it is called when we come to a halt 
 Did you e'er hear of one who confessed it a fault?" 
 
 A DAY'S HAWKING WITH MR. EWEN OF 
 EWENFIELD. 
 
 Falconry, or what in olden times was called hawking, is of 
 very ancient origin, and has been traced back, as an Eastern 
 
37 
 
 sport, to a period anterior to the Christian era. In Britain it 
 seems to have been followed before the time of the Heptarchy: 
 and in the celebrated Bayeux tapestry Harold is figured with 
 a hawk on his hand. In England, after the Norman Con- 
 quest, it made great strides, being much indulged in by kings, 
 nobles, and ladies. In the present day an attempt is being 
 made in several quarters to revive the noble art, and we are 
 informed that in Scotland the Marquess of Bute is taking a 
 strong liking to the sport, being out often with Mr. Ewen, 
 and is now on the look-out for a good falconer. Having 
 received an invitation from Mr. Ewen to have a day's hawk- 
 ing with him, we drove about ten miles out of Ayr, to the 
 high land, where there is a fine open country, as when it is 
 enclosed it does not do for this sport, the birds taking refuge 
 in the fences, thus spoiling the " swoop." Here we met Peter 
 with the hawks. Peter is quite a character very keen and 
 Mr. E. tells us he considers him the best falconer he has ever 
 seen. He was falconer to the Duke of Leeds before he came 
 to Mr. Ewen. The peregrine falcon is the one Mr. E. flies, of 
 which he has six, well trained by old Peter, one four-year-old, 
 three two-year-old, and two yearlings. The falconer carries 
 the hawk he is going to fly on his wrist, hooded, and a small 
 strap between his fingers called the "jesses," while a boy goes 
 behind with the cadge, a frame of wood, with four legs, 
 strapped over his shoulders, carrying the rest of the hawks, 
 all of which have small bells tied round their arms, with a 
 small piece of leather called the beivitt Mr. E. hawks grouse 
 and partridges. In olden times the heron was the chief 
 object of pursuit, but in these days the scarcity of these 
 birds does not give the falconer any opportunity of training 
 his birds to them. A couple of steady pointers or setters are 
 generally taken out to find the game, and great care is taken 
 not to fly the falcon unless the dogs are quite sure, as when 
 the falcon is disappointed, he is apt to go after other " quarry," 
 and is difficult to lure. But now, Mr. E.'s celebrated red 
 setter is standing, well backed by his black pointer. Peter 
 cautiously goes round, generally up-wind, unhoods the falcon 
 
38 
 
 on his wrist, and throws her up. She immediately begins to 
 ascend, going round in circles, until far up in the air, and 
 nothing pleases a keen falconer more than to see his birds 
 rising well, and, from the enormous height they go up, it is 
 wonderful how they can see the "quarry" so near to the 
 ground. Whenever old Peter sees the falcon coming round 
 with his head pointing in the direction where the covey is 
 sitting, he cries out, looking up to his bird, "Hillo! my lass; 
 hooha, ha, ha!" and walking in, flushes the birds to the word, 
 "Gare'oh" the falcon at once selecting his bird, closes his 
 wings, and swoops down like a cannon-ball, unerringly strik- 
 ing him, always with the hind claw, not with his bill, as some 
 people think. In most cases the game is struck senseless, and 
 then the falcon drops down on it at once. Sometimes, how- 
 ever, when the falcon strikes her bird in the air, she flies off 
 with it, and is then said to carry, which is rather a common 
 trick of old birds. In some instances the bird, although 
 struck, gets up again, and the hawk has to rise and swoop 
 again ; and in several instances during the day, as the part- 
 ridge dodged about hedges, &c., a most exciting hunt took 
 place always, however, ending in the " who' -hoop." In case 
 the falcon does miss his quarry, he is enticed back by the "lure," 
 which is simply some partridge wings nailed on to a piece of 
 wood, which, when thrown up in the air, causes the falcon to 
 swoop down, when he is easily secured. Although a very 
 wet day, which is always against the hawks, the whole of 
 them behaved very well, rising splendidly. The hawk is 
 always allowed to eat the partridge's head when a kill takes 
 place. "We have left out purposely a number of technical 
 terms; but we hope the above short account will explain to 
 the uninitiated the noble science of hawking as practised in 
 these days. 
 
39 
 
 CAPITAL RUN WITH C. MACDONALD MORETON 
 OF LARGIE'S OTTER-HOUNDS. 
 
 " "Tis pleasant in the woodland glade, 
 
 Where the waving harebell grows, 
 Beneath the darkly chequered shade 
 
 The startled game to rouse; 
 To wake the echoes far and wide, 
 
 With hounds and bugle horn, 
 When on each tree and green hill-side 
 
 Glitters the coming morn." 
 
 What can surpass the healthful enjoyment of field sports ? 
 Who is there acquainted with their many attractions, and 
 who can relish the excitement of those varied scenes of manly 
 diversion., who does not feel his heart bound within him at 
 their bare mention? Those who maintain that a moderate 
 share in their numerous attractions tends to debase the mind, 
 blunt the affections, and brutalize the disposition, must be 
 wholly unacquainted with the life of a true sportsman. A 
 taste for the pursuit of wild animals through magnificent 
 woods, over far-extended moors and mountains, on wide-spread 
 lakes, or on impetuous or peaceful rivers, is inherent in human 
 nature ; and this taste is never more strikingly displayed than 
 in the high spirits and joy evinced by the denizen of crowded 
 cities, whether he be a member of the " ring," a " bull " or a 
 "bear," a cotton broker, or any other man who has to keep 
 his nose to the grindstone, when they escape to spend, how- 
 ever brief, an interval amid those exhilarating scenes. The 
 "shop" is thrown aside (or ought to be), the cares and 
 anxieties of life are forgotten, their spirits become buoyant, 
 their strength is renewed, and they return to their several 
 occupations better and healthier men. Otter-hunting, above 
 all sports, is one to which the above remarks particularly 
 apply, as every one, without cost, from the peer to the peasant 
 can participate in the fun, if they have only a good pair of 
 legs, a stout heart, and strong lungs, so as to be able to stick 
 to the hounds, and see them working. The pursuit of the 
 
40 
 
 otter, once a favourite sport, is now but little practised, on 
 account of the great scarcity of that species, almost all of 
 whom have been exterminated on account of their destructive 
 habits among the fish in our preserved waters. At this par- 
 ticular season of the year, when every other branch of the 
 chase is necessarily abandoned, it is not surprising that when 
 a pack of otter hounds appear in any district they are well 
 patronized. Otter-hunting, properly speaking, is now very 
 little understood, on account of the scarcity of packs, it being 
 a sport one reads about in books, but seldom sees. The otter 
 leaves a very strong and lasting scent, which seems to remain 
 much longer than that of either the stag, fox, or hare, and a 
 well-bred hound will challenge it twelve hours, if not more, 
 after the game has passed, which often accounts for the long 
 drags before a view takes place. On Saturday last I had an 
 opportunity of seeing a very good run with the above pack ; 
 and, although I am afraid my description of the sport will fall 
 very far short of those you have formerly had sent you from 
 the pen of an old and distinguished otter-hunter, still a short 
 account may interest some of your readers. The Meet was 
 Craigie old dam, at seven in the morning. A good field 
 turned out to meet the Laird, who is a thorough sportsman, 
 being master of fox-hounds in Ireland, as well as keeping this 
 pack. Amongst those present, I observed George Oswald, 
 Esq., of Auchincruive; Mr. and Mrs. Oswald, Yr., of Auchin- 
 cruive, and Miss Oswald; R. H. Campbell, Esq., Yr., of Glen- 
 daruel; Colonel Campbell, C. Macpherson Campbell, Esq., of 
 Ballimore; Dr. Macknight, some officers of the 5th Fusiliers, 
 Messrs. White, J. Coats, Murray, Cross, &c., &c. Mr. Moreton 
 had six couple of otter hounds out, and two or three varmint 
 terriers. Punctually to the hour, Sandy cast the hounds on 
 the south bank, and, after feathering a bit, they crossed over 
 and opened underneath some trees. 
 
 "Hark! on the drag I hear 
 Their doubtful notes, preluding to a cry 
 More nobly full, and swelled with every mouth ; 
 As straggling armies at the trumpet voice, 
 
41 
 
 Press to their standard, hither all repair, 
 And hurry through the woods, with hasty step 
 Rustling and full of hope ; now driven on heaps 
 They push, they strive, while from his kennel sneaks 
 The conscious villain." 
 
 Somerville. 
 
 "Yoi him wind there, Chauntress! good bitch," cries the 
 Laird, as they hunted it up the river. A little below 
 Auchincruive the music increased, and away they went a 
 burster, giving the field a sharp spin across the meadows. 
 They then crossed the water Colonel Campbell dashing in 
 after them. It was a very pretty sight to see them carrying 
 the scent over speaking to it all the time. Going up the 
 other side, the hounds feathered about a drain which the 
 otter must have tried, but finding it shut, went on, as they 
 picked up the scent over the river again, and some very- 
 pretty hunting took place through the beautiful policies of 
 Auchincruive, the pace gradually increasing, it being a case 
 of "bellows to mend" with some of the fat 'uns. "Hark! 
 Sandy has viewed him," cries Moreton, and away we went 
 helter-skelter down through a potato field, and, oh ye gods, 
 what a crash there was. They had him in the water, but he 
 slipped out. "Hoick, forward!" away again. "How well that 
 young dog, Havelock, is working to-day," says Col. Campbell. 
 "Have at him, Nigger, old boy," cries the Laird to his 
 favourite hound. The whole pack were now rushing frantic 
 for blood, but down the otter went again into a large and deep 
 pool, near Gadgirth, only showing his snout above water now 
 and then when he came up for air. " Try and stop him from 
 going down the water," cries the Master, " and we must kill 
 him," and in one moment down go Ballimore and Glendarael 
 into the pool to head him if he tries back. "Take care, 
 Sandy," says the Colonel, as the huntsman in his excitement 
 was very near going plump into a big pool, " we can't afford 
 to lose a good man 1" There was a little slow hunting here, 
 as, from the size of the pool, it was difficult to force him to 
 land. All of a sudden, a "View, hollo!" from the Laird 
 announced that he had bolted from underneath some rocks 
 
 E 
 
42 
 
 where he had lain down. The excitement was now intense, 
 as they ran him almost in view down the banks of the river, 
 but he slipped them again, and, crossing over, took up the 
 opposite bank. After rattling him through the wood they 
 fairly ran into him at the edge of the river Mr. Moreton 
 never resorting to the use of the spear. On looking at 
 my watch I found we had just been three hours at it no 
 easy work, I can tell you. It would require the pen of a 
 Campbell and the pencil of a Landseer to do justice to the 
 scene, as Sandy stood in the wild glen with the otter over his 
 head, the hounds all baying round, and the Laird giving his 
 clear "Who' -hoop," the field all standing round in every 
 variety of costume and colour, kilts, knickerbockers, trews, 
 &c.; and I actually saw one gentleman with lavender kid 
 gloves on! Mr. Oswald and young Mrs. Oswald having 
 ridden down into the bed of the river, were just in the nick 
 of time to see the death. "He must be twenty pounds 
 weight," remarks Mr. Oswald, a good judge, having some 
 years ago kept a pack himself. " Aye, and mair," says Sandy. 
 As the morning was excessively hot, and the hounds had 
 enough of it, the Master gave the word " Home," and away 
 we trudged, somewhat leg-tired, excessively thirsty, and all 
 highly delighted with the splendid sport we had seen. On 
 the way home some of the Glaisca' drouthy ones, meeting a 
 milk cart with rather a good-looking girl, took toll, and the 
 amount of buttermilk imbibed was something fabulous, which, 
 however, was pronounced perfect nectar, and sent them on 
 their way rejoicing. 
 
 I hear this pack had another very good run on Monday, 
 and a kill higher up the river ; but as I had not the pleasure 
 of seeing it, I am sorry I can't give you an account of the 
 sport. 
 
43 
 
 BRILLIANT TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES WITH THE 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 Tuesday, February 1. Met at Bridge of Weir. Drew the 
 strips above the village and Carruth blank ; trotted back to 
 M'Call's Covert, near Burnshields, where the "biggest fox 
 that ever was seen" broke in view of the whole field, with 
 the hounds at his brush. They went away at a perfect 
 steeple-chase pace, and only those who had their eyes open 
 when they found saw anything of this splendid burst. The 
 fox went away north, past Lawmarnock, and on nearly to 
 Barmuth Loch Dam, as if his point was Carruth. He then 
 bent away west, pointing for Calder Glen, but changing 
 his mind, " taking the privilege of the fair sex, although not a 
 vixen," turned south. At this point a momentary check 
 occurred, the hounds throwing up in a road ; but hitting it 
 off quickly again, they raced away past Barbeth and Auchin- 
 cloich across the Locher Water; and then, leaving the Marshall 
 Moor to the left, went over Barmaigh Hill to ground at Green- 
 side time, twenty-five minutes, with hardly what you would 
 call a check, over a fine grass country, and the pace good 
 enough for the greatest glutton; in fact, up to the check the 
 hounds had rather the best of it. The first sixteen minutes, 
 the cream of the thing, those who had the luck to get well 
 away with the hounds and stuck to them, were Squires, Messrs. 
 Orr, Thorburn, Couper, Hinshaw, Anderson, and two hard- 
 riding young 'uns, Messrs. Collins and Dunlop, also a heavy 
 weight on a bay, whose name I could not find out. Some 
 other good men who ride to these hounds, although not in 
 the first flight, were there or thereabouts. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE & RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 These hounds began cub-hunting on the llth September, 
 and were out fifteen days in Lanarkshre, and twice in Ren- 
 
44 
 
 frewshire, killing 11 J brace of cubs. They commenced the 
 regular season at Houston Kennels on the 30th October, and 
 have been out twelve times, killing eight brace, having been 
 stopped by frost three days. Foxes were never more plenti- 
 ful than they are this season in the best part of their country, 
 Renfrewshire, and this may be attributed a good deal to the 
 conciliatory manner Squires has with the keepers, as a word 
 spoken in anger sometimes, although not intended, has been 
 the death of many a fox. Squires has 31 J couple of working 
 hounds, amongst which the following are as fine hounds as 
 the keenest admirer of the noble science would like to see : 
 7 years, Amazon, by their Eambler out of Actress, a fine old 
 bitch; 6 years, Novelty, by their Marplot out of Nightshade; 
 5 years, Challenger, by Marplot out of Careful; Druid, by 
 Fatal, out of Dainty; Garland, by the Brocklesby Gamester, 
 out of Lord Fitzhardinge's Modish; 4 years, Wisdom, by the 
 Belvoir Striver, out of Wishful; Monitor and Marmion, by 
 Marplot, out of Matchless; Dexter and Tickler, by Fatal, out 
 of Dainty; 3 years, Wanton and Wary, by Governor, out of 
 Bridesmaid; Lowther, by Lictor, out of Artful; 2 years, 
 Gratitude and Gossip, by Governor, out of Wisdom; Cardinal 
 and Clasher, by Dexter, out of Careful; and 1 year Bertram 
 and Banker, by Dexter, out of Bravery. The same two whips 
 that were with them last season continue on namely, Harry 
 Pacey and Geo. Bollen. The weather has been wretched 
 since they began regular hunting, and Squires tells me that in 
 all his experience, up to the present time, he never knew a 
 worse scenting season. They have had nothing very much 
 worth recording in the way of brilliant runs, but the following 
 " spins" are worth laying before your readers: 
 
 Nov. 27. Met at Shelford Toll. Found plenty of foxes in 
 Neilston Pad, but could not run them a yard, owing to a lift- 
 ing frost. Trotted away to the gorse and the Craig of 
 Carnock, where a brace, if not a leash, of foxes were at once 
 on foot. One broke at the top side, and went away over a 
 nice piece of country to Newton-Mearns, where they threw 
 up. Squires, who was on foot drawing the rocks, met two 
 
45 
 
 couple of hounds coming back into the Craig with a fox, and 
 thinking it was the hunted one, did not get away with the 
 others; but when he got to his hounds, quickly cast them to 
 the left, back over the road, where they picked it up, and 
 hunted him down past Greenbank and Broom to the Rouken, 
 where he went to ground. I noticed some of the officers of 
 the 5th Fusiliers, at present quartered in Glasgow, out, who 
 went well. 
 
 Saturday. Met at Houston, always a favourite meet. 
 Found a brace of foxes in the Scarth, and, after ringing round 
 a bit, ran them into a drain. Found again at West Barlogan. 
 He went out at the top end, as straight as an arrow, to 
 Elphinstone, the hounds racing him, and only three or four 
 who had their eyes open being with them the gallant 
 Master and Squires being " there." The fox never hung in 
 covert, but went out at the top side over the country road 
 and down to the left. Here they got on the line of a dis- 
 turbed outlying fox, and ran heel down to his kennel, but 
 Squires quickly lifted them, and cast over the road to the 
 right, where they picked up the line of the hunted fox, and 
 ran down to the Kilmalcolm Strips. He broke from here 
 within a hundred yards of the hounds, and went away south, 
 leaving Lawfield Gorse on the left, over the Knapps Muir 
 back to West Barlogan, on to Emnely, going through the 
 corner of the covert, went as straight as an arrow down to 
 Bortherwickfield, which he did not enter, but went over the 
 old steeple-chase course, all grass, up the hill through Olives 
 (better known as Spiers' Young Covert). Then, leaving 
 Drums to the right, went away for Barscube Hill, where they 
 fairly ran out of scent. This was a very severe day, and 
 although the latter part of the run was over a fine piece of 
 country, horses and men were so beaten, having been at it for 
 over two hours, that they were rolling about in all directions 
 at the finish. 
 
