'^ THE FOXHOUND OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY BY THE SAME AUTHOR GOOD SPORT SEEN WITH SOME FAMOUS PACKS, 1885 1910. With a Hunting Note by Rt. Hon. Henry Chaplin, M.P., ex-M.F.H., Blankney. With 10 full-page Plates (6 in colour) and over 100 Illustrations in the text. An interesting volume of Hunting Experiences cover- ing a wide area of interest, and including the opinions on hunting and hounds of many authorities whose names are household words in the annals of the chase. FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRETO SHIRE. A companion volume to the above. With 13 Plates (6 in colour) and over 100 Illustrations in the text. "Mr Bradley is an expert In all matters pertaining to the sport of kings. . . . We he.irtily recommend every lover of horse and hound to buy the volume, and can assure all who do so many pleasant hours of excellent reading." — Pail Mall Gazette. ,^ / S-g ^ ^ s < (A o I H 2 « < CQ (« J H " Z o 3 00 J (^ c1 J w w m ■z s w H w^ (A Q (A o (4 & Q » H b O (A M m « §H « l-i F §5 a rt • 1-1 Q S 5, X a b > S i3 n CQ 3 , (/3 a fl u O a a A O O - .ia X) trt o H ° a- ii « Xi 5?S OX! a 1 '" Y« ^n «— .3 •a S >-a ^2« Xi — .tJ ^i ■a ^.hR ■^^ M a >> 1 CO >.ja ■^ 1 C/5 «) .Q O - a> 0. 13 a . is 3 cct: 2-2 1^ « o 2 o 5 u< X >. J3 Q « ^ 03 >, .ti -t-» g U; jg S 2 ^ Si — >> J2 2« S o o >o e5Dio«'> o ^ tt. o -g rt 3 ""0 3 T3 X >> b o> -s S T3 h o a it . — T3 c >. > Q X2 J2 a> O o o s rt a. O -Jrt CA) >. i>,'H >.P>< a: o S 3 ■5 « " o o N m CO CO § 2'53 ;r « 2 C 3 S a o >. ^ ■" 2(2 X2 a O .° a n! ^ ^ -°.fl * S-S 5 5s as -5 O 0) N " a !- a— o 3Z o ■o o a o « O >.-c a 33 >tiiS ajxio ^ a a; ^a J3 >^i ° 2| I "> o in « 1) ■a S a . t lU r 1 in -* lO vo 9-a ^ - - -^ 60 > « o « o 5 o .'i £ B ^ .a -^ ^o >.>. •^=3 ■a S O J2 ^ S >. *j — J2 « a o g i, « a 5 s ■a ni o o. (/5 o O 1 as > > a I 2 2 « o J30 >. O Q S3_ S" >> -^ ? §; ^ S o X V M'3 O -^J ife Ov>, o " « o . I. S S '^ " 3 ■SK °>5 a u 55 '^ Q< 5 a"" I ao a S ° « S « a 85 roo'a ■^■a-a J i Q'J a «^. -■ t THE FOXHOUND OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY THE BREEDING AND WORK OF THE KENNELS OF ENGLAND BY CUTHBERT BRADLEY 'WHIPSTER' OF THE FIELD AUTHOR OF ' GOOD SPORT SEEN WITH SOME FAMOUS PACKS ' ' FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRF. ' 'FRANK GILLARD'S REMINISCENCES' ETC. WITH SIXTEEN FULL-PAGE PLATES IN COLOUR SIXTEEN FULL-PAGE PLATES IN BLACK AND WHITE EIGHTY-THREE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT AND TEN MAPS LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, Limited BROADWAY HOUSE, 68-74 CARTER LANE, E.C. wnee ace ntiimew V OREAT bHITAIN* CONTENTS PAGE List of Illustrations vii Introduction xiii CHAPTER I The Puppy Walkers the Back-bone of Fox-hunting . i CHAPTER II Periods in Hunting History between 1787 and 1912 WHICH influenced THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOX- HOUND 14 CHAPTER III The Symmetry of the Modern Foxhound . . . . 23 CHAPTER IV The Northern Counties Hunts in Northumberland, Cumberland, Durham, and Westmorland • • • 39 CHAPTER V The Yorkshire Hunts 51 CHAPTER VI The North-Western Counties Hunts : Cheshire, Derby- shire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, and North Wales 85 CHAPTER VII The Mid-Eastern Counties Hunts : Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Rutland, Northampton, and Warwick- shire 103 CHAPTER VIII The Eastern Counties Hunts : Huntingdon, Bedford, Cambridge, Norfolk, and Suffolk 146 b V 20?5874 vi THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY I'AGE CHAPTER IX The Western Midlands and South Wales Hunts : Worcester, Hereford, and South Wales . . 164 CHAPTER X The Mid-Southern Counties Hunts : Gloucester, Oxford, Buckingham, Berks, Wilts and Hants . . . .187 CHAPTER XI The Souih-Eastern Counties Hunts : Hertford, Essex, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex .... 206 CHAPTER XII The West Country Hunts : Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Cornwall 228 CHAPTER XIII Reigate Foxhound Show, 1913 ...... 247 CHAPTER XIV The National Foxhound Show at Peterborough, 1913 . 256 CHAPTER XV The Sires of the Belvoir Kennel on the Flags, 1913: AND A Review of the Out-crosses, 1870 to 191 2 . . 275 Index 297 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS LIST OF PLATES IN COLOUR The Belvoir Dog Hounds during the Mastership of Sir Gilbert Green all, 191 2 . , . , . . Frontispiece Facing page Mr Lewis Priestman Hunting the Braes of Derwent Hounds, County Durham ....... A Trio of Cheshire Sires, 191 i : Cheshire Safeguard, Crowner, AND WEATHERGAGE ........ A Couple of Meynell Prize Winners : Meynell Heedless and Woodlark ........ The Earl of Lonsdale and the Barleythorpe Pack in the Cottesmore Country, 19 10 Lord Lonsdale's Sargeant, 1909 ...... Meet of the Fitzwilliam Hounds at the "Haycock," Wands- ford, 1912 ......... Mr Douglas Grossman Hunting the Cambridgeshire Hounds A Couple of the North Cotswold, Hunted by Mr C. T. Scott : North Cotswold Dewsbury and Welcome The Ledbury Dog Hounds, 191 3 The Duke of Beaufort's " Vaulter " A Winning Team from the Duke of Beaufort's The Final for the Champion Cup, 191 3 The Duke of Rutland's " Comus," 1910 On the Benches at Belvoir Belvoir Dexter, 1895 ..... 44 96 122 124 152 160 176 180 190 250 270 280 284 288 LIST OF PLATES IN BLACK AND WHITE Style and Quality: Meynell Wiseacre, 191 i . . . 92 A Beautiful Couple of Ladies from the Meynell : Meynelt. Dabchick and Savoury, 19 10 . . . • . 94 viii THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Facing page The Earl of Lonsdale's Five-Hundred-Guinea Couple : Cheshire Hecuba and Warcry, 1906 . . . . . .120 Milton Rector, 1906 ........ 148 A Solon OF THE Pack : Cambridgeshire Conquest, 1909 . . 158 Fashion AND Fling : Cambridgeshire Windsor, 191 1 . . 162 A Cold Line on the Hills. North Cotswold Sunlight and Heretic, 1910 ........ 172 Size, Quality, and Power: North Cotswold Gauntlet, 1910 174 Good Looks and Good Work: North Cotswold Matron, 1910 178 On the Way to Covert. North Cotswold Tantrum, 1912 . 182 Over the Stone Walls. North Cotswold Pilgrim and Vulpine 184 Champion Dog at the West of England Show, 191 3: Mr Scott Browne's Ranter, 1910 .... The Eighth Duke of Rutland Belvoir Weaver, 1906 ..... The Belvoir, 1900. Leaving Kennels . Lady Greenall in Command of the Belvoir 242 282 292 293 294 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT Heading to Introduction Belvoir ..... Tailpiece to Introduction "Essence of Devil in a Small Space". An Aristocrat .... A Matron of the Kennel Going in from Walk Melody ...... Trophies of a Red-Letter Day's Sport Pace is the Life and Soul of the Chase Stirring Notes ..... Geometrical Balance .... A Pattern for Legs and Feet PAGE xiii XV xix 2 5 9 II 15 17 20 25 26 28 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IX PAGE "A Hound that Leaves You Well. Good to Follow" . 29 A Brainy Head ......... 32 Measurements of Belvoir Gambler, 1884 . . • • 35 "The Most Charming Foxhound of 191 i and 191 3" . . '})7 hyNKY FROM Covert ........ 41 From Scent to View ........ 43 A Leader in Chase ........ 47 The Kennels at Birdsall . . . . . . . 54 Holderness Trojan, 1908 ....... 61 A Peterborough Winner, 1912 . . . . . . 62 Cleveland Vagrant, 1904 ....... 63 The Pick of the Bedale Dog Hounds ..... 65 Sinnington Pirate, 1907 ....... 68 The Bob-Tailed Sinnington Bitch ..... 69 The Marquis of Zetland's Trimbush, 191 i .... 73 HuRWORTH Hebe, 1909 ........ 77 York and Ainsty Viceroy, 191 i, and Rasper, 1910 . . 80 A Grass Country Type ........ 87 The Meynell Winning Team, 1910 . . . . . 92 Meynell Whynot, 1905 ....... 93 A North Shropshire Type ....... 97 Bold Reynard ......... loi The Earl of Yarborough's Veteran, 1908 . . . .107 SouTHwoLD Whalebone, 1908 . . . . . .113 SouTHWOLD Warbler, 1910. . . . . . . 115 Sir William Cooke's Tumbler, 1906 . . . . .117 Blankney Democrat, 1912 . . . . . . .119 The Earl of Lonsdale's 200-guinea Dog Hound . . .123 The Rufford Winning Team, 1902 . . . . .129 Atherstone Cardinal, 1908 . . . . . . .130 Atherstone Despot, 1900. A Peterborough Winner . . 131 Pytchley Potentate, 1897 • • • • • • • ^11 Mr E. A. V. Stanley Hunting the 440-GUiNEA two couple . 135 Warwickshire Pedlar, 1901 . . . . . . . 137 A Warwickshire Type . . . . . . . .138 Grafton Rakish, 191 i ........ 143 X THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Milton Donovan ...... Oakley Byron, 191 i : The Double Champion The Trump Card of the Worcestershire Pack A Belvoir Stormer Sort Queen of the Worcestershire Kennel The North Cotswold, Mr Charles M'Neill Ledbury Baronet, 1909 A Quarrel .... Twenty Minutes to a Kill The Duke of Beaufort's Sanguin Working out the Line . A Trophy for the Kennel . Puzzling a Scent . A Mark to Ground Mr Smith Bosanquet's Saucebox, 1910 A Warning Note of Danger Lord Portman's Royal, 191 i Lord Portman's Wilfred, 1910 A Scent on the Grass . Champion Bitch at the West of England Show, 191 2 Reigate Horse and Hound Show Style and Elegance Charles at Home Sport and Agriculture meet at Peterborough Peterborough in the 'Eighties Peterborough, 1906 Impressive Size and Beautiful Quality A Double Champion : Cotswold Pilgrim, 190 A Determined Sort in the Field Kings of the Kennel . Frank Gillard in the " Duke's Room " at the Belvoir Kennels Belvoir Vagabond, 1899 Belvoir Ragman, 1906 . Belvoir Chorister, 1910 Finis ..... PAGE 14; 156 166 167 169 173 179 18s 189 191 195 197 208 209 216 220 231 233 23s 242 247 253 254 257 263 266 268 271 281 282 286 291 293 294 29s LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xi LIST OF MAPS PAGE Division of Hunting Country on the Map of England xvii Division A — The Northern Counties Hunts ... 39 Division B — Yorkshire Hunts . . . . . . 51 Division C— The North-Western Counties and N. Wales Hunts 85 Division D — The Mid-Eastern Counties Hunts . . . 103 Division E — The Eastern Counties Hunts .... 146 Division F — The Western Midlands and South Wales Hunts 164 Division G — The Mid-Southern Counties Hunts . . . 187 Division H — South-Eastern Counties Hunts . . . 206 Division I — West Country Hunts ..... 228 / As well as shape, Full well he knows, To kill their Fox They must have nose." Fioin N. C. H., Mr M'Neill's Hound List. INTRODUCTION Successive generations of sportsmen, the best and wisest of their time, developed the modern foxhound, a creation expressive of beauty, strength, and energy ; whether regarded from the standpoint of the sportsman or the artist. The science of breeding and selection when forming a pack of hounds to match on the flags, and hunt together in the field, has been the life-long work of many illustrious sportsmen during the past two centuries. As a solace for old age such a study rivals even whist, for the fascination exceeds the xiv THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY limit of human life, and is an inspiring problem ; a source of pleasure for the sportsman who has long ceased to take an active part in the chase. The great masters and huntsmen have been a long- lived race, and their memory is kept green for all time by the hounds they so skilfully bred, which are the corner-stones of modern day pedigrees. An enthusiastic sportsman of the past, a veteran master of hounds, who annually paid a pilgrimage to the Belvoir kennels to enjoy a sight of the ideal on the flags, was wont to say to Frank Gillard, " Would that my grave could be under those flag- stones, so that beautiful legs and feet might for ever be twinkling over me." Foxhound breeding to-day rests on the source of purity of blood derived from four great kennels, which have always been the cherished possession of the same families, bred for generations on the same lines, and never dispersed. Little wonder is it that such fountain-heads are regarded by fox- hound breeders as a National institution, and a deep debt of gratitude is due to the Dukes of Rut- land at Belvoir, the Dukes of Beaufort at Bad- minton, the Earl of Yarborough at Brocklesby, and the Earl Fitzwilliams. Noted packs of hounds have been built up from these sources, to come and go, as owners changed and dispersal sales took place, but the history of fox-hunting is inseparably linked with the history of the great county families of England, who were the pioneers of the chase. The foxhound has developed and kept pace XV INTRODUCTION with the times in a remarkable way, for the breed- ing, conditioning, and training of no other animal has been so carefully looked after. Change of ideas, and system of conducting the chase, have been very gradual in development, so that a page of hunting history referring to a hundred years ago, might almost stand for what is taking place ijL;L-,-oiR. to-day. The institution of the "Foxhound" Stud Book by Mr Cornelius Tongue — " Cecil " — pub- lished for the first time in 1864, dating back to 1787, was the first decisive step in the direction of scientific breeding generally. Since then pro- gress has been continuous, and " the present polished weapons of the chase " surpass even their own standard of excellence. During the past fifty years fox-hunting has become a very popular in- xvi THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY stitution, and Bailey's annual " Hunting Directory," which came into existence seventeen years ago, is a necessity that meets modern day requirements for information concerning the vast machinery which rules the working of the chase. A review of the English kennels of foxhounds— which this season, 1913-14, number 176 packs, not including those of Scotland and Ireland— is here set forth with an endeavour to centre interest in the breeding and work of the present occupants of the benches. For convenience, the map of England is divided into nine sections, grouping neighbouring counties, which are sub-divided into hunting territories. It will be seen that in each division there is one or more leading kennel from which neighbouring packs borrow blood to maintain the standard of the pack. We take this opportunity to tender our cordial thanks to many Masters of Hounds, huntsmen and others, for the assistance so kindly given in facilitating the putting together of this volume, containing as it does the expert opinion of those with a life-long experience on hunting. Section A on the map of England includes the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Dur- ham, and Westmorland, with two leading kennels in the group, the Tynedale and Morpeth, which have long been a source for change of blood. Section B is taken up by the county of Yorkshire which is sub-divided into the territories of eighteen different hunts. Lord Middleton's famous kennel at XVll INTRODUCTION Birdsall taking precedence with so much hereditary material therein. Section C contains the North-Western counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Division of Hunting Country on the Map of England. and packs of hounds in North Wales. The famous kennels which have done so much to further the interests of hound breeding are Sir W. William Wynn's, a great factor in the past, the Cheshire, and the Meynell to-day. xviii THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXtii CENTURY Section D gives us the best in hounds and hunting, the mid-eastern counties of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Northamp- tonshire, and Warwickshire known as the Shires. The seventeen packs in this famous group in- clude the Belvoir, the Brocklesby, the Burton, the Atherstone, and the Warwickshire, each of which is a history of hound breeding in itself. Section E contains the eastern counties of Hunt- ingdonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, with the Fitzwilliam and Oakley kennels as the tap-root for much excellence. Section F represents a group of western counties including South Wales, Herefordshire, and Worces- tershire. In the past the Croome played a very prominent part during Lord Coventry's mastership. Section G covers the mid-southern counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berk- shire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. The Duke of Beaufort's kennel at Badminton is pre-eminently great, and has built up the fortunes of many packs that have dipped into the blood. Section H includes the south-eastern counties of Hertfordshire, Essex, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Suffolk. The kennel with the strongest influence, when seeking improvement, is the Puckeridge. Section I runs down to Land's End and the wild tracts of England, the home of stag hunting. The counties in this division are Somersetshire, Devon- shire, Dorsetshire, and Cornwall. The great kennels are Lord Portman's, and the Cattistock. It has been our good fortune to hunt all our INTRODUCTION xix time with the Belvoir, visit a great many kennels, and enjoy sport in a variety of countries, includ- ing three out of four of the great packs, the Duke of Rutland's, the Duke of Beaufort's, and Mr George Fitzwilliam's. The kennels of Scotland, Ireland, and the world at large have yet to be visited, but we hope to see a great deal more of fox-hunting and gain a wider experience for a future volume, for hound lore is inexhaustible in its interests. For permission to reproduce pictures to illustrate this volume we thank the proprietors of The Field, Land and Water, The County Gentleman, and Baily's Magazine. CuTHBERT Bradley. FORRARD THE FOXHOUND OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CHAPTER I THE PUPPY WALKERS THE BACK-BONE OF FOX-HUNTING " Sweet goddess ! what music can most fittingly sing thee ; What crescent thy lovely brow worthily grace ? Our cubs — bless their brushes ! the farmer has nourished, Our puppies his gudewife most lovingly reared." — Baily^s Magazine. Amongst the best friends to fox-hunting in general^ and the master of hounds in particular, must be ranged those who in sporting phraseology " walk puppies." The institution is an old and honoured one, for we find there exists to this day in the Brocklesby kennel a list of puppies sent to walk in the year 1746, with the names of those who took them in. In theory it is a most delightfully sports- manlike action to walk a foxhound puppy during the first year of his existence ; in practice it is a most heartrending affair. Yet it is absolutely necessary for the future and making of a foxhound that the puppy should be sent from the kennel in which he was whelped, for a year's run at a home where he can have plenty of room and liberty to develop frame and instincts. In the character and disposition of foxhound puppies and boys — and we speak from experience, having walked a couple at a time of each species — there is a striking similarity which prompted the great writer, Foster,. 1 A 2 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY to say, " I never saw so much essence of devil put in so small a space." The advantage of being well born and getting a good start in life are apparent to everybody, and Dame Fortune in the case of the foxhound puppy arranges all this by insuring a faultless pedigree and proportions of outline. Character a foxhound puppy is credited with inheriting from his dam, make and shape from his sire, and when the union "Essence of devil in a small space." has been planned on experienced scientific lines, with blood relationship blending on both sides, the " child of promise " may combine those cardinal virtues which distinguished ancestral foxhounds of a century ago. There is hardly a puppy to-day in whose veins does not lurk the blood of some or all of the great foxhounds of the past, for the race is one great family, very closely bred, branching out into different clans but never getting very far away from the parent tree. The difficulty nowa- days would, we suppose, be to find whelps that are not in direct descent from Mr J. Corbet's Trojan of THE PUPPY WALKERS 3 1783, the first hero of foxhound worship ; Squire Osbaldeston's Furrier of 182 1, for the hne of the httle black and white dog comes into all the great pedigrees ; or Belvoir Weathergage (1876), the ac- knowledged bed-rock of all modern day excellence in foxhound breeding. The responsibilities of taking a puppy to walk are many ; in the first place we become his sponsors for sport, and pledge ourselves to do our best to teach him his name, build up a stout frame and constitution, besides undertaking to pay for the indiscretions and annoyances he may commit on a neighbour's premises. As his appetite grows, so also does his frame in a marvellous way, all traces of shyness disappear, and he quickly assumes that surroundings were made for his own special gratification and amusement. As Ben Capell used to say when sending out his youngsters from Belvoir, " Look after them well for the first two months, and then, if they have a drop of Belvoir blood in them, they will look after themselves." A fox- hound is a freebooter by instinct, a capital forager ; picking up all sorts of things he should not, is his besetting sin ; chasing chickens, hares, and rabbits on other people's property his constant occupation. In the shires a foxhound puppy is regarded in the same light as the Brahmin does the sacred bull ; he is undoubtedly the gentleman of his race, and his aristocratic bearing saves him from many a well- deserved " hiding." All sorts of naughtiness and evil-doings are laid to his door by right-minded people, who regard a foxhound puppy as they do a growing schoolboy, the very essence of iniquity. But the farmer who sent in a pup from walk with the remark, " He ought to be a very good hound, because he ate the missus's petticoat and prayer- 4 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY book," was a sterling good sportsman, who thoroughly understood human nature. It is a well-known fact that the most mischievous puppies and boys grow up to become the most useful in after life, for it is the active brain that prompts mischief, and when this has been developed and disciplined it stands for good work later on. Like all gigantically sinful people, the foxhound puppy wears an easy air of perpetual and exaggerated innocence that tends to put the unwary off their guard. He plays the game, lives every minute of his life, spending his time when at walk, hunting, feeding, or sleeping, the freedom of action and range of possibilities combining to make the hound fit to carry on the supremacy of an illustrious kennel. Without the assistance of the puppy walker, success in hound breeding, or the maintaining of the high standard of a pack, is absolutely impossible, so that puppy walkers have been very rightly styled " the backbone of fox-hunting." The large percentage of those who walk puppies but do not hunt is a very striking fact, illustrating the largeness of heart and unselfishness that exists amongst the dwellers of the country side. Many hunts send out to walk each season the best part of a hundred couple of puppies, the farmers and tradesmen resident in the country being given first chance to take a puppy, and to their credit very few remain for the gentry to walk. Former Dukes of Rutland made it a rule for all tenants on the estate to walk foxhound puppies, and it has always been regarded as a privilege, not a hardship. The existing fact, that walks for foxhounds are to be found in plenty amongst the middle and lower classes of the country-side, is only another proof of the Democratic spirit which has always existed THE PUPPY WALKERS 5 since the chase was estabhshed. In hke manner the passing of the old-world trencher-fed pack is to be regretted, because this rough and ready arrangement of bygone ages, billeting hounds on the followers of a hunt, had the advantages of giving everybody a vested interest in the sport, and much of the love of hound-lore and hunting disappeared with the banishment of the old venatic institution. Walking a puppy is immensely popular, and although the number of hounds bred nowadays is perhaps An Aristocrat. four times as many more than was the case fifty years ago, yet there is a billet to be found for every one of them. As a nation we are keen as ever for fox-hunting, the love of which we inherit in our blood from ancestors who hunted to live, and although one in fifty may be the average of those who can ride with the chase, yet the other forty-nine love a foxhound. The charm of fox-hunting is that it has never been exclusive, for it must never rank as " the rich man's game," and the puppy walker is the last man in a national institution that the chase can manage to do without. To-day the lady of the household is the greatest asset to fox-hunting, for she it is of late years who has 6 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY adopted the puppy into the bosom of the family, and a higher standard of excellence has been estab- lished throughout the kennels of England. As often as not, as the saying is, " the missus is master," so that if the lady of the house looks unfavourably on the sport of kings, a breach of the peace is en- dangered, and next season's " good walks " may be hard to find. Mere man, who had a puppy walking on his premises, was once heard to remark to the huntsman, when sending him into kennel, " I doubt he won't be of much use to you, he's for ever after the girls ! " The huntsman, however, thought otherwise, for next season he sent the breeding from the best stuff in the kennel to that particular walk ! The run of a good larder, dairy, and chicken- pen has built up the splendid specimens which to- day are " stars in the foxhound firmament," and the memory of the good walker will be kept green in the annals of the chase, long after marble and such like tributes have perished. There are more than two hundred packs of hounds in the United Kingdom, whose expenditure is from £50 up to £10,000 a year, so that puppy walkers may be counted by thousands. The foxhound puppy goes into kennel from walk about March, when the lambs are beginning to arrive, because the risk in a sheep-rearing country would be too great a responsibility to incur. Those that are billeted in towns remain at walk much longer, for the freedom is all in favour of develop- ment, and although we have opinioned that a farm offers the best of all walks for a puppy, yet it is often the hotel-keeper or the butcher of a neighbour- ing town who carries off the much coveted cup. Some seasons ago the two prize puppies of the Quorn entry were walked by good sportsmen living in the towns of Leicester and Loughborough. Mr Sherwin, THE PUPPY WALKERS 7 a com merchant in Leicester, won the cup on this occasion with Gauntlet, and in an exceUent speech at the prize-giving luncheon, said : "I had a bad quarter of an hour when the judges had out the last three ; I don't care now ; I only wish I had a horse good enough to ride to Gauntlet and her fellows ; you who have may catch her if you can." There are thousands who walk puppies year by year and never win a prize for doing so, yet are quite content if their protege is of sufficient merit to gain an entry in the pack. The disappointments are in greater proportion than the prizes, the mortality from distemper and other ailments taking a terrible toll of puppies when at walk. As an instance which will illustrate many another, the entries for 191 1, all over the country, were not numerically strong, for the wet winter was in a great measure the cause of great mortality amongst young hounds. Of 70 couples sent out to walk by Lord Middleton, only 30 couples were returned to kennels. After further loss owing to distemper, and the drafting of those not up to the standard of merit, Tom Bishopp put forward nine couple of dogs, and six couple of bitches. A puppy may be sent into