Even allowing this to be a grievance, it seems surprising that Pound should oppose what seemed a most desirable object. Obviously the amalgamated pack would be better run and would in all probability show better sport. Moreover, Collegers and Oppidans were growing more and more friendly every year. Already nearly all the differences between the two sections had been abolished. It almost looks as if Pound wished that they still existed. “College must go with the age, for the age will not go with College.” It is a sentence which might mean almost anything. The Oppidans had received the Collegers into all their sports, and yet the latter do not seem to have welcomed the change.
The next development of the proposal appeared in the Chronicle of Nov. 22nd of the same year (1866). Here the leading article was devoted to this purpose, and this is too important not to be quoted in full. Without it, the proposal might, and probably would, have been allowed to “drop unnoticed” perhaps for a considerable number of years. After a few preliminary remarks, it goes on as follows:
“Now we may as well begin by stating that our suggestions refer principally to an idea which has been started before this, but has been allowed to drop again unnoticed, although we must say we think the idea a most felicitous one to all parties whom it concerns. We refer to the idea once brought forward, of Oppidans joining their beagles with those of the Collegers—a plan which we think would tend greatly to further and increase the harmony and goodwill that we are happy to say at present exists between these two essential parts of one school. We all know that combination is strength, and we have been delighted to watch the gradual admission of Collegers into all the privileges and sports of the Oppidans, beginning with the amalgamation of Lower Club and Lower College at Cricket, the admission of Collegers into the VIII., which occurred the same year, and lastly the admission of Collegers into ‘the Field’ (one of them having been no insignificant member of a wonderfully good XI.) and into all the sports and races which have hitherto been open exclusively to the Oppidans. We have therefore one other arrangement to propose, which, if duly carried out, will complete the bond of unity and harmony between us, and will also, we have no doubt, give universal satisfaction, viz. the amalgamation of the Oppidans’ and the Collegers’ packs. Its advantages, we think, must be apparent to all; and we defy its most strenuous and determined opponents, if indeed any such exist, to find any good grounds for defence. We should have all the advantages of a far larger extent of country to hunt over; and that, if some of the farmers are going to be as reluctant, and we might almost say as disagreeable, as last year, would be no inconsiderable gain to our hunt.[3] In a word, more country, more friends and more good-fellowship are the three leading features of the new scheme of amalgamation that we are proposing.
“Again we would venture to suggest that, as in due proportion to the school Oppidans would compose at least three-fifths of the subscribers, the huntsman should be an Oppidan and the first whip a Colleger; while the other whip should, we think, be either a Colleger or an Oppidan according to merit, just as there happened to be one or other really fitting for the office.
“We think then that we have thus shown the great advantages derived from amalgamation; and we hope that we have sufficiently convinced, not only those who have a hand in the management of all these things, but all our readers, that what we have here recommended is the right thing to do. We would conclude by venturing to hint that the ‘Master,’ whoever he may be, should be decided on as soon as possible, as there is much to be done this Half, especially if amalgamation is really brought about. Arrangements will doubtless have to be made for kennels that will suit both parties (though we suppose that the old kennels will be just as convenient for Collegers as ourselves); needful repairs have to be executed, farmers consulted; various other necessary requirements attended to.”
Of course this leader was written by an Oppidan. But nevertheless, it seems to place before the School the true facts of the case, and to show that the proposal was much to be desired and would eventually prove a benefit to both parties. Besides, the leader had yet another merit. It provided a basis for the treaty which had of necessity to be drawn up if the amalgamation were decided on. It suggested that the membership of the pack should be in some accordance with the respective numbers of Collegers and Oppidans. “At least three-fifths” are the words, but they certainly seem to imply that the author considered that a yet larger proportion of Oppidans would be desirable. He also says that, owing to the necessary disparity of numbers, an Oppidan should take the mastership and a Colleger the first whip; while the second whip should be awarded purely for merit.
Such an article as this could not be lightly passed over by those who had a hand in the management of the beagles. There was only a bare month between Nov. 22nd and the end of the school-time. In January 1867 the following entry is to be found in the Journal Book (p. 236):
“January 1867. The Beagles have been amalgamated with the Oppidan pack, and the following are the Articles of Agreement:
I. In consequence of the wishes of both parties, it has been resolved to amalgamate both packs of Beagles.
II. No one will be allowed to run who has not paid his subscription.