 Saturday, 18 (Bishopton). Found at once in the Ferry 
 Wood. The fox broke away through Drums and right over 
 Barscube Hill, where, a thick mist coming on, only those who 
 
46 
 
 were well with the hounds ever saw them again. The fox having 
 lain down on the heather during the mist, was almost stept 
 on by Mr. C. Couper's horse, when he jumped up, and went 
 away down the hill a " clipper " to Finlayston, through which 
 covert he went as far as the Broadfield boundary wall, and 
 then, turning short back, they killed him at the low lodge 
 time 17J minutes, without a check. Owing to the mist, only 
 a few who were close to them when the fox jumped up on 
 the moor saw anything of it, namely, Colonel Buchanan, 
 Squires, Messrs. C. Couper, Campbell, Thorburn, Hinshaw, 
 Holms, and Dr. Wolsey of the 5th Fusiliers. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 On Tuesday the 25th the above pack met at Crookston 
 Castle, and had in the afternoon one of the best runs of the 
 season. After drawing Crookston Wood blank which was 
 not to be wondered at, as they have killed two brace of foxes 
 there this season they trotted on to Hawkhead, a sure find, 
 where a brace of foxes were at once on foot, one of which 
 broke over the wall to the south, towards the Raise Wood, 
 and then to ground. Went back to Hawkhead and got on 
 the line of the other fox, but he was so dreadfully mobbed by 
 the field that " Who 1 -hoop " was very soon the word. Here it 
 would not be out of place to give a word of advice to a large 
 number of persons who come out to hunt, subscribing nothing 
 to the hounds, and deliberately riding over sown grass and 
 wheat whenever they get a chance ; in fact, going out of their 
 way to do it, annoying the Master, and causing great damage. 
 It would add greatly to their own safety, and the comfort of 
 regular hunting men, if such parties would stick to the roads. 
 After this little digression, we will proceed with our narrative. 
 In going up to the first gorse at Fereneze, the farmer informed 
 
47 
 
 the huntsman tha,t he had seen a fox come up from the Raise 
 into the covert, and he proved to be correct, as the moment 
 they were thrown in a fox broke towards Trees ; the hounds 
 flashed out to the north-east, but, swinging back, picked it up, 
 and went away, leaving Trees to the left, down past West 
 Arthurlie, round the bottom of the hill, passing Mains and 
 Killoch; he then turned straight up the hill, as if his point was 
 the Kippielaw, but did not go into the wood. Here some over- 
 zealous riders went on along the road to the left, and, as the 
 scent was rather catching, caused the hounds to swing too 
 far to the south; but old Squires, by a judicious cast, hit it 
 off to the west side of the Duchielaw, and away they raced, 
 inclining rather towards Hawkhead. At a rather nasty boggy 
 wall a member of the Hunt got a nasty fall, pitching on to his 
 head in a bog, and came up, as poor Tom Oliver used to say, 
 looking seven ways for Sunday. A slight check took place at 
 a small water-course, but they got on his line to the left at 
 once, and went away at a rattling pace for Gleniffer, near 
 which wood the gallant Master got a nasty purl, his horse 
 putting his foot in a rabbit hole, rolled clean over, but beyond 
 a severe shaking, no harm was done. The fox here went 
 down to the bottom of the covertf, and broke at the Glasgow 
 side, where a gentleman in a black coat, having had the luck 
 to go down the hill, was seen sailing away with them all by 
 himself. The hounds stuck to their fox here beautifully, 
 hunting him in a most patient manner, through a severe storm 
 of hail, down to Glenfield, and then straight up the hill to ground 
 in a drain near Barrhead time, forty-five minutes, with 
 only one check to speak of. Up to Gleniffer which was the 
 cream of the thing the most prominent men were Colonel 
 Buchanan, Mr. Couper, on "Lottery;" Mr. Hinshaw, on 
 " Bud worth ;" Mr. Addie, Mr. R Kidston, Old Squires, and a 
 very promising " young 'un," Mr. Dunlop, younger of Tollcross, 
 who rides well and forward. As the day was very stormy, a 
 number of sportsmen from Featherbedforshire had gone home 
 before the run, which was much to be regretted, as they lost 
 a very good thing. 
 
CAPITAL DAY'S SPORT WITH THE AYRSHIRE 
 HARRIERS. 
 
 Saturday, 28th March. Met at the Wallace Monument, 
 one of the highest points in Ayrshire, from which a magnifi- 
 cent view is to be had of the surrounding countries, with the 
 bold peaks of Arran in the background. As it was generally 
 supposed to be the last day of the season, a large field 
 assembled to do honour to the popular Master, Mr. Ewen, 
 amongst whom were the Marquis of Ailsa, the Earl of Eglinton, 
 the Hon. Seton Montgomery and the Hon. Mr. Vernon, Capt. 
 Tait of Millrig, Captain Neil and Lady, Captain Finnie of 
 Newfield and Lady, the Misses Anderson, Mr. Adam, younger 
 of Tour, and Miss Adam ; Mr. Fairlie, younger of Coodham ; 
 Col. Hay Boyd, Mr. Cunninghame, Maulside; Mr. Kerr of 
 Cunningham Hall; Messrs. Patrick, Boyd, Houldsworth, 
 Chalmers, Kippen, &c. Before commencing the legitimate 
 business, Captain Neil arranged to have a drag, which was 
 well laid, under his direction, by Mr. Dunlop, over about five 
 miles of a magnificent grass country, with only one ploughed 
 field. They started in a large grass field at Midton, and went 
 away a burster, leaving Fail Water to the left, where, in olden 
 times, as Ramsay says in the " Evergreen," 
 
 " The Friars of Fail drank berry-brown ale, 
 
 The best that ever was tasted; 
 The Monks of Fail made very good kail 
 On Fridays when they fasted." 
 
 From this the line lay past the rabbit wood on to Law, and 
 up over Pisgah. Here, in a small spinney, a brace of foxes 
 jumped up, and the hounds, changing from the drag, went 
 away racing down the hill towards Little Foulton. Mr. 
 Ewen, however, got them quickly stopped, and laid on the 
 line again back at Pisgah, where they ran down the hill past 
 Barnweill old church, and on to Craigie Byre to finish. As 
 the day was intensely hot, a halt was now called, and an 
 adjournment made to one of Captain Neil's farm-houses, 
 
49 
 
 where an excellent luncheon was provided for all comers. 
 After the usual coffee-housing was over, a move was made to 
 the meadows, where a hare was at once found at Midton. 
 They went away at a great pace towards Caldrongill on to 
 High Landside, from this to the ]eft to Low Landside, and 
 then down the hollow and up over Barnweill Hill. Here a 
 slight check took place, as the hare turned sharp to the left 
 down the road, and the hounds flashed over; but quickly 
 getting on the right line again, they raced away up the hill to 
 Craigie village, where she gave them the slip. The distance 
 the hounds went was about four miles, with only one check, 
 over the finest country in the world; and from the fact of Mr. 
 Ewen's pack consisting chiefly of draft fox-hounds, the pace 
 they went was tremendous, nothing but a well-bred one being 
 able to live with them. Found another hare near Fail, and 
 ran up to the monument, back down the hill, and killed 
 thus finishing as fine a day's sport as any one could wish for. 
 
 SPLENDID RUN WITH LORD EGLINTON'S 
 FOX-HOUNDS, 
 
 With the exception of one or two small spins, these hounds 
 have had little or no sport this season. On Tuesday, however, 
 they had one of the best runs it has fallen to the lot of most 
 sportsmen to see. The meet was Tawthorne Toll. After 
 rattling them about a little in the morning, they found a real 
 good " 'tin " in the Deane Covert. He broke over the road, 
 pointing straight for Kilmaurs Mains. " Go along," cries Cox; 
 " the beauties are streaming over the cream of the country, 
 and catch 'em if you can." And sure enough it was a cracker, 
 as they went almost straight as an arrow to Priestown (the 
 best of them not being able to live with the hounds), where 
 we believe he was brought to hand. Distance from find to 
 finish, ten miles, with hardly what you would call a check. 
 Although the hounds had rather the best of it, his Lordship 
 
 F 
 
50 
 
 Cox, the Hon. G. Montgomerie, Mr. Richard Oswald, yr. of 
 Auchincruive, Mr. J. Cunninghame, Mr. J. H. Houldsworth, 
 and Mr. Middleton, of the 12th Lancers, were not very far off 
 from the darlings. We hope that this run is only a beginning 
 of many good things that we may have the pleasure of 
 chronicling in the pages of the Herald. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 LAST DAY IN BENFKEWSHIRE RUN OF THE SEASON. 
 
 Tuesday, 10th. Met at Crofthead, drew Glanderston Gorse, 
 the Wauk Mill Glen, and Patterton round covert blank; but 
 the moment the hounds were thrown into the Rouken, a sure 
 find, a brace and a half of foxes were at once on foot, but, 
 unfortunately, from the field surrounding the glen, a brace 
 were chopped. While the funeral obsequies were being per- 
 formed an old dog was viewed away over the Kilmarnock 
 Road. Squires lost no time in getting on his line, and away 
 they went a burster past the Cleugh and on to Greenbank, 
 where the fox turned to the right, as if the Netherton Braes was 
 his point, but, changing his mind, went straight up the country 
 parallel with the Eaglesham Road, then, turning more to the 
 right, he crossed the Earn Water near Hazletonhead, going 
 round Hazleden, the residence of the indefatigable Secretary 
 of the Hunt. Here he made a curious turn round Southfield 
 House and back across the Clarkston Toll Road down to 
 Mearns Castle, going back almost in a line with the road 
 passing Kirkhill round Greenbank, and on leaving Capelrig 
 to the left nearly to Patterton, where they fairly ran into him 
 in the open. Time, one hour and ten minutes, with two 
 small checks; distance, the way the hounds went, twelve 
 miles. This was a very fine run, and if it had not been for a 
 wire now and then, which gave the hounds rather the advan- 
 tage, would have been perfect. 
 
51 
 
 Tuesday, 17th. Met at Gleniffer to finish the season in 
 Renfrewshire. Found a brace of foxes in the Fereneze Gorse, 
 and, after one or two very pretty rings round the hills, ran 
 both to ground in some old drains. Went on to the Game 
 Wood, and found at once. He broke at the south side, down 
 the hill, past Low Capellie Farm-house. (Just as the hounds 
 went away, an old and enthusiastic member of the Hunt got a 
 bad fall, breaking his collar bone.) The fox then turned 
 sharp up the hill, going straight as an arrow to Middleton 
 Wood. Squires, getting first over a boggy ditch in the hollow, 
 led with the hounds up to the top of the hill, where the most 
 of the field got up, and met the hounds streaming out of the 
 wood. He then raced away over the top of Corkindale Law, 
 inclining rather to the left down to Loch Libo, where this 
 gallant fox did not hang an instant, but went out at the 
 bottom end to Caldwell, the hounds racing for blood. Being 
 dead beat, he lay down in the new garden ; but jumping up 
 in view of the hounds, they raced him across the avenue, over 
 the Lugton Inn Road and back again, nearly down to the inn, 
 where they killed him. Time, thirty-eight minutes, without 
 the semblance of a check, and all grass; distance, seven miles. 
 This run was acknowledged by all those who had the good 
 luck to be in it as the best of the season, being as straight as 
 an arrow and all sound going, with no fences too big for either 
 hounds or horses. A word of praise is due to M'Pherson, Mr. 
 Graham's keeper, who admirably carries out his masters 
 views with regard to always having foxes in his fine grass 
 country. 
 
 THE SPORTING RUN WITH THE LOTHIANS 
 FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 Last week a large number of redcoats, accompanied by a 
 sprinkling of the fair sex, assembled to meet the popular 
 Master of the above pack at Bangour House. Amongst those 
 
52 
 
 present were two well-known members of a west country pack, 
 who used to have very good sport with Jack Fleming and the 
 Hon. Mr. Sandilands over this country in days gone by. I 
 am informed that the field was in great luck, as the hounds 
 had the best run that has taken place since Mr. Hope took 
 the management of this pack. They found a "good 'un" at 
 once in the old Bangour Covert. He went away due west, 
 nearly to Cairnpapple, then turned up the hill to the right, 
 where a slight check occurred. Up to this they had been 
 going a cracker; time, sixteen minutes. They then went to the 
 strips to the right of Wallhouse, and on to Lothcote, leaving 
 Cochleroi to the right, and down towards Linlithgow; he then 
 turned up again, going over a nice bit of country to Champ- 
 fleurie, and bending away up hill they lost him. Time, from 
 find to finish, one hour thirty minutes. It was stated by 
 some of the old hunting men that the above run was one of 
 the finest they have ever seen in this country. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " Of all our British manly sports 
 
 Fox-hunting is the best ; 
 In spite of wars and petty jars 
 That sport has stood the test." 
 
 I am sorry I have had so few opportunities of chronicling 
 the doings over hill and dale of the above pack as yet; but 
 the fact is the Fates have been against me. Never in the 
 recollection of the oldest hunting man has there been such a 
 season. Last year was bad enough in all conscience; but, 
 with the exception of one or two good hunting days at the 
 commencement of the season, the curlers have had it all their 
 own way. Most unaccountably, at the beginning of the hunt- 
 ing in Renfrewshire foxes were running about like rabbits, 
 but latterly, although most of the keepers say they see a 
 
53 
 
 " tod " almost every day when they are out shooting, still, 
 when the hounds come, they are non est. This may be 
 accounted for by the fact that there are in Renfrewshire a 
 great many capital outlying patches of gorse; and I think if 
 Squires, instead of trusting too much to his regular coverts, 
 were (as Lord Eglinton used to do) to draw his hounds 
 oftener through such places, he might drop on a fox now and 
 then. 
 
 Tuesday, 7th. Met at Crookston, but the mist was so bad 
 that, after waiting an hour, it. was no use, so home was the 
 word. 
 
 Thursday, 9th. A bye day at the same meet. Found in 
 Crookston, and chopped. Went over to Hawkhead, where a 
 fox was at once on foot. He broke across to Crookston, and 
 on to Pollok, where he was lost. I am sorry to say that the 
 whole of the fine Fereneze country was afterwards drawn 
 blank. 
 
 Saturday, llth (Bishopton). This meet in olden times 
 was generally considered the crack one of the season, but 
 times have changed. Knockmountain is not as it used to be. 
 Drew Erskine blank, but the keeper here had the misfortune 
 to lose two foxes in the thaw, they having been drowned by 
 the flooding of a drain. Trotted on to Westferry, which 
 apparently was drawn blank, although it was reported a fox 
 had been seen at the low end. A skedaddle took place from 
 the covert after some young hounds " running riot," the field 
 going off at a score, thinking it was a fox. 
 
 " I can hardly describe all the frolic and fun 
 Which always takes place in the start for a run, 
 But must quote the old proverb, howe'er trite and lame, 
 That the foot-people often see half of the game." 
 
 When the hounds ran up into High Drums Covert a fox went 
 away up through Park-Erskine Glen. Here a gentleman in 
 black tally'd the fox, in covert, and turned him from his 
 point, which was evidently Barscube. Going across Dargavel 
 Burn he turned up to the right, leaving Corslie Covert, and 
 went on to Elphinstone to ground. Very fast while it lasted. 
 
54 
 
 I cannot understand why the earth here should not have been 
 stopped, as when the hounds meet at Bishopton, and draw 
 the coverts in the vicinity, a fox is generally forced to fly to 
 the high country. The rest of the day was spent in drawing 
 covert after covert blank. It was, however, a very raw, cold 
 day, with a good deal of snow in the high country, and " Mr. 
 Tod" may have been very sensibly underground. 
 
 A good deal of amusement was caused the Monday follow- 
 ing by a man leading a fox by a string up and down past the 
 Western Club, a wag suggesting that no doubt he had heard 
 of the scarcity of that animal on the last day's hunting, and 
 had come to offer the fox to some prominent member of the 
 Hunt to ensure a find at their next meet. 
 
 Tuesday, 14th (Bridge of Weir). The moment the hounds 
 were thrown into the long covert (East Torr) a brace, if not a 
 leash, of foxes were on foot, thanks to that keen preserver of 
 foxes, Mr. Graham 
 
 " Hark the loud peal begins the clamorous joy, 
 The gallant chiding loads the trembling air.'' 
 
 Somerville. 
 
 The fox went away east, leaving Bridge of Weir to the left, 
 and on over the Locher Water to what is known by hunting 
 men as M'Call's Covert; being headed here, he turned back 
 over a fine line of grass country with some thumping walls, and 
 was run to ground at Carruth. This was a very good twenty- 
 five minutes. Went back to East Torr, where a fox broke at 
 the east end, and went away over all those large grass fields on 
 to Auchincloich. Here he was coursed by a collie dog, turned 
 back to the hounds, and eventually run into the open, after a 
 good hunting run of forty minutes. Not content, Glentyan was 
 then drawn, from which they had a very smart spin of about 
 twenty minutes, and another kill in the open. Although this 
 was what may be called a " ringing day," still it was one of 
 the best they have had this season, as in all three runs they 
 had the hounds with them most of the time. 
 
 Thursday, 16th (Castlemilk). Found in the banks as 
 usual. The general line of a fox from this covert is the 
 
55 
 
 Castlemilk country, but on this occasion he went in quite a 
 different direction, going away across the Cart, towards Busby. 
 The first whip, Mr. J. Hamilton of Green bank, and Mr. Collins 
 got well over, but a well-known member of the " Glasgow iron 
 ring," who followed, got into a hole (where I recollect seeing 
 John Harrison nearly drowned long ago), and was left for 
 drowned, the pace being too good to stop and pick him out; 
 however, I am glad to say he got up to the hounds afterwards. 
 The field all went round by the bridge at Lynn. The hounds 
 went at a slashing pace over the road, leaving Williamwood 
 to the right, on past Greenbank to ground at the Broom. 
 George, the first whip, was the only man with them. It is a 
 great pity the field did not " knick " in, as they went over a 
 fine line, with, strange to say, little wire. Went back to 
 Castlemilk, and had a very sharp burst up to Dechmont Hill, 
 where they lost him. A new and keen member of the Hunt, 
 mounted on the "Sard," went well in both runs; and I only 
 hope that, although not a hunting man before, he having now 
 tasted of the joys of the "noble science," will be keener than 
 ever. Hoping that, now the mild weather has set in, I may 
 have some good runs to chronicle in your pages, I can only 
 wind up with the following lines: 
 
 "The dream is o'er; what more is in the chase, 
 
 ' The love chase,' when all's o'er but a sweet dream ! 
 A dream in which the fancy goes her pace; 
 
 A dream of tree, and field, and sunlit stream, 
 And gloomy hollows, where the fern decays, 
 
 Yet makes the foxes' solitude. I seem 
 Lost in my vision. Off, light thoughts, begone ! 
 
 'Tis but fox-hunting that I write upon. " 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 "Though scarlet in colour our clothing, 
 Our pinks may be tinged in their hue, 
 The red cap of liberty loathing, 
 Each sportsman's at heart a true blue ; 
 
56 
 
 Through life 'tis our sworn resolution 
 To stick to the pig-skin and throne ; 
 We are all for a good constitution ! 
 Each man taking care of his own." 
 
 The above lines, slightly altered from rt Bailey," will, I think, 
 express the feelings of most sportsmen, and in spite of all the 
 Dilkes to the fore ! there does not seem to be any falling off 
 in the followers of the most popular and health-giving sport 
 in the three kingdoms. Long may such be the state of 
 matters. 
 