kennel, fat as a bacon pig, nothing having been considered too good to bring about his development ; he may, however, be beaten at the prize-giving bj^ one that has not been so well done, but from the fact " that he stands right and carries his bone down," he turns out to be the winner. It is but an illustration of the luck attached to most affairs in life, and cannot be regarded as a hardship, for every sportsman likes to see the best win on his merits. So in puppy walking as in riding to hounds the best goes first if he can, and the protege of the roadman may beat 8 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY that of the baronet, if he is good enough. When Lady Greenall came to Belvoir as the wife of the master, she solved the difficulty by presenting an extra cup to the walker of the puppy which was considered in the best condition when sent into kennel, and the prize was very much appreciated, besides having an enormous influence on the standard of subsequent entries. It is generally the custom of different hunts in the United Kingdom to hold their annual puppy judging in the autumn, by which time they look level in condition, are over the worst of their troubles, and have shed their puppy coats. The best receipt for walking a puppy is absolute liberty, with a dry bed at night, new milk, and biscuit, the rest he will forage for himself, for a foxhound is an adept at begging and looks his best when so occupied. At the first symptom of sickness he should be treated as a child, kept in a warm, even temperature, and given the best of '' kitchen " physic. When Frank Gillard sent the Belvoir puppies out to walk, they arrived with a packet of his " famous distemper compound," and a little gilt spoon with which to administer the same. In the early days of infancy it is advisable to see that a puppy does not have to climb up into his bed, or jump down on to a hard floor, otherwise he may damage the shape of his legs and feet, the all essential points in the symmetry of a foxhound. One good lady with a baby asked how she should feed the pup. " With what's left in the baby's bottle," replied the master; " give the tit first to one then the other." Notable orators and statesmen have been at their happiest moments addressing the puppy walkers, the late Duke of Rutland, Lord John Manners, THE PUPPY WALKERS 9 delighting to support Sir Gilbert Greenall on these occasions, during his mastership to the Belvoir hounds. " Talking of the excellence of the hounds reminded him of a pretty but pathetic story," said the venerable statesman, " told to him as a boy. One of the famous hunstmen, Thomas Goosey, A Matron of the Kennel. when he retired from active life, spent the rest of his days in a cottage at Woolsthorpe. There was a garden at the back, looking towards the green hill which sloped up from the village of Woolsthorpe to Belvoir. In the early summer mornings his not less famour successor, Will Goodall, used to bring the hounds for exercise by the garden gate. The old gentleman, seated in his chair, took his hat off, 10 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY and remained uncovered until hounds had passed out of sight. That, he thought, was a pretty story, and he was not altogether indisposed to think that perhaps there might be some enthusiastic sportsmen in the company, and some admirable, perhaps even critical, judges of hounds, who when they met the Belvoir pack might feel inclined to take their hats off, believing that when they saw them, they repre- sented about as good a type of the noble animal, the English foxhound, as they were likely to see in the course of their natural lives." The puppy show is a " prize baby show " so far as the lady walker is concerned, " speech day " for the houndman who makes intricate calculations as to what sort of a hound the puppy will grow into. Undoubtedly these show days at kennels are of great service to the cause of rearing young hounds, and the furtherance of good feeling throughout the district in which hounds hunt. A puppy walking community is drawn from all ranks and callings in life, the occasion being productive of the most delightful freemasonry, though not one in ten of the assembly ever take any active part in the chase. Still they are great hearted sportsmen, sponsors for the future of the kennel, glad of an opportunity to see the puppy they walked happy and settled in life. The great professors of fox-hunting are there to judge the merits of the young hounds on the flags, and the keenest rivalry exists, for if your protege is not fortunate to win the prize, it is something to know he was good enough to lick the representative sent in by a neighbour. The hunt servants in the spotless white kennel coats are all smiles and polite- ness, saying the right thing at the right moment, just in the same way they always act promptly in the field. " It was your Dauntless that set 'em THE PUPPY WALKERS II all right last season, when nothing else could touch the line," we seem to hear the gallant first whipper- in say to the smiling lady that lives up at the home farm, and " does a couple of puppies the very best, every season." Distinguished personages are requisitioned by the Going in from walk. master to address the community of his dominion. We have heard Lord Willoughby de Broke, M.P., confess that judging the entry gave him as stupen- dous a task as befell Paris of old, when awarding the golden apple to the three beautiful ladies. The Right Hon. Henry Chaplin, M.P., is another whose racy orations delight a fox-hunting assembly. A clever summary of the character of a foxhound puppy was made by Mr George Fitzwilliam, master of the Milton, when he said, " undoubtedly many 12 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY had to put up with all sorts of annoyances, and knowing the instincts of mischief which characterise a Milton bred hound, he heartily sympathised with them, but as you all know the best of good fellows is generally between times a bit of a rotter." In much the same vein Mr George Lane Fox, M.P., said, " they might ignore the hereditary principle in creating peers if they did not think it import- ant to consider what the parents had been. But if they ignored the hereditary principle in the kennel when breeding foxhounds, they would find they bred a different sort of animal, that did very surprising things." The speech from the Master of the Hunt, who occupies the presidential chair on these occasions, is generally the opportunity for a little well-timed weighty advice to his following. A text for the annual sermon might be taken from the following, " To a man be true to sport, walk a puppy, guard an earth, save a chicken, open a gate." Little acts performed by the community, helping to make the machinery of a hunt run smoothly. The prizes of cups and silver ornaments presented by the master to those walking the winning puppies, go to make family heirlooms, of which future posterity ought justly to be proud. The masters of the Cheshire Hunt award ten silver cups annually to the puppy walkers, and everywhere the prize list is on the most hberal scale. Although the puppy walker may walk the puppy, in nine cases out of ten it is the wife who walks the puppy walker, and Mr Loder, the new master of the Atherstone, realising this fact, has presented the wives of all his puppy walkers with a gold brooch. Gratitude is due to the lady of the house where the puppy is walked, more than to anyone else, for she it is who sees him THE PUPPY WALKERS 13 through all his troubles, and overlooks his many lapses from the paths of uprightness. Like parting with the high-spirited boy, the departure of the mischievous puppy is anguish to the household when the day arrives that he must be sent into kennel. These annual festive meetings at the kennels are red-letter days in the sporting calendar, for real and permanent goodwill is strengthened be- tween farmers and the hunt, and those who have not puppies to walk for the next entry realise their " childless " position. We have never wilfully missed attending one of these cheery puppy show gatherings, and a happy conclusion is brought to the festive occasion when the health of the puppy walkers and their wives has been duly responded to, and some one volunteers to sing with rattling chorus, Whyte Melville's stirring lines : " Drink, puppy, drink ; let even,' puppy drink. That is old enough to lap and to swallow. May he grow into a hound, so pass the bottle round, And gaily we'll who-whoop and we'll holloa." CHAPTER II PERIODS IN HUNTING HISTORY BETWEEN 1 787 AND 191 2, WHICH INFLUENCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOXHOUND Fox-hunting and the countrj^ gentleman came into existence directly England settled down to law and order, the history of the most manly of all sports being inseparably linked with that of the great county families, who founded what to-day is regarded as a national institution. The importance of fox-hunting and the influence it has brought to bear in moulding the character of the nation can- not be overestimated, for Xenophon described the art of hunting " as the noblest exercise, making men laborious, active, and wise." When the necessity ceased for landed proprietors to keep an armed troop under their roof to protect their estates, then the dawn of the chase gave England a new interest in life, the commencement of a spell of peace and prosperity throughout the land. The pioneers of this great movement were the owners of ancestral acres who established packs of hounds early in the eighteenth century, providing sport and recreation for their tenants and neighbours. Supplanting a brutal age of fighting, bull-baiting, and barbarous amusements, — popular with the youth of the time, when in the spirit for excitement, — the nicer science of the chase became a school for pent- up-energies, encouraging valour, self-control, and resourcefulness in the hour of danger and difficulty. The evolution of the modern foxhound has 14 PERIODS IN HUNTING HISTORY 15 necessarily been a slow process, summed up in one sentence by the late Canon Kingsley when he says, Melody. " the result of nature, not limited, but developed by high civilisation/' Various breeds of hunting dog have been mentioned by early writers as the origin from which the foxhound sprang, but one i6 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY thing is perfectly certain, the pioneers took the best material available, interbreeding to fix a type. Breeding as a science commenced during the first quarter of the eighteenth century, when the Dukes of Beaufort and Rutland, the Earls of Fitzwilliam and Yarborough established kennels, and to-day those four great packs are the purest source for hereditary qualities in foxhound breeding. The modern fox- hound after two hundred years of skilful breeding and selection by sportsmen the most gifted of their age, is the finest weapon of the chase when handled an by artist. The interests of no other animal have been more jealously guarded, for it has always been a golden rule to breed from working strains, and the foxhound has met the requirements of each successive age. The origin of the foxhound, as we know him to-day, may safely rest with the verdict of the reverend gentleman, who, when asked, " where the young huntsman came from who was killing foxes in such style ? " made answer by solemnly pointing his stick heavenwards. The institution of the first foxhound stud-book, published in 1864 by the late Mr Cornelius Tongue, " Cecil," is the basis on which modern pedigrees have been built up. The stud-book goes no further back than 1787, a period of history when the four great family packs, the Belvoir, the Badminton, the Brocklesby, and the Fitzwilliam commenced to keep lists of hounds, and established a system of breeding. The Brocklesby, which has always been owned and hunted by successive Earls of Yar- borough, is one of the oldest established packs, which has never been dispersed and always bred on the same lines. There is evidence that hounds were kept at Brocklesby as far back as 1623, the kennel lists, many of which are in the handwriting of the PERIODS IN HUNTING HISTORY 17 Earls of Yarborough, commencing in 1746, without a break to the present time. There is not a doubt Trophies of a Red-Letter Day's Sport. that every pack of hounds in England, traces in blood to Brocklesby. The records and pedigrees of the Belvoir hounds, the cherished possession of successive Dukes of Rutland, date from 1762, and the blood, owing to its purity of ancestry, is more potent in its hereditary B i8 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY qualities than that of any other kennel in the world. The far-famed Milton, the family possession of the Fitzwilliams' hunting in Yorkshire and North- amptonshire, is another proven source for those breeding a pack of hounds. Pedigrees commence in 1760, and the breeding of the kennel has always been managed by hunstmen the acknowledged best of their time, so that type and character are trans- mitted through successive generations. The Duke of Beaufort was one of the first to change from stag to fox, finding the latter gave the best hunt, and necessitated the breeding of faster hounds. It is impossible to overestimate what these four great kennels have done to further the interests of the chase, and from the earliest time have exchanged courtesies in breeding. The second volume of the Foxhound Stud-book brought out by Mr Cornelius Tongue, was purchased by the Masters of the Foxhound Association about 1880, and placed with the Rev. Cecil Legard to edit year by year, which he did most skilfully for a quarter of a century, gaining the thanks of every hound breeder throughout the world. The pioneers of fox-hunting commenced at day- break to hunt the drag of the fox, the slow order of woodland pursuit, a matter of patience and endurance rather than speed, being the system in vogue. The hounds of the period were big, cumber- some animals, with scenting qualities, and plenty of tongue to make the deep woodlands ring with their melody. Between 1732 and 1788 Mr Thomas Noel, resident in the present Cottesmore country, owned and hunted a pack of full-sized hounds where he pleased in the area of Leicestershire, Warwickshire, and Derbyshire. About 1750 a faster era of sport PERIODS IN HUNTING HISTORY 19 was instituted by Mr Hugo Meynell when hunting the Ouorn, and at once a better class of hound was necessary, built on smarter lines, and endued with courage, speed, and endurance. Mr Hugo Meynell and his contemporaries, Mr John Musters and Squire Childe, gave the foxhound the chance to show his true character and superiority, when they evolved the system of breeding and kennel management. Riding to hounds becam.e popular, and about 1780 Melton Mowbray was established as the metropolis of the chase. The Duke of Beaufort, the Duke of Rutland, Earl Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Yarborough, Lord Monson, Mr Lane Fox, Sir Roland Winn, Mr John Musters, Mr John Corbett, the first great masters, set a high standard in their kennels, for they would have uniformity of outline, the right temperament to hunt together, and the best of working qualities. The first quarter of the nineteenth century, regarded as " the golden age of fox-hunting," brought about many great changes, for Squire Osbaldeston, in a double mastership to the Ouorn between 1817 and 1827, revolutionised the system of hunting. Hounds were matched for speed and taught to disregard the pressure of horsemen, quickness of decision being recognised as the life and soul of sport. No other hound in history has been so much bred to as " Squire " Osbaldeston's Furrier, 1821, bred by Thomas Goosey at Belvoir, and drafted from the Duke of Rutland's kennel because he was not straight. An excitable hound in tempera- ment, the " Squire " declared him " the best he ever saw in the field," on many occasions taking out a whole pack by Furrier, to hunt before a critical gathering. The great masters of that time, Lord Henry Bentinck, Sir Richard Sutton, Mr G. S. 20 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Foljambe, Mr Nicholas Parry, used Furrier exten- sively when establishing their kennels, so that his line to-day is transmitted through all that is great in foxhound breeding. According to Mr G. S. Lowe's showing, Belvoir Weathergage, 1876, who is justly regarded as " the bed-rock " of choice pedigrees to-day, hits eight times to Osbaldeston's Furrier, increasing to nearly a score of hits when we reach the pedigree of Belvoir Dexter, 1895, the most -mmammmmmm Pace is the life and soul of the chase. fashionable sire of the last quarter of a century. Other great sires rich in Furrier blood include Lord Fitzhardinge's Cromwell, Lord Coventry's Rambler, Grafton Woodman, Quorn Alfred, Southwold Freeman. Turning to Belvoir, the fountain-head of all excel- lence in foxhound breeding, it may be said that the kennel established its type and its fame when Will Goodall got Brocklesby Rallywood, 1844. This great sire, whose influence extends throughout the foxhound world, came to the Duke of Rutland's kennel in 1850, and was the last purchased hound, the kennel ever afterwards relying on its own breed- ing. Will Goodall described the Brocklesby dog PERIODS IN HUNTING HISTORY 21 as a 23-incb hound on short legs, exceedingly light of bone, with beautiful feet and legs, and rich in Belvoir blood. Tom Smith had fourteen couple by him in the Brocklesby kennel at the same time, and during Rallywood's first season in office at Belvoir, fifty couple of his whelps were sent out to walk. The best strains in the Belvoir kennel at the present time are in direct descent from Brocklesby Rallywood, and Frank Gillard's famous Weathergage, 1876, to whom nearly all the great sires of our time strain, was rich in Rallywood blood. The great hound breeders of the past kept to families, bred to a type, and made that type per- manent in their kennel. An extract from the Field of March 31, 1866, is evidence of the premier position the Belvoir has maintained during the past sixt}/ years, " perhaps the finest pack on the face of the earth, and as true as though they were run in the same mould. They are a palpable proof of what can be effected by careful selection and the scientific crossing of high families. The following are some of the fashionable sires of modern times. The Duke of Rutland's Guider and Comus ; the Duke of Beaufort's Voyager and Trojan; Lord Poltemore's Archer, Warrior, Bertram, and Voyager ; Lord Macclesfield's Mulciker ; Lord Fitzhardinge's Lusty ; Lord Ports- mouth's Lincoln and Bertram." Nearly all the most sought after foxhound sires of modern times trace to Belvoir Weathergage, pronounced by Frank Gillard " the best foxhound he ever saw in every part of a hunt." Such names occur, as Belvoir Dexter, Stormer, Handel, Vaulter, and Royal ; Grafton Why not, Woodman, and Waggoner ; Lord Middleton's Dexter ; Badminton Dexter ; Atherstone Straggler and Streamer ; Fitz- 22 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXtii CENTURY william Harper ; Warwickshire Traveller ; Cricklude Worcester and Bandit ; Southwold Valiant ; Cirencester W^eathergage. The most successful hound-breeders have formed entire packs of such blood relationship, crossed in and out. Bone and muscle has been consolidated, but the type and character has remained fixed, the modern foxhound being a triumph of breeding and selection. CHAPTER III THE SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND " On the straightest of legs and roundest of feet^ With ribs Uke a frigate his timbers to meet. \Vith a fashion and fling and a form so complete, That to see him dance over the flags is a treat ! " — Whyte Melville. The subtle symmetry and finished anatomy of tlie foxhound will reward the closest stud}^ for the ex- quisite mechanism and balance appeals to the highest sense of the artistic temperament. The beauty of the modern foxhound is more than skin-deep, a reason for every line of his faultless conformation being considered for the work which he has to perform. We may have our ideals, but it is difficult to get away from the enchantment of a truly made foxhound, for in no branch of breeding has the art been carried to such perfection. Canon Kingsley described the modern triumphs of breeding in the most poetical language when he wrote : " Next to an old Greek statue there are few such combinations of grace and strength as in a fine foxhound. The old savage ideal of beauty — type of mere massive force — was the lion ; of grace, the fawn. Breeding and selecting, through long centuries, have created the foxhound, which combines both types. . . . Look at the old hound, ^vho stands doubtful, looking up at his master for advice. Mark the severity, delicacy, lightness of every curve ; his head fine as a deer's, his hind-legs as terse as steel springs, his fore-legs straight as arrows ; and see the depth of his chest, the sweep of his loin, the mass of arm 24 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY and thigh, the breadth of paw ; and, if you have an eye for form, note the absolute majesty of his attitude. Majesty is the only word ; for, if he were ten feet high instead of twenty-three inches, with what animal on earth could you contrast him ? It is a joy to see such perfection alive ! " The poet Somerville is another who gives the points of a foxhound in verse as surely as if they were penned for a standard of comparison to-day. "... See there, with countenance blythe And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound Salutes thee cow'ring, his wide op'ning nose Upwards he curls, and his large sloe-black eyes Melt in soft blandishments, and humble joy ; His glossy skin, or yellow-pied, or blue In lights or shades by nature's pencil drawn, Reflects the various tints ; his ears and legs Fleckt here and there in gay enamel'd pride Rival the speckled pard ; his rush-grown tail O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch ; On shoulders clean, upright and firm he stands ; His round cat-foot, straight hams, and widespread thighs, And his low-drooping chest, confess his speed. His strength, his wind, or on the steepy hill, Or far extending plain ; in every part. So well proportion'd, that the nicer skill Of Phidias himself can't blame thy choice. Of such compose thy pack." The great masters during the first quarter of the eighteenth century established the present shape and character of the foxhound, devoting their best energies to produce the highest type of animal for hunting purposes. Their system of breeding became a science, for certain noted families of foxhounds transmit their qualities when inter-bred on scientific principles. The soundness of the foundation they laid, has made the high standard of modern day excellence possible. The usefulness of some animals may have been impaired by breeding for points, but the foxhound has never become " the sport of fashion." Wise SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND 25 sportsmen, with the true instincts of the best tradi- tions of an Enghshman, decided what the conforma- tion and size of the original foxhound should be ; to perform successfully the strenuous duties of the chase, and at the same time balance the sporting chance in favour of the hunted one. Those content to hunt with any sort of dog have invariably tired of it before reaching middle life, <-^^* ,X- Stirring; notes. but to breed a pack of the highest quality is the ambition of a lifetime. Working quahties have been the foundation principle on which hounds have alwavs been bred, and when viewing a beautiful specimen of the kennel, whose geometrical balance and intelligence delights the eye as he stands before us on the flags, we can exclaim, as did the late Lord Willoughby de Broke — who would have them good- looking — ■" with working qualities as a matter of course." Modern perfection of symmetry of outline may 26 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY be compared with the finish of high-class machinery, which is so planned to wear and run at the highest rate of speed without friction or severe strain to the working parts. As proof of this some of the best known foxhound models, Belvoir Gambler, Dexter, and Stormer, all hunted into their ninth or tenth season, and stood well at the finish. Studying carefully the make of a foxhound we may Geometrical balance. note the reasons for correctness of outline, and the mathematical balance which the framework presents to the eye. Although there are many accepted model hounds, expert opinion seldom resorts to tape or weight measurements when judging pro- portions, because the subtle symmetry can best be appreciated by the eye, in the same way that the artistic values of a Greek statue appeals to the higher senses. Very often ladies, who may not perhaps really understand the points of a foxhound — but who possess the nicer perception for proportion SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND 27 and balance — can pick out the truest shaped one, where the mind and judgment of the expert is dwarfed by a weight of knowledge. The outline of a foxhound should suggest strength and substance, blended by exquisite quality, and no point should be in excess but planned to present an harmonious balance. Although bone in the foxhound below the knee is most desirable, and a valuable asset for a first-rate pack of hounds, yet Mr Henr}'- Chaplin has said, " that an excess of bone in a race-horse, or a foxhound, may amount to a matter of vulgarity." Carrying not an ounce of lumber when in hard condition, the framework of the modern foxhound is beautifully constructed to travel at a high rate of speed, with the least possible effort, or shock to the internal organs. A faultily constructed pack, when put to the severe test, cannot last many seasons at their work, and are more liable to fall lame, going to prove that the very best in foxhound blood is the soundest investment. The correct shape of neck, shoulders, feet, legs, and strength of loin, have more inherent value than the mere beauty of outline. Faulty formation of shoulders, with overloading at the points, or width on the withers, is the cause in many instances of hounds falling lame for apparently no reason at all. Experience has shown that coarse necks, and loaded shoulders, cannot act over ridge and furrow at the end of a hard day's hunting. The centre of gravity should be well behind shoulders that slope into the muscles of the back, which should be level and muscular, not dipping behind the withers, or arching over the loins. Liberty of action is expressed by the right distance of the elbow point from the ribs, for crooked legs j8 the foxhound OF THE XXth CENTURY generally go with tied-in elbows, which knock the wind out of a hound by thumping on his ribs when travelling at a high rate of speed. Deep ribs and plenty of heart room are matters of vital im- portance, and the appearance of some hounds is ruined by giving the idea of having two good ends and no middle piece. When looking at a foxhound he is rightly fashioned if the eye at once goes to the middle of his body, as it does when viewing a statue of exquisite proportions. The spring of ribs is a debatable point on which many expert critics disagree, but no one can enjoy the sight presented by a flat-sided hound. Some of the best models have had well sprung ribs, that were deep ECLVOIR. HELPER. '» A pattern for legs and feet. rather than round, and the circumference of the heart room has been extraordinary, comparing with that of a horse. For an animal that is to attain