The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-03-11


in order to jcin in the chase. He kept
one of the best selected packs in the
country, and would hunt them every
other day during the season. After he
was elevated to the cpiscopacy he felt
it incumbent upon him to put away
such worldly amusercnts as hounds
and hunting, and, accordingly, gave
his pack to Il nei yhbor near Easton,
one of the Calverts One morning,
while on a journey toward Annapolis
on business connected with the diocese.
his old l,:c., came by in full cry. but.
near him. lost the scent. Before his
Iordship of Maryland realized what he
was about, the palm of his hand was at
his clcricle mouth. and he had given in
stentorian tones the ~ iew-halloo.' and
was hot on the heels of the reassured
hounds. When among the first in at
the death, and glancin" at his blown
and foundcrcd horse. he exclaimed. iE
highest anger:
"Out upon this great carcass ofmine!
No horse that was ever toaled can live
under it TiS good for naught but to
feed upon the good things of Mary
land" That was his lortlship's last
fox hunt
The popular idea of George Wash
ington to the young American mind is
a staid and dignilicd figure, far removed
from the irivolites of life. What
would these revercntial and awc-in-
spired youths have thought had they
seen the immortal George, early one
pleasant September morning. over 100
years ago. attired in 4 brilliant sky
blue coat, with great shining brass but
tons. Il vivid scarlet vest. and his au-
gust limbs encased in pair of buck
skin trousers, rs close-itting as Sir
Toby's famous tights. At the end of
these limbs was pair of natty boots,
with bright yellow tops, and armed
with .iingling silver spurs. On his heal
4 green velvet cap with 4 blue visor.
Astride of 4 magnificent gray geld
ing, rejoicing in the name of Blucskin,
this splendid figure was galloping at
break-neck speed over the dew-laden
Maryland downs, close Oh the heels of
Il pack of wcll-kcpt fox hounds, and
with flushed checks and flashing eyes
was cheering them on the scent.
Eli, there. Vulcan! At him, Speed
awav,. To the scent, DASH, Hi!
Hi! H!!!
And away Off in the distance, just
disappearing over a grassy knoll, was
a poor little red fox, the cause of all
the excitement, his tail pointed deris-
lively at the Father of His Country,
and making good his escape.
Whether or not Washington knew
that the red fox was imported from
England in the early part of the 18th
century land on that account made it
interesting for the fox, history does
not tell us. Certain it is, however,
that few men of his day, whether great
or small, were more ardent dcvotees of
the ''noble sport of fox hunting" or
followed the chase with more dis
tinGuishcd success. During the season
he would hunt regularly every other
day, arising at the first peep of dawn
and not returning until nine or ten
O'Clock with a most ravenous appetite
for 4 bounteous Virginia breakfast.
Lafayette. knowing his love for the
sport, sent him from France splendid
| pack of French fox hounds, and these
| were sources of much attention from
| him. The kennels were situated about
| 100 yards south of the stables, and he
| visited first his horses and then his
! hounds, regularly every morning and
evening.
For great many Years his beautiful
home at Mount Vernon was headlnar-
ters for the cross-country hunters of
Northern Virginia and Southern Mary
land, and from the lst of September
until the lst ol January was full to
Overlooking with the sporting planters
and their wives from these two sec
tions. Needless to say they were en-
tertaincl in the most splendid style of
the South ancient hospitality. Could
the portraits speak or the bricks be-
come louuacious in that historic pile,
! now so dear to eEery American, what
stories they could tell of by goae sport.
ing days, when it sheltered ut one time
as many as fifty ofthe most manly men
and beautiful women of the Twin Sis
ter States, SO trul Y termed Rachel and
Rcbecca by John Easten Cooke.
| Perchance some of the thrilling
stories of the chase, issued from those
rcvercd lips. would be in not altogether
perfect accord with the chcrry-tree lc
gend. 1t was ever Washington 5 proud
boast that 50 close did his pack stick
60 the scent blanket could cover
them; and rs we know he aiways
hunted his fall pack of filty-two dogs,
we must. of course, assume, IS i'll the
light Of the aforesaid fable in which
| little George and the hatchet figured
50 prominently, that the blanket was
either OF immense proportions or that
! the hounds ran four or five deep. But
why not tn latter! Maryland soldiers
| T. l.. q ,,t