 Tuesday, 1878. Met at Castlernilk, where Captain Stuart 
 dispensed his usual hospitality; after which a move was 
 made to Netherton Braes, where they found at once, but, 
 unfortunately, the fox got to ground in the rocks. Drew 
 Castlemilk lower woods blank. A good number of foxes have 
 been killed hunting this year at Castlemilk, and even the 
 best coverts are sometimes blank from some unaccountable 
 cause. Every one knows, as I have had occasion to say 
 before, that Hunter is as keen a preserver as his master could 
 wish, so it is not his fault. Found in the u Muir " and ran 
 down to Cathkin, where he went to ground in a drain; after 
 an hour's digging he bolted, and Squires giving him good law, 
 they went away a burster up the hill, back to where they found 
 him. Disdaining, however, to enter the covert, and no doubt 
 being hard pressed, turned to the right, rather pointing 
 for Carmunnock, but went away towards Chapelhill and 
 crossed the Kittoch water; going along the banks he re- 
 crossed the burn, and turned up towards Limekilns, and 
 leaving the coverts on the right, crossed the Kilbride road, 
 and was run to ground in a drain quite close to Old Frams 
 house at Calderwood, just about ten yards in front of the 
 hounds. Time, forty minutes, without a check, over an entirely 
 grass country. But, alas! I have once more to condemn that 
 dreadful system of man-traps, namely, running wire through a 
 hedge which is hardly visible, until you are made aware of 
 the fact by a frightful " cropper." If it had not been for 
 these " stoppers," this run would have been perfect. Captain 
 
57 
 
 Bunbury, Scots Greys, who went well, did a thing I have read 
 about, but never heard authenticated. At one of the wire 
 fences he got off, laid his red coat over the wire, and then led 
 his horse over. Towards the finish the hounds rather split, 
 but those who were first up when the fox went to ground 
 were Messrs. Durham Kippen, Peter Whyte, John Reid, yr. 
 of Gallowflat, A. Chalmers, Geo. Kidston, Captain Bunbury, 
 and Mr. Stuart, yr. of Castlemilk. That veteran sportsman, 
 Mr. A. Scott, also went well throughout. I was sorry to miss 
 the face of a keen sportsman at the meet whom no weather 
 ever stops. I hear he is temporarily confined to his room, 
 but everyone hopes soon to see him again at the covert side. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " I have lived my life, I am not yet done : 
 
 I have played the game all round ; 
 But I freely admit that the best of my fun 
 I owe it to horse and hound. " 
 
 Kilmalcolm, 30th November, 1873. There was an old 
 saying, " Out of the world into Kilmalcolm;" and for a great 
 many years the village was one of the oldest-fashioned in 
 Scotland. Since Col. Buchanan bought the Finlayston estate 
 the aspect of affairs has completely changed. Most of the old 
 hovels have been demolished, excellent houses erected in their 
 place, and Kilmalcolm bids fair, from the salubrity of the 
 atmosphere, and the easy access to Glasgow, Greenock, and 
 Paisley, to become a rising locality. To show the antiquity 
 of the old part of the village, I noticed one cottage with the 
 date 1626 over the door. By the way, a good deal of mis- 
 apprehension exists with regard to the meaning of the name 
 Kilmalcolm, most people thinking that the name originally 
 arose from the fact that St. Malcolm was a martyr in the 
 locality. This, however, is a mistake. The name was 
 originally " Kilmalcolm," or the burying-place of St. Malcolm. 
 
 G 
 
58 
 
 But I am running away with the harrows. There was a very 
 large field out, and I was very glad to see a number of young 
 faces, who, I hope, although they may come to grief now and 
 then at starting, will not give it up if they have one or two 
 falls, but stick boldly to the noble science of fox-hunting. 
 The Colonel intended to draw the Slates first, and then 
 come round by Craigmarlock, but as the morning was so thick, 
 Squires thought it would be better to take the other side of 
 the country. Found at once in Auchenbothie Gorse; in fact, 
 I viewed the fox away from the covert before the hounds were 
 thrown in. He went back, however, and they ran him round 
 the west end (where I think another fox went away to 
 Craigmarlock), and he broke down the hill over a little boggy 
 hollow as if for the strips, but went along the west side 
 of the road, and up over the Kilmalcolm and Finlayston 
 road, and tried the earth at Knockmountain. Finding no 
 refuge there, he then went to the left, over the high part 
 where the original covert was (rather a nasty drop to 
 negotiate), and down over the above-mentioned hill to the 
 west end of Finlayston, where they ran him to ground in the 
 rocks above the Greenock road. This was a very pretty 
 twenty minutes, and as hard as they could " leg" it all the way 
 without a check. Trotted up to a small part of gorse, near 
 what they call Brodie's Wood. It is a curious fact that, when 
 the Colonel has been out shooting, he has invariably put out 
 a fox from this whin; and just as Squires was going up to the 
 covert, so sure was he that he would be at home, and afraid 
 that he would chop him, cracking his whip, out he went like 
 an arrow. The hounds ran him through Craigmarlock and 
 down to the Dam. Leaving Castle Hill to the left, the fox went 
 over the water. Here the field lost sight of the hounds, as 
 they went round the side of a small hill on to Auchindores. 
 The Colonel, thinking they were bending for Knockmountain, 
 jumped into the road, and the field followed. At this point, 
 the second whip, who had collected three couple and a half of 
 hounds, must have headed him, and, riding down the Finlay- 
 ston road, turned off to the right with these hounds. Seeing 
 
59 
 
 the whip, the Colonel thought he must have viewed the 
 running hounds. This, however, was not the case. I viewed 
 the body of the pack take their fox (which was only 150 
 yards ahead of them) up to Midhill Gorse. Galloping down 
 the road, the field met the hounds coming down into West 
 Finlayston, and here " Mr. Fox," as the writer of " Happy 
 Thoughts" calls him, had a narrow squeak for it, as they 
 were just at his brush. He managed, however, to give 
 them the slip, and went away by Burnside over Barscube Hill, 
 a regular pumper. Squires had a cropper here. His horse 
 put his foot in a hole, stumbled, and the old gentleman rolled 
 off, I am happy to say, without injury. While he was down, 
 the Colonel offered to wait for him, but the old man, with 
 his usual pluck, cried out, " Go on, Colonel; it will take you 
 all your time to catch 'em." Going down the hollow there 
 was some slow hunting, and a party from Paisley, on a " woe 
 begone" jade, which looked as if he felt unhappy outside the 
 knacker's yard, pressed the hounds. Squires cried out to him, 
 " If you have a wife and family, for goodness' sake don't go so 
 near my hounds, as, if you do, they will eat both your horse 
 and yourself." But Mr. Graham's keeper hollo'd them on, and, 
 going up through Muirtown, they ran him into Elphinstone. 
 It is a question if they did not change foxes here. One 
 broke as if for Clives, but, being headed, went back, and 
 breaking at the same point, went up to the above-mentioned 
 covert. Mr. Durham Kippen (who had a fall in the run, but, 
 luckily, was not hurt) viewed him, and informs me that he 
 thinks it was not the run fox that went on. The Colonel, 
 however, tells me he is inclined to think that they must have 
 changed in Elphinstone, as he viewed a fox dead beat before 
 the hounds, and told the whip to be sure and stop them if 
 they got on to the fresh fox. As bad luck would have it, 
 however, the hounds slipped out at the east corner, and raced 
 their fox back through Muirtown to ground at Clives. This 
 was as fine an hour and a quarter as these hounds have had 
 this year, and the scent was wonderful over every sort of 
 ground. A word of praise is due to Mr. Hay, the Finlayston 
 
60 
 
 keeper, for his excellent show of foxes, and he ably carries out 
 the views of the lessee of the shooting, to take care of them 
 like "babies." I am sorry to hear very bad accounts of 
 " vulpecidism" on the march of the county; but I am informed 
 that the statement made as to the number of foxes killed is 
 very much exaggerated. I have another grievance, " wire," 
 which, I am sorry to say, is becoming prevalent in our best 
 country, and I can only conclude this account by Whyte 
 Melville's protest: 
 
 " You may bore the blackthorn and top the oak rail, 
 Here courage can serve, and there craft can avail ; 
 The seasoned old horse does his timber with ease, 
 The young 'uns jump water as wide as you please ; 
 But the wisdom of age, and the four-year-old's fire, 
 Are helpless alike if you ride 'em at wire." 
 
 The above day's sport was, taking it all in all, one of the 
 best I ever saw; and my only regret was that the gentleman 
 with the umbrella arrived too late to see any of the fun. 
 
 BRILLIANT RUN WITH THE LANARKSHIRE 
 AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 SIR, It is a curious fact that very often when the Colonel 
 takes the hounds down to Renfrewshire for a day's cub- 
 hunting they have a "clipper," and on Saturday last one of 
 the best runs took place over the cream of their country that 
 the Colonel tells me he has ever seen. The meet was 
 Kilmalcolm, and it was much to be regretted that there were 
 so few out even cub-hunting, as, although the ten o'clock train 
 to Kilmalcolm only stopped for riders, still, if they had con- 
 sulted their time tables, they would have found that Port- 
 Glasgow would have suited quite as well, as it is only about 
 three miles from there to Craigmarlock, the first covert drawn. 
 Did not draw Auchenbothie Gorse, but trotted on to Craig- 
 marlock, where a brace, if not a leash, of foxes were on foot, 
 
61 
 
 which were well rattled about, as also in the gorse above 
 Finlayston, but without a "Who'-hoop." The moment the 
 hounds were thrown into the east gorse above Finlayston 
 House there was an immediate "chorus/' and a fox broke 
 straight up the hill to the west of Bogside Farm, and going to 
 the east of Knockmountain, he turned up over Barscube Hill 
 to the north of the Eden Farm. Then going along the north 
 side, the Colonel thought he went into the top side of Park 
 Erskine Glen, above Drums; and not wishing to disturb Mr. 
 Graham's coverts, he and the field following rode down the 
 glen on purpose to stop the hounds; but the hunted fox had 
 never gone into the covert, but just skirting the top end 
 turned sharp to the right, and nine and a-half couple of 
 hounds raced him through Muirtown Covert on to Elphin- 
 stone. Here Squires lost his running hounds. Standing 
 on the highest point of Knockmountain, Mr. Aitken's 
 keeper (a keen preserver of foxes) and myself, on foot, 
 were astonished to see the nine and a-half couple come 
 racing down the hill from Elphinstone without a soul 
 near them. Crossing the Dargavel Burn, they then ran 
 up along the wall that leads up to the road, down to Fin- 
 layston, as if the fox was going back to bis old quarters; 
 but turning to the left, they crossed the hollow, and casting 
 our eyes forward, we viewed a small dark coloured fox making 
 for the gorse; but seeing us as he turned round the bottom, 
 not going up to the main earth, he went on down through the 
 hollow up to the strips, and, leaving the Doctor's house to the 
 right, went away to the left of the village of Kilmalcolm, and 
 was run into just a little above the Buchanan Arms, without 
 a rider within five miles of them. Young Mr. Stoddart 
 (Broadfield), happening to be coming up from the train, saw 
 the "kill," and picking up the fox, went away in search of 
 Squires; but I have not heard as yet if he fell in with him. 
 The event caused quite a sensation in the village. Up to 
 Park Erskine Glen there was no check and all grass, and the 
 Colonel and Mr. D. Kippen, who were in it, inform me that 
 it was as nice a twenty-five minutes as they have ever seen in 
 
62 
 
 Renfrewshire, and all the hounds up, which is saying a great 
 deal for young 'uns. I can say that from the time I saw them 
 coming over the hill from Elphinstone they never had a sem- 
 blance of a check, and the time from find to finish would be 
 about fifty minutes. From what I hear, some of them had 
 quite enough at Drums from the pace they went, and I doubt 
 very much if any horse could have lived with them to the 
 finish. Colonel Buchanan was within a hundred yards of his 
 " beauties " all the way to where they were thrown out; and 
 Mr. George Kidston, Mr. Durham Kippen, and young Mr. 
 Arthur were in their usual places. The opening meet of the 
 above pack will take place here, to-day, at the Kennels, an 
 account of which I hope to give in your next edition. 
 
 SPLENDID RUN WITH THE LANARKSHIRE AND 
 RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 Saturday, 8th March. Met at Bridge of Weir; one of the 
 largest fields I have seen this season, the Meet being graced 
 by an unusual number of the fair sex. The morning was 
 everything that a sportsman could wish for, and the universal 
 remark was, "There must be scent to-day." As old John 
 Harrison used to say, " Scent, sir, is a thing nobody knows 
 anything about till they try;" and my advice to young 
 sportsmen is always to say, "I think the scent will be bad to- 
 day," and if their predictions don't turn out correct so much 
 the better. Old John was right when he stated scent was an 
 enigma. I have seen hounds at Shotts running with a breast- 
 high scent over " snow " in the open, and when they went 
 into covert, where the snow was melted, throw their noses up. 
 Again, I have seen them running in the open, where the 
 snow was lying, hardly speaking to it, and whenever they went 
 into covert where snow was lying, racing after their fox; such 
 is scent, and on Saturday we had a very good idea of this. 
 Drew the Scarth and West Barlogan blank, but a fox 
 jumped up on the Knapps Muir, and ran to ground in the 
 
63 
 
 hollow, supposed to be a vixen. Found again in Lawfield 
 Gorse, and ran with a catching scent round by Ennely towards 
 the Scarth, and on to Botherwick Field, where they lost him. 
 Drew the Wreas, Muirtown, and Elphinstone blank, but there 
 seemed to be a slight " drag," as the hounds feathered every 
 now and then, as if a fox had gone away before them; how- 
 ever, they made nothing of it. Went back to Corslie Gorse, 
 on the Barrochan estate, where, it is needless to say, Scott has 
 always a fox, and of course he was at home. The fox broke 
 at the top end, and went up towards Muirtown ; leaving this 
 covert on the left, he then bent away down over the Dargavel 
 Burn, and up over Barscube Hill. Some of those who had 
 been racing "jealous " pretty well pumped. In going down 
 on the other side, Mr. Wallace, the sporting Glasgow dentist, 
 who seems to lead a charmed life with hounds (although, I 
 must say, always riding good cattle), jumped a wall with a 
 wire along the top, stumped the field, and had it all to himself 
 down to Westferry. .After crossing Barscube, the line lay past 
 Gleddock. Not hanging in the Ferry Wood, this gallant fox 
 went straight on to Castle Hill, and leaving Drums to the 
 right, went down the hollow over a magnificent bit of country, 
 and was run to ground in a drain at Dargavel; time, fifty 
 minutes, without a check. Those who were in the cream of 
 it were Col. Buchanan, up to Barscube, Messrs. D. Kippen, 
 Watson, P. White, Wilson, Hunter, Smith, W. S. Stuart, yr. 
 of Castlemilk, J. Hill, George Kidston, A. Crum, and a well- 
 known old sportsman. A ludicrous incident happened to Mr. 
 Watson's hunter on the way back. The horse, being taken 
 suddenly with an attack of the megrims, lay down, and made 
 vigorous efforts to depart this life; so much so, that Mr. Watson 
 walked home, and sent his servant down to report progress. 
 The servant returned and said the horse was " defunct," and 
 the only thing that was wanted was a knacker cart ! 
 However, during dinner a messenger came up, and reported 
 the horse had come to life again; and after being judiciously 
 treated by young Mr. Cockburn, V.S., is now, I am happy to 
 say, all right. 
 
64 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 "There are soul-stirring chords in the fiddle and flute, 
 
 When dancing begins in the hall, 
 And a goddess in muslin, that's likely to suit, 
 
 Is the mate of your choice for the ball ; 
 But the player may strain every finger in vain, 
 
 And the fiddler may rosin his bow, 
 Nor flourish, nor string, such rapture will bring 
 
 As the music of sweet Tally-ho !" 
 
 I can imagine some of your fair readers perusing the above 
 verse of Whyte Melville's, and saying, "There's that rude 
 Stringhalt putting fox-hunting before dancing;" but I can 
 assure the dear creatures that this is far from my intention. 
 I have always found that genuine sportsmen, and especially 
 fox-hunters, are most assiduous in their attention to the fair 
 sex; and whenever their services are required in getting up 
 assemblies, &c., &c., it is never " hoick-back," and most of 
 'em can hold their own when "tripping the light fantastic 
 toe" against the majority of the "Jeunesse dore" who do 
 not hunt. I must now struggle through an account of the 
 " run of the season," and it is with a good deal of difficulty I 
 do so, as, having had the pleasure of writing so many 
 accounts of sport with these hounds this season, it is difficult 
 to vary one's accounts. 
 
 Saturday, 11. Met at Craigends one of the largest meets 
 I have seen this season. After partaking freely of the hospi- 
 tality of the Laird, Squires trotted off, and drew the west 
 covert blank. Just as he had drawn his hounds out, and was 
 going towards the north covert, he cried to the Colonel, " I 
 think I heard a hollo! sir." It appears that the footpeople 
 had disturbed the covert, and a fox had broken away down 
 the avenue and through the lodge gate. Although hardly 
 applying to this run, I cannot help quoting again from 
 Melville 
 
65 
 
 " A fox for a hundred! they know it the pack, 
 
 Old " Chorister" always speaks true ; 
 And the whip from the corner is told to come back, 
 
 And forbid to go on for a view. 
 Now, the varmint is spied as he crosses the ride 
 
 A tough old campaigner I trow 
 Long, limber, and grey, see him stealing away, 
 
 Half a minute ! and then Tally-ho ! " 
 
 The moment the hounds went out at the gate they picked 
 it up, ran up the road a little, and then turned to the right, 
 round the back of Houston House; and going through the 
 small plantation, they crossed over the bye-road from Houston 
 to Barrochan, and raced over to the main road, leaving the 
 farm-house to the left, where at our first steeple-chases we used 
 to get weighed. The fox then bent up towards Olives, but 
 turned down to the left, and went over the old steeple-chase 
 ground across the Wreas Road, down over a rather nasty bit 
 in the hollow to Botherwickfield. Up to this point they had 
 been going a " clipper;" but as the fences were small, most of 
 the field managed to live with them. The fox did not hang 
 in covert, but broke away to the right, and, leaving Ennely to 
 the left, went up the hill to the Wreas. "Hoick-forrard," no 
 chance of getting a pull at your horse, as they went on without 
 a check down through the stacks at Shovelbread Farm to 
 Muirtown. The hounds went through the north end and up 
 to Elphinstone. A number of the field at this point, not 
 being very well forward, rode straight through Kilallan old 
 wood up to Elphinstone, and "knicked" in. The hunted fox 
 did not go into the covert, but turned to the right (a fresh fox 
 jumped up on the moor above Elphinstone, " Chorister" and 
 another hound going away with him to the Kilmalcolm strips), 
 went down over the Dargavel Burn, up over Barscube Hill, 
 and down through Netherton Covert to West Ferry, where this 
 gallant fox saved his brush by going to ground ; being com- 
 pletely out of the country which the Colonel intended drawing, 
 the earths were open. It was generally agreed that this was 
 the run of the season. Time, fifty minutes ; distance eight 
 miles, with hardly what you would call a check. The hounds 
 
 H 
 
66 
 
 flashed out at Botherwickfield, and there was a slight check 
 above Elphinstone; but if it had not been for these "pauses," 
 nobody would have been able to keep up with the hounds, 
 owing to the state of the country. Up to the Wreas there is 
 no doubt the Colonel could not be caught, "besting" most of 
 the "fast 'uns." The Lord -Lieutenant was in his usual place 
 at the finish; and his eldest son, Hugh, went like a sportsman 
 from find to finish, and was never very very far off the 
 " darlints." Long may we have the same class of young 
 men to ride straight, and lend us a hand in promoting the 
 noble science of fox-hunting. Amongst the new division, 
 young Mr. Muir and Mr. M'Farlane went well. The old 
 hunting division, whose names it is unnecessary to mention, 
 were in their usual position. I would offer a word of advice 
 to some of the new men out this year. Some of the old 
 members have informed me that several of them (of course 
 through ignorance) are in the habit of "rushing" at gaps, 
 getting over first, and then spurting up the next field, I have 
 no doubt thinking they were doing a great thing. I would 
 advise such gentlemen to be a little modester until they learn 
 a little more about hunting. 
 