a high rate of speed, a deep, nicely sprung rib, rather than a round one like a hoop, would seem to be the right conformation to cleave through the air with the least possible resistance. As regards back-ribs, they should not be short, otherwise there is a suspicious tucked-up, weak appearance through the loin. The back of a foxhound bespeaks his strength, SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND 29 sta3dng powers, and constitution, making it possible to judge whether he is to be a good servant or an invahd. As the old saying is, a foxhound should look as if he carried his meat on his back, not in his belly, and then he is fit to wear down three horses in a day's hunting. A foxhound, like a well-made weight-carrying hunter, should not stand A " A hound that leave? you well." " Good to follow." over too much ground or show an excess of day- light under him, but he should express length on the top of his back, with no suspicion of cobbyness. Such proportions meet the requirements of artistic symmetry, and enough has been said that they also promise the best possible results when put to the test of work. Legs and feet in the foxhound have been brought to the highest state of perfection during the last 30 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY quarter of a century. Bone and muscle have been consolidated and will measure against that of a previous generation of hounds ; for there is an increase of weight and size, to meet extra wear and tear. The modern foxhound has the fore- arm of a lion, and shows short, solid, good bone from the knee to the toes. The ancient type was longer and more slender as to his ankles, and stood back at the knees. The best models to-day knuckle over very shghtly. We do not commend the exaggerated style often seen, bat a hound that is back at the knee, that is, stands behind his feet, does not please the eye that has learnt to appreciate the better wearing pattern. The money value of a pack of hounds to-day turns on the formation of the knee-joint to the ground, and however good topped they may be, if light of bone it will avail them little in the e37es of the purchaser who wants the best. Economy is one of the most important reasons which furthers the interests of foxhound breeding, because the best bred ones, with right formation, substance, and quality, wear the longest, and do the most work. Perhaps the most difhcult point to arrive at is really good knees, and such a high authority as Ben Capell, during sixteen years' management of the Belvoir pack, declared on this point as one of the most essential in the formation of the highest type of foxhound. Round cat-like feet, and close toes turning inwards, are said to be less susceptible to damage than long, fleshy toes that spread, and the right construction of joint below the knee ensures against undue concussion on rough or uneven ground. After viewing a peer- less pack on the flags, that carry their bone down and stand true as a die, it is possible to feel very unhappy, and many have declared that they never SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND 31 felt more inclined to go home and hang all the hounds they possessed. The best types to-day have undoubtedly reached a very high state of perfection, even surpassing their own standard, for the models of yesterday could not win on the flags if competing with the triumphs of to-day. Many more kennels can now show several couples that almost defy criticism, and there are packs that give the appearance of having been cast in the same mould, so striking is the family likeness, so level the conformation. The expert critic has, how- ever, to find fault, which adds zest to the worship of the ideal. If the saying held good when discussing the merits of some few packs of hounds " to each is allowed one fault — unmolested," then adverse criticism would almost be paralysed ! It must be remembered that the statue of Venus of Milo, the most superb piece of sculpture worked at the end of the grand Greek period, was inspired by the limbs of eleven of the most beautiful ladies of the time. Human perfection in every detail is therefore only supposed to exist in the brain of the artist. The hind-quarters of a well-made foxhound have a beautiful sweep of contour, expressive of strength and activity, with the hind-legs and hocks placed firm and square underneath, to take the weight of the body, giving the hound that gaiety of action directly he moves. To watch hounds skimming over the flags after biscuit, it is possible to note how the strong muscles of the quarters, the sweep of the thigh, with muscle carried well down, and spring of the hocks act in unison, for he goes like a bolt from a catapult, into his stride without an effort. A well-balanced hound shows remarkable substance, power, and weight in proportion to height. 32 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY clean shoulders, deep chest, and muscular limbs that are remarkably supple. Perhaps the crowning finish to the foxhound is a brainy head, and a stern majestically carried. Success is in the poise of his head, patronage in the arch of the stern; he looks the aristocrat, a foxhound in every line. A Belvoir sort is distinguishable by the intelligence of his countenance ; you may note there a generous, good-natured disposition, but like all his ancestors he is a resolute hound when roused. A brainy head. Both head and stern are carried well up, and every motion is suggestive of ease with a reserve of strength behind it. Best of all, breeding gives the high courage which is the motive-power of the modern foxhound. His qualities of pace are an aid to scenting powers, and those who think that speed is synonymous with wildness should pause before condemning ! Wildness is as common in the slow as in the fast, and has nothing whatever to do with make, shape, or nose. Not only is pace an assistance indirectly to the nose of a hound, but make and shape are an aid to the scenting powers of any animal. Symmetry promises ease of motion — a SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND 33 smooth, easy action — and therefore wind, without which none of the senses can be utihsed in the full. "Tongue" is another quality of the foxhound, heaven-stirring notes which are music to the soul of the sportsman, a paean of praise fit for the gods. The best of them will speak to fox only, and to hear their note in covert is gospel to the ear of the huntsman. Coming together in a full drawn chorus like the notes of an organ, the reverberating sounds send the wild pigeons rocketing from their perches. " Leu ! Chorister boy ! Get to Chorister ! " cries the huntsman as he notifies them awaj^ on the horn. There is an old saying that no good hound is a bad colour, and as a matter of fact it is a quality that does not count when summing up the merits of a foxhound. The "livery" of black, white, and tan is very distinguished in appearance, and a striking characteristic of the pageantry of the chase. The gay colouring of a foxhound and his majestic carriage do quite as much to keep sport in favour with the country-side as any of the more sterling advantages it can boast. The appearance of the Bel voir pack at covert side, sixteen and a half couple of the big dog hounds, is a sight worth going many miles to see ; for nearly every hound has the black saddle-mark on his back, " Bel voir tan " head, shoulders, and quarters, whilst the groundwork of each skin is purest white. They represent the handsomest pack of hounds in the world, and the horse that can catch them on the grass when there is a scent, has yet to be foaled. To breed a pack of hounds with any success it is absolutely necessary to know the working qualities of the selected parents. When picking up a line of blood, it may often be got through a C 34 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY plain hound of the right antecedents, and if faulty in conformation, points may be corrected in future generations. We have heard a huntsman's opinion that it takes sometimes five generations to correct shortcomings such as weak knees, long fleshy toes, hereditary shortcomings being, alas, more pronounced than virtues. So it comes about that a pack of hounds may be ruined in three seasons by wrong mating, for it requires very much longer to breed a first-class pack. Sources of pure blood, Brocklesby, Belvoir or Milton, are sufficiently potent to reproduce their characteristics and ensure breeding a foxhound worthy of the title. The great family packs have furthered the interests of fox-hunting for generations, being rightly regarded as a national institution and an English possession. The height of a foxhound is a debatable point, and there are some who think anything over the 24-inch standard of height is too big for work in the field. Much must necessarily depend on the char- acter of the country to be hunted, and a heavy type of hound high on the leg may be more suitable for big woodland districts and plough ; something nearer the 23-inch standard of height and hghter in build being better adapted to the requirements of a grass country. It is easier, perhaps, to arrive at perfection of outline on a small scale than cast in a much stronger and larger mould, as is the case in the miniature Shetland-pony breed, nearly every second seeming to be a model. Size in a stallion hound is most essential ; he must have stuff, and the right quality, but there must be no suspicion of coarse- ness or over-loading at any point in his anatomy. The full sized 24-inch dog hound, that stands true, and is nicely turned, should beat a similar dog cast in a smaller mould, which perhaps cap- SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND 35 tivates the eye for smartness. Supposing them to be of the same blood, the bigger hound is more valuable for stud purposes, for he will suit matrons, which are to be found in plenty, smaller in stature and Hghter in build. As the saying is, " character comes from the dam, make and shape from the sire," and the union between a dog that is in every way masculine in type, should ensure desirable qualities when mated with matrons whose elegance counts Measurements of Belvoir Gambler, 1884. for symmetry. The Peterborough verdict is more often than not in favour of the big dog hound in the stallion class, for the judges being hound breeders of experience, look to the future. Certainly the big dog hounds of the Belvoir pack, numbering sixteen and a half couple of sires, whose stock is represented in every kennel of the United Kingdom, fill the eye and would weigh against any other pack of hounds, past or present. To see these big dog hounds on the quick scenting grass of Leicestershire, is to reahse that even a Grand National horse must do his very best to live with them in a burst of five-and-twenty minutes. 36 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Some actual measurements made from foxhounds which were considered models, or something near perfection, is full of interest. Here are the measure- ments of the Bel voir Gambler, 1884 taken when he was a five-season hunter by Mr Basil Nightengale and Frank Gillard : "A twenty-three inch hound in height, from the extreme point of his shapely shoulders to the outer curve of his well-turned quarters was twenty-three inches in length. From elbow to ground his height was only twelve inches. The depth of his ribs one can see looking at the picture, but not their splendid girth of thirty-one inches. Gambler's arm below was eight and a quarter inches round, and he had five and a quarter inches of bone below the knee, while round the thigh he spanned nine and a quarter inches. The extended neck was ten inches from cranium to shoulder, and the head ten and a half inches." Gambler's weight was eighty pounds. On April 26th, 1907, we had the opportunity to measure with Ben Capell a very beautiful massive dog hound, Weaver, 1906, who stood a full twenty- four inches in height. He was the deepest ribbed dog ever seen on the flags at Belvoir ; the Rev. Cecil Legard also measured him, and he was thirty-four and a half inches. Round the arm he was eight and a half inches, with five and three-quarter inches of bone below the knee. In weight, we should say he was more than a stone heavier than Gambler. The rib measurement of other dog hounds taken in the kennel on the same day reads as follows : Belvoir Ragman, 1906, thirty- two and a half inches round the heart ; Belvoir Rufus, 1906, thirty-three inches, which is evi- dence that although the Belvoir as a pack are tremendously interbred, yet there is an increase SYMMETRY OF THE MODERN FOXHOUND 37 of size and substance shown as compared with a generation previous. The opportunity came to measure an average working Belvoir bitch, when left out after a day's hunting and we gave her a night's lodging. The bitch in question was Reckless, 1910, by Ragman from Rarety, measured January 30th, 1911. Stand- ing twenty- three and a half inches in height, she '. M'Xcill and M,- If. Hn:'ki,u. " The most charming foxhound of 1911 and 1913." girthed twenty-nine and a half inches after a hard day. Round the arm seven inches, below the knee five and a half inches. Height form elbow to ground twelve inches. The measurement along the line of the back, from neck to root of the stern, was twenty- five inches, length of stern twenty inches, length of neck nine inches, length of head ten inches. At the Peterborough foxhound show of 191 1, and also at Reigate that year, champion honours were won by an exceptionally beautiful, unentered 38 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY bitch, Grafton Rakish, 191 1, by Bel voir Rally wood. Mr Charles M'Neill, who held a joint mastership with Sir Samuel Scott, kindly sent us the measurements of this beautiful model, made by Major Leathers during July 1911. " Height twenty-four inches ; girth round heart, after three hours' exercise and no food since previous day, thirty-one and a half inches ; round arm, just below the elbow, eight and a half inches ; round neck seventeen inches ; from tip of nose to tip of stern, straight over back line and head, fifty-nine inches." By a critic in the Field, Grafton Rakish was described as " having nearly every good point a young foxhound bitch should have. She has good bone, adequate substance, nice size, good legs and feet, is symmetrically and prettily turned, with a deep brisket and loin. We thought her the most charming foxhound in the show." CHAPTER IV THE NORTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS NORTHUMBERLAND, CUMBERLAND, DURHAM, AND WESTMORLAND ^^rthturC ^Jjerland '.-i'Jervy iCoquek \CUzle\ JVortfi Sea [Jorder '> '-— f'^k"-}.- \Morpetk / \Tt/neyJ ;-, fjf \^ '^.Jf^rivejitji 'Cumberland """\j(JjLirham JlrCulweru Blencathr(i^''-r\ r'S. v ulUwater_.^' \ ) ^Teej. Es^dale ^ .-—'""' Division A — The Northern Counties Hunts. The Tynedale A MOST important kennel for a change "of blood, and one which we have unfortunately never had a chance to visit, is the Tynedale, carefully bred to Milton during the past fifty years. Between 1869 and 1883, Mr George Fenwick held the mastership and bred a good kennel. Since then Mr John Straker has been in office and owns the pack of fifty couples, which in breeding nick to Milton. With the exception of about ten couples all are bitches, and have been described as full sized hounds, with wonderful 39 40 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY length, scope, quality, and dog hound heads. In chase they have a beautiful cry, deep and sonorous. The North Northumberland The North Northumberland, under the mastership of Mr John Clay, is a three-day-a-week country, with a pack of forty couples of hounds, the property of the master. The Percy The Percy country is hunted by Captain R. Mil vain, with H. Grant as kennel huntsman, and writing about the hounds the master gives some interesting information. " I herewith enclose a hound list. As to breeding, there is a lot of Belvoir blood in the kennel, and latterly Milton, Tynedale, and Heythrop have been used. Some of the best working blood in the kennel is that of South Durham Primate, 1901. Characteristics of the pack: good necks, shoulders, ribs, feet, and legs, but dog hounds as a whole are light of bone according to the Peter- borough standard. In the field they have great drive and tongue, and can hunt along on bad scenting days. This season — 1912-13 — the dog hounds ran a care- fully measured five miles in 20 minutes, marking to ground. The bitches on Feb. 15th, 1913, ran a three and a half mile point in 13 minutes and killed. " As regards dog hounds, perhaps the pick is Draftsman, 1910, by Tynedale Draftsman, 1904 — Gentle, 1905. Other good ones are Gratitude, 1905, by South Durham Primate, 1901 — Governess, 1901. Wiseman, 1909, by Belvoir Weaver, 1906 — Harpy, 1902. Valiant, 1908, by Lord Fitzharding's Van- guard, 1899 — Gentle, 1905. The pick of the bitches are Racket, 1909, b}^ Vanguard, 1905 — Redwing, 1905. Diligent, 1912, by Gratitude, 1905 — Dowager, THE NORTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 41 1908. Parody, 1909, by Belvoir Viceroy, 1905 — Pastime, 1905. History, 1910, by Belvoir Helper, 1903 — Faithful, 1907. Hairpin, 1907, by Heythrop Harbinger, 1901 — Gossamer, 1902. Glamorgan True- love, 1908 — Their Seaman, 1903 — Their Traffic, 1905. " I consider it a difficult country in which to kill foxes owing to the many rocky places on the Away from Covert. west, and the links on the east, which are very difficult to stop properly. The going is very good and seldom really heavy." The 1912-13 list of the Percy shows a total of forty-six and a half couples in kennel, of which thirty- six couples are old hounds, ten and a half couples young hounds, for three days a week hunting. Border Hounds An interesting hunting note comes from Mr Jacob Robson, master of the Border hounds, which for 42 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY generations have been owned by the same family to hunt the moorlands of Northumberland and Rox- burghshire. The list of the ten couples which comprise the kennel was accompanied by the follow- ing letter : " We don't like them too heavy for the hilly country, and light coloured ones are preferred. Hounds must be fast, and when they are lightly built, they last much longer, for heavy hounds do not last long on the hills, and are too slow. Of course we like them with good tongue. The Border Hounds are good at casting themselves when they come to a check. When I need a cross I generally go to the Buccleuch, or some other hill pack. Our country, for the most part, is an open hilly one, although we also have some good low country with covers, and a little plough on the Scottish border. " Our best hounds are Welcome, Daily, Royal, and Stormer." List of Border Foxhounds, 1912-1913 Sixth Season 1. Spanker, by Duke of Buccleuch's Warbler out of Beeswing. 2. Rambler, by Captain out of Diligent. Fourth Season J. Welcome, by Smoker out of Comedy. 4. Ranger, by Druid out of Stately. 5. Guilty, by Smoker out of Guilty. 6. Daily, by Smoker out of Guilty. 7. Darkwood, by North Tyne Clinker out of Comely. Second Season 8. Crafty, by Smoker out of Guilty. 9. Gamester, by Smoker out of Beeswing. 10. Royal, by Blucathra out of North Tyne Ruby. 11. Cleaver, by North Tyne Danger out of North Tyne Welcome. First Season 12. Bellman, by Rambler out of Guilty. 13. Ringwood, 14. Stormer, „ „ 15. Selim, by Rambler out of Music. 16. Comedy, With 2j couple of puppies by Rambler for next season. THE NORTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 43 The Coquetdale, North Tyne, and the Haydon The Coquetdale is another moorland pack of twenty couples hunted by Mr R. Basil Hoare, who has held the mastership since 1901. And the same describes the North Tyne ^\ith ten couples, under the mastership of Mr James Murray, who in 19 12 succeeded the late Mr Thomas Robson, who was master for nearly twenty years. The Haydon are a pack of twent}^ couples under the mastership of J_^-55,5P5«^=^-, ,„., :: --'/',. M^ ■vV2 c a 1-iom scent to view. Mr C. T. Maling, hunting a tract of pasture and moorland which lies in Northumberland. The Morpeth The Morpeth, with its fine pack of hounds, has been described as the Belvoir of the North, and during the mastership of Mr R. Clayton Swan, 1894- 1902, won with bitches at Peterborough. For a period of forty years the country was hunted by the Messrs Cookson, father and son, between 1854 and 1894, who bred a smart pack of hounds and showed the best of sport. When Mr Swan retired in 1902 the hounds were sold to Mr A. B. Cresswell 44 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY for £3000, their value having been settled by experts ; but being unable to hunt in Northumberland they were resold to the succeeding master, Mr F. B. Atkinson. In the 1912 entry of nine couples of dogs to seven couples of bitches, the winning dog and bitch were by Tynedale Councillor. The pro- duce of Belvoir Rallywood and Milton Saladin were also in the winning list. The Braes of Derwent From 1854 to 1896 the mastership was held by Mr William Cowen and his son, Colonel John A. Cowen, who were succeeded by the present master, Mr J. Lewis Priestman. A bank and wall country in Northumberland and Durham, covering an area of 160 square miles, it is a fair sporting domain, rugged, and wild, bringing out the qualities of a well bred pack of hounds. The thirty couples are of a medium size, bred for work, distinguished for drive and tongue, without which it would be impossible to get the foxes away from the big coverts. The type appeared to be admirably adapted to the requirements of the country, which has a rugged surface and steep declivities, for they carry no lumber. Bred from good working strains, half the pack at one time were related to a vSouth Durham hound named Gratitude. Latterly entries have been small owing to distemper and other causes, necessitating the purchase of drafts. For many years Mr Louis Priestman hunted the hounds with the late George Coxon as kennel hunts- man, but now W. Tongue, who came from the Oakley in 1910, carries the horn. Though a remote pro- vincial country, the hunt staff is very well appointed, and the sport much enjoyed by the field that turn 2 - Z „ Si THE NORTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 45 out. The 1912 list gives a total of thirty couples of hounds for two days' hunting a week, of which twenty-nine couples are dogs, to thirty-one couples of the other sex. Of the hounds we saw in kennel, Gordon, 1906, by Ruler, 1903 — Gadfly is typically Belvoir in character, a 24-inch dog possessing the right substance and quality. Landsman, 1907, by South Durham Primate, 1901 — Linnet, 1905, was a smart, taking little dog, with elegant neck and shoulders. A couple of the varmity, wiry pattern were Struggler, 1906, and Shamrock, 1907, by Morpeth Painter, 1900, close hunters, demons on the line of a fox. In the field the Braes of Derwent impress a stranger as being very well under control, and it is necessary that they should be, for at times they must hunt unattended, when crossing moorland wastes and deep rocky woodlands, where no rider can follow. As a matter of fact, hounds sometimes go through a whole season without touching the moors. Perhaps the greatest temptation for young hounds are the wild sheep on the hill sides, jumping up in the heather their fascinating scent leads to riot, for they are not much bigger than a hare, and about as game. On a gloriously fine morning in October 1910, when staying with Mr Lewis Priestman at Shotley Bridge, we had a sight of a big range of woods sloping down to the River Derwent, at Sneep Point, a scene of solitary grandeur. On either sides of the ravine were the glories of autumn tints, displayed by stunted oaks and silver birch. Alone with Nature, the cry of hounds as they drove a fox through the forest possessed a never to be forgotten fascination. The master hunting the pack was mounted on a good-looking weight carrier, Norfolk ; his kennel 46 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY hunstman, the late George Coxon, rode a lighter type of hunter named Dormouse. Sport in such a country is full of variety, but foxes do not come easily to hand, owing to the large extent of strong cover, for it is impossible " to stop " the quarries and rocks. On occasion foxes leave the forest fastness in the vale, and ascending the high country hang about the slag heaps which fringe the coal mining district, much to the delight of the pitmen, who welcome the stirring sight of a hunt. Amongst the bitches were many nice types that looked like keeping the kennel going for some time to come. We particularly liked the stylish Lady- bird, 1907, by South Durham Primate, 1901, for she is Belvoir in type and colouring. Another lengthy lady mth good ribs and the right quality was Governess, 1905, by Montague, 1902. The draft bought from Lord Zetland has been of great service to the kennel. The North and South Durham Originally the Durham County hunt, in 1870 a division took place with North and South hunts. The first master of the North hunt between 1870 and 1884 was Mr A. L. Maynard. The present master, Mr J. E. Rogerson, has hunted two days a week since 1888, with a pack of twenty-seven couples, the country being of about equal parts of grass and plough, with a fair number of coverts. The South Durham is a three-day-a-week country, presided over since 1890 by Viscount Boyne, with a pack averaging forty couples. The present secretary of the hunt, Mr Richard Ord, held the mastership between 1881-84, to be succeeded by Sir William Eden with a five years' reign. The THE NORTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 47 founders of the Durham County hunt were Mr Ralph Lambton, a great-great uncle of the present A leader in chase. Lord Durham, and the famous Earl of Darlington. The Hunt Club at Sedgefield was regarded as a sort of northern Melton, where a number of hunters were kept and sociability reigned supreme. The 48 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY hounds are a grand lot, carefully bred, Warwickshire sires having been freely used, while the blood of Brocklesby, Lord Galway's, Mr Fernie's, Lord Zetland's, the Percy and Bramham Moor, Lord Middleton's, the Belvoir, and the Morpeth has been skilfully blended. The entry of 1912 was entirely by Belvoir and Brocklesby sires. The Blencathra Cumberland possesses a group of packs which show some of the most varied sport amongst the fells, moorlands, and lakes of a wild, mountainous district. For the most part the pursuit of the fox is accomplished on foot, for you cannot ride up 3000 feet of slope, as steep as a ladder, or over a wildness of boulders. Love of hunting and hounds is inherited from forefathers who centuries ago followed the sport, and assisted in the duties of the chase, as the entire following does to-day. The history of the Blencathra foxhounds is linked with that of John Peel, who was in his glory hunting on the northern side of the fells. Unlike the modern fell-side fox-hunter. Peel rode to his hounds as long as he could, taking to his feet when riding became impossible. Since 1903 the mastership of the Blen- cathra has been undertaken by the Right Hon. the Speaker, Mr James W. Lowther, and twelve couples of hounds are kennelled at the Ridings to hunt the wild and numerous foxes in the mountain country about Derwentwater, Thirlmere, and Bassenthwaite lakes. Other fell-hunting foot packs are the Eskdale, Ullswater, Mellbrake, Mr Curwen's and the Coniston, each possessing a pack varying from twelve to fifteen couples. THE NORTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 49 The Cumberland The Cumberland hunt is a riding pack under the mastership of Mr Francis P. N. Dunne, who suc- ceeded Mr C. J. Parker in 1912. Twenty-four couples of hounds are kennelled at Roe Hill, near Carlisle, to hunt two days a week in bank and ditch country. The West Cumberland The West Cumberland is a three-day-a-week pack, established by Mr J. H. Jefferson in 1903 ; the present master, who succeeded Lord Leconfield in 1909, is Sir W. Lawson, M.P. There are twenty-two couples of hounds in kennel hunted by the master, who, in letter from the House of Commons in April 1913, says " the Cumberland foxhounds are of the usual type, coming down originally from the John Peel strain, as far back as the early fifties." Con- sulting the 1912 list there is evidence of much good blood in the kennel derived from Belvoir, Badminton, Brocklesby, Grafton, Milton, and other proven sources. The best looking hounds in the kennel. Sir W. Lawson tells us, are Naseby, 1909, and Name- less, 1910, by Belvoir Nailer ; Rector, 1909, by Warwickshire Render, 1908 ; Sprightly, 1910, by Stormer, 1907, a son of Dumfries Sportsman, 1905. The best hounds in their work are Deborah, 1905, by Brocklesby Trentham, 1901 ; Barrier, 1906, by L. and. S. Delegate, 1901 ; Comely, 1906, by Brocklesby Trentham, 1901 ; Raider, 1906, by L. and S. Rallywood, 1903 ; Speaker, 1907, by Belvoir Rufus, 1905. Gimcrack, 1909, by Mr Wroughton's Harvester, 1906, is also one of the best looking in the kennel. Rector, 1909, before mentioned. Sailor, 1909, by Milton Saladin, 1906 ; Saintly, Sentiment, and Sprightly, 1910, by Stormer. The D 50 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY hounds which are fastest and have most drive are Barrier, Gimcrack, Rector, and Sailor, all before mentioned. The hounds with the best noses on cold scenting plough are Raider and Speaker. " Ours is, in the main, a rough hunting country, a considerable amount of the pasture land carries a good scent, but it is very much spoilt by a large amount of wire." Foxes are strong and stout, taking a considerable amount of catching. CHAPTER V THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS Sees j^ortfijSea .. ■>, "'"'^J^rd-Jluidleton.,.?