 Some of the Ayrshire division were out, and were highly 
 pleased with the run; and Major Naper of the llth, well 
 known as a first-class man with hounds in all countries, and 
 taking a line of his own, was well in at the finish, told the 
 Colonel it was as good as he had seen. Just as the hounds 
 went away, Mr. George Dunlop, Tollcross, got a bad kick, and 
 suffered a good deal; but although having to get off, with his 
 indomitable pluck he was hoisted into the saddle and rode on. 
 Although suffering a good deal of pain, I hear to-day there 
 are no bones broken, andt hat he is going on well ; and all 
 members of the Hunt will be glad to see such a good 'un again 
 in the saddle, going in his usual form. 
 
67 ' 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE 
 FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 " Rouse, boys ! rouse, 'tis a fine hunting morning ; 
 Rouse ! prythee, rouse, let us on to the chase; 
 Let not the time fly whilst you're adorning, 
 But onwards to covert fly at a brisk pace." 
 
 I did not expect to have the pleasure so soon of again 
 giving an account of the doings of this pack; but it never 
 rains but it pours, and really runs are now coming fast and 
 furious, to make up for lost time. 
 
 Saturday, 18th (HowwoodToll). Found at once in the Skiff 
 Wood. After ringing once or twice round the covert, the fox 
 broke at the east end above the rocks pointing to Loch Libo, 
 but bent away rather to the right round to South Castle 
 Walls, and straight on to Overtoun, as if his point was now 
 Caldwell. Being headed here, he turned sharp back by 
 Springside, and down over the road to the Bleachfield. 
 Going round Easterhill, he then went to the left towards the 
 Brimmer, and was run into in the open above Belltrees. Time, 
 thirty-five minutes, without a check. This was a very fine run 
 for hounds, but some nasty boggy places at starting prevented 
 most of the field from getting well away with them. Just as 
 the hounds went away, whilst the riders were going through 
 a gate at a farm-yard, a person rushed out and tried to stop 
 them, and even went the length of catching the reins of an 
 old and respected member of the Hunt; however, a "doughty 
 champion," from the " middle of Renfrewshire," jumped off 
 his horse, and the obnoxious individual was soon disposed of, 
 the riders getting through. As the only field they went over 
 was unsown plough, there could not possibly have been any 
 damage done. 
 
 Found again in Bardrain young covert, and had a very- 
 sharp burst on towards the Skiff, down through Johnstone 
 young covert, and back up the hill again, where, as it was 
 getting late, they whipped off. 
 
68 
 
 Tuesday, 21st (Darnley Toll). Found in the Waulkmill 
 Glen, and went away at once up the hill to Lyoncross Farm. 
 Then, going over the road, they went round the Balgray 
 Reservoir, on past Netherton and Balgraystone to the Craig 
 of Carnock, the fox evidently intending to try the earths. Up 
 to this point it was as straight as an arrow, and only those 
 who were on the south side of the glen got well away with 
 them, namely, the Colonel, Messrs. D. Kippen, Monteith, 
 Davies, 5th Fusiliers; Jackson, and young Cockburn the vet. 
 A slight check took place at the road close to the rocks, which 
 let the field up. The Colonel, by a clever and quick cast, 
 swung the hounds round back over the road, and away they 
 streamed again across the hollow. 
 
 " The jack-snipe started from its dream, 
 The pee-wit answered with a scream; 
 Round and around the sound was cast, 
 Till echo seemed an answering blast." 
 
 The line now lay over the Walton Burn, and down over a 
 nasty wire fence into the road. Going on past Craigton, the 
 fox went over the Middleton Muir to the Dod Hill, where 
 they killed him. This was a very fast thirty minutes, with 
 only one check, and by some was considered very nearly as 
 good as the opening day. 
 
 Saturday, 25th (Broadfield). Drew the Devol's Glen blank, 
 but found in the gorse above Finlayston. Ran down into 
 the low wood and lost. A well-known member of the Hunt, 
 who generally goes very straight, was accused of heading the 
 fox, but from my "Mount Pisgah" view I thought others 
 were to blame as well as him. Drew Knockmountain and 
 adjacent gorses blank; however, at this season of the year it 
 is uncertain where to find foxes, as they are generally going 
 in pairs, and, sure enough, whenever the hounds were thrown 
 into the Kilmalcolm strips, three foxes were viewed away 
 by some labourers draining. The hounds settled down to one, 
 and raced across the hollow, up to Knockmountain. As 
 they went into the gorse they divided, four couple of hounds 
 turning down the hill, but the body of the pack and the field 
 
69 
 
 went right over the old covert and down across the road 
 nearly to Castlehill Farm, where a check took place. Squires 
 cast them forward, when they picked it up again and ran 
 down into Finlayston and lost. It is a singular thing how 
 often a fox is lost here; but there may be "reasons," as there 
 are capital breeding earths here, and it is getting late in the 
 season. 
 
 Tuesday, 28th (Hawkhead). A lawn meet, where Lord 
 Glasgow, with his usual kindness, although not himself pre- 
 sent, provided a most rechercM hunt breakfast for all comers, 
 and an invitation, if anywhere near about luncheon time, to 
 pop in again. Found a brace of foxes in Crookston Wood, 
 one of which, after running up to the top of the covert, was 
 headed by the gentleman on the ride, turned back, and broke 
 at the bottom end. Leaving the burn to the right, he went 
 on to the Barrhead Road; but being headed here, turned to 
 the right into Hawkhead, round the back of the stables, and 
 over the Park wall. Unfortunately, the small wooden gate 
 between the two policy gates was locked, and Squires had to 
 take his hounds round, which must have given the fox at least 
 ten minutes' start. However, Squires, by a judicious cast got 
 on his line again, and they went away, leaving Logansraes to 
 the left, over the Paisley Road, very nearly to Glenfield, as if his 
 point was Gleniffer. Changing his mind, however, he then went 
 straight up the hill, over a fine grass country, to the Duchielaw 
 new covert, and then on to Capellie Plantation, generally called 
 the Game Wood. Here he must have waited for the hounds, 
 being rather beat, as when he broke on the south side they 
 went away a burster, and, turning down the road to the rail- 
 way, went up the hill, and was killed in the open, near 
 Shelford Toll. Time, one hour twenty-five minutes. Although 
 not a racing pace, this was a very fine hunting run, and very 
 nearly straight. With the exception of one young hound, 
 every hound was up at the death. 
 
 The brush was presented to Mr. John Hamilton, of Green- 
 bank, an old member of the Hunt, who used to keep a capital 
 pack of harriers in the Mearns country. 
 
70 
 
 Those gentlemen who knew old Kemp, and recollect the 
 wonderful performances, for a man of his age, after the hounds 
 on foot, would be repaid by a visit to the shop of Mr. Dougall, 
 gunsmith, 23 Gordon Street, where there is at present a life- 
 like bust of the old man, done by a local artist, Mr William 
 Houston, 328 St. Vincent Street. Subscriptions for the bust 
 will be received at the shop. 
 
 EXTRAORDINARY LONG HUNTING RUN WITH 
 THE LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 March 22nd, 1873. I have had the pleasure of writing so 
 many accounts of "good things" with the above pack this 
 season that I am afraid your readers must be beginning to 
 tire of reading them; but I think the sport of Saturday last 
 is almost unprecedented in the annals of the Lanarkshire and 
 Renfrewshire Fox-hounds. Saturday, 18th, met at Finlay- 
 ston, one of the estates of the esteemed Master of the Hounds. 
 The mansion-house and shootings on this estate, most sports- 
 men will be glad to hear, have been leased by that genuine 
 sportsman, Mr. George Kidston. It is needless to say that 
 Hay has always plenty of foxes, and the moment the hounds 
 were thrown in the east gorse a leash were on foot. One 
 broke to the south and went up over the hill, another went on 
 towards Westferry, with two or three couple of hounds. In 
 the meantime the body of the pack were running a fox towards 
 the house. This fox crossed out over the road near the smithy 
 and went up the hill, leaving Knockmountain on the right. 
 The fox then went away with turned back to Finlayston, and 
 the hounds flashing a little crossed the line of the one which 
 went away from the east end, and ran him over Barscube 
 Hill on to Elphinstone to ground. Trotted back to Finlayston, 
 and chopped a fox in the West Covert. Found again in a 
 small gorse near the railway above Broadfield, and came away 
 
71 
 
 at a rattling pace through the north corner of Craigmarlock, 
 down over the Greenock Road, up by Auchenbothy Gorse, and 
 ran into him near Knockmountain. This was a very sharp 
 fifteen minutes. Just as they were running into their fox, 
 Mr. D. Kippen flew a high wall up hill with a paling on it, all 
 the rest of the field going through a gate. As they were on 
 their way home, most of the field having had plenty, a young 
 sportsman, who never cries " enough," requested Squires to 
 make one more draw, and he ran his beauties through Park 
 Erskine Glen, Drums, at 4.10, when the "biggest fox that ever 
 was seen" jumped out of the top strip. Crossing back down 
 over the glen, he went up over the left shoulder of Barscube 
 Hill, and going down over the Dargavel Burn went round the 
 Wreas side of Muirtown, on to Elphinstone. The fox then 
 turned to the right, ran down to the Kilmalcolm strips, and 
 up over Knockmountain. Going straight again back over 
 Barscube, he went up the hill the second time to Elphinstone. 
 Never hanging in covert, although the earth was open, this 
 gallant fox went on, leaving Lawfield Gorse to the right, over 
 High Barlogan, down through West Barlogan; doubling back 
 he came out at the east side, and going through Ennely, went 
 on to the Wreas, where, as it was getting late, and both hounds 
 and horses were completely " baked," Squires stopped the 
 hounds; time, one hour and twenty-five minutes; distance, 
 about twelve miles. Although it was a sort of ring, still they 
 hardly ever checked, but hunted steadily in covert and out of 
 covert all the time, showing that the Colonel's hounds can both 
 race and hunt. The only four that saw the finish were 
 Mr. George Kidston, Mr. W. Campbell, younger of Tillichewan, 
 Mr. J. Wallace, and Squires (who got to his hounds at High 
 Barlogan). Mr. George Smith, Mr. Muir, Mr. Stewart, 
 Mr. William Finlayson, and young Mr. Arthur, went well as 
 long as they could. 
 
 The Clydesdale Beagles, I am informed, had a very good 
 run on Saturday, and accounts from other packs state that 
 there was a wonderful scent in the afternoon. 
 
72 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 "Listening how the hounds and horn 
 Cheer'ly rouse the slumbering morn, 
 From the side of some hoar hill 
 Through the high wood echoing shrill." 
 
 Milton. 
 
 " All hail" the commencement once more of the noble sport 
 of fox-hunting; and although we have only been at the cubs as 
 yet, still, is there any true sportsman's heart that does not 
 rejoice at once more being able to participate in the "sport of 
 kings, the image of war, and only five-and-twenty per cent, 
 of the danger." It is not everybody, if they wish to do so, 
 can play at billiards, cricket, or croquet; but there are very 
 few, from the prince to the peasant, that cannot enjoy a bit of 
 hunting. The cripple on his crutch, the sweep on his " moke," 
 the elderly gentleman on his cob, the pedestrian, the fair sex, 
 and the scarlet-coated subscriber, can all enjoy the exquisite 
 joys of the hunting field; and although those may be found 
 who, from ignorance, denounce fox-hunting, the chase will 
 always find favour as long as horse and hound are available 
 for the recreation of man 
 
 "Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, 
 And the rocks melt wi' the sun, 
 I will loo' thee still, my dear, 
 While the sands o' life may run. " 
 
 What grander sight for any one's eye than a meet of fox- 
 hounds and may we never lose it! Where can coolness 
 and courage be exhibited to greater perfection than the sight 
 of a first-flight man taking a line of his own over a stiff 
 country? and where will you see such nerve and pluck ? How 
 can he tell what is on the other side of every fence? but he 
 resolutely throws his heart over and jumps after it. In the 
 words of an old sportsman : 
 
 "Oh ! if there be in this earthly sphere 
 A moment of bliss a sportsman holds dear, 
 
73 
 
 Tis the last big fence in a run without pause, 
 That makes a man chance his neck in the cause." 
 
 Col. Buchanan has as yet confined his operations mostly to 
 his own district, where there has been a very fair show of 
 cubs; and a word of praise is due to Capt. Colt, Gartsherrie 
 Cottage, and Mr. Jackson, Calder Park, for their excellent show 
 of foxes. Old Squires comes out again like an evergreen, as 
 he is, and it would have done anybody's heart good to have 
 seen him the other day, like a two-year-old, on the steep 
 bank at Calder Park, amongst the "dar lints," working his fox. 
 I am glad to see that old sportsman, John Hendrie, out again; 
 and his "fidus Achates," James Paul, the best of servants, is 
 all there. I am sorry to report no great addition to the rank 
 on the part of the " Jeunesse dore"' of Glasgow, two to one 
 bar one, and the "field a pony," seems to please them better. 
 Lord Eglinton opens on Friday the first November, and the 
 Colonel on the Saturday following, when I hope to be able 
 to give your readers further particulars as to the results of 
 the cub-hunting season. 
 
 "They may rail at this life from the hour I began it 
 
 I have found it a life full of kindness and bliss ; 
 And until they can show me a happier planet, 
 More social and bright, I'll content me with this. 
 
 "As long as one has a strong back and good thighs, 
 
 And can follow the chase, altho' on their feet, 
 They may say what they like of the sport in the skies, 
 But terra firma's the place with a pack that is fleet." 
 
 SPLENDID SPORT WITH THE LANARKSHIRE 
 AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 " The steady bay bearing the huntsman well 
 Within the covert Squires' inspiring cheer, 
 The nervous sterns shaking the dull green dell 
 The anxious skirter of the copse appears ! 
 I 
 
74 
 
 But hark ! the deep unerring tongue, the bell 
 
 Of the dark wood, proclaiming sport is near ! 
 And the view hollo ! when the skulker makes 
 Down the dry ditch, and pressed the open takes." 
 
 Bulteel. 
 
 Tuesday. Met at Crookston. Sharp frost, and not a very 
 large field, so many horses having been "baked" in the long 
 run on Saturday. Apropos of this, there is a well-known 
 sporting dentist in Paisley, who goes as long as he can; 
 although his weight prevents him being a first flight man, 
 the spirit is willing, and he generally manages to see a good 
 deal, from his knowledge of the country: 
 
 " Some good fellows there are, unpretending and slow, 
 Who can ne'er be thrown out, cos they ne'er mean to go, 
 And oftentimes, when the run's over, these tell 
 The story much better than those who went well, 
 For we're all of us thrown out in turn." 
 
 Warburton. 
 
 The same gentleman having nicked in near the finish on 
 Saturday, found a young gentleman lying down beside his 
 horse (a young 'un), did the good Samaritan in the shape of 
 a few hatfuls of cold water, and I am informed that both 
 horse and rider are still in the land of the living. However, 
 " hark back " to our run. The morning was very misty, and 
 there was a doubt if it "would do" A good deal of chaff 
 took place while Squires was waiting till the mist cleared off. 
 The promising young 'un, riding up to an old member of the 
 Hunt who was riding a very mealy-faced grey roan, asked him 
 the price of soap, as it appeared his horse's face had not been 
 washed lately. A young member asking Squires why he did 
 not begin, he said, " Well, sir, if you will kindly hang a 
 lantern on to the tail of Mr. Kippen's horse, perhaps I 
 might." (The bay in question had his tail up, and belonged 
 to one of the straightest riders and genuine sportsmen in the 
 hunt.) But revenons a nos mouton. The moment the 
 hounds were thrown into Crookston "Wood a fox was on foot, 
 and after a ring or two I viewed him away. He was a " big 
 'un" in this instance, there was no mistake; but in most 
 
75 
 
 instances, when anybody sees a fox, he generally is described 
 as the biggest fox ever was seen, Ean him over to Hawk- 
 head, and lost him. Drew the Wreas blank. Roedeer 
 running about like rabbits, and during a little bit of riot, a 
 neighbouring farmer informs me he viewed two foxes go away 
 to the high country. Squires took his hounds away up the 
 hill to the Duchielaw Gorse, and found at once. Away he 
 went a cracker, making a ring round to Gleniffer. Skirting 
 the covert, the fox then went along the face of the hill, over 
 some beautiful grass country, and down a steep part, where 
 it was anything but child's work, down to Newton Wood 
 generally known by old hunting men as Spiers' Covert 
 lying just above the village of Elderslie, on the Johnstone 
 Road. Here they must have changed foxes, the run fox 
 having been seen going out at the west end towards Milliken. 
 The hounds, however, went away up the hill to the left, past 
 Bardrain, and away over a fine grass country, as if he was 
 making for Loch Libo; but as it was getting dark, with a 
 fresh fox, Squires gave it up, both hounds and horsemen 
 having had enough. The time from find to finish would be 
 about an hour, and they were going all the time. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE HOUNDS. 
 