^ rboro it^h .•IBramhamMoor \j/orKK •' ,, , , ■•.• noldemess /3ouisworth.l fiarf" '^i'arl ! ■Fitzwiluam. .-ZitiwdUani^ \Wentwort/L-' Grove. \ * I 'Number. Division B on the Hunting Map. COME A-HUNTING " Come along, lets away, wa mun all on us gan It's t' last day to 'hearken ti t' sounds O't sweetest o' music, that ivver fills t' wood T' whinny, or t' spinny, ther's nowt near so good As t' song 'at is sung by the hounds." — Old Sinningion Hunt Song, 1808. Section B on our hunting map represents a slice of country between the Tees and the Humber, hunted by a group of eighteen Yorkshire packs. Venatic custom exists within the broad acres of the 52 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY largest county in England, dating back to remote periods in history. The very air breathes of sport, and savours of tradition, the rolling panorama of moor, woods, hiUs, and rivers presenting a varied charm, with wildness of scene so befitting a setting to the chase. Trencher-fed packs, as primitive as those existing centuries ago, show sport in the rougher districts bordering the coast, hunting side by side with noble establishments appointed in princely style. With such a vast number of hunters and hounds in the county of Yorkshire, it represents a hunting world to itself, a splendid opportunity to study the many sides of the chase. The interests of hound breeding have ever been the first thought of the old Y^orkshire families, the Fitzwilliams at Wentworth, the Willoughbys at Birdsall, and the Lane-Foxes at Bramham, which are kennels still to the fore. A century ago there was the Duke of Cleveland and Mr Foljambe in the Grove country with a famous kennel, so that Y'orkshire has always been the home of the horse and the hound. Lord Middleton's Lord Middleton's kennel takes precedence amongst a group of distinguished Yorkshire packs, the present excellence of the kennel dating back to the first quarter of the nineteenth century, its sure foundation being due to the skill of two great families, the Sykes and the Willoughbys. Records show that as far back as 1789 a Mr Willoughby held mastership, and in 1804 Sir Mark Masterman Sykes came into office. In 1812 Mr J. Corbet of Trojan fame, hunting in Warwickshire, sold his pack to Henry, sixth Lord Middleton, for 1250 guineas, who gave portions of THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 53 it to Sir Tatton Sykes. In 1853 they were resold to Lord Middleton, who moved the kennels from Eddlethorpe to Birdsall. The hunt was originated in 1764 by Sir Thomas Gascoigne, and many dis- tinguished Yorkshire sportsmen appear in the long roll of mastership, including Mr Lane Fox, Mr Digby Legard, and Mr Watt. So far as the history of the present pack is concerned Sir Tatton Sykes in 1824 laid the foundation, on which modern day excellence has been built up, the record being as follows : Sir Tatton Sykes, 1824-32. Lord Middleton, 1832-34. Sir Tatton Sykes (second mastership), 1834-53. ^Ir H. Willoughby, afterwards eighth Lord Middleton, 1853-77. The present master and ninth Lord Middleton succeeding his father in 1877. The huntsmen who have had charge of the kennel served long periods of ofhce, and were the best of their time in the field and in the kennel. Tom and George Carter, Ben Morgan, Will Grant, George Leaf and the present huntsman, Tom Bishopp, who was second whipper-in to Lord Middleton in the early eighties. The greatest importance is centred in the strength of Lord Middleton's kennel and the composition of each successive entry, because it has been the source to which other kennels turn when seeking the services of stallion hounds, possessing as it does so much hereditary material. The records of neighbouring packs show, that for work and appearance they have not sought the help of the Birdsall sires in vain. The fine establishment at Birdsall, near Malton, is a most important centre, where the best pedigree stock of all descriptions is reared, including hunters — whose origin can be traced back a hundred years to the old pack horses — shire horses, cattle, and foxhounds. Few establishments can boast lonsjer 54 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY or stouter pedigrees in both departments of the chase, for after generations of careful selection, a type has been fixed in the hunt stable and the kennel. The fine block of building at Birdsall is about as complete in arrangements as it is possible to imagine, with roomy day yards, and a golden fox surmounting the central tower. The kennels were designed by the late Lord Middleton more The Kennels at Birdsall. than fifty years ago, and the plan has been adopted by the Cottesmore and Hertfordshire hunts in recent years. The covered-in passage with top lights is a most convenient accessory in which to show hounds when weather conditions prevent inspection in the open. Those who know Yorkshire have pronounced the area of some forty square miles hunted by Lord Middleton's hounds to be some of the most sporting in England. Purely agricultural, a large portion consists of wolds, while the remainder is low-lying vales with heavily-wooded hills, admirably adapted THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 55 to bring out the hunting quaUties of a pack. The nature of the country with its hills like miniature mountains, fine stretches of grass, still more plough and big woodlands, demands the highest qualities in horses, hounds, and hunt servants as a matter of course. Great attention has been paid to the breeding of horses and hounds, and they are cast in the mould of a medium-sized animal, built near the ground, possessing great heart-room, and a desirable blend of quality with substance. There is no more trying area than the tract of country in the north- riding of Yorkshire, " betwixt sea and heather," which is hunted by Lord Middleton's hounds. The late Sir Tatton Sykes, who held two periods of mastership between 1824 and 1853, liked a wiry hound with a good tongue, and he went to Belvoir, Brocklesby, Burton, and the Grove for the material he wanted. Many of the best judges of that time borrowed blood from the famous Yorkshire pack, including Mr Tom Drake of the Bicester, Smith of the Brocklesby, Mr James Hall of the York and Ainsty, Mr Hodgson of the Badsworth. Always a pack with a character for working qualities, and bred in a scientific way, the blood has been sought by kennels seeking improvement. The present Lord Middle ton has continued the good work of getting fresh blood from Belvoir and other proven sources. Of late years Belvoir Dexter, Stormer, and Vagabond have been used with advantage, leaving their mark of excellence on the present occupants of the benches at Birdsall. Lord Middleton's entry is judged each year by Captain the Hon. Francis Johnstone, who owned and hunted a pack between 1881-1900 in the slice of Yorkshire country now hunted by the Hon. Henry Vane. The Rev. Cecil Legard — taking a parson's 56 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY holiday of one Sunday— being the other judge. Lord and Lady Middleton entertain a small party to luncheon for the occasion, which does not partake of a public function. On three show days, 1909, 1911, and 1913, we have enjoyed the hospitality of Birdsall, with the best of expert opinion at our elbow. Lord Middleton and the Rev. Cecil Legard, to set forth the history and characteristics in the blood relationship of the beautiful pack, which strains back to Mr J. Corbet's famous Trojan of 1780. The sires in office which Tom Bishopp has shown on these occasions, include many celebrities of the stud, and when showing Dexter, 1902, a son of Belvoir Dexter, 1895, it was plain to see he regarded him in the light of " a huntsman's friend," an extra- ordinary good dog in his work. Quite a Belvoir sort, he was not so handsome as his sire, though he showed a strong family likeness, especiall}^ in the brainy appearance of the head, but he lacked the arms and stuff. On the side of his dam. Woodbine, 1899, he inherited excellent working qualities from Grafton Woodman, who strained back to Belvoir Weathergage and did great service for the Ducal kennel, giving them the successive line of Wonder, Warlaby, Weaver, Wizard, and Curate. Lord Middleton's Dexter was in demand as a sire for the Northern kennels, and the Meynell also used him. At home Dexter was represented by Deacon and Derwent, stallion hounds, and nailers in their work, but now gone. Just the type of hound for Yorkshire, describes Viceroy, 1903, a son of Belvoir Villager, 1897, a nice tan dog on short legs and a determined hound in chase. The line of the famous Freshman, 1895, who was by Pytchley Freshman, is also prized in the kennel, the Cottes- more and the Cleveland borrowing the blood. THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 57 When Stalwart, 1907, came on, we liked him immedi- ately, a son of Steadfast, 1904, who was a son of Belvoir Stormer, 1899, ^^^ of Belvoir Dexter, 1895. Of Belvoir Stormer it has been said that he had more Osbaldeston Furrier blood than any sire of his time, he was also "something extra special" on the line of a fox. Lord Middleton's Stalwart is a noble looking dog, with a sensible square head, compact frame, and built near the ground, resembling the old Paradox sort, a son of Pytchley Paradox — so Mr Legard remarked. The dam of Stalwart was Frolic, 1902, a daughter of Freshman, so his pedigree brings in some very notable sorts. We saw him in August 1913, looking what he is, "a rare constitution dog, a hard running hound showing the scars of honour, and a wise grey countenance." His daughter, Stripling, was placed second in the 1913 entry, a level made bitch, standing naturally and true, with nice bone. Nineteen in the entry stood to Stalwart on the dam's side. One of the models of the kennel we saw in 191 1 was Rector, 1906 ; he was sent last year to the Carlow kennel, together with Striver, both of whom have sired winners of entries in Ireland. Half Lord Middleton's 1913 entry, namely 12 couples, were by Rector, whose sons and daughters secured four out of eight of the prizes when judged by Captain the Hon. Francis Johnstone and the Rev. Cecil Legard. Rector, 1906, was a son of Reprobate, 1899, who was a son of Pytchley Freshman, and his dam, Dabchick, was full of the Lord Henry Bentinck blood. Rector looked a workman, a middle-sized dog, erect in carriage, with both ends well up. A tan and white dog except for a patch of dark colouring on his ribs, he showed nice short bone carried down to the toes. 58 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Of hounds we saw which came in for inspection after the judging of the entry, there was the stalhon hound Voter, 1907, by Viceroy, 1903 — Freshet, 1900, a wonderful dog in his work, possessing good ribs, short bone, and a wise grey face. Unfortunately he got hung up in wire three seasons ago, and the old strain has rendered him lame in the stifle. Candidate, Cardigan, and Castor, 191 1, by Holder- ness Carnival, 1908, who goes back to Belvoir Dasher, are said to be three brilliant hounds in the field. Dipper, 1912, by Diver, 1908 — Stylish, 1905, was a short coupled powerful dog, and pronounced by his huntsman to be " an out and outer in his work, with such a beautiful tongue." It is a great pleasure to be shown hounds by Tom Bishopp, for he does not lavish praise indiscriminately. Of some hounds he will say, " yes, he's a good pack-dog, just about the middle all day, doing his share." It stands to reason that the " guiding hounds " of a pack are limited in number, and the hardest driver may not be the most desirable on every occasion, all sorts of hounds doing their huntsman a turn during the day. Of another hound, Bishopp would remark, " it's not so much the great things he does, but the nice way he has of doing it," and as you look at the hound and listen to the hunstman, you seem to realise the character of the dog before you. The bitches all through showed deep ribs and plenty of stuff, with clean necks, shoulders, and Belvoir colouring. The strength of the kennel for four days a week hunting, is 52 couples, and may be described as one generation away from Belvoir in blood. The entry of 1912 was strong with 16 couples, including noble dog hounds, carrying on the best strains of the kennel. Diver, 1908, the son of THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 59 Dexter, 1902, was responsible for half of the entry, the second prize dog being Chairman, by Belvoir Chimer, 1910 — Vincible, 1909, by Atherstone Villager, 1902, and he is a full-sized hound " untiring in the field and all wire." In the 1913 entry, Belvoir Chimer again came out top, the sire of the winning bitch Charity. It is interesting to note that Lord Middleton, in 1877, was the first to put the date of entry in his lists against the name of each hound. Another point to notice is that the two first letters of each hound's name is chosen with reference to the sire, reading as follows : Render, 1912, by Rector, 1906 — ■ Stanza, 1910, a daughter of Stalwart, 1907, and as we have mentioned before Rector was the son of Reprobate. It works out as follows : 1913 entry, 24 couples, 26 hounds' names beginning with R, all standing to Rector, excepting one to Belvoir Reveller ; 10 hounds' names beginning with C, to represent Belvoir Curate and Chimer ; 8 hounds under the letter D, to give Diver ; 4 hounds under St for Stalwart ; i under V for Voter. The best part of five hours spent on the flags at Birdsall is always instructive and interesting, whilst the interval for luncheon in the big dining-room, on whose walls hang some grand pictures illustrating the Lord Middeltons of past generations hunting their hounds, breathes a wealth of family history and hunting lore. The Holderness Hunt The Holderness hunt dates from 1726, and the country, as at present constituted, has existed since 1765, under the masterships of Mr William Bethell, Sir Mark Sykes, Mr Richard Watt, Mr Digby Legard, Mr Hay, Mr Tom Hodgson, Mr Robert Vyner, Sir 6o THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Clifford Constable, Mr James Hall, the Hon. Alan Pennington, Mr Arthur Wilson, Mr Charles Brook, to the present master, Mr Harry Whitworth. After many changes, and a blank period of three seasons, Mr Legard revived the old " Bethell country " in 1815, commencing to hunt with a scratch pack the territory now known as " the Holderness." The palmy days began with Mr Thomas Hodgson, who was a houndman and a horseman, a rare combina- tion. An immense amount of hunting was accom- plished, long distances being traversed to and from covert, and it was said Mr Hodgson's men were made of cast iron, his horses of steel, and his hounds of india-rubber. Mr James Hall in 1847 greatly improved the pack with an infusion of blood from the Belvoir, Brocklesby, Grove, and Burton kennels, and the good work was carried on by Mr Arthur Wilson in a most successful mastership between 1878 and 1905. During his long reign the kennel under George Medcalf's management reached a high standard of excellence, winning on the flags at Peterborough with Handel and Dasher, 1902, two Belvoir bred ones, and Sanguine, a dark coloured bitch, typical of the home sort who was placed champion 1902, giving us the opportunity to visit the kennel to paint their picture. Mr Charles Brook, from the Badsworth, followed on, and Handel proved to be the popular sire of the kennel. The Holderness have always been able to put forward a stallion hound or two since the days of their famous Gaffer — by Belvoir Gameboy, 1874 — who sired Steadfast. The present master, Mr Harry Whitworth, is only follow- ing precedent by having two or three couples in his kennel worthy of the title. Of the dog hounds we have seen when visiting the kennel on two THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 6i occasions during the present mastership, Trojan, 1908, by Handel, 1902, from TwiHght, was a nice turned dog, full sized and well splashed with white on his face. Another stallion hound with some weight about him, and Bel voir in colouring, was Carnival, 1906, by the home Dasher, 1902 — a winner in couples at Peterborough^son of Belvoir Dasher, and he has been used in Lord Middleton's kennel. Fro7ii picture in possession of Mr H. W'liittvortli. Holderness Trojan, 1908. Then there was Trueman, 1907, a nicely bred dog by Warwickshire Turncoat, 1897, from Brocklesby Trinket, 1901 ; Dasher, 1906, by Mr Charles M'Neill's Dasher, 1902, from Brocklesby Ringlet, 1902. Mr George Heigham is huntsman to the Holder- ness, and so far Mr Harry \\^hitworth's greatest triumph since he undertook the mastership, is the breeding of Holderness Wrangler, 1912, by Grove Sailor, from Waitress ; a light-coloured, muscular young dog, with good neck and shoulders, plenty of 62 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY scope that promises well for the future. Wrangler won at Peterborough as a single hound in 191 2, and should be heard of again. Mr Harry Whitworth has also considerabley added to the importance of the kennel as a source for change of blood, by the purchase of Cheshire Dryden, 1905, by Mr W. R. Wroughton's Spanker, 1900, from Cheshire Dreadful, 1904. He is a fox- A Peterborough Winner, 1912. hound with a terribly rusty looking coat, but beauti- ful legs, feet, and general style, a cheery hound in chase and such a wearer. At the Earl of Lonsdale's dispersal sale of hounds, Mr Harry Whitworth purchased Sargeant, 1909, by Hertfordshire Sampler, 1905, from South Cheshire Warble, 1904. The price paid was one hundred guineas, and he possesses the blood of Belvoir Tapster and Pirate in the third and fourth generation. Already Sargeant has made his mark at the stud, the young Sargeants in many kennels coming out well in their entries. At THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 63 Peterborough, 1912, Sargeant was awarded first prize for the best stalhon hound in the show. The Holderness kennel is strong in bitches, and their Dainty, 1907, by Handel, 1902, from Dairy- maid, 1904, by Belvoir Day Star, was reserve champion bitch at Peterborough, 1912. There are 56 couples of hounds in kennel to hunt four days a week \\dth Mr G. T. Heigham carrying the Cleveland Vagrant, 1904. horn, the country consisting principally of plough, with big ditches. For the most part it carries a scent, a former huntsman saying, "the scent is so good in Holderness that a man there might kill a fox with a sow and litter of pigs." The Cleveland The present kennel, under the mastership of Mr W. A. Wharton since 1886, comprises a sorty pack of 47 J couples bred to Belvoir. Originally a trencher- 64 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY fed pack dating back to 1722, they are most interest- ing, and Sir A. E. Pease has written their history. In 1871 the old order of things came to an end, and hounds were kennelled at Kirkleatham under Mr Watson Dixon, to be succeeded by other resident squires, Mr J. T. Wharton, Mr A. H. T. Newcomen, Mr J. Proud, and in 1886 the present master, Mr W. H. A. Wharton, of Skelton Castle, near Saltburn. The ne\y kennels we visited at Skelton in Cleve- land, and there is a big extent of rideable moorland near the coast, plenty of covert, and rough going in the mine district that requires knowing. Mr W. H. A. Wharton hunts hounds himself with W. Rees, kennel huntsman. Two young dogs we saw were Ringleader and Roderick, by Bel voir Rufus, 1906, competitors at Peterborough, 1912, nicely turned hounds, but on the small side. The favourite in the kennel is Vagrant, 1904, by Bel voir Vagabond, 1899, from Hebe, 1898, a massive hound with a bit of a neck cloth, a brainy head and wise grey countenance. Possessing deep ribs, wearing feet and legs, he is a great worker, a capital dog to draw a bad place, and his tongue is good to hear. In the kennel there were 14?^ couple by Vagrant. The Bedale For the past five and twenty years, or even longer, the Bedale have purchased drafts from Belvoir, and bred to that kennel with the happiest results, for the eye is immediately arrested by the sorty appearance of the pack, possessing necks, shoulders, ribs, feet, legs, and gay colouring. Mr John Moubray, the present master, succeeded the Duke of Leeds in 1904, and with a succession of brilliant young huntsmen, Frank Freeman, Sam THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 65 Gillson, and Peter Farrelly, the Bedale has been a favoured centre for sport, a capital school in which to learn the art of hunting a fox on his own ground. The old red-brick kennels near to Leeming Bar, on the Great North Road, were formerly racing stables, the property of Mr John Osborne. Forty- nine and a half couples are kennelled with Bert Downs, huntsman, for three and four days a week. It is a pack to see in the field or on the flags, one J-')-oii: picture in possession of Mr J. MoJihray. The pick of the Bedale dog hounds. we have visited under two different masterships, and they have an excellent plan of changing into fresh kennels during the summer months. At Peterborough, 1913, the kennel put forward a couple of dog-hounds by Holderness Sargeant, securing second prize for 2 couple of dogs by Belvoir Vulcan, Brocklesby Vulcan, and Lord Middleton's Stalwart, quite a nice team. The stallion hounds which we saw in 19 10 — figuring in the 191 2-3 list — were Vulcan, 1909, by Brocklesby Vulcan, 1903 — Solitude, a good-topped 23-inch hound. Galloper, 1910, by E 66 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Wellington, 1907 — Gaily, 1901, a very nice lengthy dog with style and carriage, stands well on the best of feet and legs. His sire, Wellington, 1907, was by Belvoir Warlaby, bringing in the Grafton Woodman blood, and the dam was Delicate by Belvoir Dexter. Wellington died in 1910, and was described as " a hound with a good ribs, well coupled up, plenty of bone, and a nailer in his work." Student, 1910, by Lord Middleton's Stalwart, 1907 — Derelict, 1902, by Belvoir Dexter, looked an active dog not overdone with bone. Workman, 1910, by Wellington, 1907 — Aconite, 1904, by Tynedale Alfred, a big-framed, upstanding tan dog. The 30 couple of bitches on the flags of the Bedale kennel are a beautiful sight for any one to see. The Stainton Dale The Stainton Dale country is a tract of coast thirty miles long and five miles wide between Whitby and Filey, and of great historical interest, for tradition says the hunt received a Charter from King John when he landed on the coast in the thirteenth century. Until 1880 the Stainton Dale was a foot pack, hunting a wild, rough district, and trencher-fed until quite recently. Old Tom Harrison, who retired in 1904, after being huntsman for twenty- one seasons, told us he was the first to be mounted and had one horse to get through the season with, also that when hounds were trencher-fed there was never a case of distemper. In 1910 Mr S. S. Lock- wood took office, with an efficient staff, horses, and 22h couples in kennel for two days a week. The best hounds to suit the requirements of the country are home bred, having the instinct not to fall over the cliffs when in chase. When Mr Lock- THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 67 wood resigned in 1913, the hounds for a time became a trencher-fed pack. Mr Hume Chaloner is the present master and huntsman. The Bilsdale, the Farndale, the Goathland The Bilsdale hunt dates back to 1670, and is about the oldest pack of foxhounds in England. To-day, under the mastership of Mr F. Wilson Horsfall, there are 12 couples of hounds which are trencher-fed. The Sedberg pack, which was a foot-hunt, has been disbanded. The Farndale, managed by a committee, has 10 couples of trencher-fed hounds. The Goathland, principally a moor and woodland country on the coast, is hunted two days a week by Mr S. R. Gladstone wdth 20 couples of hounds. Last season the hunt was run at a cost of -^50, the honorary secretary being Miss L. Weighill. The Sinnington Intense patriotism for hunting exists in the dales of North Yorkshire, and many are the traditions of sport, when harrying " beasts of chase and beasts of venerye," from Thirsk down to the sea- coast. It is said that the Sinnington country has been hunted continuously for two centuries and a half, since the time of George Villiers, second Duke of Buckingham, who was the first master. The country, which is hill and vale with excellent riding and scenting conditions, possesses an illustrious scroll of masters who have been houndmen. Between 1879 and 1884, when a trencher-fed pack, the mastership was held by Mr Tom Parrington, the founder of the Foxhound Show, who had for huntsman the famous Jack Parker. Mr R. Clayton Swan distinguished 68 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY his mastership between i8gi and 1894 by estabhsh- ing kennels, greatly improving the breeding of the hounds. Then the present master, Mr Penn C. Sher- brooke, with Lord Helmsley, has hunted hounds and brought on the kennel, so that they have gone to Peterborough and caught the judge's eye. The Sinnington hounds we thought, when visit- er •:;^ Sinnington Pirate, 1907. ing the kennel, a pack with plenty of drive and tongue, hard as nails, and carrying no lumber. Big entries are necessary every season, for it is a country with all sorts of going and steep hills, which try the stamina of a pack, four seasons being the average period of working capabilities. Thirty couple are kennelled at Kirby Moorside, to hunt two days a week, and the best of the young dog- hounds are by Milton sires, Mr Sherbrooke, who hunts hounds himself, having a decided preference THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 69 for light-coloured hounds, which are easier to see on the moorland. Of the hounds we saw, there w^as Ploughboy, 1906, a home-bred, typical, short-legged dog, that looked like work, and Pirate, 1907, a strong-coated dog, a rare hunter, buzzing about kennels with hackles up, and stern right over quarters. Both dogs were by Pilgrim, who was a The bob-tailed Sinnington bitch. son of South Notts Principal. Then there w^as Grammer, 1909, a son of Belvoir Ragman, and drafted from that kennel — by a remarkable coinci- dence, this dog happened to be one we had walked for the Duke of Rutland's kennel ! The sisters Famous, Fortune, Fairmaid, and Foxglove, 1910, by Milton Plato, 1907, ah had the star of excellence against their name. Seventeen of the entry were sired by the Milton Plato and were typical of the kennel, sharp bitches that looked like bustling a 70 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY fox, some of them being nearly all white in colour. The Milton sires came out strong again in the 1 91 1 entry, which was 6 couples of dogs to 7 couples of bitches. Amongst these was Gladsome by Milton Plato, 1907 — Gossamer, 1909, a cobby, short-legged bitch, that had lost her stern, a dis- figurement without doubt, but she was too good to draft, and there were never much better-shaped quarters on a hound ! A hound that loses its stern, we have always been led to believe, had it cut off by a passing train, when leading the pack. The hound before us was an object-lesson that called forth comment, for no stern at all is better than a curly or short one, but its absence seems to __ put a foxhound into an entirely different class, and / we were reminded of the Airdale Terrier. No account of the Sinnington would be complete without mention of the Hon. Secretary, Mr Alfred " Nimrod " Pearson, whom we met at lunch at Mr Penn Sherbrooke's house. Our visit to the Sinnington will always be a cher- ished memory, for during the afternoon we went to drink a glass of port with that fine old sportsman, Mr Tom Parrington, in his ninety-third year. One of the old school, he follows with the keenest interest the events taking place in the hunting-field, and is a constant attendant on wheels when weather allows. The last occasion Mr Tom Parrington judged foxhounds at Peterborough, he awarded the Champion Cup to Quorn Dreamer, shown by Tom Firr, and a previous occasion his decision went for Oakley Rhymer, shown by the late Tom Whitemore. A great admirer of Ouorn Alfred, whose portrait adorns his walls, he thinks that too much attention is paid nowadays to feet and legs when breeding a kennel, and he told the story of the old Hurworth THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 71 huntsman, who had very bowed legs and was photo- graphed by some one, who remarked, " We've got you, Tom, inside the camera, but we cannot make you straight, anyhow." " The year I was whelped," remarked old Tom, " they thought more about tongue and nose." At the kennels Mr Sherbrooke has wired-in paddocks with draft-proof shelters for the young hounds, where they may disport themselves, feed when they like, free from the rigour of kennel discipline, and the plan has been found to answer admirably. The Hon. H. Vane's The country as at present constituted has existed since 1808, when Mr Richard Hill formed a pack with which he hunted until 1855. Mr Harcourt Johnstone formed a fresh pack, and was succeeded by his son, Captain the Hon. Francis Johnstone, who reigned until 1900, establishing in that time a good Belvoir-bred working pack, which he sold for £1000 to Mr W. Baird, master of the Cottesmore, and Mr W. M. Wroughton, master of the Woodland Pytchley. The hunt for ninety-two years was con- trolled by the Hill and Johnstone families, and takes its title from the name of the ruling master. Between 1900 and 1905 Sir Everard Cayley held mastership with Mr Robin Hill huntsman ; then Mr Penn Sherbrooke had a brief mastership, to be succeeded in 1909 by the Hon. H. Vane, with Bert Thatcher kennel-huntsman. The present kennel of 45 couples have a very nice appearance as we saw them on the flags, gathered from the best sources, including a good draft from the Marquis of Zetland's. The bulk of the pack are dog hounds, their music and tempera- 72 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY ment being found better adapted for hunting the large expanse of moorland. At Peterborough, 191 2 and 1 913, the kennel was represented in the unentered class by a couple of smart, nicely turned, dog hounds that matched, and looked near the 23-inch standard of height. They were Rallywood and Ranter, by Whistler, from Rosemary by Lanark and Renfrew Raeburn, those of the following year being Stormer and Streamer by Zetland Gunshot. Mr Vane carries the horn himself, and it is a capital country in which to see sport, though the going in certain districts is trying for horses. Marquis of Zetland's Established in 1866 by the late Mr C. Cradock, taking over a portion of the old Raby country on the death of the late Duke of Cleveland. Changes in mastership and huntsmen have been very few, with advantage to the breeding of the pack, which has been a regular competitor at Peterborough. The original sources of blood were strains from Lord Portsmouth's famous kennel, and latterly drafts came from Bel voir, Grafton, and other reliable sources. In 1876, Lord Zetland bought the hounds from Mr Cradock, and retaining the services of Bridger Champion, he completed thirty-six seasons' carrying the horn. Fresh infusion of blood came from the Fitzwilliam, Grafton, Lord Portsmouth's, and Belvoir, but the great line through the pack has come from the Wanderer of 1866, by Lord Poltimore's Wolds- man, out of Lord Portsmouth's Hasty, by Lord Wemyss' Harbinger. In 1911 Mr Herbert Straker succeeded the Marquis of Zetland in the mastership, retaining the services of W. Freeman, who commenced in 1909. THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 73 During August 1913, we motored across the splendid extent of moorland, a 70-miles journey, between Scarborough and Lord Zetland's new kennels at Alborough, situated six miles north of Darlington. Built of red brick, with blue brick and concrete floors, the walls of the lodging and feeding houses are noticeable for a new departure, The Marquis of Zetland's Trimbush, lyii. lined with glazed tiles more easily cleaned than the rougher surface of plaster. The position of the new kennels is more central than the old ones nine miles away, which necessitated some terribly long rides home of over thirty miles. A covered-in entrance, wired-in paddocks, and house for the staff go to make very complete, up-to-date arrang- ments. Will Freeman had a beautiful dog to show. Trim- bush, 1910, by Belvoir Vulcan, 1908, giving all that 74 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY choice blood of Weathergage, Dexter, Weaver, and Grafton Woodman. His dam Tragic, 1905, is a Zetland pedigree bitch by Trader, 1899 — Gaylass, 1893, wdth Puckeridge Chairman, and Bel voir Dexter in the fourth generation. Trimbush stands 24 J inches, and is a perfectly balanced dog, so good through the loin, not shallow, he carries the line on underneath. Both his ends are good, and he stands near the ground, being quite an elegant dog with the right stuff for a stallion hound. When going he travels smoothly, getting his forelegs out straight, with the precision of machinery. Like his sire Belvoir Vulcan in colouring, he also looks to have the centre of gravity in the right spot, just what is wanted in a hunter to carry a saddle. Trimbush has a muscular back, rare second thighs, in fact there is a bit of good at any one point you view him as he stands on the flags with a well-poised, intelligent head, and stern gaily carried. In the field he is a worker, sometimes hunting with the bitches, and his hunts- man says, " No matter where he may be in covert, you can be sure he will be amongst the first six away with his fox." At home the dog has some promising stock, muscular young hounds very quick to jump off the mark, and many that have seen Trimbush in his work have used him, so that he will be heard of in years to come, being an excellent cross out for Belvoir-bred packs. Another nice dog was Carver, 191 1, by Belvoir Gangway, 1907 — Cracknell, a big dog with a good ribs, and one of the best in his work. Trampler of the same year, by Belvoir Wizard, 1909 — Tragic, the dam of Trimbush, is a nice-limbed tan dog, but not so good behind the saddle as his elder brother. Of the bitches we saw Stately, 1912, by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 — Starlight, we liked best. She does THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 75 not look her height of 24J inches, has length, quality, substance, and is built near the ground. There are 78 bitches in kennel to 34 dogs, making a total of 56 couples for four days a week. It is a good open country, with grass, plough, moorland, and wood, affording every condition of hunting. Hounds travel very fast, for the fences do not hold them, and last season they ran a five-mile point in twenty-two minutes, killing an old dog fox which had led them on seven occasions. The Bramham Moor The Bramham Moor has been associated mth the name of Lane Fox for the past 130 years, the present master, Mr George R. Lane Fox, M.P., of Bramham Park, succeeding his father in 1906. The following extract from a letter by the late ]\Ir George Lane Fox, to Frank Gillard at Belvoir, is dated Nov. 27, 1892 : " Thank you for sending me a list of the Belvoir hounds. Sport, you know, depends upon weather and good luck ; a good beginning often leads to a good end. The great amount of rain has suited the country, and my hounds have done well : last week we had three good days over a variety of country. On Wednesday, in bad scenting country, I am told hounds ran very hard and killed their fox going on over plough and fresh-sown fields, keeping well clear of horses. I hear from Lord Willoughby de Broke that he is much pleased with his Belvoir Gamiblers — but he has not had much sport. I am able this fine weather to get on a hack and see hounds throw into covert, and hear them find. I think my hounds are good in their work, display nose, mettle, and stoutness. Why ? I am full of Belvoir, Brocklesby, Grove, and Lord Henry Bentinck. On first starting as a master of hounds. 76 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY a dash of Hampshire, Wyndhams — old Warde's sort, coarse and big, but they hit with elegant Belvoir." In a letter of April 9, 1913, Mr George Lane Fox says : " The type that I try to maintain and which has been traditional at Bramham for many years, is one of quality, clean necks and shoulders, rather than a massive type. I have a picture of hounds at Bramham at the end of the eighteenth century which show these distinguishing points : the hounds that we now have are no doubt bigger-boned and straighter than in those days. I am a great believer in Belvoir blood, and some of the best strains in this kennel come from there. The main and most dominating strain is that of Lord Henry Bentinck's kennel, from which my grandfather bred very freely in the sixties and seventies. He was also very fond of the Grove and Brocklesby. Since then we have had valuable crosses of Warwickshire and Grafton blood, and have recently bred most from Belvoir and Brocklesby, working back into the Warwickshire through the latter. Everybody who cares for his hounds thinks highly of their working qualities — or would hang them. Therefore, my appreciation of ni}- own hounds will be of little value, but ours is mainly a bad scenting country. I can say that it is most necessary to have hounds that will use their noses, and we let them do so. This means patience for both hounds as well as huntsman, and I hope this is found with us. As to size, hounds not over twenty-four inches. Colouring not specially distinctive. I should never draft a really good hound for his colour, but in these days one does not seem to breed odd-coloured ones." The country is grass and plough with large ditches on the Ainsty side, there are deep woodlands, but the foxes as a rule do not dwell in them. The 191 2 THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS n lists return, 54 couple of hounds, 17 couple of dogs to 37 of bitches, hunted by Peter Farrelly, who came from the Bedale. The Hurworth The country was originally founded in the eighteenth century by three brothers Wilkinson, of Neasham Abbey, and the role of mastership Hurworth Hebe, 1909 includes the names of Lord Castlereagh — the present Lord Londonderry — Sir Reginald Graham, and Mr W. Forbes, who was in ofhce from 1888 to 191 1. Lord Southampton is the present master, succeed- ing Mr W. Forbes, who bred a fine pack of hounds and maintained a high standard of sport. At Peterborough in 191 1, the Hurworth exhibited two couple of bitches by Puckeridge, Tynedale, Grafton, and Belvoir sires, out of Old Berks matrons. The first prize for the best brood bitch w^as won with jS THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Hurworth Hebe, 1909, by Belvoir Gameboy, 1900, a son of Belvoir Dexter out of the Old Berks Heroine, who was by their Hector. Hebe was a pretty bitch, stood well, showed quality and substance, was nicely turned, and squarely built. Lord South- ampton purchased Vulcan in 1912 at the dispersal sale of the late Marquis of Waterford, who a year previously gave Lord Lonsdale two hundred guineas for this son of Belvoir Vulcan, 1906 — Cheshire Treason, 1907, a daughter of Belvoir Valesman, 1902. A long hound with beautiful style and deep colour- ing, he has the biggest forearm for a hound of his size. In the field Vulcan is described as a capital hound to draw a bad place, and his sire is a hard, determined sort in chase. The kennel showed dogs and bitches at Peterborough again in 191 2, and young Vulcans were to the fore for other kennels. York and Ainsty Tradition speaks of the country being hunted by Colonel Thornton, who was one of the last to keep a hawking establishment in England ; he was also deep in the foxhound-racing which took place at Newmarket at the latter end of the last century, owning Merkin and Lounger, with which he chal- lenged all England. The York and Ainsty country carries a capital scent, and as the going is deep and the fences of a fair size, hounds have a good chance. The record of mastership commencing in 1821, is a long one, including the names of Sir Charles Slingsby, 1853 to 1869, who rode to see his hounds work, and gained many prizes at the first Yorkshire foxhound shows. This fine sportsman was drowned during a day's hunting, owing to the ferry accident on the Ure. Colonel Fairfax, who held mastership from 1873 to 1879, founded the present pack, placing THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 79 implicit faith in Belvoir blood ; he also rebuilt the kennels. Mr E. Lycett Green accomplished a long spell of mastership between 1886 and 1910, working qualities distinguishing the pack, which he hunted himself. During part of this time Mr Harry Preston assisted as joint-master. Mr J. S. H. Fullerton hunted the country during the season 1910-11 with a private pack purchased from Mr Dun Waters, when giving up the Wheatland, and they were extra special in their work. In 1912 Mr M. J. Stapleton accepted the master- ship, going into partnership with Lord Furness, and the kennels are at Acomb, two miles out of York, old-fashioned premises that some sixty years ago were a farmstead. However, the most unpromising casket may contain the brightest jewels, and during August 1913 we motored the best part of fifty miles to spend an hour or two on the flags with Harry Cumpstone, who has seen hunting in a variety of countries. The dog we wanted specially to see had been put down, viz. Mr Lycett Green's Helper, by Belvoir Helper, out of a South Cheshire bitch, his stock being in the Holderness and Blankney kennels. The strength of the kennel is 23 J couples of dogs to 23 of bitches, with an entry of 9 couples, for five days a week. Numbers have been made up with purchased hounds and others presented by Mr Lycett Green, the pick of the kennel being amongst the younger hounds, bred at home. The dog we liked best was Rasper, 1910, by Milton Rector, out of a Belvoir Hadel bitch. He was top of his entry and is a great worker, a full-sized lemon and white hound, with clean limbs and a noble carriage. In the 1913 entry Vanguard and Vexer are full-sized dogs by Belvoir Rallywood, 1909— Belvoir Virtue, by Weaver — So THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Vision. We may here remark that Virtue is a Htter sister to Belvoir Vulcan, and, drafted for her small size, has proved a valuable brood bitch for her present kennel. The brothers Vanguard and Vexer are hounds we should like to meet again after a season's work and conditioning, for they were top of the entry and have the right size, York and Ainsty Viceroy, kjii, and Rasper, 1910. stuff, and quality. A nice-sized working hound was Viceroy, 191 1, by South Devon Vagabond, purchased at Mr Brunskill's sale, also a dark-coloured little Belvoir Comus dog commanded attention ; and Wrangler, 1913, by Meynell Waverley, a hoimd with a lot of stuff, big ribs, and much that is good about him, placed third in the entry. Amongst the bitches there was Victress, 1913, by Tynedale Woodman, who was by Morpeth Solomon, THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 8r who was by Belvoir Dasher, and the dam of Victress is Virtue whom we have mentioned. She is a lovely bitch, symmetrical and has the right stuff and quality'; in her entry she was placed first. Witchcraft, 1912, by Tynedale Woodman — Rational, was a square built tan and white bitch, a ball of muscle, a good wearing sort. Hounds are divided into a big and little pack, and hunt in a capital country of grass and plough, with no wire, for every strand comes down at the shortest possible notice. The Badsworth One of the oldest packs in Yorkshire, going back to 1720, when Mr Bright of Badsworth founded the hunt. Referring to the long list of masters, Mr J. Hope Barton, of Stapleton, reigned from 1869 to 1876, and later his son held office between 1905 and 1908. Mr Charles B. E. Wright hunted the country from 1876 to 1892, a great hound man, he strengthened the pack with drafts from the Belvoir, Milton, Grafton, and Oakley kennels, winning at Peterborough with Advocate, by a Milton sire. Mr Wright mounted his staff on chestnuts and greys, having a hundred horses by him for hunting and coach- ing purposes. Another successful breeder of hounds was Mr John S. H. Fullerton, with whom we stayed and saw a hunt between 1895 and 1902, his best win at Peterborough being with Finisher, a Belvoir bred one. Mr Charles Brook succeeded Mr Fullerton in a mastership of three seasons, followed by Mr Hope Barton for another three. In 1912 Mr Gordon B. Foster became master, with Dick Woodward huntsman, and a pack of 53J couples, the sires from nineteen different kennels appearing in the 191 2 list. At the end of the season 1912-13 Mr Gordon Foster decided to become his own huntsman and F 82 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Woodward transferred to the Belvoir kennel under Mr T. Bouch. At Peterborough 1913, the Badsworth put forward a couple of unentered dogs by Holderness, or Lord Lonsdale's Sargeant. Earl Fitzwilliam's — Wentworth The Wentworth pack was established by the sixth Earl Fitzwilliam about i860 when he hunted the hounds himself, and the blood is identical with that of Mr George Fitzwilliams near Peterborough. Hounds bred at Milton by the late Earl, won in 1859 at Redcar at the first foxhound show, Hardwick and Friendly journeying from Peterborough with old Tom Scab right. Before i860 the Milton hounds were brought all the way to Yorkshire for cub hunting. Descendants of these famous hounds Milton Saladin and Saucebox, shown by Will Barnard, won at Peter- borough just fifty years later, 1909, a special silver cup was presented on both occasions by Mr Tom Parrington. In 1897 Earl Fitzwilliam's Yorkshire pack, with Frank Bartlett showing, won for two couples at Peterborough, these being Duster, Reveller, Damper, and Glancer. In 1907 the present and seventh Earl Fitzwilliam took over the country which had previously been hunted by Lord Galway, reducing the area of his own country — Wentworth — and the number of days hunting, when undertaking a dual mastership of the Grove. The pack at Wentworth is 28 couples, hunted five days a fortnight by Sam Morgan. The Wentworth sires are Scorpion, a six-season hunter by Rhymer ; Spartan, a five-season hunter by Pedlar ; Talisman, a four-season hunter by Denmark ; Dealer, a third-season hunter by War- THE YORKSHIRE HUNTS 83 laby ; Pilgrim, a third-season hunter by Milton Donovan ; Sparkler, by Spartan ; Donovan, by Warden : the second-season hunters are Royal, by Belvoir Reveller, Solomon, by Scorpion. Earl Fitzwilliam's — Grove The famous old Grove country dates back to 1832, and the mastership of Mr G. Savile Foljambe, the greatest of hound breeders, his sort coming into the most approved pedigrees to-day. The old Grove hound was a wiry type with beautiful quality, and distinctive black markings. Frank Gillard tapped a good strain of blood when he used Grove Harkaway, and it comes in the Belvoir Stormer, 1899, pedigree on the dam's side. In a letter from Sam Morgan at Wentworth Kennels, April 8th 1913, he says : " I am enclosing a list in which you will find both the Grove and this pack. In reference to the Wentworth pack, they are of the same type as the Milton pack, practically descended from Milton in the first place. Milton Potent, the sire of Milton Rector, Saladin, and Plato, was by the Wentworth Proctor, who was by the Grafton Pirate. The occupants of the kennel at the present time are chiefly by Belvoir and Milton sires ; Warwickshire Pedlar and Traveller ; Grafton Pirate and Woodman ; Lord Galway's, now Grove, Ad- miral and Woldsman. The stallion hounds here have been used a good deal the last few years, the best of the entry of the Dartmoor this year are by hounds of this kennel. I was with Lord Galway's, or the Grove, thirty years before I came here, and I am finishing my sixth season here to-morrow." The following list of stallion hounds in the Grove kennel is taken from the 191 2 list : Furrier, eight- season hunter, by the Duke of Beaufort's Darter ; 84 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Factor, seven-season hunter, by Furrier ; the four- season hunters are Ambrose by Brocklesby Vulcan ; Falconer, by Furrier ; Barrister, by Nominal ; Ranter, by Milton Donovan ; Saracen and Sailor by Milton Saladin. The three-season hunters are Carnival, Candidate, and Contract, by Belvoir Candi- date ; Royal by Belvoir Ragman ; Traveller and Tracer, by Southwold Tracer. The two-season hunters are Dexter, Dasher, and Deemster ; and Notable, by Newsman ; Romulus Ragman and Racer, by Belvoir Ragman. Between 1858 and 1907 the sixth and seventh Lord Galway held the mastership of the Grove, building new kennels at Serlby. In 1907 Viscount Galway retired, selling his hounds to Earl Fitz- william the present master, lending him the Serlby kennels. The Belvoir got a valuable out-cross when using Lord Galway's Woldsman, 1903, who was a son of Belvoir Woldsman, 1898, by Watchman — Honesty. In the 1913 Belvoir list Chorister and Chimer, 1910, two successful sires, bring in the blood of Lord Galway's Woldsman. In the 1912, Lord Fitzwilliam — Grove— list, there are 58 couples in kennel, to hunt four days a week, with Frank Bartlett carrying the horn. Belvoir of late years has had a strong influence on the kennel, and Frank Gillard used to say that the tickings in the white came into the Belvoir kennel through Grove Harkaway. CHAPTER VI THE NORTH-WESTERN COUNTIES HUNTS CHESHIRE, DERBYSHIRE, STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE, AND NORTH WALES Oenbi^h / \ .■■"lA'jrth .■■'' ■■-, /jStafford. '"'•"" Jir'WWmfnns ...