 Saturday, January 5, met at Bishopton. After those who 
 had been at the Gaelic Club ball the night before had re- 
 freshed themselves at " our obliging hostess of the Bishopton 
 Inn," where the B. and S. was served by her bonnie daughter, 
 a move was made for West Ferry. The moment the hounds 
 were thrown in a fox broke at the west end, and went away 
 with the hounds at his brush (most of the field being left 
 behind), as if pointing for Finlayston, but, being hard pressed, 
 he turned to the left towards Knockmountain. The hounds 
 here flashed over the bye-road down to Finlayston, near the 
 small cottage where the " yelping collie lives." But Squires 
 
76 
 
 quickly cast them back, and they raced up the road to the 
 right, down over the Dargavel Burn, and across the boggy 
 hollow, where most of the " funkers" were left behind. The 
 line then lay up the hill, and leaving Muirtown to the left, 
 they raced away over the hill to the west side of Elphinstone, 
 which covert he disdained to enter, but going straight on, 
 they lost him at Lawfield Farm-house. Squires cast the 
 hounds on over the road towards the gorse, but could make 
 nothing of it. In coming back, the hounds feathered all 
 round the farm-house, as if the fox, who must have been dead 
 beat, had taken refuge there. A "buxom" lassie appearing 
 at the door, one well-known member of the Hunt asked her 
 if she had seen the " tod." She at once answered, " Would 
 ye like to ken?" and I have my suspicions that the said 
 bonnie lassie had taken compassion on poor foxy, when he 
 ran into the barn, and had locked the door ! I have no doubt 
 she would let him out to fight his battles o'er again. Colonel 
 Buchanan, Mr. C. T. Couper, Mr. Wallace, and Squires, were 
 the only four that got away well and lived with them to the 
 finish. Mr. G. Dunlop, Tollcross, and Mr. James Couper, had 
 about the next best position; but great were the disciples of 
 " Macadam," taking a survey of the country about two miles 
 off the hounds. The distance from point to point would be, 
 without exaggeration, five miles, and quite straight, with only 
 one " flash;" the only regret being that a number of good men 
 and straight riders did not get away with them, and as the 
 pace was so terrific there, had no chance of catching them up. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 "But can the eye pause on the pictured sheet ? 
 The Colonel's hounds the strong, the staunch, the fleet 
 Come trotting to the Meet, amidst the February haze, 
 And coats get reddening with light * The Meet ' 
 At the brown covert side the day of days 
 Rises and lives in all its life before us, 
 And hope, with breath suspended, waits the chorus." 
 
77 
 
 Saturday, March 4. Met at Linwood. Drew the Moss 
 blank, but this was not to be surprised at, as the keeper at 
 Burnbrae got no notice to stop his earths. Found at once in 
 Craigends. The fox broke as if for Linwood, but turned to 
 the left over the Gryffe, went up the Barrochan Burn, on 
 through the north covert to the small toll near Drums, but 
 turned back, and was killed on the road near the north covert 
 at Barrochan. A brace of foxes went away to the high 
 country with two or three couple of hounds, showing there is 
 no scarcity of the " wily " in Scott's district. Trotted back to 
 Houston Wood, where a fox was at once on foot. After 
 ringing round the stables, he broke over the old steeple-chase 
 ground. 
 
 "The hounds are well laid on, save two or so, 
 And these are soon whipped to their music too ; 
 The riders dash, the Colonel these retard, 
 In mild requests that will hold hard. " 
 
 The Colonel thought at first that the hounds had flashed 
 outside the covert, and sent Mr. Collins and Mr. Arthur to 
 turn them, but Miss Hinshaw, who happened to be driving 
 past at the time, viewed a fox over the road, and told them 
 the hounds were right. These gentlemen did not stop, but 
 went on with the leading hounds round by Clives down to 
 Barrochan, the field being a mile behind them. Two foxes 
 came into the covert at Barrochan, the hounds going on with 
 one to Park Erskine Glen, and down to West Ferry. Here 
 the earths were open, why, I cannot say, and some foxes on 
 foot went to ground. The run fox being out of his latitude, 
 and not knowing the earths, went on. Going out at the 
 west end of the Ferry Wood, he turned up by Barscube Hill, 
 and then, bending away round by Barrochan, was killed in 
 Houston Wood. 
 
 "The coats, dyke-stained, here almost ceased to blush, 
 But all are revelling over speed and death ! 
 No one in modern days regards the brush, 
 So that Fox-Coke, the great Lord Nimrod, saith, 
 I do not this as an improvement hail, 
 For, like O'Connell, I would have iny 'tail.'" 
 
78 
 
 This was a very fine hunting run, and quite fast enough 
 during part of it for the best of them. Down to West Ferry 
 it was pretty straight, and the Colonel, Squires, Messrs. 
 R. Kidston, Smith, Thorburn, Hunter, and Donaldson were 
 well up. 
 
 Tuesday, March 7th. Met at Castlesemple. Found in 
 M'CalTs Covert, and went away a regular burster through the 
 Torr, on to Carruth. Going through this covert, the fox went 
 up in the direction of the moor, and then turned to the right 
 down to Duchal. He then came along the face of the hill, 
 and was run to ground near the Bridge of Weir, The first 
 part of this run was a steeple-chase, as the hounds had a 
 breast-high scent over a grass country, with severe fencing. 
 Mr. Couper and Messrs. Coats and Thorburn were not far off 
 the darlings during the best part of it. Of course, the Colonel 
 and Squires were in their usual places. 
 
 LAST DAY OF THE SEASON WITH THE LANARK- 
 SHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 Saturday, April 8. Met at Bridge of Weir. A regular 
 summer day, more like yachting than fox-hunting. Drew 
 the Torr, Carruth, and Barr Craig (M f Call's Covert) blank, 
 then went over to the other side of the country, where they 
 drew the Scarth blank also ; but in crossing the low end of 
 the Knapps Muir a fox jumped up in view of the hounds, 
 and went away a buster through West Barlogan and out at 
 the east side. Going past Ennely Farm-house, he went on to 
 Botherwickfield. Here a slight check took place, but they 
 picked it up again at once, and raced away over the old 
 steeple-chase ground, splendid going, past GryfTe Rays, on 
 over the Bridge of Weir road, leaving Goudylee to the left, to 
 ground at the Mines. Time, twenty minutes; distance, about 
 four miles. This was one of the prettiest spins they have had 
 this season, as the fox crossed the cream of the country. Up 
 
79 
 
 to the check, Mr. C. T. Couper, Mr. George Dunlop, and Mr. 
 T. Thorburn had much the best of it. The hounds have been 
 out sixteen days cub-hunting killed fifteen brace and ran 
 two and a half brace to ground; fifty days' regular hunting 
 killed sixteen and a half brace and ran nine brace to the 
 ground. Out of sixty-six days advertised, they have been 
 stopped by frost thirteen days. On the whole being out 
 fifty-three days they have killed thirty-one and a half brace 
 of foxes, ran eleven and a half brace to ground, and had one 
 blank day. There has been no scarcity of foxes till late on in 
 the season, when some of their best coverts were drawn blank ; 
 but as the owner of these coverts is well known to be a 
 staunch preserver of foxes, it must have been more bad luck 
 than anything else, as, in shooting the coverts, they have 
 never missed seeing two or three foxes at least. A special 
 word of praise is due to Mr. John Graham, the tenant of the 
 Drums shooting, whose coverts have never been drawn blank. 
 Old Squires keeps as fresh as ever, and his "cheery" voice 
 has lost none of its music. I believe he intends going on 
 another season, and I only hope to see him looking as well at 
 the covert side with his beauties next year. Little George, 
 the first whip, is as active as a kitten, and has been doing 
 very well, but I am sorry to hear he is leaving. The Colonel's 
 hounds have been in splendid form, and with anything 
 like a scent, no fox has been able to live before them. We 
 must now hang up the " old red rag" and betake ourselves to 
 other sports for a while, only hoping that when winter comes 
 round again the same old jovial faces may be spared to meet 
 us at the covert side. 
 
 CLYDESDALE BEAGLES. 
 
 It has long been felt that a pack of foot beagles would 
 afford excellent sport and a recreative amusement to a number 
 of young men in Glasgow who are fond of hunting, but from 
 
80 
 
 business ties can only get away for a half-holiday, and who 
 cannot afford time to ride with fox-hounds. A movement 
 was set on foot some time ago to organize such a pack, and 
 after having been met with the greatest kindness by most 'of 
 the landed proprietors in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, 
 granting permission to hunt over their lands, eight couple of 
 the Honeywood breed of beagles were purchased at a 
 moderate figure, and arrived about a fortnight ago, averaging 
 about fourteen inches. Among the list of subscribers are the 
 names of many of our best young athletes, a number of whom 
 have shown prominently in most of the local games, such as 
 football, cricket, running, &c., &c. Mr. Eobertson Reid, of 
 Gallowflat, has kindly undertaken the duties of Master, and 
 his son, Mr. J. R. Reid, has been appointed secretary. The 
 best thanks of the subscribers are due to the last-named 
 gentleman for the great trouble he has taken in using his 
 best endeavours, assisted by the committee, in getting up the 
 pack. On Saturday the opening meet took place, about the 
 worst day I ever saw; but about 1.30 some of the right sort 
 arrived at Gallowflat, in a well-appointed four-in-hand, a 
 smart tandem following. After partaking of the Master's 
 hospitality, a move was made to Burnside Loch, near which 
 they were not long in finding puss, who gave them a short 
 ringing spurt up to a bit of plantation near Cathkin House. 
 Here the hare had a narrow escape, as Juryman had a snatch 
 at her when breaking covert, but she got away up the hill 
 and was lost. That genuine sportsman and farmer, Mr. Love, 
 of Mid Farm, here invited all present to come in and have 
 "one;" and I can tell you we required it, being wet through, 
 and running all the time knee-deep. Mr. Love finding us 
 another hare, we had another spin, but shortly gave it up, 
 it being such an awful day. I think it right to mention the 
 names of those who had the pluck to come, viz. : The Master, 
 Mr. J. Reid, Mr. J. R. Reid, Messrs. Scott, Brown (2), Burrell, 
 Smith, Stow, Davie, Whyte, and Buchanan; Major Maclean, 
 Rifle Brigade; Campbell, and " Stringhalt." I forgot to 
 mention that Peter Brown, who whipped-in for some time to 
 
81 
 
 the Ayrshire Harriers under Mr. Ewen, has been appointed 
 huntsman, and is giving satisfaction so far. The meets are 
 strictly private, no one is allowed on horseback, and members 
 are admitted only by ballot. A word of advice to some 
 gentlemen who run jealous Don't get before the "little 
 dawgs." I have no doubt if we have a fine day next meet 
 there will be a large turn-out, and I hope to see some of the 
 fair sex out, who, I am sure, will enjoy the sport, patronizing 
 us with their smiles. 
 
 CLYDESDALE BEAGLES. 
 
 I am happy to say this little pack is turning out a great 
 success, and showing capital sport under the able mastership 
 of Mr. E. Eeid of Gallowflat. Peter the huntsman is doing 
 well, is a " beggar " to run, and, like all Irishmen, is always 
 full of fun. The ladies are beginning to take a great interest 
 in the hunt, and have turned out on several occasions to see 
 the sport. Every occasion on which they have been out they 
 have had great sport, and as much running as the keenest 
 would wish. I had an opportunity of seeing their working on 
 Wednesday, and was highly pleased, although they were 
 hunting under great disadvantages, as the hares were far too 
 " often." However, the little dogs did well, and were rewarded 
 after a good spin with blood. It was amusing to see Peter's 
 face trying to give a " Who'-hoop " without any breath ! as he 
 had been running about five miles across ploughed fields. It 
 should be borne in mind by those who criticize the pack, that 
 it has been quickly got up, is only in its infancy, and next 
 year there is no doubt the hunt will be extremely popular ; 
 and I can only advise those young men who are fond of a 
 spin across country, coupled with a bit of hunting, to join at 
 once. Mr. J. K. Browne informs me that the Garscube day 
 was the hardest he has had so much plough and I must 
 say I have seldom seen any man go so well over such a severe 
 
 K 
 
82 
 
 running country, and often undergoing the extra work of turning 
 the hounds. The thanks of the club are due to the landed 
 proprietors who have kindly given them leave to hunt over 
 their lands; and in every instance, I am happy to say, they 
 have been met with the greatest cordiality by the farmers, 
 without whose good wishes and support there would be no 
 hunting anywhere. 
 
 GLASGOW ACADEMICAL CLUB. 
 
 This Club finished their football season with a hounds-and- 
 hare run on Saturday. The Meet was at Bearsden, and was 
 graced by a good turn-out of ladies. The hares Messrs. W. 
 S. Smith and D. H. Watson, of mile-running fame went off 
 at 3.17, and ten minutes later were followed by the pack of 
 fourteen hounds the right division, under the lead of Mr. J. 
 W. Arthur, the left under Mr. W. D. Strachan. The day was 
 beautiful, the going good, and everything in favour of a 
 successful run. After leaving Bearsden, the scent lay over 
 Castlehill, which, notwithstanding the opposition of a stalwart 
 " farmer's boy," was safely reached by the whole pack. Here 
 the first check took place, owing to a false scent; but soon 
 the right trail was hit, and the whole went tearing down the. 
 hill to the west, the master " coming a cropper " in the first 
 plough. Off they went straight for Duntocher, but after a ten 
 minutes' spin the scent lay back, and it looked as if the hares 
 were making for home, which, however, was a long way off. 
 Another false trail at a farm-house threw the bulk of the 
 pack very badly out, and, though they " harked back," they 
 did not hit it off. Two of the junior division Messrs. Tod 
 and A. Arthur had, however, struck the right scent. Soon 
 on the line passing down in front of Garscadden at a good 
 pace the railway was crossed, and all looked like going for 
 Yoker; but, coming to the canal, they went to the left, and 
 all kept along the water's edge. Reaching the Crow Road, 
 
they returned to the canal, and on they went for Kelvin. 
 Turning down at Kelvindale, a scent improving, they went by 
 the Kelvin on to Peartree Well, past the mills and the 
 nursery, and into Burnbank by Lansdowne Crescent. Here 
 the umpires were ready, and timed as follows : The hares 
 arrived at 4.36, being one hour nineteen minutes from time 
 of starting, neither gentlemen appearing much exhausted. 
 The first of the hounds put in an appearance fifteen minutes 
 later, Messrs. Gartley and J. W. Arthur arriving at the head 
 of the pack within a few seconds of each other; three minutes 
 later Mr. G. Heron appeared, and then Messrs. A. T. Arthur, 
 W. D. Strachan, W. S. Heron, A. Tod, Allan Arthur, and W. 
 Chrystal, in the order named. The hares, as will be seen, 
 won over the first hounds by five minutes, thus proving their 
 well-known going qualities. The run was about nine miles, 
 and was done in seventy-nine minutes. Of the hounds, 
 Messrs. Gartley, Arthur, Heron, and Strachan ran well ; while 
 Messrs. Buchanan, Chrystal, Taylor, and Tod went a good 
 course as long as they were in. 
 
 OPENING DAY WITH THE LANARKSHIRE AND 
 RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 " Say, what is wealth without delight? 
 'Tis dross, 'tis dirt, 'tis useless quite; 
 Better be poor and taste of joy, 
 Than thus your wasted time employ. 
 Then let a humble son of song 
 
 Repeat those pleasures most divine ; 
 The joys that life's best hours prolong, 
 Are those of hunting, love, and wine." 
 
 Houston, Saturday, Nov. 1, 1873. "The first day of the 
 season!" What emotions of joy do these magic words excite 
 in the heart of any true sportsman. I can see him taking the 
 old "red rag" out of the drawer where it has lain, well 
 peppered, since last season, cogitating over the many good 
 
84 
 
 runs it has seen, and thinking whether it will do another 
 year. " No," he says, " too many bog stains; I have made a 
 good spec, in l pigs' this year, and I will have a new one." 
 M'Ewen accordingly " suffers." There is no doubt hunting 
 has been from time immemorial the king of sports, but I 
 have no patience with those who run down other' sports 
 because they don't care about participating in them. A true 
 sportsman can enjoy every pastime in its season in modera- 
 tion, without neglecting the duties of that situation in which 
 it has pleased God to place him. Before proceeding to the 
 business part of my article, there is one question I have often 
 been asked, " How is it you can see anything of the sport on 
 foot?" I can only answer that any one who knows the 
 country, and is acquainted with the run of foxes, sometimes 
 sees more on foot than those on horseback (although the 
 latter is preferable). There are plenty of excellent coin de 
 vantage in Renfrewshire, from whence you can see a panorama 
 of the whole chase, very often the hounds coming close to you. 
 For instance, any of the hills above Finlayston, the Fereneze 
 Hills, the Pad, &c., &c., not taking into consideration the 
 magnificent views to be had from all these points. I shall be 
 happy to pilot any lover of sport who can do his twenty miles 
 a day (he may not have to walk five) any day there is a good 
 meet, and I will guarantee him plenty of sport, a good 
 appetite, and a sound sleep. I may mention that in all my 
 wanderings I have always experienced the greatest kindness 
 from the farmers, and whenever there was a " wee drappie " 
 in the bottle it was never long in making its appearance! 
 Owing to an unaccountable scarcity of foxes in their best cub- 
 hunting country, Squires has not had such a good opportunity 
 of schooling his hounds as in former years; but, with their 
 extraordinary " dash," it is wonderful how he has managed to 
 " steady " them so well. Notwithstanding unfortuitous cir- 
 cumstances, he has brought six brace of cubs to hand with 
 one or two very good spins. In the Lanarkshire county, at 
 Medrox Gorse, thanks to the laird, who is a genuine sports- 
 man and a keen preserver of foxes, they found at once, and 
 
85 
 
 went away over very much the same line as they did a year ago, 
 ran to ground, and bolted him; but a tremendous storm coming 
 on, they were obliged to give it up. A run which has hardly 
 been equalled took place while out hunting at Shelford 
 Toll. After finding a good litter in Loch Libo, an old dog 
 fox broke away down towards Uplaw Muir, it being impossi- 
 ble to stop them. Leaving Knockinae to the right, he then 
 turned south, and leaving the Moines Farm to the left, tried 
 the Quarry Mines near the Grange Wood ; but not finding 
 any refuge here, he swung to the left round the south side of 
 the Dod Hill, and going over Middleton Muir, came back 
 over the Craig of Carnock, and going straight down to Pollok 
 Castle, they ran into him in the open. Owing to wire, Squires 
 could not get to his hounds during most part of the run. I 
 have seldom heard of a better line of country in olden days, 
 now cursed by wire, than the line the hounds took. Squires 
 has thirty-two and a-half couple of working hounds, including 
 seven couple of young 'uns. Every hound in the kennel has 
 been bred by himself, with the exception of a stallion hound 
 from the York and Ainsty. I never experienced a more in- 
 auspicious opening day; it did not only rain, but it deluged, 
 never during the day clearing off for one minute. It being a 
 fine morning to start with, one of the largest fields I have ever 
 seen turned out to show their appreciation of the noble science. 
 I was delighted to see a number of "dear creatures" on side 
 saddles, who, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, 
 came gallantly to the front, and I must not forget to mention 
 that a number of ladies, although on four wheels, took an equal 
 interest in the performances of certain gentlemen, with pal- 
 pitating hearts, when they were going at an extra big wall. 
 I am sorry I cannot lay before your readers a fanciful account 
 of the opening day, as I have really nothing to write about. 
 A brace of foxes were found in Botherwickfield one went to 
 ground, the other went over the Wreas Road and down to 
 Clives. Slipping out at the south side, he ran down to 
 Houston Wood, and I think crossed into Craigends; but as the 
 Colonel did not wish to disturb these coverts, a move was 
 
86 
 
 made for the high country. Found at once in Lawfield Gorse, 
 rattled him twice round the covert, when he broke to the 
 right, on to the Kilmalcolm Strips, where they killed as bad a 
 fox as ever faced the open. It was a very short spin, but young 
 Mr. Ward, nephew of our popular secretary of the Hunt, went 
 well, and was presented with the brush. Found again in 
 Auchenbothie Gorse, and ran up to the strips, but a perfect 
 storm of hail coming on, Squires thought it was no use perse- 
 vering. During my experience of twenty-five years' hunting, 
 off and on, with these hounds, I have never been out on a 
 worse day, which is saying a good deal. Squires seems to be 
 in as good form as ever; his cheery voice has lost none of its 
 charm, and seems to be quite as clear as when he used to 
 make the Hampshire woods echo "over and over again" with 
 his musical " view hollo !" 
 
 A DAY WITH MAJOK HAZELRIGG'S BEAGLES. 
 
 Having received a kind invitation to have a day with the 
 Major's "little dawgs," I found myself at Ralston, near Glas- 
 gow, on Wednesday week, at two o'clock; and I must say, 
 seldom have I experienced a better day's sport, not even with 
 harriers. A good hare jumped up on the south side of the 
 hill, near the canal, and away they went in view down to the 
 mansion-house and up to the Water Tower. Turning to the 
 right, the hare went back to the field, where she was found, 
 and then ran through the policies. Going round the back of 
 the garden, she lay down in a large stubble field, but went 
 away whenever she heard her enemies, over the Paisley Road 
 at Barshaw, near Alton Farm-house. Going down the hollow, 
 they ran back over the road, and both hare and hounds swam 
 the canal, and ran up to Hillhead Farm-house. From that 
 point she ran down to the canal, then back up the hill and 
 down the hollow. Turning sharp to the left, she jumped up 
 in view, and was raced down to the Cart and back to Main's 
 
Farm, where she was fairly run into, after one hour's hunting. 
 The scent was rather catching, and of course there were a few 
 checks; but the little dogs stuck to their hare well all through- 
 out the run, and it was beautiful to see how they spread at 
 a cast, every one trying for himself. The Master and Mr. J. 
 Kay Brown stuck to them all through the run, and the 
 " Laird " went well during part of it. The field was graced 
 by a number of ladies, who had an excellent view of the run 
 from a knoll at the back of Ralston House. The pack has 
 been out nine times, and killed five hares. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " We will, fair queen, up to the mountain's top, 
 And mark the musical confusion 
 Of hounds and echo in conjunction." 
 
 Saturday, Nov. 8th, 1873. Met at Drums, and had a day's 
 sport which has hardly been equalled. After partaking of 
 the hospitality of the tenant, a move was made for the high 
 wood, which, however, was blank, as well as Park Erskine 
 Glen. Both these coverts were exposed to a keen north- 
 eastern wind, and, as it turned out afterwards, the foxes were 
 all lying on the lee side of the hill. Found in West Ferry. 
 The fox broke at the east end, and, crossing the old Greenock 
 Road, went on to Castlehill. Turning sharp back, he then 
 crossed through by Ravenshaw, went up the west corner of 
 Barscube Hill, through the Gleddoch, and swinging round by 
 Barscube Farm-house, ran down to Drums, where they lost him. 
 This was a straggling sort of a run, and the scent catching. 
 In the afternoon they had a " clipper ;" in fact, I will be very 
 much mistaken if it will not turn out to be the run of the 
 season. Found in a small patch of gorse on the muir near 
 the west end of Barscube Hill. Before the hounds were half 
 through the whins their sterns began to move. " A fox, for a 
 
88 
 
 hundred," says Squires; "have at him, my beauties!" and 
 immediately the Colonel's "view hollo" was heard, "Hoick 
 forrard, away!" and then 
 
 "Such. a noise arose 
 
 As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest, 
 As loud and to as many tunes." 
 
 Away they went, as fast a pack of hounds as any in Scot- 
 land a number of riders finding them a great deal too fast 
 down over the road and round by the Finlayston side of 
 Knockmountain. Coming back through the above-named 
 covert, he went down the hollow, leaving the strips to the 
 right, and crossed the Dargavel Burn. Here a nasty bit of 
 bog stopped a lot of them, as the hounds were racing. Going 
 up the hill his line then lay by Muirtown, and on into Elphin- 
 stone. In a few seconds on swept the musical pack, realizing 
 Somerville's beautiful description : 
 
 "Hark! from yon covert, where those towering oaks 
 Above the humble copse aspiring rise, 
 What glorious triumphs burst in every gale 
 Upon our ravished ears? The hunter's shout, 
 The clanging horns swell their sweet winding notes, 
 The pack, wide opening, load the trembling air 
 With various melody ; from tree to tree 
 The propagated cry redoubling bounds, 
 And winged zephyrs waft the floating joy 
 Through all the regions near, 
 The puzzling pack unravel, wile by wile, 
 Maze within maze." 
 
 Going through Lawfield Gorse, the fox ran over High 
 Barlogan, skirting West Barlogan, and leaving the Scarth to 
 the left, crossed the railway, pointing for Duchal. Going over 
 the Gryffe, he then swung round to the left, and was run to 
 ground at Carruth. Time, forty-five minutes, with only one 
 check at Knockmountain. The pace was tremendous, and 
 only those who got well over the bog were near the hounds, 
 till they caught them at Elphinstone. The gallant Master 
 getting away well, there is no doubt had the best of it all 
 through. Mr. Wallace, dentist, was not far oif him; and old 
 
89 
 
 Squires was always there when wanted. Great was the 
 "tailing," and more than one gentleman's horse lay down 
 "clean pumped." After refreshing at Bishopton Inn, the 
 liquor tasting doubly sweet from being supplied to us by the 
 bonnie Miss Mackenzie, the landlady's daughter, we arrived in 
 Glasgow, after a very hard day, about six o'clock. I am 
 happy to say, so far as hunting has gone, the country seems 
 to be very well stocked with foxes. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " The wife around her husband throws 
 
 Her arms to make him stay; 
 ' My dear, it rains, it hails, it blows, 
 You cannot hunt to-day.' 
 
 Yet a hunting we will go." 
 
 H. Fielding. 
 
 Castlesemple, 22nd November. And it was a bad night, 
 enough to make any man consider twice whether he should 
 send his horse on. But the fates were propitious; although 
 it blew hard, the day turned out well, and scent was good- 
 Drew Greenside and Lawmarnock blank. Found a litter in 
 Shillingworth Gorse; an old fox broke to the right, and went 
 on to Lawmarnock. In the meantime Squires had a cub 
 before him, and hunted him out at the north end, and killed. 
 The fox that broke up the hill went through Lawmarnock, 
 turned to the right over the Locher water, and ran on to the 
 Barcraig (better known as M'Call's Covert), going through 
 which he went by Barmuffloch dam, and on to the Torr. 
 Sinking the hollow, he crossed the Gryffe, and ran through 
 the Scarth to ground at Bortherwickfield. Time, forty-five 
 minutes ; but owing to the hounds dividing, it was an unsatis- 
 factory run for the field, and the country they went across 
 frightfully heavy going, although the hounds raced their fox 
 
 L 
 
 ' 
 
90 
 
 all the way. With the run-fox a gentleman with a black 
 coat, Mr. Wallace, and Mr. Couper, had about the best of it 
 up to the Torr. After crossing the river, Major Hazelrigg, who 
 had lost a shoe, knicked in, and was not to be caught till they 
 ran to ground. Owing to the heavy going several casualties 
 occurred, but I am happy to say nobody was hurt. 
 
 " Hunting gives us jocund health, 
 We envy not the miser's wealth ; 
 But chase the fox or timid hare, 
 And know delight he cannot share. 
 Then home at eve we cheer'ly go, 
 While round us brightest comforts shine ; 
 With joy shut in we shut out woe, 
 And sing of hunting, love, and wine!" 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " What conduces to health deserves recommendation, 
 'Twill entail a strong race on the next generation ; 
 And of all the field games ever practised or known, 
 That hunting stands foremost each Briton must own." 
 
 Tuesday, 25th. Met at the Rouken, found at once, and 
 after ringing once or twice round the covert, he was run to 
 ground at Eastwood. Came back, found again, and ran past 
 Greenback to ground at Williamwood, dug out and killed. 
 
 Saturday, 29th. Craigends, when, as far as they have gone, 
 the run of the season took place. Found an old dog-fox in 
 Houston Wood; went away at once over the Houston Road, 
 and through Craigends policies. Not hanging for a moment, 
 the fox then turned to the right, crossed the road, went on 
 over the Johnstone and Bridge of Weir Road, and, leaving 
 Milliken to the left, ran up the hill to Shillingworth Gorse. 
 From this point the line lay to the north of the Bar Craig, 
 and straight on to East Torr, where they ran into him. 
 
91 
 
 Time, fifty minutes, with hardly what you would call a check. 
 Squires says this was one of the best runs he has had in this 
 country, and most of the field being with 'em, thoroughly 
 enjoyed it, as it was a case of genuine riding to hounds, 
 seeing them working, and not steeple-chasing after tail hounds. 
 Old Squires went better than ever, and most of the "right 
 sort " were in their usual places. 
 
 " To live a life free from gout, pain, or phthisic, 
 Athletic employment is found the best physic ; 
 The nerves are by exercise harden'd and strengthened, 
 And vigour attends it by which life is lengthen'd." 
 
 CLYDESDALE BEAGLES. 
 
 " Fond echo seems to like the sport, 
 
 And join the jovial cry; 
 The woods, the hills, the sound retort, 
 And music fills the sky, 
 
 Then a hunting we will go." 
 
 Fielding. 
 
 Saturday, 29th November. Met at Newton Mearns. Drew 
 the whins at Crosslee Bridge and found immediately. The 
 hare, going away straight to Greenhaggs Hill, went by Nether- 
 place and Malletsheugh. Here the pack divided, but two couple 
 and a-half of the leading hounds stuck to the hunted hare, and 
 pushed her up to the top of Greenhaggs, where she squatted. 
 A check took place, but the hare was viewed doubling back 
 to Malletsheugh, and then, circling away to the left, she went 
 by Kilmuir Dam. By this time Peter, who had been away 
 with another hare, joined in. Puss then went over part of 
 the Mearns Moor, and going over the Kilmarnock Road, 
 crossed the Crook Moss and circled round Hazelden Hill three 
 times. A drenching rain beginning to fall did not improve 
 scent, and after running down to Southfield Wood, on to the 
 left by Westfield and Crook, owing to darkness we were 
 obliged to whip off, after running three hours. The little 
 dogs worked well all through, and never required casting, and 
 
92 
 
 it will be a long time before they see such a run again. 
 Luckily the honorary secretary got on with the hounds, and, 
 knowing them, they worked well to him. I am glad to hear 
 this little pack, which deserves every encouragement, is re- 
 ceiving much support from the landed proprietors, and is 
 turning out a great success. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " See how the morning opes her golden gates, 
 And takes her farewell of the glorious sun ! 
 How well resembles it the prime of youth, 
 Trimm'd like a younker, prancing to his love ! " 
 
 It was one of the' finest November mornings when I found 
 my way, on Saturday last, to Barrochan, to meet the Lanark- 
 shire and Renfrewshire Fox-hounds. Being a favourite meet, 
 it is unnecessary to say there was a large turn-out of the 
 patrons of the noble science, both male and female; and I 
 was pleased to see the "Druid" on "wheels," although he 
 expressed to me afterwards an opinion that it would have 
 been better if he had left the horse at home ! It is almost 
 needless for me to reiterate my old remark, that wherever 
 Scott is keeper foxes are abundant; and as long as the pro- 
 prietor is Mr. Cunninghame of Craigends, everything is sure 
 to go straight, being one of the right sort. When the hounds 
 were thrown into the covert not a sound was heard; but to 
 anyone conversant with the sport, from the movement of their 
 sterns, it could easily be seen they were on a drag, as when 
 they drew up to the earths five cubs and an old 'un jumped up. 
 All of a sudden it was hollo! here, and hollo! there, enough to 
 puzzle any hounds; however, as good luck would have it, half 
 the pack went away with the old 'un, ran him up to Park 
 Erskine Glen, over Barmore, and down to West Ferry to 
 
93 
 
 ground. Another fox went away from the woods, but as the 
 Colonel wanted to draw the Houston country, he was not 
 persevered with. Found again in the Olives, and ran down 
 nearly to Houston Wood, where, being headed, he turned 
 back and was "worried." Chopped in the Wreas and in 
 Corslie Covert, thus finishing a most unsatisfactory day, and 
 I might almost call it cub-hunting. While I am writing it 
 looks very like that we will have 
 
 " An envious, sneaking frost, 
 That bites the first-born infants of the spring." 
 
 But there is a time for all things. Many a keen fox-hunter 
 is also a curler, and likes to knock over a woodcock now and 
 then, when he gets a chance, in frosty weather. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " Let the man who's disturbed by misfortune and care 
 Away to the woodlands and valleys repair; 
 Let him hear but the notes of the sweet swelling horn, 
 With the hounds in full cry, and his troubles are gone. " 
 
 Tuesday, December 2 (John stone Castle). Found at once 
 an old dog-fox, ran him over the Rocks and killed. Found again 
 in the SkifHat. The fox slipped away out at the top end of 
 the covert and made a ring round to Loch Libo; nobody with 
 them. When Squires got up some of the hounds came out of 
 a small strip of plantation with their muzzles bloody, so he 
 thinks they killed. Found again in Bardrain Wood. Went 
 down straight to Johnstone Castle, and killed. Another brace 
 of foxes went to ground. 
 
 Saturday, 6th December (Duchal). Found, and ran up 
 over the moor, and lost. Owing to wire, the field saw 
 nothing of it; back to Duchal, and went away from the 
 
94 
 
 young covert, but lost him near Lawfield. In the mean- 
 time a fox had been viewed away from the Kilmalcolm 
 Strips, and Squires, who was then drawing Auchenbothie 
 Gorse, quickly got his hounds on the line, and they ran him 
 down the hollow and over the side of Barscube Hill, but could 
 not make much of it, owing to roedeer. Went back to 
 Knockmountain, and found at once in the top end of the 
 gorse. He broke in view of the field, and running down as if 
 his point was Finlayston, turned up to the right, and, going 
 through Park Erskine Glen, went by Corslie Covert on to the 
 Wreas, where a thick mist coming on they were obliged to 
 give it up. Time, thirty-five minutes, and a good hunting run. 
 Col. Buchanan informs me a curious incident happened at the 
 Shelford Toll meet. Missing two couple of hounds, a labourer 
 told the Colonel he had seen them "howking" at a hole. 
 Squires went down, found they had actually dug their fox out 
 and killed him, as he found the " corpse " at the burrow. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " If e'er you are plagued with a termagant wife, 
 Who, instead of the joy, is the plague of yoitr life, Tally-ho ! 
 When Madam her small talk begins to let go, 
 Then pull on your boots and away, Tally-ho !" 
 
 Saturday, January 3, 1874. Met at Broadfield. I am 
 happy to say the New Year has opened with a fair day's 
 sport, and the prospects for the rest of the season are 
 good. Foxes are plentiful in most parts of our country, 
 and the keepers, with one exception, are fulfilling the orders 
 of their masters namely, to show both game and foxes. A 
 fox jumped up out of a patch of gorse near Craigmarlock, and 
 they ran him up to Auchenbothie, where another was on foot, 
 
95 
 
 and the hounds divided, four couple going away towards Duchal. 
 Squires stuck to his hunted fox, and took him up past the 
 Doctor's house on to the Kilmalcolm Strips. He then turned 
 sharp to the right, and crossed the Killalan Koad. The hounds 
 here rather got the best of them. 
 
 " Now the fences made skirters look blue, 
 
 There was no time to crane or to creep, 
 O'er the pastures like pigeons they flew, 
 
 And the ground rode infernally deep. 
 Oh ! my eyes, what a fall ! are you hurt? 
 
 No, no, sir, I thank you, are you ? 
 But who, to enjoy such a spirt, 
 
 Would be grudging an odd rib or two." 
 
 On they went a burster, the Colonel taking the left side oi 
 the water, Mr. C. Couper, Mr. D. Kippen, Mr. Wallace, and 
 Mr. Clapperton, being well with them, choosing the other 
 side. They raced their fox up to Lawfield Gorse, and, leaving 
 it on the right, went on to Ennely. A thick mist now came 
 on, but Mr. D. Kippen viewed the fox away, and Squires 
 hollo' d the hounds on. They then ran him down the 
 Scarth and up to West Barlogan, where he was viewed dead 
 beat, but owing to another shower of snow, he lived to " fight 
 another day." Time, forty-five minutes, with one check. 
 Trotted back to Auchenbothie, found at once, and had a ring 
 round by the strips. 
 
 "Now the stragglers came in one by one, 
 
 Hollo ! where, my dear fellow, were you ; 
 Bad luck, in the midst of the run 
 
 My poor little mare threw her shoe? 
 But where was the ' geinman' in pink ! 
 
 Who swore at his tail we should look, 
 Not in the next parish, I think, 
 
 For he never got over the brook. " 
 
96 
 
 A VISIT TO LORD EGLINTON'S KENNELS. 
 
 " My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, 
 So strong, so sanded ; and their heads are hung 
 With ears that sweep away the morning dew ; 
 Crook-kneed and dew-lapped, like Thessalian bulls ; 
 Slow in pursuit, but matched in mouth like bells, 
 Each under each. A cry more tuneable 
 Was never hollo'd to, nor cheer'd with horn." 
 
 Shakespeare. 
 