\ ^ " ('' iachylleih ''-Jhropshtrel '^^ ''South'-. ]£arIow] MrHurts ) Division C — The North-Western Counties Hunts. The Cheshire Ancient records go to show that 600 years ago an abbot of Chester was granted the right to hunt foxes and hares throughout the forests of Cheshire ; but the present hunt dates from 1673 and the mastership of Mr John Smith Barry, who was suc- ceeded in 1784 by Sir Peter Warburton. The hounds have always been famous, and matched for speed on Newmarket Heath in 1762 with the hounds of Mr Hugo Meynell, Cheshire Bluecap won the race, as commemorated on the sign-board at Sandaway. During the past thirty years Peterborough goers will remember the Cheshire successes on the flags 86 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY by hounds that have ahvays been reputed for their smartness and work. In 1891 the champion cup for the best bitch went to North Cheshire Gildimere, by Belvoir Grappler, during the mastership of the late Captain Park Yates, with portly John Jones as huntsman. Later, when the Earl of Enniskillen ruled over the destinies of the pack with Fred Gosden huntsman, the kennel secured another champion cup with Rantipole, a beautiful daughter of Mr Austin Mackenzie's Rallywood. Between 1877 and 1907, the Messrs Corbet, father and son, hunted a portion of the country known as the South Cheshire, breeding a pack of hounds which, for beauty on the flags and performance in the field, had few equals, winning many prizes at Peterborough. Between 1901 and 1907 Mr Hubert M. Wilson held the mastership of the North Cheshire, and after that date the two counties were re-united into a six-days-a-week establishment presided over by the present Duke of Westminster, with Fred Champion and E. Tyrrell for huntsmen. The management of the kennel and the breeding of the hounds during the Duke's mastership, which ter- minated in 1911, was continued by Mr Hubert M. Wilson. Under his supervision extending over a period of eleven seasons, the hounds attained a very level appearance, and stood nearer the ground. There were many problems to solve, for old John Jones bred hounds of enormous size, going to Belvoir, Grove, and Milton for blood, but his successor Jack Boore, who had previously been kennel huntsman to the late Lord Willoughby de Broke, suddenly swished on the airy, springy, Warwickshire blood. Consequently subsequent entries of hounds were big and little in size, so that the kennel was not THE NORTH-WESTERN COUNTIES HUNTS d>7 level in appearance. Mr Hubert Wilson previously held a mastership to the Ledbury Hunt between 1899 and 1901. Aiming at a level pack rather than specimen hounds he bred up to five crosses of blood, which A grass country Type. were Belvoir Fallible, 1874 ; Belvoir Weathergage, 1876 ; Croome Rambler, 1873 ; Milton Solomon, 1881 ; and Grove Harkaway, 1885. At the end of season 19 10- 11 in the Cheshire kennel there w^ere 65 couples of hounds out of 80 couples, having these five crosses in their blood. The dog hounds numbered 19 couples, to 60 couples 88 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY of bitches, a grass country pack in appearance, of the highest quaUty. The blood of Belvoir, Brocklesby, and Atherstone, nicked with the breed- ing of the Cheshire bitches, boasting such ancestry as Belvoir Senator, Grove Furrier, York and Ainsty, Falstaff and Windsor, Meynell Linkboy, and Warwickshire Harper. The stallion hounds in office were Dryden, 1906, by Mr Wroughton's Spanker, igoo, a rare combina- tion of substance and quality, but rusty in appear- ance. Champion said of Dryden, " he has not a lazy bone in his body, and was always to be trusted on the coldest scenting plough." Crowner, 1906, by Mr Wroughton's Spanker, was a beautiful type of stallion hound, with short bone, and good feet, " A huntsman's friend, and a rare dog in chase." Safeguard, 1908, by Herts Sampler, 1903, had the blood of Belvoir and Warwickshire on his dam's side. Lighter in build, with the cleanest of limbs, he looked like racing up to a fox. Weathergage, 1909, a son of Belvoir Weaver, 1906, and top of his entry was a nice type of hound, combining the five lines of blood already mentioned. Two other dogs of the same year were Random and Rambler, by Brocklesby Prodigal, 1906, who was by Belvoir Daystar, 1903. The 40 couples of bitches together in the lodging house made a grand sight, showing rare quality, colour, necks, shoulders, and good bone — all that you want in a foxhound. These were sorted by Thorpe the kennelman into a big and little pack, and they called to mind their predecessors that used to captivate the judges when skimming over the flags at Peterborough. In 191 1 Mr W. Roylance-Court and Captain Higson entered upon a joint-mastership to the X -^ - ^ ~ "C x THE NORTH-WESTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 89 Cheshire, with Edwin Short from the Puckeridge for huntsman. The Cheshire entry card of 1912 was an average one of 11 J couples of dogs to 27 couples of bitches, for which ten silver cups were awarded in prizes, the judges being Mr E. E. Barclay and Mr Gerald Hardy. The three prize dog hounds of the entry, Whalebone, Nelson, and Pageant, were all by the home sire Weathergage, 1909, as well as the third prize bitch, the top bitch of the entry being by Rambler, 1909. Weathergage, 1909, however, does not appear in the 1912 Cheshire list, and there is an infusion of Puckeridge blood which should suit that of Cheshire. The North Stafford The country as now constituted, has existed since 1845, Mr William Davenport being the first master, with Joe Maiden, a noted one-legged huntsman. Between 1874 and 1904 the late Duke of Sutherland held mastership, breeding a choice pack of 23-inch hounds, the sires chosen being chiefly from Blank- ney, Belvoir, and other proven sources. The exist- ing kennels were built in the gardens at Trentham Hall in 1863, and the hounds presented to the country in 1909. Between 1904 and 1907 the present Earl of Huntingdon was master, carrying the horn himself, and on the occasion of our visit to the kennels at that time, a dense cloud of blacks from the Potteries descended on the flags, spoiling the appearance of the hounds for the time being. Lord Huntingdon hunted four days a week, and had a good pack of 60 couples, showing Belvoir and W^arwickshire characteristics. The present master, Mr W. W. Dobson, started in 1906 in a joint-master- ship with Lord Huntingdon, and W. Wheatley as 90 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY huntsman. Latter entries have been bred to Belvoir and Atherstone. The South Stafford For some years past, under the sound mastership of Mr F. ViUiers Forster — who commenced to reign in 1885 — the South Stafford has been a kennel to put forward hounds of nice appearance, which have gained the Peterborough verdict. The hounds are the property of the master, and the twenty-seven couples are the right size for hunting, nicely bred to Belvoir, Grafton, Warwickshire, and Earl Bathurst's. Forty couples of puppies are sent out to walk. In 1912 the Marquis of Anglesey became joint-master, and Will Davies succeeded Ben Wilkinson as hunts- man. The country is varied, and we have pleasant recollections of a morning's hunting on the pictur- esque Cannock Chase, some 40,000 acres of heather and bracken, a wild spot of delightful scenery, the haunt of all kinds of game and beasts of the chase. Mr Hurt's Mr Francis C. A. Hurt established in Derbyshire the present country that has borne his name since 1909, and for tw^o days' hunting a week, with occa- sional by-days, has a pack of 26 couples owned and hunted by himself. Mr Hurt kindly supplies the following notes regarding the breeding and work of the hounds. " The country hunted is hilly and rough with mostly stone walls, and for this reason a small hound goes better, lasting longer than a big one. The Pembrokeshire strain is about the most useful in the pack, for they have proved first-rate hunters, with a lot of tongue, plenty of drive, and no tendency to hang on the line, as is often supposed. THE NORTH-WESTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 91 The hounds are most persevering on a cold scent, and always enter at once. All the dog hounds have been sold, and next season 27 couples of bitches will hunt two days a week." Referring to Mr Hurt's 1912-13 list of hounds shows that Meynell sires were responsible for the greater part of the 1912 entry, the produce of Stormer and Waverley gaining the awards. In the entry of 1913 there are 5| couples by Pembroke- shire Grappler and Bruiser, in addition to a variety of other blood. The Barlow The Barlow are an old-established fox and hare pack, but when the present master, Mr Wilham Wilson, took command in 1900, it was decided to hunt fox only. The 31 couples which hunt an area of country in Derbyshire are the property of the master, and have been greatly improved with in- fusion of blood from Belvoir, Lord Fitzwilham's, Rufford, and Lord Galway's. The Meynell The name of Meynell is cherished as the " father of fox-hunting," and 1750 records show that the hounds of Mr Hugo Meynell were amongst the earliest to awake the sylvan echoes of Leicestershire, the whole of which county between Nottingham and Market Harborough was their territory. Mr Meynell was a great houndman, and his system has been little if at all improved upon by succeeding genera- tions. In the early seventies the late Charles Leadham bred Linkboy, 1872, by Manager, a son of Merimac, tracing right back to Mr Meynell Ingram's famous sorts. Linkboy was a great foxhound, and 92 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY his blood to-day comes into the pedigrees of many noted hounds. Amongst those who have been master of the Meynell are Lord Waterpark, Mr Clowes, Mr R. W. Chandos-Pole, Mr Hamer Bass, and Mr Richard Fort. Mr Gerald Hardy held a memorable mastership, associated with triumphs in hound breeding, between the years 1903 and 1913, succeeding Mr Richard Fort, who held ofhce for five seasons. It was his J- rout Pittme >>° r ? :S a -^ ^ NORTH-WESTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 97 were sold for a large sum of money on his retirement in 1909 after ten years' mastership. For four sisters bred by Mr Frank Bibby, named Radiant, Remedy, Revel, and Rompish, 1908, b\^ Milton Donovan, 1905 — -Rakish, by North Shropshire Chorister, Mr E. A. V. Stanley of the Woodland Pytchley paid 440 guineas, and three brothers of the same litter went to other kennels for 270 guineas. This about establishes a record as regards price for a family of one-season hunters, namely 710 guineas. Writing in November 1910, Mr Frank Bibby remarked, " I think you are quite correct in saying that the Rakish litter did fetch something like a record price. Rakish herself and several more, some of the same blood, that were old favourites of mine were not sold at my sale. I gave them to my huntsman. Her- , ^t ^1, c ^ . •^ A North Shropshire type. bert Jones — who went to the Southdown — to take with him, and you will see that Rakish won first prize for brood bitches at Peter- borough Show of 1909, the year I gave up." " If I had sold these bitches, and a stallion dog which I also gave Herbert Jones, it would of course have added very considerably to my sale, but I was anxious that they should go on being bred from on the same lines, and Mr Misa, master of the Southdown, kindly allowed Jones to do this. I think I have an engraving of the picture Mr Heywood Hardy did, and if I can find one, I will send it to you. I am glad to hear that you have been painting the picture of my bitches for Mr Stanley." The present master of the North Shropshire, Captain H. Heywood Lonsdale, writing April i, 1913. G 98 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY says, " the North Shropshire hounds, of which I have the honour to be master, are only four seasons old as a pack, so that I have not very much informa- tion of interest to give you. During the short time I have been able to breed, I have bred for work entirely and have found that the Brocklesby and Hey thorp blood, of which my pack are chiefly composed, furnish the most necessary qualifications. I have two packs, dog hounds and bitches ; hunt three days a week, sometimes seven days a fortnight. I have also had a cross or two with Burton, and so back to the old Blankney, and this I find makes well for work, which is after all the desideratum." The South Shropshire Mr J. C. Dun- Waters during a mastership be- tween 1898 and 1910 bred a pack of hounds, using the blood of Milton, Lord Fitzhardinge's, Mr Wroughton's, Tynedale, and Cheshire, a combina- tion of blood for work. When dispersed in 1910, the pack made an aggregate of 3250 guineas ; 25! couples being purchased by Mr J. S. H. Fullerton for 2826 guineas to hunt in the York and Ainsty country. Mr E. A. V. Stanley of the Woodland Pytchley was also an extensive purchaser. The present master of the South Shropshire, Mr S. H. Christy, D.S.O., owns and hunts a pack of 32 couples in a two-day-a-week country. The 1913 entry includes 6h couple of unentered hounds from the Brocklesby, 4 couples by the home sire Anvil, 1907, a son of Milton Anchorite, 1903, 2 J couples by Belvoir Salesman, and Cattistock Pilgrim. The Albrighton The Albrighton is an old-established hunt dating back to 1792, and the country lies in Shropshire, THE NORTH-WESTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 99 Staffordshire, and Worcestershire. The present master, Major C. G. Mayall has held office since 1910, and with a pack of 52 couples kennelled near Wolver- hampton for four days a week, divides the duty in the field with C. Morris. A second pack, the property of Captain James Foster, kennelled near Stourbridge, has been hunted by Major C. G. Mayall two days a week, in what has been known since 1908 as the Albrighton Woodland country. The Wheatland The Wheatland were a trencher-fed pack until 1843, and during the mastership of Mr Baker were a pack of uniform tan colouring, said to have been derived from a cross-out to the bloodhound. The Lord Forester who ruled over the destinies of the Bel voir in the 'forties, was a descendant of the Foresters of Willey, where he stayed for cub-hunting with the Wheatland. Owing to this fact, a theory arose that the Wheatland blood was introduced to Belvoir to establish the tan colouring. This, however, is not borne out when referring to Mr T. F. Dale's " Historj^ of the Belvoir Hunt," in which he clearly sets forth that the present distinctive colouring came through Lord Monson's, Mr Osbaldeston's, and Mr Heron's famous Cheshire pack. " Belvoir tan " in no way resembles the darker shade char- acteristic of the bloodhound. The Wheatland country is a wild sporting district, sparsely populated and situated on the borders of Shropshire, excellent for hound work. Of the numerous masterships since the days of Mr Baker in 1811, that of Mr J. C. Dun-Waters between 1898 and 1902, is memorable for the breeding of a splendid pack. The present master, 100 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY the Hon. C. E. Hamilton Russell has a pack of 30 couples kennelled at his residence Cleebury Court, Bridgenorth, hunting hounds himself two days a week. The best of the Wheatland 1912 entry were by South Durham Prompter, of Belvoir and Brocklesby extraction. Flint and Denbigh The hunt as now constituted dates from 1868, the range of country stretching nearly from the river Conway to the Dee. The hounds were private property until 1882, when a Hunt Club was formed, and purchased the pack. The late Mr Owen J. Williams accomplished a long period of mastership between 1884 and 1908, founding his kennel with Oakley and South Cheshire blood, in late years going to Belvoir, Atherstone, Wynnstay, and North Warwickshire. In 1908 the present master, Mr R. W. Williams- Wynn, joined Mr Owen Williams in the management, and in 1911 he was again joined by Mr E. W. Griffith after he gave up the field mastership to the Belvoir. In a letter written from Trefnant, North Wales, Mr Griffith, who hunts the hounds on many occasions, writes : " This year, 1912-13, we are bringing the pack up to 40 couples. You will see by the list that we are full of Belvoir, Warwickshire, and Atherstone blood. I am sure you would like them as a pack, they match wonderfully well, and are practically all Belvoir in colouring. The home sires we are using are Valiant, 1907, by Belvoir Valesman, 1902 — Vista, 1900 ; Ronald, 1908, by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 — Detail, 1904 ; Contest, 1908, bj/ Atherstone Conquest, 1904 — Badsworth Glory, 1901. In recent entries the names appear of Milton Saladin, 1906, Sir W. W. Wynn's Herald, Cheshire Fleecer, 1906, THE XORTH-WESTERN COUNTIES HUNTS loi and Weathergage, 1909, North Warwick Darter, 1910, Brocklesby Woldsman, 1908. " Hounds on the large size are not suitable for this country owing to parts of it being hilly, and we like if possible to get 24-inch dogs, and 22J to 23-inch bitches. We had a very fair season last year, found plenty of foxes, and killed a satisfactory number." The kennel sent to Peterborough in 1913 a smart couple of unentered bitches, Statue, by South Staffordshire Stentor, and Votary by Valiant. Bold Reynard Sir Watkin Williams- Wynn A family pack founded by the first Sir W^atkin Williams- W^ynn who was killed out hunting in 1749. It was in 1843 that the Wynnstay hunt commenced under the rule of the sixth baronet, who reigned between 1843 and 1885, memorable in the annals of the chase for sport and hound breeding. In 1848 Sir Watkin secured as huntsman old John Walker from the Fife, although Lord Sufheld offered him £500 a year to remain. Wynnstay 102 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Royal figures amongst the first winners at Peter- borough, coupled with the names of Lord Coventry's Roman, Milton Somerset, Brocklesby Ambrose, and Oakley Rhymer. The present Sir Watkin Williams- Wynn, the seventh baronet, followed his uncle in the master- ship in the year 1885, and often hunts hounds himself. The value of the pack was enhanced by the purchase of a portion of the late Lord Ports- mouth's Devonshire pack. The 1912 kennel list gives 2i| couples of dogs to 26| couples of bitches for four days a week hunting. The stallion hounds marked by Sir Watkin are Lancer, 1907, by North Warwickshire Wanderer, 1904 ; Dancer, 1909, by Oakley Bragger, 1907 ; Herald, 1909, by Lord Harrington's Cowley, 1905 ; Despot, 191 1, by Meynell Warrener, 1907 ; Trickster, 191 1, by Warwickshire Trickster, 1908 ; Wadlow, 191 1, by Meynell Whynot, 1904. The name of Royal is still carried on, appearing in the entry of 1912, Royal, by Milton Render, 1905. Ynysfor A private, and at the same time historical hunt, started about 1765 by the present master's great- grandfather. Mr Evan Bowen Jones commenced mastership in 1901, and has 10 couples of the old Welsh hounds, to hunt fox in the winter, and otter in the summer. The Plas Machynlleth The Plas Machynlleth is another Welsh pack of 10 couples to hunt a mountainous district, and the present master. Lord Herbert Vane - Tempest, K.C.V.O., commenced in 1905. CHAPTER VII THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS LEICESTER, LINCOLN, NOTTINGHAM, RUTLAND, NORTHAMPTON, AND WARWICKSHIRE \MrHiuis \ / MlamnStons/ „ , ^^*"\ ^ v^ \ ^Jr_^ / Jelvoir ^-y^The ■' X' "~~! / CoUesmore \Mherslone^' Mr n .-r jt _-'. \FerniesS>-' / I / .• waodia \}VaTwuKshire_J Fuichleu '.;; \hkTwicKshire./ >" •^.i Grafton\^ Division D — The Mid-Eastern Counties Hunts. 103 104 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY The Brocklesby The county of Lincolnshire, noted for broad acres, pedigree stock, and pure air, is hunted by five packs of hounds whose blood has built up the " modern foxhound." Mr Robert Vyner, in " Notitia Venatica " published in 1849, testifies to the importance of the Brocklesby kennel in early history. " Hound breeding," he says, " was as scientifically pursued as sheep breeding, and the successful per- severance of Mr Meynell and the first Lord Yar- borough will ever be deserving of the warmest gratitude from all true sportsmen, lighting up as they did, what might be termed the dawn of science in the chase." It was fortunate for the future of hound breeding that two great huntsmen at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Tom Smith of Brocklesby and Tom Goosey of Belvoir, set a type and bred on the same lines, laying a sound foundation on which successive generations have built. " The Druid " says that Brocklesby Rally wood, 1843, virtually made the fame of the Belvoir, when secured by Will Goodall as a stallion hound in his ninth season, for to-day he is the root of all the most noted pedigrees of the Duke of Rutland's kennel. The Brocklesby are about the last of the old family packs to maintain their ancient dignity and traditions, a private hunt with no subscription or cap taken from its followers. So far back as 1832 it is on record that prize hunting-whips were presented by the Earl of Yarborough to puppy w^alkers, lists existing in the kennel of those who took in hounds. The Brocklesby has always been under the mastership of the house of Pelham, in the same way that the Belvoir have belonged to THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 105 the house of Manners. The roll of Brocklesby mastership being as follows : Mr Charles Pelham, 1714 to 1763 ; the first Lord Yarborough, 1816 to 1846 ; the second Lord Yarborough, 1862 to 1875 ; Victoria Countess of Yarborough, during the present Earl's minority managed the hunt with the assistance of the late Mr Maunsell Richardson ; the fourth and present Earl of Yarborough taking command of the family pack in 1880. The kennel has been well served by huntsmen who accomplished long tenures of ofhce, and between 1 816 and 1864 there were three of the name of Smith, succeeded later by Nimrod Long. Coming to modern times, Will Dale took over the reins of management between 1884 and 1896, which was a noted period for sport and hound breeding, many distinctions being won on the flags at Peterborough. In 1896 the number of hunting days w^as reduced, the dog hounds being sold to the Earl of Lonsdale, and Jim Smith the present huntsman appointed in succession to Will Dale who went to Badminton. The fact that many noted stallion hounds left the kennel was a serious drain on resources for some time In September 1912 it was our good fortune to spend a day on the flags at Brocklesby, with Lord Worsley the present field master to do the honours, and Jim Smith to draw the pick of the kennel for inspection. A golden fox surmounts the weather vane of the fine old red-brick mansion of Brocklesby Park, the favourite residence of successive Earls of Yarborough, and the kennels hard by have the dignity and solidity of a bygone age, the day yards being flagged with huge paving stones. A start was made with the 1912 unentered dog hounds, of which Workman was first prize, a son io6 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY of Woldsman, 1908 — Perfect, 1907. He looked a nice square type of dog, under the 24-inch standard of height, with deep colouring and good length, but he had hardly overset the effects of distemper. Whipster, his brother, was not so truly made. Later on we saw the sire Woldsman, 1908, by Lord Galway's Woldsman, 1903— who was by Belvoir Woldsman, the dam being Accent, 1902. Woldsman is a great dog in his work, very hard, never tires, and always at it. Good looking as the Brocklesby hounds have been for centuries, and uniform in size and shape, the chief characteristics recognised by hound breeders are nose, tongue, drive, close hunting qualities, stoutness, and courage. Good looks and good work have always gone together when breeding a pack at Brocklesby, Belvoir, and Badminton. Painter, 1910, came next, a son of Prodigal, 1906 — Amy, 1906, a daughter of Belvoir Dasher, 1900, w^ho had Brocklesby blood in him on his dam's side. Painter's note in chase was described as resembling the roar of a lion, and he is one of the sires in office. Archer, 1910, by Southwold Tancred, 1907 — Airy, 1904, was a long deep dog with well laid shoulders, he goes the pace in the field, and stands right in the kennel. A seven-season hunter, with a corpulent figure like an old gentleman, was Speaker, 1906, by Denmark, 1901 — Signal, 1903, a great favourite harking back in blood to Belvoir Gambler and Grafton Waggoner. A tan dog with wise, grey countenance, and deep ribs, "he is all there in the field, and his get stand well in the kennel." Next came the two brothers Veteran and Viscount, 1908, by Vulcan, 1903 — Amateur, 1904, d. s. Wrangler a couple of noble dog hounds, who with Vexer THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 107 another son of Vulcan, and Statesman, by Stentor — the latter couple not in the 1912 list — went to Peterborough, 1910, and were placed second for a team of dog hounds. The critic of the Field said at the time, " Placed second were the Brocklesby, for two well-matched couples, which were a good deal smaller than the Meynell hounds, but were very ' sorty,' neatly turned, and very symmetrical." S^^&*^Yyt^, The Earl of Yarborough's Veteran, 1908. Veteran is perhaps the most prettily turned dog, but Viscount has a bit the most stuff. Both have noble dog hound heads, good crests, deep colouring, and white collars, with well feathered stems gaily carried. The appearance of ribs, loin, bone, and feet, combined for a squarely built hound well balanced for hard work, blending with beauty of outline and colouring. Their sire Vulcan, 1903, by Vanquisher, a son of Bel voir Vanquisher, was a good looking whole tan in io8 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY colour, had nice bone and stood well, his stock appearing in numerous kennel lists. The 1910 entry of dog hounds gave the kennel 9 couples to the required standard of entry, but later entries have suffered from the ravages of distemper. Wrangler, 1899, a son of Warwickshire vSailor, who was a son of Holderness Gaffer, a son of Belvoir Gameboy, did well by his kennel, sireing Wonder, 1907, one of the stallions in office. The Brocklesby dog hounds number 23 J couples, the bitches 33 couples, and a grand sight they presented on the flags viewed collectively. The most massive matron of the kennel was Harebell, 1907, a daughter of Vulcan, 1903, We also noted Abbess, 1910, a rare type of hound by Belvoir Smoker, 1907, also Daisy, 1912, by Warwickshire Trickster, 1908, showing the same white stern as her sire. After seeing the kennel. Lord Worsley took us to the house to see the pictures, the most famous — from a foxhound point of view — being that painted by Geo. Stubbs, R.A., in 1776 of the first and second Tom Smiths with the hound Wonder. Then there is the picture of Rahywood, 1843, painted by J. Ferneley, replicas of which are in the possession of the Duke of Rutland, and the Rev. Cecil Legard. Of Rallywood it was said, he never ran to the head, but always got to the end of great runs. Will Goodall of Belvoir declared him to be the lowest dog he ever saw, with the largest fore-rib, and most beautiful neck and shoulders, his ancestry being Belvoir. The Burton In writing of the Burton kennel there is no reason to enlarge on the glories of the past to the extinction of the present, for in the annals of hunting history. THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 109 its fame is associated with the masterships of Lord Monson, Squire Osbaldeston, Uv Foljambe, Mr Assheton Smith, Sir Richard Sutton, Lord Henry Bentinck, Viscount Doneraile, " Squire " Henry Chaplin, who hunted the old Burton country, which included that now hunted by the Blankney. The fame of Lord Henry Bentinck as a breeder of hounds is a theme for a whole volume, Mr J. Nevill Fitt, in his " Covert-side sketches," says of Lord Henry Bentinck, " he cared less for large bone than many masters, but was very particular with regard to work, and to such perfection had he bred them that when he gave up the country in 1864, they made the large sum of £3600. It was his custom to have his hound lists bound up with blank leaves, and on these he noted the pecuharities, good or bad, of each hound, refering to them as a guidance in breeding." The following is an extract from a hound hst, the property of Tom Hawtin, measuring 6x4 inches, with six or seven years bound up together, inscribed : — Reepham, 1869 C. Hawtin from Lord Henr\' Bentinck. Tancred, a good dog until his eyes failed him. Falcon, Request, and Starling our three most noted for taking a line through sheep. Harebell, her tongue a light one, hardly enough of it. Riot, remarkable for his sagacity. Driver, noted for bringing the brush to the huntsman. Dorcas, noted for carrvang the head home. the best dog in the pack, if he had not died suddenly should have used him to all bitches I could spare. A fair good honest hound. Ran until 7 and 8 years old. Caruslade, a capital dog, nasty colour, and never used. The best of the Old Burton sort went as a founda- tion for many kennels when dispersed, Mr Henry no THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Chaplin bred a fine pack of hounds founded on the old Burton blood, and these he sold to the Earl of Lonsdale. Mr Austin Mackenzie was another who carried on the line, bringing it up to date with Belvoir and other fashionable blood. Later Mr W. M. Wrought on, who bought the bitches of Mr Austin Mackenzie's pack, bred a beautiful kennel which had Old Burton for foundation, and the best of these were purchased by the Earl of Lonsdale to hunt the Cottesmore country between 1907 and 1911. From 1888 to 1912 Mr Thomas Wilson of Riseholme was master of the Burton, hunting hounds himself, with H. Blackhouse as kennel huntsman. The foundation of the present pack were purchases from Mr Jarvis, whose hounds boasted many of the best strains of blood, the Old Burton being strongly in evidence. Mr Wilson went to Belvoir, Brocklesby, Lord Galway's, and the Southwold, for fresh blood, moving the kennels from Reepham, he built new ones at Riseholme, in 1903, which have proved very satisfactory, especially in the matter of freedom from kennel lameness. In 1912 Sir Montague Cholmeley became master, hunting the country five days a fortnight mth 35} couples of bitches, carrying the horn himself in his second season with his brother-in-law, Mr J. St Vigo Fox, joint-master. The following letter from Sir Montague Cholmeley, preparatory to a visit to kennels in September 1912, gives a brief summary of the present pack at Riseholme : "I am sorry to say I shall not be there to show you the hounds, as I am motoring to Scotland that day. We were out two days last week and got a brace of cubs each day with not much scent. THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS iii " We have a lot of cubs this year, and it will