 I can hear Cox saying, Shakespeare must have been a 
 humbug, and no judge of hounds, as my hounds are neither 
 "crook-kneed" nor slow in pursuit, as, with a good scent, 
 nobody can catch 'em ; but the above lines by the immortal 
 bard show he must have been a sportsman, and those who 
 have read his works must have seen that, whenever he had 
 an appropriate occasion, he always extolled the noble science 
 of hunting. By the kind permission of his lordship I had an 
 opportunity, at what might almost be called the beginning of 
 the season, of visiting his kennels. After partaking of Mrs. 
 Cox's hospitality, and having a talk with Cox about that 
 "inexplicable" subject, scent, he introduced me to the young 
 entry, and a better set of young 'uns I have seldom, if ever, 
 seen. Beginning at the top of the tree, his lordship breeds a 
 good deal from Furrier. This stallion hound is by the Hon. 
 G. Fitzwilliam's Fencer out of Lord Eglinton's Mischief. 
 Mischief was by Sir R Sutton's Bagazet. This hound, along 
 with Gambler, a three-year-old by Furrier out of Gossamer; 
 Lincoln, a black and tan, very nice hound, by Lord Poltirnore's 
 Labourer out of Fallacy; and Castor by the Hon. G. Fitz- 
 william's Bentinck out of Lord Eglinton's Carnage, were the 
 four hounds that gained the cup at Harrowgate. It is curious 
 to note that Carnage was one of the last hounds sold at old 
 Tattersall's yard at Yillebois' sale. Cox has another cup over 
 his mantlepiece, which he gained at Malton with Flourish out 
 of Fancy, and Gaiety by Furrier out of Gossamer. I must now 
 hark back to the young 'uns; and looking over Cox's beauties, I 
 
97 
 
 found the cream of the entry were Furrier's. He began with 
 sixteen couple, and politeness induces sportsmen always to give 
 the ladies the preference. We will give the names of the cream 
 of 'em: Dewdrop by Dexter out of Gossamer, Legacy by 
 Leveller out of Rarity, Malady by Driver out of Milliner, and 
 Racket and Rally by Furrier out of Ruby. Worth going five 
 hundred miles to see. Next come the dogs: Duster by Dexter 
 out of Gossamer, Factor by Furrier out of Frolic, Lucifer by Lord 
 Poltimore's Roman out of Lively. Roman was one of the 
 three couple that was sold at Lord Poltimore's sale, and pur- 
 chased for 600 by Major Brown. Racer, Random, and 
 Ring wood, by Flyer out of Reckless. With regard to the old 
 hunting entry, I will reserve rny account for another edition 
 of your paper. During the cub-hunting season the scent has 
 been bad; but hunting six days a-week, Cox has added thirty- 
 nine brace of noses to the kennel door. They have had one or 
 two good day's sport since the stubble was cleared. The 
 last day's cub-hunting the dog pack found a litter of 
 cubs in the Dean's, had forty minutes, and killed. Took 
 another cub away, and ran into him in twenty-five 
 minutes. Found an old dog fox up the Crawfordland 
 Water. Went away to Grass Mill, and on over a splendid 
 country to Tour, leaving Kilmaurs on the left, to Stewarton, 
 where they ran into him in the open a fast twenty -five 
 minutes. 
 
 Cassillis, Friday, Nov. 7th (Dog pack). Drew Blairbowie 
 and Main's Wood blank, but found near Boreland Glen. 
 Went away, leaving Skeldon House on the right by Venston 
 to Torr Hill, then leaving Guiltriehill Wood on the right he 
 was run to ground at Millsmuir Glen a brilliant forty-five 
 minutes. The Marquis of Ailsa, Lady Julia Follet and 
 her sister, Mr. Oswald, Mr. W. Baird, Captain Hay 
 Newton, Mr. Ewen, and the Laird of Guiltriehill went well 
 throughout. 
 
 Nov. 10. Met at Aiket Castle. Bitch pack : found at 
 Lainshaw; he faced the open in the direction of Busby, and 
 leaving Kilmaurs Mains on the right, went by Langsids to 
 
 M 
 
98 
 
 Crossbill, and was run to ground near Kilmaurs Village. 
 Found again at Kilmaurs Covert ; had a very fast twenty 
 minutes and killed in the open. 
 
 Nov. 25. Dog pack: met at Barskimming; had twenty-five 
 minutes to ground. Found again, had a clipping forty 
 minutes, and a kill in the open. 
 
 Nov. 27 (Sundrum). Dog pack: had a first rate thirty 
 minutes, and killed at Martnaham. 
 
 Foxes are plentiful in most parts of the country, but I am 
 sorry to say in the Aiket Castle and Dunlop country vul- 
 pecidism prevails. Bill Brackenboro' still continues as first 
 whip, and I am happy to say his cara sposa has pretty well 
 recovered from her accident. Andrews, Cox tells me, is still 
 in his old form one of the best kennel men in the world; 
 and with everything couleur de rose, I hope that it may be 
 my privilege to write some further accounts of sport with his 
 lordship's pack. 
 
 CLYDESDALE BEAGLES. 
 
 " Ye fox-hunters, stag, ay, and hare-hunters too. 
 Whose aim is to rub off the furrows of care, 
 Like Nimrods the fleet-footed pussy pursue, 
 
 And taste of the sweets of the morn -breathing air!" 
 
 1874 Yesterday, a joint meet of the Clydesdale and 
 Major Hazelrigg's Beagles took place. It being a rare thing 
 in this country for two packs to hunt together, a good deal of 
 curiosity was excited to see how they would work ; but I am 
 sorry to say there was a very poor turn-out to witness this 
 capital day's sport. However, those who were there were of 
 the rare good sort, and a very good run took place, although 
 from the frightful state of the country the late Charley West- 
 hall could not have lived with him. Found at once near 
 Darnley Mains, and went away over the road towards the 
 railway, where a number of hounds flashed on to the high 
 wood near Kinnishead. Peter, the Clydesdale huntsman, 
 
99 
 
 went on to try and stop them. The Major, who had the 
 horn, stuck to his hunted hare, and ran her back down by 
 Darnley Toll, past the mill, and up over the hill, round again 
 by Darnley Mains to the Busby Koad, where she made a 
 somersault into the road. The Major here cast forward, but 
 the hare had doubled behind him. They picked it up with 
 a catching scent, and ran over the old Barrhead Road, past 
 Leggatstone Farm-house, down to the Brock Water. Here a 
 well-known athlete, of the "Clydesdale Beagles," boldly went 
 at the flooded water, and, after a ducking, got well over. If 
 they had picked it up at once, he would have been the only 
 man with them, the rest of the field getting over by the 
 broken branch of a tree. There was a little slow hunting 
 afterwards, but as it was evident pussy had saved herself in 
 the Pollok Woods, and Peter turning up with the rest of the 
 hounds, the Major tried again. In a ploughed field on the 
 north side of the old Darnley Toll Road another hare jumped 
 up, and they ran her straight as an arrow over the Busby 
 Road, and nearly on to Patterton, but a tremendous rain- 
 storm coming on, the hounds were stopped. The first run 
 would be about an hour and a half, of course a good deal of 
 ringing; the second fifteen minutes. I never, in all my 
 experience of running with beagles, saw the country in such 
 a state, and the next time I go out I think I shall hire a 
 "boat." 
 
 EXTRAORDINARY LONG RUN WITH THE LANARK- 
 SHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 " This bleak and frosty morning, 
 All thoughts of danger scorning, 
 Our spirits brightly flow 
 We're all in a glow, 
 Through the sparkling snow 
 While a-hunting we go, 
 
 To the sound of the merry horn." 
 
 Bridge of Weir, Saturday, January 17, 1874. In this 
 
100 
 
 extraordinary climate it is impossible to know what change 
 of weather will take place in twelve hours. I went to bed on 
 Friday night, when it was pouring, and when I awoke next 
 morning I saw a boy sliding on the pavement, and " didn't I 
 hate that boy." However, the report was that it " would do," 
 and down we went to the Meet, luckily to witness one of the 
 greatest runs that has ever taken place in our country. Drew 
 the Torr blank, trotted away to the Bar Craig and found at 
 once; ran him up to the end of the covert, where, being 
 headed by a number of people on foot (who, in spite of 
 warning, will surround the coverts, and spoil their own sport), 
 he turned back underneath the rocks, and the "Druid" and 
 myself viewed him away with the hounds at his brush, and 
 not a soul near them the field all being on the other side of 
 the wood. Although there was a sprinkling of snow on the 
 ground, scent was breast-high, and they raced him across the 
 boggy hollow up to the Torr Wood, going through which he 
 ran down by Torr House, then wheeled to the right and 
 crossed the Gryfe. Some of the field here got up, most of 
 whom went over the bridge round by the Bridge of Weir, a 
 few fording the river. The fox then went round the west 
 end of the Scarth and up towards West Barlogan (here the 
 field first got a view of the hounds far ahead) ; turning to the 
 right, he left Ennely to the left, and went on by Bother wick- 
 field down to Olives, which he did not enter, ran straight on 
 to Houston Wood. The only men who were up at Olives 
 were Squires, and Messrs. E. Collins, Holms, and J. Buchanan. 
 Crossing the road, they ran on to Craigends, where a good 
 deal of time was lost ringing the coverts; however, eventually 
 he broke back over the road, and going as straight as an arrow 
 through Houston Wood, up again he went, through the Olives 
 this time, and on by the Wreas and Elphinstone, over Ennely, 
 down to the Scarth. This gallant fox did not hang here, but 
 went right through the wood and down to the Gryfe, evidently 
 making for his old quarters. Most of the field again went 
 round by the road. A farmer having informed a well- 
 known member of the Hunt that the river was quite fordable, 
 
101 
 
 he piloted a number of the field down, but his horse made too 
 big a spring, and, quoting Warburton, slightly altered 
 
 " In the run, said a sportsman, just as I led, 
 My horse jumped in the brook and went bang overhead ; 
 Like a whale in the water I floundered about, 
 And being thrown in, I of course was thrown out." 
 
 When he came up, his language to the farmer was anything 
 but "Parliamentary;" but eventually, a kindly public being 
 at hand, he got home all right, none the worse for his ducking. 
 After crossing the Gryfe, the hounds ran up again to the 
 Torr, going through which the fox went out over the muir, 
 turned to the right, and saved his brush in a drain at Carruth, 
 and being such a gallant fox, no attempt was made to dig him 
 out. They were going two hours and a half, and must have ran 
 over about eighteen miles of country. In the first part of the 
 run there was no doubt it was catch 'em if you can, with now 
 and then a sight of them; but in the latter part the field were 
 pretty well with them. A good deal of time was put off 
 about Houston Wood; but the hounds were hunting all the 
 time, and although they ran to a point and back again, it was 
 the longest run I have seen in my day. The hounds never 
 were cast, and hunted through this long run admirably. On 
 the way home, a farmer who had witnessed the latter part of 
 the run from the top of a hill, addressed Mr. Matheson as 
 follows: "Weel, hae ye kilt your fox?" On Mr. M. saying 
 no, he expressed satisfaction, saying "I ken him weel; ye've 
 hunted that ane for twelve years; they telt me he was shot last 
 year, but I think he'll gie ye another run yet." Tired horses 
 were the order of the day on the ride home, and tremendous 
 were the jumps when some members got their legs under the 
 mahogany, but 
 
 " To friendship, true friendship the toast shall go round, 
 To love and the pleasure derived from the chase ; 
 For while love and friendship in union are found, 
 What bliss can of hunting, fox-hunting, take place." 
 
102 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 Houston, Saturday 10th, 1874. A large field and a great 
 number of carriage people, amongst whom I was glad to see my 
 friend the "Druid" out again on wheels, with a galaxy of beauty 
 on board. Found a leash of foxes in Borthwickfield the moment 
 the hounds were thrown into covert. One broke for Craig- 
 ends, and one for Olives; but the hounds went away with 
 another down to the Scarth, and swinging round by West 
 Barlogan, went up the Ennely. There the field were a little 
 thrown out. The hounds brought their fox down through the 
 hollow, and Mr. G. Muir and myself, who were on foot, viewed 
 him back into Borthwickfield. The pack here flashed on, 
 and by the time they cast themselves on to the line, Squires 
 and the field got up. They ran through the covert. 
 
 " He then broke away with, the hounds at his brush, 
 "When each gallant sportsman right onward does push ; 
 Hark forward, my lads ! now, hark forward, away 
 No funking at walls, for we've no time to stay ! " 
 
 Going out at the south side, the hounds divided, two foxes 
 being on foot. Squires went away with one over a nice bit 
 of country, down across the Bridge of Weir Road on to 
 Crosslee, where they killed him. Trotted back and found 
 the Colonel had run the other fox round by Duchal and up to 
 the Kilmalcolm Strips, where he lost him. Chopped a fox in 
 Elphinstone; but had no more sport. Miss Whitehill went 
 well in this run, and she had a nasty fall, remounted, and was 
 well up at the finish. 
 
 Gleniffer, Tuesday, 13th. Found and ran down to Newton 
 Wood, near Elderslie, pretty sharp, the fox finding refuge in a 
 drain. During this spin a well-known old member of the 
 Hunt, who always goes well, got a nasty cropper. In jumping 
 a wall, riding a first-rate fencer, on landing on the other side 
 his horse put his foot in a grip and rolled over him. I am 
 happy to say that he was able to ride home not much the 
 
103 
 
 worse. I observed, however, next day, that he was going a 
 little "short" on the near fore leg. Went back, found in Trees 
 Gorse, and ran down to Gleniffer, again into a drain. It was 
 a frightfully windy, stormy day, and in consequence the sport 
 on the whole was very moderate, and every one 
 
 " Was glad to go home to the smoking sirloin, 
 And cherish his heart with the generous wine ; 
 To drink in a bumper to each lovely lass, 
 And many choice fellows to toast in his glass." 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 "For coffee-house gossip some hunters come out, 
 Of all matters prating, save that they're about ; 
 From scandal to cards they to " politics" roam, 
 They ride forty miles, head the fox, and go home ! 
 Such sportsmen as these we good fellows condemn, 
 And I vow we'll ne'er drink a ' quaesitum ' to them." 
 
 Warburton. 
 
 1874. What with politics and frost, there has not been 
 much doing in the hunting field lately. One good thing 
 took place from Milliken on a snowy morning, when they ran 
 their fox over the Torr down by Duchal, and back over the 
 Gryfe on to Olives. After this it was impossible to tell 
 where they went, as nobody was with them, and Squires had 
 to go home and get a fresh horse before he got his hounds. 
 I am sorry to say that on Saturday the 7th most of our best 
 country was drawn blank, but late in the afternoon they 
 found a fox in Olives, and ran a short ring round by the 
 Wreas and Scarth to Borthwickfield to ground. 
 
 Tuesday. Stopped by frost. 
 
 Saturday, 13th (Bridge of Weir). A very large field, 
 with a number of fair faces on wheels; but I missed the 
 blooming countenance of my friend the "Druid." Much 
 
104 
 
 to the astonishment of every one, the whole coverts were 
 drawn blank, which previously were well stocked with foxes; 
 and over this part of the country some of the best runs of the 
 season have taken place. On a well-known sportsman being 
 asked how he could account for this state of matters, he 
 answered in the following terms: How could we expect 
 sport, the country has been so overrun lately with Liberal 
 canvassers that all the well-bred foxes have gone to Ayrshire, 
 thus spoiling our sport. However, it is to be hoped that after 
 the turmoil of election is over the " noble animal " will once 
 more return to his " native heath." 
 
 " We hold in abhorrence all vulpecide knaves, 
 With their gins and their traps, and their velveteen slaves; 
 They may feed their fat pheasants, their foxes destroy, 
 And mar the prime sport they themselves can't enjoy ; 
 But such sportsmen as these we good fellows condemn, 
 And I vow we'll ne'er drink a ' quaesitum' to them." 
 
 Warburton. 
 
 CLYDESDALE BEAGLES. 
 
 Wednesday, 4th. Met at Tollcross House, where Mr. 
 George Dunlop, one of our most promising young sportsmen, 
 and a chip of the old block, in the absence of his father, 
 dispensed the usual hospitalities. A hare was at once found 
 in a ploughed field near the house, and, after a capital run, 
 although very much of a ring, was ultimately lost. Found 
 again outside the policies, and had a clipping hour and a kill 
 in the open. Peter, young Mr. Dunlop, and a well-known 
 member of the Hunt, who is seldom far away from them, were 
 all there. The little "dawgs" hunted their hare very patiently 
 all through the run, with a very catching scent, and I was 
 glad to see them at last rewarded with a " scut." I have had 
 the pleasure of participating in the sport of this excellent 
 little pack of beagles several times this season, and am 
 
105 
 
 surprised that more young men don't take advantage of this 
 exhilarating amusement. Saturday is usually a sort of half- 
 holiday, and the hounds don't generally meet till two o'clock. 
 The season is now nearly over, but next year I hope to see a 
 great addition to the rank of subscribers, as a more health- 
 giving and gentlemanly amusement does not exist. 
 
 LANAKKSHIKE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " Free from care, from pain, from sorrow, 
 Haste to Finlayston to-morrow, 
 There shall our steeds outstrip the wind, 
 While time and age creep far behind. 
 No long vigils of love we keep, 
 Nor evening cups protract our sleep ; 
 But ere the sun has reached the skies, 
 Fresh as the morn we gladly rise." 
 
 Tuesday, 17th (Neilston Station). Found at once in 
 Uplaw Muir. The fox crossed the road and ran up the hill to 
 Loch Libo Coverts, but wheeled down by the loch, and went 
 up the steep hill on the north side of the toll, where the horse- 
 men got behind. In getting to the top, the hounds were seen 
 streaming away over the moss. Here they threw up, and 
 Squires could not get to them, but they cast beautifully them- 
 selves and raced away on to the Skiff, going through which, 
 at least ten minutes ahead of the field, they ran their fox 
 down to the strip near Howood Toll. They then rattled 
 him out of this, and threw up at an old deserted farm-house, 
 when they feathered all round about. Mr. D. Kippen, who 
 thought the fox must be somewhere near, jumped off his 
 horse and poked about with his whip, and sure enough there 
 was Mr. Foxy snugly hid in an old pigstye, when, it is need- 
 less to say, he will never rob another hen-roost. This was a 
 very fine run for hounds, but from the state of the going it 
 was impossible to live with them. 
 
 N 
 
106 
 
 Saturday, 21st (Finlayston). A nasty, drizzly morning, and 
 a large field out. After partaking of the hospitality of that 
 prince of sportsmen, Mr. George Kidston, and the "coffee 
 housing" having been got over, a move was made to the East 
 Wood. But much to Hay's disappointment they did not find, 
 as three foxes had been seen in the covert last time they were 
 shooting. However, they found in the gorse at the east; but 
 the field being very unruly, they could make nothing of it. 
 Drew Craigmarlock blank. In the meantime, a fox was 
 viewed away from Knockmountain. Squires quickly got his 
 hounds laid on, and away they went a burster down the hollow 
 and up by Barscube. Leaving it on the left, he crossed the 
 burn and raced on by Corslie to Elphinstone, going through 
 the corner of which he came back very nearly the same line 
 to Knockmountain, where, I think, they must have changed 
 foxes, as I viewed a fresh one come down into the Kilmalcolm 
 Strips with the hounds. I hear they made nothing of it after 
 this. It was to be regretted, as the hounds deserved blood. 
 Time, fifty minutes, with hardly a check. Every one confessed 
 that Mr. D. Kippen, riding a new purchase, had the best of it 
 all through. 
 
 "Oh, hour of bliss! 
 To equal this 
 Diana strove in vain ; 
 Thrice happy man, 
 Who, ' in the van,' 
 His place can well maintain." 
 
 Nimrod. 
 
 " Near to him, on his gray, who never rides jealous, 
 Cramming over his fences came the game Wallace ; 
 But his neck he must break, surely, sooner or late, 
 As he'd rather ride over than open a gate." 
 
 Mr. Geo. Dunlop, Mr. Geo. Kidston, Mr. Thorburn (Greenock), 
 Mr. Hunt, Lord Blantyre's head-keeper, Mr. Couper, and 
 Squires went well. Many were the " cripples" after it was all 
 over, especially amongst the young 'uns, and great was the 
 demand for brandy and soda in the excellent little Kilmalcolm 
 Hotel. One word of advice to beginners. When your horse 
 
107 
 
 gets weak in a run, don't look for a gap in a wall (as so many 
 are apt to do) where there are lots of loose stones and the 
 ground generally much cut up, but look to where the ground 
 is good to rise from, for without a proper fulcrum the 
 exertion of leaping is doubled. 
 
 LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX- 
 HOUNDS. 
 
 " Oh, give me the man to whom nought comes amiss 
 One horse or another, that country or this; 
 Through falls and bad starts who undauntedly still 
 Rides up to this motto, ' Be with 'em I will,' 
 Qusesitum ! Quassitum ! fill up to the brim, 
 "We'll drink, if we die for't, a bumper to him ! " 
 
 Warburton. 
 
 Saturday, 28th (Bishopton). A lovely morning, and a very 
 large field out. A move was made to Barrochan Moss, and 
 in less than a minute a hearty cry pealed through the thick 
 covert "Tally-ho! gone away!" rung from the lips of the 
 whipper-in, as he viewed the biggest fox that ever was seen 
 break away from the corner. "Hoick! to, hollo!" cried 
 Squires, in his musical voice. "For'ard! for'ard!" and 
 every hound answered by bursting from the wood. " Hold 
 hard! let them get at it!" cried the Colonel to some eager 
 sportsmen. They ran him through Dargavel policies, along 
 the burn, and up by the north wood at Barrochan. The field, 
 who were all waiting on the road, got to the leading grounds, 
 but Squires and the Colonel were thrown out, having taken 
 the wrong side at Dargavel. Going over the top of the hill 
 at Barrochan, he raced down over the road near the mill to 
 Clives, and going through the corner of the wood went on to 
 Bother wickfield (all grass). They hung here for about ten 
 minutes. Squires having now got up, found his hounds lying 
 at the earth, and he told me he thinks the fox must have 
 
108 
 
 scratched himself in under the stopping. In the meantime, 
 a fox was viewed away at the south side, and the hounds, 
 quickly getting on the line, ran him, leaving the Wreas on 
 the right, on to Ennely. Disdaining to enter the Scarth, he 
 kept to the right, over the Knapp's Muir, where it was 
 very nasty going, ran down over the Greenock Road, and, 
 going over the railway, crossed the Gryfe, and went on to a 
 young plantation on the side of the new Duchal avenue. 
 Yard by yard his enemies gained upon him, but still he 
 continued to do his best endeavours to escape. The refresh- 
 ing hope that an open earth was near revived his drooping 
 spirits, and fagged Reynard redoubled his exertion to gain 
 this haven of security. " You may try, and I like to see 
 you," said old Squires. " It's a brave heart that never flags 
 when misfortune's at the heels." (Some thought that the 
 fox here had run through a drain, but this was impossible, as 
 there was a grating at the other end). There is a high built 
 wall runs along here, and the fox, raising his brush, managed 
 to get over it. Many of the hounds fell backwards as they 
 jumped at it; but at last all got over, and they now swept up 
 the hill past the toll, and on by the keeper's house, to a small 
 spinney, when Squires' " Who'-hoop!" was carried far on the 
 breeze. It was poor Reynard's death-knell. Time, one hour 
 and a quarter, including the check at Botherwickfield. With 
 the exception of a bit of road at the finish, they went over a 
 very good country. Up to the drain, Mr. C. T. Couper, Mr. 
 Wallace, and Mr. George Coats were first up. Altogether, 
 this was one of the best hunting runs they have had this 
 year. I was rather amused with the cool way in which some 
 men, after going through a gate, slam it back in other sports- 
 men's faces. 
 
 " Some riders there are, who, too jealous of place, 
 Will fling back a gate in their next neighbour's face ; 
 Never pull up when a friend gets a fall ; 
 Some ride over friends, hounds, and horses and all. 
 Such riders as these we good fellows condemn, 
 And I vow we'll ne'er drink a 'qusesitum' to them." 
 
 WarTwrton. 
 
109 
 
 Found again at once in Elphinstone. He broke at the north 
 side, went a cracker on to Knockmountain and down the 
 hollow. He then came back up the hill and turned sharp to 
 the right down again to Finlayston. A check here took place, 
 and the field, thinking it was all over, went down to partake 
 of Mr. George Kidston's well-known hospitality. Old Squires, 
 however, with his indomitable perseverance, Mr. D. Kippen 
 and the Colonel, keen as ever, determined not to be beat, 
 went on, and they fairly ran into their fox in the open near 
 Broadfield time, forty minutes Mr. Kippen getting the 
 brush, thus finishing one of the best all round days of the 
 season. 
 
 " With closing daylight, when our pastime ends, 
 Together dining, we all part good friends ; 
 And home returning, we our slumber court. 
 Of hounds and hunting, some fresh knowledge then 
 Shall guide the quill when ' Stringhalt ' writes again !" 
 
 SPLENDID HUNTING RUN WITH THE LANARK- 
 SHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 On Tuesday, the 12th, these hounds met at Crookston 
 Castle, with about forty of a field, and at once found one of 
 the right sort. 
 
 The fox broke at the east end of the covert towards Pollok 
 House, and after a sharp hunt past the edge of the policies, 
 he crossed the Barrhead Road, going over the hill through 
 the Pollokhead Wood, and on across the railway, as if his 
 point was Waulkmill Glen; but, changing his mind, he turned 
 to the left over a fine open country, where the pace was all 
 that could be desired. Leaving Patterton Quarry on the right, 
 crossed the Stewarton Road, up a hill to Capelrig. Here he 
 turned sharp to the left, and made for the Rouken Mines, 
 where it was feared he would get to ground; but, though he 
 
110 
 
 tried them, he disdained such an ignoble way of saving his 
 brush, and on he went crossing the Kilmarnock Road by 
 Cleuch Farm, to Eastwood Mains, where there was a short 
 check. The hounds soon hit it off again, and hunted him 
 slowly over the hill by Carrolside Farm, crossing both the old 
 Mearns and Eaglesham Roads, down to the Cart, which he 
 swam, a quarter of a mile above Busby Works. The pace 
 again improved here; passed the Dripps and Reel, crossing 
 the Kilbride Road and Kittoch Burn; thence passed the 
 Kittoch Mill, and on to near the Netherton Braes, where he 
 was run into the open within a hundred yards of the breeding 
 earths of Castlemilk. Time, one hour and twenty-five minutes ; 
 distance, about eleven miles. The fox having been gone from 
 Crookston ten minutes before the hounds, of course there was 
 some slow hunting and a few checks, with every now and then 
 a brilliant burst; but to any true lover of the noble science, 
 it was a perfect treat to see the patient and persevering 
 manner in which old Squires hunted his fox over a difficult, 
 and, in some places, rough country. This, no doubt, will be 
 one of the best runs of the season, 1867-68. 
 
 The brush was presented to Mr. Allan Scott, an old, well- 
 known heavy weight, a staunch supporter of the Hunt. 
 
 THE PAST HUNTING SEASON. 
 
 " What lengths we pass ! Where will the wandering chase 
 Lead us bewildered? Smooth as swallows skim 
 The new-shorn mead, and far more swiftly fly. 
 See the brave pack how to the head they press, 
 Jostling in close array, then, more diffuse, 
 Obliquely well, while from their opening vollied mouths 
 The thunder breaks. 
 
 Look back and view 
 The strange confusion of the vale below, 
 Where sore vexation reigns. 
 
Ill 
 
 Old age laments 
 
 His vigour spent ; the tall, plump, brawny youth 
 Curses his cumbrous bulk, and envies now 
 The short pigmean race, he whilom keun'd, 
 With proud insulting leer. A chosen few 
 Alone the sport enjoy, nor droop beneath 
 Their pleasing toils." 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 The season is over! and never in the recollection of the 
 oldest sportsmen has it been so open, and have our local pack 
 had so many good runs; and although the country has ridden 
 awfully heavy, there have been comparatively few casualties 
 to men and horses. With the exception of a serious accident 
 to a lady's favourite horse, and the breaking of Mr. M. T. 
 Fozier's collar-bone (Mr. Fozier, I am happy to say, is going 
 on all right), no other serious accidents have occurred. 
 Colonel Buchanan has been out fifty-eight days, and has killed 
 22 \ brace of foxes, stopped by frost two days, three blank days, 
 and one day the last of the season was so stormy. Major 
 Hazelrigg, of the 21st Regiment, who keeps a capital pack of 
 beagles, has shown some excellent sport, and has killed 
 eighteen hares, having had one blank day. I think lie was 
 out thirty-one times. Mr. J. Addie, who also keeps a private 
 pack and hunts them himself (as also does the Major), has 
 had a capital season, and killed fifteen hares. Mr. Ewen, of 
 Ewenfield, who is Master of the Ayrshire Harriers, has had 
 good sport, and wound up the season with a paper hunt, 
 which came off at the old country near the Wallace Monu- 
 ment, over a stiffish course. There was the usual jealousy at 
 starting, some of the Aryshire men trying hard for a start. 
 Mr. Dykes made the running on old Sunbeam, and was in 
 the front till passing Craigie Castle, closely followed by 
 Mr. C. Cunninghame, Mr. Wallace, and Mr. Cockburn, with 
 Mr. R Oswald, Mr. W. Baird, and Captain W. Middleton 
 not far off waiting their time. Here at a fence, with a 
 ditch on the take off, Mr. Dykes and Mr. Cunning- 
 hame came to grief, and Mr. Wallace took the lead, 
 which he kept till the Craigie Road was crossed, the next 
 
112 
 
 being Messrs. Oswald, Middleton, and Baird. Mr. Wallace 
 here loosing the scent, went a little out of the way, but 
 getting on the line again a slashing finish took place, the 
 riders arriving in the following order: Mr. W. Baird, Mr. 
 Wallace, Captain Middleton, Mr. Oswald, Mr. C. Cunninghame, 
 Mr. Cockburn, and Mr. Dykes. Young Mr. Dick M'Farlane 
 went well throughout. Mr. Cockburn, when going well, 
 was cannoned against near the finish, and fell. The Clydesdale 
 beagles have had some good spins, but have been unfortunate 
 in not bringing many hares to hand, owing a good deal to the 
 boisterous state of the weather, and there being so many 
 hares in a good deal of the country, causing so many changes. 
 They also finished their season with a short steeple-chase at 
 the Mearns Muir, where, I am informed, Mr. John Buchanan 
 had the best of it. I have not heard from Cox, Lord 
 Eglinton's huntsman, but I understand he has killed over eighty 
 brace of foxes. The old coat may now be hung up for the 
 season, and I may put past my favourite pen with which I 
 have had the pleasure of describing so many capital runs this 
 season. As old " Jorrocks " says, " Summer is now drawing 
 on, at least it ought to, if its a comin' at all, leavin' us a 
 long season of repose to contemplate the past and speculate 
 on the future that uncertain future to which we all look 
 forward with such presumptuous certainty ! Oh, rny beloved 
 hearers, summer is a dreadful time. Whoever talked of the 
 winter of our discontent talked like an insane man and no 
 sportsman! I knows no more melancholic ceremony than 
 takin' the string out of one's 'at at the end of the season, 
 foldin' hup and puttin' away the old red rag a rag unlike 
 all other rags, the dearer and more valuable the older and 
 more worthless it becomes." I hardly agree with the cele- 
 brated Mr. J., however, as every sport has its season, and 
 can be enjoyed by all true sportsmen. 
 
 " Though midnight her dark frowning mantle is spreading, 
 
 Yet Time flies unheeded where Bacchus resides ; 
 Fill, fill, then, your glasses, his power never dreading, 
 And drink to the hounds o'er which Buchanan presides. 
 
113 
 
 Though toast after toast with great glee has been given, 
 
 The highest top-sparkling bumper decides 
 That for stoutness, pace, beauty, on this side of heaven, 
 Unrivalled the hounds o'er which Buchanan presides ! 
 Then drink to the fox-hounds, 
 The high-mettled fox-hounds; 
 
 We'll drink to the hounds o'er which Buchanan presides. 
 Who' -hoop!" 
 
LIST 
 
 OP 
 
 THE LANAKKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE 
 FOX-HOUNDS. 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1873. 
 
 AGE. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 SIRE. 
 
 DAM. 
 
 8 Years, 
 
 7 Years, 
 6 Years, 
 
 5 Years, 
 4 Years, 
 
 Wisdom, 
 Monitor, . . . ) 
 Marmion, .. J 
 
 Waspish, 
 
 Gratitude, . ) 
 Gossip, j 
 Fountain, 
 Comus, ) 
 Charity,.... J 
 Barrister, 
 
 Graf ton, 
 
 Belvoir Striver, 
 
 Wishful. 
 Matchless. 
 
 Welcome. 
 
 Wisdom. 
 Welcome. 
 Careful. 
 
 York and Ainsty 
 Gaudy. 
 
 Garland. 
 Bravery. 
 Artful. 
 
 Dorcas. 
 Careful 
 
 Careful 
 
 Wisdom. 
 Tempest. 
 
 Marplot, 
 
 Challenger, 
 
 
 Lictor, 
 
 Dexter, . 
 
 Grove Barrister, 
 
 Wonder, 
 
 Bertram, 
 
 Dexter, 
 
 Stormer, 
 
 W^llin r ton 
 
 Denmark,.. ) 
 Duster, V 
 Damper, . . . j 
 Landlord, 
 
 Conqueror, } 
 Chorister,.. > 
 Comfort, . . . j 
 Wishful,...| 
 Woodbine, \ 
 Welcome, .. j 
 Trimmer,... ] 
 Twilight, ... V 
 Tempest, ... j 
 
 Tickler, 
 
 Limner, 
 
 Wellington, 
 
 Lord Poltimore's 
 Lancelot, 
 
 Lord Fitzhardinge's 
 W"arrior, 
 
 
Ill 
 
 AGE. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 SIRE. 
 
 DAM. 
 
 3 Years, 
 
 Mimic, ) 
 Mindful,... V 
 
 Marmion, 
 
 Garland. 
 
 
 Mischief, ... j 
 Governess 
 
 Governor 
 
 Gladsome 
 
 
 Whimsey, 
 
 Tickler, 
 
 Wisdom. 
 
 
 Driver, } 
 
 Dorcas, .... > 
 
 Marmion, 
 
 Duchess. 
 
 
 Diligence,..) 
 Rutland,... ) 
 
 Dexter, 
 
 Gertrude. 
 
 2 Years, 
 
 Ruby, j 
 
 Hercules, .. \ 
 Hermit, .... > 
 
 Fife Hercules .. 
 
 Gossip. 
 
 
 Harpy, j 
 Wrangler,.. \ 
 Windsor,... > 
 
 Denmark, 
 
 Wanton. 
 
 
 Wildare,... j 
 Striver, .... ) 
 Solon, J 
 
 Lord Fitzhardinge's 
 Desperate, 
 
 Stately. 
 
 
 Madcap, ... ) 
 
 Marmion, 
 
 Wisdom. 
 
 
 Ma^ic 1 
 
 
 
 2 Years, 
 
 Dexter, .... ) 
 Desperate,. | 
 
 Lord Fitzhardinge's 
 Desperate, 
 
 Wary. 
 
 
 Governor,.. \ 
 Gamester .. > 
 
 Damper, 
 
 Garland. 
 
 1 Year, 
 
 General,. ... j 
 
 Nigel, ] 
 Nimrod, ... | 
 Nelson, ....}- 
 
 York and Ainsty 
 Barrister, 
 
 Garland. 
 
 
 Norman, ... | 
 Niobe J 
 
 
 
 
 Trusty, ) 
 Timely, . V 
 
 Damper . 
 
 Twilight 
 
 
 Toilet, .. 
 
 
 
 
 Bellman, ... ) 
 Bluecap, ... J 
 
 York and Ainsty 
 Barrister, 
 
 Wishful. 
 
 1 Year, 
 
 Richmond,. ) 
 Riot, . . 
 
 York and Ainsty 
 Barrister, 
 
 Ruby. 
 
 
 Baronet, 
 
 York and Ainsty 
 Barrister, 
 
 Wisdom. 
 
 
 Gladsome. . , 
 
 Denmark. . . 
 
 Gratitude. 
 
116 
 
 8 Years old, 3 Hounds. 
 
 7 1 
 
 6 6 
 
 5 ... 7 
 
 4 ... - 9 
 
 3 ' ... .:< 10 
 
 2 15 
 
 1 ... 14 
 
 Total, ... ... 32 J Couples. 
 
 In conclusion, I beg to thank those gentlemen who have 
 many tim.es assisted me in writing accounts of runs, especially 
 Col. Buchanan, Mr. C. T. Couper, Mr. D. Kippen, and the 
 able acting Secretary of the Hunt, Mr. Adam Morrison. I 
 may also mention the great civility all hunting men have 
 always received from the landladies of the Houston and 
 Bishopton Hotels, where, many a time, when soaked through, 
 I have sat down at a roaring fire and had a good hot tumbler. 
 Nor must I forget the wonderful good Scotch broth that 
 Mrs. Money at Bishopton has always ready for any sportsman 
 when the hounds are in that district, tasting all the better by 
 being served by her pretty daughter, Miss Mackenzie.