take us all our time to get at them properly before November, as the harvest has delayed the start, and even now there are several fields not cut in awkward places, so even when we are tempted into the open we have to pull up. Frank Blackhouse the huntsman will tell you all about the hounds and how they are bred. The pack was bought by the county this spring, and the dog hounds sold off, 41 couples of bitches being kept, of these we parted with ij couple of the best to reduce the purchase price, and also sold a draft of those we could best spare, leaving 35J couples in kennel. We have a rare good entry of young 'uns, all of them have entered well, with one exception, which I hope will come too later. Nancy — the prize bitch this year — I think you will like. She has taken her place, and is running up with the old hounds. They are breaking up their foxes like tigers, which is good for a purely bitch pack. I am sorry to be away, but I am taking a week's holiday now, as I am giving up all other engagements for the hunting season this year." The first prize bitch, Nancy, 1912, by Meynell Stormer, 1906 — Needful, 1907, by Belvoir Valient, was a lengthy, elegant bitch, with good ribs, clean neck and shoulders, quite a grass country type. Nicety, her sister, was placed second, being higher on the leg, and shorter in her couplings. All the hounds are unrounded, not overdone with bone, built on racing lines, and look as their huntsman described them, " real good huntin' sorts that keep wirin' in." The 1912 entry of 23J couples, were well grown hounds ; for the Lincolnshire farmers are good puppy walkers, giving them plenty of food and liberty. The home sires represented in the entry 112 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY were Vaulter, 1906, Wildboy, 1908, Helper, 1910, Valient, 1906. The visiting sires Brocklesby Veteran, 1908, Spartan, 1906, Wonder, 1907, Meynell Stormer, 1906, Sir William Cooke's Coroner, 191 1, Mid Devon- Warrior, 1905. Some of the Burton dog hounds were purchased by Mr T. Bouch for his private pack at Belvoir, and others by Mr R. Clayton Swan for the Blankney kennel ; the verdict was " practically all the Burton hounds turned out well." Season 1911-1912 with the Burton was a best on record for killing foxes, the score being 43 brace. In the boiling-house hang the boards "with noses," a continuous record from 1875. The Southwold The present Southwold kennel has the advantage of thirty-two years careful breeding under the mastership of Mr E. P. Rawnsley, who carries the horn himself, and whose opinion on all matters connected with the chase is much sought after. The Southwold country as now constituted, has existed since 1841, the present kennels being built in 1857 at Belchford, on the Lincolnshire Wolds, four miles north of Homcastle. It is a riding country with a ditch to nearly every fence, and much timber. About one-fourth is pasture, three- fourths plough, with big woods on the borders. When Mr Rawnsley commenced mastership in 1880, he purchased drafts from the York and Ainsty, the Burton, and South Wilts, going to Belvoir, Quorn, and Brocklesby for sires. The first sire selected was Belvoir Struggler, a descendant of Osbaldeston Furrier, and most of the present hounds trace to a bitch called Freedom, 1881, which was given to Mr Rawnsley by Lord Yarborough in 1884. The THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 113 mating of this bitch with Belvoir Weathergage, 1876, produced wonderful results, Freeman being one of the litter. The pack to-day is practically made up of Belvoir Weathergage, and South wold Freeman, each considered by the man who hunted them to be " the best ever seen on the line of a fox." A quick hound with no lumber has been the type aimed at. >X / Southwold Whalebone, 1908. best adapted to show sport in a country where the going is very holding, and the fences strong. A day spent on the Southwold kennel flags with Mr and Mrs Rawnsley in May 1913, was full of interest and instruction. Our host on that occasion was going on crutches, recovering from the effects of a smashed leg received from the kick of a horse when hunting hounds the previous season. The total strength of the kennel is 41 couples, the dogs being drawn separately, the bitches looked H 114 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY through collectively. There is a very workman- like look about the hounds, clean necks, shoulders, and deep fore-ribs, to satisfy the eye. Nose, tongue, and drive are the distinguishing characteristics of the pack in the field, and the blood of Grafton Woodman, Bel voir Stormer and Vaga- bond, Brocklesby Wrangler, Warwickshire Tancred, Tarquin, and Talisman, is the source from which sterling qualities arise. Mr Rawnsley said, " I prefer hunting the dog hounds ; they are, I think, steadier when scent serves, and I never keep one that is not good in his work. One of the best working hounds I ever saw was Brocklesby Wrangler. He was a bit cut away behind, and wanted a back rib, but had a beautiful neck and shoulders. Belvoir Stormer, 1899, was another great hound in his work. I saw him stop at a high wall by Honnington, when all the rest of the pack had flashed on, but he said, ' my fox has gone over,' and sure enough he had ! The three best working strains in my kennel are Belvoir Stormer, 1899, Belvoir Vagabond, 1899, and Grafton Woodman, 1903." " I like a hard driving hound, one that goes along to get to the top of the pack. Ledbury Fiddler we have been using, he is by Cottesmore Falstaff, 1901, who was the very best Brocklesby blood, and Arthur Thatcher said ' perfection in work.' I do not like the big muscular cloddy hounds ; Frank Gillard's 23|-inch standard was better, and wears better ; for a little hound can kill a big one in a long day's hunting, and come again quicker for another day. I won't have my hounds' ears rounded, and I have them exercised all the summer, out at five o'clock in the morning. They are all the better for it, and keep their condition." THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 115 First for inspection came the 1913 entry, 7 couples of dogs to 8J of bitches, the beginning of May being rather too early to see them to advantage, recover- ing from distemper and changing their coats. The nights had been cold, and the winds do sweep round the kennels from the North Sea across the Lincoln- shire wolds ! The entry were by Ledbury Fiddler, Grove Dreadnought, and the home sires, representing Southwold Warbler, igio. two types, the galloping, up on the leg, airy dog, with clean neck and shoulders sired by Whalebone, 1908, a son of Meynell Whynot, who was by Belvoir Vagabond. The other type is a thicker dog, built nearer the ground, cast in a smaller mould, by the home sire Stoker, who is a Belvoir Stormer pattern. " Put Whalebone on," said Mr Rawnsley from his armchair in the corner of the day yard — but the veteran master was only counting the hours when he could once again be in the saddle, three weeks later actually backing a four year old. Whalebone ii6 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY a five-season hunter, is like his sire the defunct Meynell \Vhynot, a nearly all tan dog, wearing well, for there were no grey hairs to give him away. " His dam, Trackless, 1904," said Mr Rawnsley, " was by Warwickshire Talisman, and Whalebone resembles his maternal grandsire for he won't draw a covert. Yes, he is a bit shy and crouching on the flags, but throws all that away in the field, and is a rare driving dog ; you can hear his tongue ringing out true, and know he has the line. He is such a rare good dog on the line of a fox, I have 9I couple in kennel now by him, and he has also been used at Brocklesby and Holderness." In appearance Whalebone is a fine upstanding, impressive hound, with a brainy punishing head, intelligent eager look, clean neck and shoulders, deep fore ribs, but his feet are not his best point. Here Mr Rawnsley had something to say regarding the shape of a foot for the requirements of a country. " A close, cat-like foot is not suitable for our clay, which gets between the toes and raises a blister." A nice-looking son of Whalebone's is Whisperer, 1910, a rare galloping sort of dog to stride along over Southwold plough country, which often carries a more holding scent than the fashionable grass, but foxes do not come easily to hand. An elegant golden tan and white dog is Warbler, 1910, by Meynell Warrener, 1907. He looks a grass country hound to go the pace, with exquisite neck and shoulders. Frank Freeman very much liked this dog, and had him in the Pytchley kennel where he left some whelps. A different type of dog is Stoker, 1908, by Lord Middleton's Striver, 1904 — Trainable, 1904, one of the best all-round workers in the kennel, full of intelligence and untirable, just the hound to go THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 117 hunting with ! Both Stoker and his son Stormer, 1 91 2, are much the same pattern of hound as Bel voir Stormer, 1899, and they do drive along after a fox. Then there was Tuner, 1908, by Turncoat, 1902 — Guileless, 1904, a nearly ah black stocky little dog ; and the day Mr Rawnsley took his hounds by invita- Sir William Cooke's Tumbler, 1906. tion to hunt in Warwickshire there were several who remarked " the black dog leading." The bitches are all that you expect, and look like racing up to a fox, and carrying on the fame of the kennel. The strength of the pack is 41 couples, of which 27J couples are not older than two-season hunters, for four days a week. Sir William Cooke's Sir William Cooke in 1909, gave up the mastership of the Ledbury and became joint-master of the ii8 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Southwold with Mr E. P. Rawnsley. The country was then divided, and Sir Wilham Cooke has kennels at his residence Ranby HaU, where with a separate estabhshment he hunts hounds himself four days a week. When visiting the kennels in igio we saw some promising young hounds by Milton sires, from bitches brought from the Ledbury kennel. The pick of the 1909 entry were Tumbler and Tuscan, by Milton Saladin, 1906, from Ledbury Truelass. Big framed hounds, with long punishing heads characteristic of their sire, and on the dam's side they bring in the blood of Belvoir and Warwickshire. Amongst some nicely turned bitches, we singled out Verity, 1907, by Ledbury Gimcrack, 1902, for her lines captivated the eye, and Sir William Cooke gave her the best of characters for work. The kennels, which are modern erections of wood and iron, are most conveniently situated on the grass opposite Ranby Hall, accomodating 38 couples. The Blankney The Blankney hunt owes its existence to " Squire " Henry Chaplin, who held the mastership from 1877 to 1885, bringing a pack from the old Burton country of Lord Henry Bentinck's breeding. Not much of the blood, however, exists in the kennel to- day ; for Mr Chaplin sold his pack to Lord Lonsdale, at that time master of the Woodland Pytchley, and it was dispersed later on. When Lord Charles Bentinck held the Blankney mastership between 1905 and 1908, he endeavoured to pick up the old Burton blood wherever he could find it, going to eleven different kennels for sires in the breeding of one entry. During the mastership of Major Tempest with Ben Capell huntsman, the Blankney were competitors on the flags at Peterborough in 1894, THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 119 securing honours with Garnet, 1890, Striver, 1891, Foiler, 1891, and SkiUington, 1893, three being by Bel voir sires, the last by Brocklesby Smoker. During a brief mastership to the Blankney, Lord Lonsdale gave the kennel Villager, 1884, quite a Lord Henry Bentinck sort, full of old Burton blood. His pedigree being as follows, by Wanderer, 1878 — Violet, 1880. The sire of Wanderer was Woldsman, 1874 — Gratitude, 1878. Violet was by Grove BU»\vA^Ofm.tiU-j^ Study for picture painted for Sir Robert Filiner Blankney Democrat, 1912 Reginald, 1874 — Virgin, 1876. The late Frank Gillard used Lord Lonsdale's Villager at Belvoir in 1885, and to-day the blood comes through Belvoir Vagabond, 1899, one of the best strains in the kennel for work and good looks. Successive masters of the Blankney, Mr N. C. Cockburn, Mr Edgar Lubbock, and Sir Robert Filmer bred to Belvoir, where it is possible to get all that you want. Coming to the present when Mr R. Clayton Swan undertook the mastership in 191 2, with Ben Capell returning to his old kennel as huntsman, another 120 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY interesting period in the breeding of hounds may be said to have commenced. Good material was undoubtedly there, bred by George Shepherd, and young Tom Isaac, supplemented with valuable purchases of matrons from the Berwickshire dispersal sale, descendants of the beautiful pack Mr Charles M'Neill bred in the North Cotswold kennel. In addition to these some Burton dog hounds have also been purchased by Mr Swan, so that in the hands of a combination so well versed in the science of breeding and selection, future entries will be full of interest. The Blankney 1912 list is made up of 15J couples of dog hounds to 23 J couples of bitches, with a further 10 couples, the property of Mr R. Clayton Swan, which are hunted two days a week by the master, Ben Capell hunting the home pack on the other two days. Of the dog hounds there is a very nicely turned, compact, 23-inch hound Democrat, 1912, by Belvoir Rallywood, 1909 — Density, 1907, bred during the mastership of Sir Robert Filmer, with Tom Isaac huntsman. Another nice dog is Cruiser, 1910, by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 — Crusty, 1907, bred during the same mastership. Amongst the young hounds of 1912 there are 5 couples by York and Ainsty Helper, 1906, who lodged for some seasons with others of Mr Lycett Green's hounds in the Blankney kennel ; hunted by Tom Hawtin. The Belvoir The Belvoir kennel, the premier pack of the day, comes into another chapter elsewhere in the volume, its influence on the breeding of the modern foxhound being world-wide. A'^t THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 121 The Marquis of Exeter's The Marquis of Exeter owns a sporting pack but not a country, hunting two days a week from Barghley House, by invitation, in the Fitzwilham and Bel voir countries. Originally a harrier pack started in 1899, their master huntsman rides in green livery, and with 30 couples of hounds bred to Belvoir shows excellent sport in the Stamford district. The youthful Lord Burghley follows in his father's footsteps, and hunting a pack of pocket beagles, killed his first hare in the autumn of 191 3. The Cottesmore The Cottesmore are a notable pack in the field, and for generations it has been the pleasure of the elite of Leicestershire to ride with them. The territory of country which they hunt in the counties of Rutland and Leicestershire may be equalled, but certainly cannot be surpassed in excellence. The foxes are stout and \\ild, most of the coverts are strong woodland with wide areas of country between, few gorse coverts exist, and no artificial earths, so that a huntsman and his hounds must be quick if they hope to handle a Cottesmore fox. A scenting country, and sparsely populated, a good hunting pack have their opportunity, whilst from a riding point of view, nothing could be better. The praises of the Cottesmore hounds in the field has been sung since the earliest times, in the 'sixties and 'seventies when the present Earl of Lonsdale's father held the mastership, and had the best hunting blood on his benches. Then followed Mr William Baird's long reign of peace and good sport, with old George Gillson carrying the horn and a strong 122 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Belvoir influence running through the kennel. In 1900 Mr Evan Hanbury, with Arthur Thatcher, commenced a faster era of sport, and a brilHant reign lasted seven seasons. During that time Captain Johnstone's hounds were purchased, a good working pack bred to Belvoir, infusions of Lord Hardinge's blood being also introduced into the kennel. The present Lord Lonsdale next succeeded in offlce between 1907 and 191 1, carrying on the traditions of the hunt which had been so splendidly served by his forefathers, dating back to 1802, and so named by the first Lord Lonsdale who resided in the village of Cottesmore. Like his father, and grandfather, the present Lord Lonsdale has bred some of the most noted hounds of his time, being an adept at pedigrees, and knowledge of the lines of blood which are the tap-root of excellence in fox- hound breeding. During a period of thirty years. Lord Lonsdale held the mastership of several hunts including the Woodland Pytchley, the Blankney, and the Quorn, always declaring for one particular strain of blood which practically dated back to 1881 when he bought from Mr Henry Chaplin the hounds of Lord Henry Bentinck's breeding. On succeeding to the Cottesmore mastership, Lord Lonsdale started a private pack at Barleythorpe where are the old Lowther family kennels, and some of the best hound paddocks we have seen anywhere. Picking up the old Lord Henry Bentinck strains. Lord Lonsdale purchased extensively from Mr W. M. Wroughton's kennel, and the South Cheshire when Mr Reginald Corbet gave up the mastership, paying something like 3000 guineas for the pick of the Cheshire bitches. The most famous couple were War Cry, 1906, by Warwickshire Sampson, 1900 — South Cheshire Wedlock, 1903 ; and Hecuba, 1906, by o -s THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 123 Belvoir Helper, 1903, from South Cheshire Crafty, 1901, 500 guineas being the price of the couple. When Mr W. R. Wroughton gave up the master- ship of the Woodland Pytchley, Lord Lonsdale was again an extensive purchaser, paying 200 guineas for a single hound. Between 1908 and 191 1 three superb entries were put forward on the The Earl of Lonsdale's jno-Ki'-'nea dut^ huiiml. Barleythorpe flags, and as Lord Lonsdale was liberal in his presentation of dog hounds to the Cottesmore, much valuable blood went for the improving of the type in the hunt kennel. Of notable dog hounds which Lord Lonsdale bred at Barleythorpe, Sergeant, 1909, by Hertfordshire Sampler — South Cheshire Warble was the most distinguished, his record coming into the history of the Holderness kennel, where he is now located, the property of Mr Harry Whitworth. Another famous dog was Vulcan, 1910, 124 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY by Belvoir Vulcan, 1908 — South Cheshire Treason, 1907, bought by the late Marquis of Waterford for 200 guineas for the Curraghmore hunt in Ireland. Both Sergeant and Vulcan have made their mark as stallion hounds, their produce coming to the top at the Reigate and Peterborough Hound Shows, 1913. A great many kennels benefited when Lord Lonsdale dispersed his beautiful pack in the spring of 191 1, and with a couple of these. Bender, 1912, by Belvoir Chorister, and Ransack, 1912, by Sergeant, the late Tom Isaac went to Peterborough in 1912, securing second prize for the Cottesmore in the novice class, during the mastership of General Brocklehurst. At the 1913 Cottesmore Puppy Show when Mr R. E. Strawbridge, the new American master made his first bow to the country, it was the young hounds by Mr W. M. Wroughton's Guardsman, presented to the Cottesmore kennel by Lord Lonsdale, which divided honours with the produce of Belvoir sires. The Cottesmore is a pack which must have a wealth of rare working blood in their composition, and it has been our privilege to enjoy sport with them when hunted by George Gillson, Arthur Thatcher, Sam Gillson, and Tom Isaacs. On the line of a fox they are noticeably in the first class, whether on the Leicestershire grass, or in the deep woodlands of Lincolnshire, whilst in appearance they show a strong Belvoir influence in style and colouring. The 1913 entry of 20 couples reaches a high standard of excellence, their young huntsman, Herbert Norman, who for six seasons was whipper-in to the Belvoir under Sir Gilbert Greenall, being heartily congratulated on their appearance. It may safely be prophesied that Mr R. E. Strawbridge LORD LOXSDALE'S SARGEANT iQog Purchased bv Mr. Harrv Whilworth, Master of the Holderiiess Hum To face page 124 THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 125 commences his mastership to the Cottesmore under the most promising conditions. The Quorn The Quorn and the name of Tom Firr, who carried the horn for over a quarter of a century are inseparably linked for all time, and brings history down to the beginning of the present century. Tom Firr, " the best who ever blew a horn," flitted across a strongly fenced country as easily as a swallow on the wing, with unimpaired nerve up to his sixtieth year. Of him it was said no one could speak to a hound as he could, and when hunting a fox he hated noise, for no matter how bad the scent, he never lost his temper. Believing that silence is golden, Tom Firr would not allow hounds to throw their tongue at the feeding-house door, nor did he allow it when unkenneled for hunting, his argument being " that a foxhound should speak only to a fox ; his pleasure and affection he must show by his stern." With regard to the breeding of the pack, Firr bred more for pace than appearance. Perhaps he was not sufficiently fond of going away from home for blood, as he often said, " So-and-so may stand well, and be nice to look at on the flags, but have you seen him hunt a fox ? Is he a better foxhound than m^^ own So-and-so ? " Like many another huntsman he had one hound to whom he pinned his faith to see him through in the field or the kennel, and Tom Firr's particular hound was Quorn Alfred, 1872, by Mr Garth's Painter — Affable by Badminton Forester. He came to the Quorn kennel as a whelp, and Firr used to say he was a model 24-inch foxhound to race over the Leicestershire grass. Alfred won first prize at the Alexandra Palace Foxhound Show in 126 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY 1875. Mr Fernie's Ferryman, 1903, by Harlequin, 1900 — Fealty, by Belvoir Falcon, 1897, takes into his pedigree, nearer perhaps than any other, the blood of Quorn Alfred, whose stock were so good in many kennels. When seeking fresh blood Firr used Belvoir, Brocklesby, Warwickshire, and Oakley. In 1890 Tom Firr went to Peterborough with a white hound, built on racing lines, named Dreamer, 1887, by Rufford Galliard, and won the champion cup. But the Quorn is not a kennel that enters into competi- tion on the flags, excepting on the rarest occasions. Tom Bishopp and George Leaf the present hunts- man maintained the standard of the kennel by breed- ing solidly to Belvoir ; for the Quorn have a smart appearance in the field, match for colour, stand well on the flags, showing consistent sport under great pressure from a large and competitive crowd. Since Captain Frank Forester became master in 1905, out of 54 couples on the list, 34 couples are by Belvoir sires. Mr Fernie Mr Fernie's charming Leicestershire pack has always stood high with the judges of shape and style, winning year by year at Peterborough, when shown by Charles Isaac. As far back as 1888 Mr Fernie succeeded to the old Billesden country, breeding the present beautiful pack kenneled at Medbourne, the favourite sources for blood being Belvoir and Atherstone. In 1907, Arthur Thatcher went from Cottesmore to carry the horn for Mr Fernie, and sport has gone merrily. Looking through the 191 2 list which gives a total of 58J couples, it is significant that 41 couples are by Belvoir sires, Felix, 1910, being the only representative left of Ferryman, 1903. THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 127 The Earl of Harrington The Earl of Harrington hunts the old South Notts country, which in 1775 Mr John Musters hunted. The late Mr John Chaworth Masters, great-grandson of the former master held two periods of mastership between i860 and 1872. In 1882 the present master succeeded Mr Lancelot Rolleston, hunting six days a week with 80 couples of hounds, and Fred Earp — who for twelve years rode first whipper- in to Tom Firr — became kennel huntsman to Lord Harrington in 1907. Writing from Gedling kennels, Fred Earp gives a summary of the breeding of the kennel. " I enclose you our list and have made a note opposite some of the hounds' names. As you say, there is a great deal of Belvoir blood in this kennel, also Meynell, in fact there is little else except the Hertford sires I used after I came here, and they are South Cheshire bred ones, as also is North Staffordshire Sailor." It will be remembered that Fred Earp was kennel huntsman to Mr Reginald Corbet in the South Cheshire kennel. "Only keeping bitches at Adderley — the old South Cheshire kennel — we used to give the dog puppies away to any one that was in need of them, the Meynell Whynot and Herts Sampler being two of them. We do not get very far away from Belvoir after all, and with six hunting days a week I am bound to have a lot of hounds, especially as this is an awful place for kennel lameness. I keep our pack of big dog hounds for the Notts plough, and the smaller lot for Quorn Forest, the bitches for Cotgrave and Newark country. Taking them as a whole they are a good pack of hounds, and can hunt, if the field will only keep off their backs. The kennels that have used our sires are Ledbury, North 128 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Staffordshire, North Herefordshire, Sir W. Wynn, Worcestershire, and Sir Wilham Cooke's. I have been using Mr Fernie's, Ledbury, Quorn, Atherstone, Milton, and Meynell. We have had wretched luck this last two seasons, owing to ' missing,' and distemper, so that I had to put on what I should have drafted." The following notes appear in the list : " Samson, 1905, by Sultan, 1901 — Wisely, 1900. One of the best I have ever seen hunt a fox, never tires ; but I have not used him as we have a lot of the same blood, and he is a trifle light of bone. Chaser, 1909, by North Staffordshire Sailor, 1905— Charmer, 1901, was a really good dog until kennel lameness seized him. There are some useful hounds in the last entry by him, his sire was South Cheshire bred. Rosebud, 1909, by Herefordshire Sergeant, 1905 — Royalty, 1901, is a really nice dark tan bitch, good in work. Warden, 1909, by Wonder, 1905 — Lavender, 1901, is a lovely tan, good all round in work and looks, has been used by the Ledbury and North Staffordshire. Whipster, 1909, by Meynell Whynot, 1904 — Golden, 1906, was a beauti- ful dog before he went wrong, but he has left some very useful stock. There is a good deal of Belvoir blood in the 1910 entry, also some Meynell Whynot's. The Belvoir Ragman's are marked " all tiresome to a fox. Striver, 19 10, by Sefton, 1907 — Wonderful, 1903, is one of the best on the line of a fox, but not quite straight. Lady, Lucy, and Lillian, by 191 1, by Wonder, 1905 — Levity, 1905, are nice coloured, a couple and a half of the best. Corporal, 1912, by Belvoir Comus, 19 10 — Welfare, 1910, will make a nice dog in time. In the 191 1 and 1912 entry 10 couples are by Wonder, 1905 ; 7 J couples by Chaser, 1909." The total strength of the kennel is 44 couples of dogs, to 42 couples of bitches. THE MID-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 129 The Rufford Hound breeding and sport have flourished under the fostering care of Earl Manvers, who commenced a mastership to the Rufford in 1900. The history of the pack is full of interest for the student of pedigrees, dating back to the record of Captain Percy Williams, who bred a fine kennel between 1841 and 1861 Next came Mr Harvey D. Bayly with two periods of mastership, breeding a pack of the highest class, including Galliard, 1884, a model F>-07H pictu7-e in Possession of Earl Manver. The Rufford winning team, 1902. foxhound of his day, by Oakley Rhymer — Gipsy by Bel voir General. During Lord Manvers' mastership the Rufford have won successes on the flags at Peterborough, two couple of dog hounds, Rupert, 1909, by Ather- stone Guider ; Reginald, 1906, by Belvoir Welcome, 1902 ; Challenger, 1904, by Cottesmore Wizard, 1904 ; and Restless, by S. Notts Gangway, 1904, making a level team to win second prize for two couples in 1902. In 1904 the kennel won for unentered dog hounds with two brothers, Factor and Furrier, by Belvoir Dasher, 1900 — Famous, by Belvoir Grasper. Big lashing hounds of the right stamp and tempera- ment. The representatives of the Rufford con- I 130 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY testing honours at Peterborough in 1913, were by Belvoir Rallywood, 1909. The new kennels at Yellow are excellent in design, and the 50 couples occupying the benches are bedded dowTi with bracken fern. The Atherstone The Atherstone for many years has been a first- rate kennel for a change of blood, and there are many the Marquis of Tavistock, 1809-16 ; Lord Ludlow, 1816-22 ; Duke of Bedford, 1822-29 » Hon. George C. Grantley Fitzhardinge Berkley, 1829-34 ; Mr Dansey, 1834-36 ; the Duke of Bedford, 1836-41 ; Mr Hollingworth Magniac, 1841-47 ; Mr Hogg, 1847-50; and Mr Robert Arkwright, 1850-85. The history of the present excellence of the Oakley kennel, which is second to none for good looks, commences with Mr Robert Arkwright, a born houndman, a fine horseman, and one of the best that ever blew a horn. Securing the services of the best huntsmen of his time, George Beers and Tom Whitemore, the breeding and management of the kennel was successfully carried on for three generations. Mr Arkwright was a friend of the great houndmen of that age. Lord Henry Bentinck, Lord Forester, the Hon. George Fitzwilliam, and Captain Percy Williams, 154 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY and so it came about valuable drafts from Belvoir and Milton found their way to the Oakley kennel to lay the foundation on which others have built. With advancing age Mr Arkwright decided to retire from mastership in 1876, but was persuaded not to do so by the then ninth Duke of Bedford, who magnanimously bought the hounds, presenting them to the country, Mr Turner Macan going on as joint-master until 1885. From the very commence- ment of the Peterborough gatherings the Oakley were in the fighting line for the ribbons with the Fitzwilliam, who might beat them for size, not for looks or cleanness of limb. The two huntsmen, George Carter, the tallest of his time, and old Tom Whitemore, with his grey hair and thoughtful countenance, were in strong contrast, the keenest rivalry existing between them when showing on the flags. Turning back to the records of Peterborough, 1885, when the judges were the Earl of Coventr}/, the Rev. Cecil Legard, and Mr Thomas Parrington, the Oakley won the first prize for stallion hound with the famous Rhymer, then in his fourth season, a son of Fitzwilliam Rhymer — Signal, by the Duke of Grafton's Silence. " A splendid foxhound, about as near perfection as it was possible to find one," was the verdict pronounced upon him, and Rhymer was very extensively used at home and by other kennels. Then there was Dancer, 1888, by Grafton Dancer, from Redcap by Regent, a handsome dog, of exceptional character in his work, without a single weak point in his pedigree. Sir Reginald Graham and Sir Herbert Langham placed Oakley Dancer at the top of the dog hounds at Peterborough in 1891. The critics of the day said of Oakley Dancer : " He did not show exquisite quality about his neck, THE EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 155 but neck and shoulders were good enough. Legs and feet perfect. A powerful hound with ribs better than Warwickshire Hermit, whom he beat." Oakley Dancer blossomed into one of the most fashionable staUion hounds of his generation, and comes into good pedigrees. Mr J. Butt Miller succeeded to the mastership in 1885, retaining the services of Tom Whitemore, but often hunting hounds himself. In 1888 Captain Hugh Browning commenced a nine years' mastership, showing excellent sport and carrying on the winning records at Peterborough until 1897, when Tom Whitemore retired, going as huntsman to Shropshire. Then Mr P. A. O. Whitaker showed excellent sport between 1897 and 1904, hunting hounds himself. The honoured name of Arkwright with its splendid hunting associations came once again into the history of the Oakley in 1904, with young Mr Esme, a grandson of Mr Robert Arkwright, undertaking the duties of mastership. Bom in the Oakley country and blooded by old Tom Whitemore, the mantle of an illustrious ancestor must have descended on the shoulders of the youthful master, for the fame of the kennel to-day equals the triumphs of the past, and Mr Esme Arkwright, as his grandfather did before him, hunts hounds himself. At Peterborough and Reigate during the past two years Oakley has won the highest honours on the flags with young hounds. In 1912 a beautiful one-season hunter, Byron, 1911, by Rhymer, 1907 — a great-great-grandson of the famous Rhymer of 1884 — dam Bonnylass, 1907, by Bedford, won the double championship of Reigate and Peterborough. A prettily turned hound, with exquisite symmetry, exceptionally good over the back and through the loin, he stood truely on the right sort of feet and legs. 156 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY A great favourite, he was walked by Mrs Esme Arkwright, and only survived a severe attack of distemper through the skilful nursing of his hunts- man, George Tongue ; but he had not sufficiently overset the effects when shown as an unentered hound at Peterborough, returning to Bedfordshire " unhonoured and unsung." Entering well to work, /'<,'■ .'.:,■ •■ fare />,ih,tid/oy Mr F.siue Ark'A'i-ight. Oakley Byron, 191 1. The Double Champion. he never missed his turn, and went to Peterborough for the second time the picture of a well-furnished hound, the champion of his year on the flags. Unfortunately during the second season's hunting he got kicked, and, although the best veterinary skill was sought, died in a nursing home in London. It is some consolation, however, that he left promising whelps in kennel. The following is Byron's full pedigree. THE EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 157 Furrier Falstaff 94 Grafton Fencer 97 p Priestess 91 Belvoir Gordon Gaiety 95 Document 93 Regulus 87 Reefer 92 Resolute 99 _3_ Nicety 85 M Dancer 88 Garlic 96 Gaslight 94 Foreman 85 Sportsman 91 Spartan 97 to Spiteful 87 Rhymer 82 Sally 87 Sapient 92 Dancer 88 Bonnar 94 Sulpher 97 Bonnylass 89 Hamlet 88 Surplice 95 Sunlight 90 Dexter 95 Belvoir Drummer 99 Essex and Suffolk Bounder 00 a- •-« a. Vigilant 96 Grafton Donovan 88 Bountiful 91 Bonnylass 85 Dancer 88 Record 94 Rarit}^ 98 Reckless 89 Trimmer 90 Tragedy 94 Serpent 92 Woodman 92 Grafton Why not 97 Guardsman 00 c to Druidess 95 w Dancer 88 Gambol 96 3 Gaslight 96 n Wild boy 89 Traitress 90 Tarquin Trusty 99 Belvoir Valiant 90 Dagmar 93 Vanquish 96 o > r ts •< W •< o 2; 158 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Visiting the Oakley kennels in September 1912 to paint Byron's portrait, we spent some pleasant hours on the flags with Will Boore, a son of the late Lord Willoughby de Broke's celebrated huntsman, with whom he started as a lad. The old master of the Warwickshire was a very hard master, and never overlooked a fault in a man or hound, but he made many a huntsman. A nice dog we saw on the flags at Oakley kennels was Chorister, 191 1, by Banker, '09, dam Crystal, '05, and he was shown in couples at Peterborough with Byron. A nice cheery sort, nippy, and com- pact, a size smaller than Byron, he was described as " such a driver and determined fox-killer." A very old-fashioned sort is Dry den, 1908, by Lord Fitzhardinge's Nipper, 1900 — Daphne, 1903, a demon in chase and wonderful on the line of a fox. To look at, he is the old savage with a short neck stuffed into upright shoulders, his stern carried right over the quarters, hackles up for the slightest provocation, and the " doubt me not " expression, warning us to keep at a respectful distance. It was said Dry den's sons and daughters were all better-looking than their sire. His daughter, Dashaway, 191 1, from Courtly, 1906, is certainly a beautiful tan bitch, with length, the right bone and feet, all that you want in a foxhound. We placed her first of several Boore drew for inspection, which were as follows: Charity and Verity, by Belvoir Rioter ; Witness, Varnish, Captive, Redcap and ReUsh, two daughters of Belvoir Rioter, and Tuneful, an Oakley type. Whilst in kennel all the hounds set on sing in one long-drawn chorus, as they often will on the eve of a hunting day, and it was delightful to hear them, for the Oakley have a beautiful tongue. = i • ^ -> c^ ■*« — O i^ cj 2 A (U * • ■^ 3 x-^4 — 3 ^ •o n ■ '■^ a; • —' .— 6 J3 Z £ \'^ ■ o S ^'■ ^ s THE EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 159 The successes at Reigate and Peterborough, 1913, with the unentered dog Sailor, and Witness come into the chapters on those two events. The strength of the kennel is 9 couples of old dogs, 17 couples of old bitches, 7 couples of young dogs, 15 couples of young bitches, total 48 couples for four days hunting a week. The Cambridgeshire Many well-known sportsmen trace their earliest hunting experiences to days seen with the Cambridge- shire, when undergraduates at the University, and the country presents every sort of condition, the fences being of a practical kind, the going sufficiently deep to steady the ardour of the keenest. The Messrs Hurrel founded the hunt in 1827, ^^^ ^^^ Charles Barnett, who held the mastership between 1827-67, used to say that a Cambridgeshire hound would hunt almost an5r^vhere, as there was every- thing to try his ability and temper. Heavy cold- scenting ploughs on the marshes, where scent is sometimes pretty good, and then on to lands swarming with ground game. " It may therefore be a good kennel to go to for blood," remarks that high authority G. S. L. in the " Foxhounds of Great Britain," " carefully bred as the hounds have been for at least thirty years, principally by Mr Charles Lindsell and Mr G. P. Elystan Evans." At the present time the Cambridgeshire kennel has a pack that stand well on the flags and catch their foxes in the open, hunted by Mr Douglas Crossman, who has been master since 1906, last season being con- sidered a best on record. Connecting the past with the present, Mr Crossman recently married for his second wife, a granddaughter of Mr Charles Lindsell, a former master. We have visited the Cambridge- i6o THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY shire kennel when under three different masterships Mr G. P. Elystan Evans, Mr George Smith-Bosanquet, and the present master, with whom we saw a memor- able day's sport on an occasion when he was hunting hounds. That would be at the end of season 1908-09, during the lifetime of the first Mrs Grossman, who was killed out hunting through her horse falling at a fence, a tragedy which is commemorated on a clock over the kennels erected to her memory by sorrowing friends. The hounds we saw in the field on that occasion were 13J couples of bitches, com- bining Belvoir, Grafton, Oakley, and Fitzwilliam blood. It rained all day in torrents, and floods rose rapidly, but they hunted well, threw their tongue freely, and looked hard as nails. During an intricate hunt from Calpher Wood to the strongholds of Perry Forest, the master, well carried by Bengal, gave the lead over the sunk fence in Gaynes Park, just as hounds picked up the line on the grass and went away at score. When visiting the kennel again in April 1913 we noted a nice short-legged type of hound with the best of neck and shoulders, shown by Mr Douglas Grossman, his son, and the kennel huntsman, Mike Culloden. In the field they are a very determined lot, and at a kill the staff have to be very quickly on the scene, or there is no fox left. Last season, which, Lord Cavan, master of the Hertfordshire, remarked in a speech, " was a splendid one for sport, and talked of all over England," the dog hounds kilHng three more brace of foxes than the bitches. A summary of the pack taken from the list 1912-13 is as follows : 7 year old, one dog, a couple of bitches ; 6 years, one dog ; 5 years, one dog two couples of bitches ; 4 years, two and a half couples of dogs, three and a half couples of bitches ; 3 years, five and a half couples X ^ 'X "^ ■J _- S s X 2 THE EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS i6i of dogs, six couples of bitches ; 2 years, two and a half couples of dogs, eight couples of bitches ; i year, seven and a half couples of dogs, eleven couples of bitches. Total, 19 couples of dogs to 32I couples of bitches for three days a week, and an occasional Saturday. In their new quarters and nicely fenced grass paddocks we saw i6-i- couples of dog hounds, and then had drawn for closer inspection Conquest, 1909, by Atherstone Coroner, '04 — Sceptic, '03. A four- season hunter, that is a fine upstanding hound, a Solon of the pack, with a distinguishing note which is gospel, and his nose is the best. Very deep in colouring, he has a massive brainy head, and is a good topped dog that has been used at home. The dog we liked immensely was Windsor, 191 1, by Belvoir Wizard, '09, from Probity, '08, by Oakley Broker. This dog is a model, a foxhound in every line with fashion and fling, one that can lead them in the field, and his limbs are beautifully clean. Windsor has some nice whelps, and we saw his two sisters Wilful and Woodlark, of the same colour, but neither nearly so impressive as the dog. Old Prodigal, 1908, came next, a son of Oakley Broker, and he showed a wise, grey countenance, a long low frame with good bone, feet, and muscular arms. We saw some of his get, Streamer, 1912, a big lashing sort, with neck and shoulders, but might be better below the knee. Cromwell was another, and a great worker. Amongst the Milton bred ones there was Gambler, by Glatton, a quarrel- some chap in kennel, and Guardsman by Saladin, a fox-catcher like all that sort. Amongst the younger hounds 1912, there was Dorset by the late Cambridgeshire Dasher, 1909 — a dog we much admired, a white coloured hound by Milton Plato, L i62 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY 1907 — and his son Dorset is an ice turned middle- sized dog on short legs. Rodney, of the same year, was a good type on short legs, over at the knee ; Weathergage followed on, and Whipster, by Meynell Waverley, the Peterborough champion, very quick but rather shy. Of the bitches the pick of the kennel was Driblet, 191 1, by Meynell Whynot, 1904 — Dairymaid, '06, by Belvoir Daystar. Driblet is a beautiful fawn and white bitch, built for speed, and went with her sister Dimple to Reigate, where they got into the prize-list. A rare combination of quality and sub- stance, great quarters, the right feet and bone, Driblet is a bitch to remember when you have seen her. Two couple and a half of bitches b}' Belvoir Ragman, 1906, Vanity, 1906, a daughter of Belvoir Valesman, were said to be rare fox catchers. Vera, 191 1, being the pick of the sisters. Winsome, 191 2, by Meynell Watchman, '08 — Ruby, '08, was another nicely-turned bitch that " raced up and killed her fox." The 1913 entry was chiefly notable for a mag- nificent bitch, Desperate by Belvoir Chimer, from Dairymaid, a daughter of Belvoir Daystar. The best of the dogs was Vagrant, by Belvoir Vulcan, from Dorothy, and Ranger, by Warwickshire Render ■ — Dignity came second, walked by Mrs Douglas Grossman. The judges were Mr E. E. Barclay, Lord Cavan, and Will Barnard. The West Norfolk The West Norfolk is the hunt with which the Royal household from Sandringham delight to ride, and dates back as far as 1534. The role of mastership is a long and distinguished one befitting so illustrious a hunt, and it is interesting to note that by special THE EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 163 desire of his Majesty King George, the master- ship is undertaken this season by Mr Charles D. Seymour who has had the distinction to serve in that capacity during three reigns, his previous masterships being between 1889-92 and 1895-02. Kennelled at Rougham are 45 couples to hunt three days a week, the hounds being the property of the country. The Newmarket and Thurlow The Newmarket and Thurlow hunt is another old- established institution dating from 1793, the reigning master being Mr Reginald S. Hicks. The pack of zS couples hunt two days a week, and competing at Reigate Hound Show 1913 were two couples by Belvoir and Milton sires, from Essex and Suffolk bred bitches. The Suffolk The Suffolk hunt is of great antiquity, founded by the Duke of Grafton in 1747, Squire Osbaldeston and Mr Charles Newman hunting it later. Mr Wilfred Be van has held office since 1908, and 40 couples of hounds hunt two and occasionally three days a week, being the property of the master. CHAPTER IX THE WESTERN MIDLANDS AND SOUTH WALES HUNTS WORCESTER, HEREFORD, AND SOUTH WALES Cardioan Baif ,- -. I'United'-'"" Jlrj) . ,.., ;' ', T, , ,, C ''•ffenrejffr ■-^"^ "-->r^< ''Tr^;dl^ereJ>rd \ \Crome ^\ Pembroke ,---.£»' ■- _. .fi^l----, .,-' \ ; /fj?^ / I'-^r C/iannei lM>firru!utfi; \Currejj Glamor^n Division F — The Western Midlands and South Wales Hunts. The Worcestershire The Worcestershire are quite the leading pack of the West Midlands in a territory measuring 20 by 30 miles square, much of which is good-scenting ground. The present master, Mr Arthur Jones, commenced in 1906 and has 62 i couples, kennelled at Fernhill Heath near Worcester. It is a country in which plough is laid down year by year for grass and fruit growing, the wide fences of stout thorn testing the ability of a clever hunter and a bold rider. There are many small gardens and orchards, hop yards and narrow lanes. Occa- 164 WESTERN MIDLANDS & SOUTH WALES HUNTS 165 sionally there is hunting on the rough hills, where only a small pack is taken out. Records show that Major Bland was the first master of the Worcestershire in 1813, the role being a long one including the Earl of Dudley and other landed proprietors. Originally the country had a wider area, but at Lord Coventry's coming of age in 1867, he took the western side which constitutes the Croome. The name of Mr Frederick Ames figures as one of the most illustrious masters between 1874 and 1896, the present Earl of Dudley following on with Captain J. O. Trotter, field master, and between 1902 and 1906, Mr C. R. Mills showed excellent sport. A nicely bred pack, the Worcestershire were to the fore at Peterborough in 1893, during the master- ship of Mr Frederick Ames with Will vShepherd hunts- man. Four couple of stylish dog hounds entered the lists sons of Rufford Galliard, and Burton Rally wood, from bitches by Worcestershire Artist, the champion dog hound of that year being Pytchley Forager, 1889, by Warwickshire Harper. The Worcestershire did better with bitches winning in the brood class with Wildfire, 1889, by Rufford Galliard, dam. Warlike, dam's sire, Belvoir Weather- gage, pleasing the judges. Sir W. M. Curtis, Mr T. H. Ashton, and the Rev. Cecil Legard. We had the pleasure of a visit in January 1913, the guest of Mr and Mrs Arthur Jones, at Ombersley, by Droitwich, which is their hunting-box during the season, Adderley Hall being too wide of kennels. The present master of the Worcestershire is well- known as a hound man, carrying the horn himself, and for many years during the summer hunted the Northern Counties Otterhounds, of which pack he has been master since 1906. In the garden at i66 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Ombersley there were many signs of the chase, a run- ning fox cut on the top of the yew hedge, besides many peacocks and spirals, cut in the box-trees around the lawn. During the winter months the model of a running fox in brass is the mascot on the bonnet of Mr Jones' motor car, an otter taking its place in the summer. Around the front door congregated From the pictiiri- in tltc possession oj Mr Artliuf Jones The Trump Card of the Worcestershire Pack. some small otter-hunting terriers, and two black and tan rough-coated Welsh hounds from ]\Irs Hughes' celebrated kennel. We saw the Worcestershire on the flags and in the field, and with the master and his kennel hunts- man, Tom Vockins, spent several hours in kennel. The pack of 62 J couples to hunt four da^^s a week is made up as follows, 36J couples of bitches to 26 couples of dogs, the proportion being 39 couples of old hounds to 23.} couples of young hounds. In \\ESTERN MIDLANDS & SOUTH WALES HUNTS 167 1904 the Worcestershire put forward a dog named Hemlock, a son of Belvoir Hemlock, '99, who was a son of Belvoir Dexter, '95. To-day the name of Worcestershire Hemlock comes into pedigrees, for he left much good stock about the country, notably so in the Meynell and Lord Rothschild's kennels. Havelock, '04, litter brother to Hemlock we saw, a I'rom tlie picture in the possesiioii of Mr Arthur Joiit A Belvoir Stormer Sort, Spare racey type of foxhound with punishing head, deep fore-rib, capital legs and feet. Havelock, however, damaged himself in a fall over a cliff, and has never been used, although a nailer in his work, and everlasting. The bitches are divided into two packs, and the big lot are excellent in type and quality, with good backs, middles, and two good ends. The best were Belvoir in blood, showing clean necks and beautiful heads, the sort to race on and catch their fox. The little pack stand 22 and i68 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY 23 inches, looking very smart in the field, the late purchases from the Berwickshire " showing a bit the best stuff." Six couple in the 191 2 list are sired by Hemlock, and several couples by his sons in office, the queen of the kennel being his daughter. Hearty, 1908, a magnificent type of brood bitch exhibited at Peter- borough 1 913. We liked her son Rasper 191 2 by Milton Rector, 1906, a medium-sized dog that is going to make a stallion hound, for he has the right substance and quality. Hearty had also a large litter of whelps, being nursed by a couple of foster- mothers. Chatterbox, 1910, by Harvester, '07 — Careful, '05, was a prettily-turned bitch, standing well up on her toes, a white cresty neck being well set on elegant shoulders. Pensive, of the same year by Plunger, '06 — Haughty, '06, was one of two couples that came to Peterborough, 1913, a big, sharp, golden tan, built on very nice lines. Others of the team we noted in kennel were Wishful, 191 1, by Wiseman, '07 — Paragon ; and Dabble, 1912, a daughter of Bel voir Smoker, 1907. The two couple showed fine size and substance, with the right quality. Passed in review order with a note against their names, we find Housemaid, 1909, by Belvoir Nailer, '03, a big brood type ; Welfare, 1909, by Wiseman, '07, a nice stuffy short-coupled bitch ; Barmaid, 1912, by Waterloo, '09 — a son of Fitzwilliam Rector — a little weasly-looking hunting bitch ; Harmony, and Haughty, 1912, by Belvoir Harper, '08 — North Cotswold Mabel, '09, a lovely couple of tan bitches with white tips to their sterns, matched for Peter- borough ; Hopeful, 1912, by Handel, 1906 — son of Hemlock, 1904 — a smart good bitch, second in the entry, and working well. WESTERN MIDLANDS & SOUTH WALES HUNTS 169 During the summer months the hounds are taken on to the Worcestershire hills to temporary quarters, while the winter kennels are thoroughly sweetened and overhauled, with benefit to the health of the pack. The W^orcestershire farms offer capital walks for puppies, the country-side being keen to see sport. Years ago those who had puppies at walk used to combine and have an impromptu hunt, afterwards y'^«t.eiNT* WESTERN MIDLANDS & SOUTH WALES HUNTS 179 grass with a considerable area of woodland on the Malvern Hills, a well-bred horse and a big jumper is required to keep hounds in view. The role of mastership during the past twenty years includes Mr W. Gordon Canning, Mr G. J .Thursby, Mr Hubert C. Wilson, Mr R. Carnaby Foster, and Sir William Cooke, reigning between 1889 and 1908. c '^^ Study /or picture painted for Sir George Bullottgh. Ledbury Baronet, 1909 The present master, Sir George Bullough, presided over the Ledbury country with Captain Peacock, between 1908 and 1910, but since then has held supreme command. Four seasons ago Will Batchelor went as huntsman from the Grafton, where he was with Mr Charles M'Neill, and sport has gone merrily. It is not an easy country in which to bring foxes to hand, but the score has gone up from fifteen brace to fifty-five during the past i8o THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY few seasons. The present excellence of the pack of 55 J couples of hounds in the Ledbury kennel has been considerably enhanced by Sir George Bullough, purchases made in 1909 when Mr Frank Bibby dispersed his Shropshire kennel. The two last entries go to prove how valuable were these additions to the Ledbury kennel, improving the standard on the flags, catching more foxes in the open. Both Sir George and Lady Bullough take the keenest personal interest in the management of the kennel, and the breeding of the hounds, the 1913 entrj^ being excellent, comprising ii| couples of dogs, and 13 couples of bitches, which were judged by the Duke of Beaufort, Mr H. O. Lord, master of the Cotswold, and G. Turner, huntsman to the Warwick- shire. The notable feature of the show was the litter of 13 by Baronet, 1909, from Wanton, 1909, by Bel voir Warlock — South Dorset Rakish. A very rare occurrence — if not a record for number and excellence of a litter. All the prizes except one, were secured by representatives of this litter, viz., Warwick Warlock, Waitress, Warface, and Wagtail. At Reigate Hound Show Waitress won in the class for single unentered bitches, beating the Duke of Beautfort's Cora, and making a bold bid for the championship, in which she was narrowly beaten by the Oakley Witness. A very well-matched team of young dog hounds by Baronet entered the lists at Reigate and Peterborough, distinguished for substance and high quality. The Ledbury dog pack we saw on the flags shown by Will Batchelor, and the oldest hound on the 1912-3 list, was Banker, 1906, by Holderness Dasher — Buxom. He is a strong-coated, compact dog, bought from the Vale of White Horse kennel ; always at work, his voice can be heard a mile away. — c^ hi ■" g o Si o WESTERN MIDLANDS & SOUTH WALES HUNTS i8i Banker's son Bandit, from Critical, was top of the 1912 entry, a nice turned dog with elegant neck and shoulders. Blucher, 1907, by Cambridge Blue- cap — their Blythsome, showed the grey hairs of experience, and has helped to kill many a stout fox. Ragman, 1907, by Milton Donovan — Mr Bibby's Rakish, was a purchased hound with a strong blood- hound head and dark colouring, his early death being a loss to the kennel, but he leaves a promising dog Saladin — son of Sapphire, who was second in the 1911 entry. Gloucester, 1908, by Ledbury Gedling — their Whimsey, is a nice hunting size, and has been used at home. Top of the 1909 entry, and top of the kennel is Baronet, by Atherstone Vivian — Mr Bibby's Bondmaid. He is a dog whose breeding is the best, and his gay carriage and outline reminded us of Belvoir Dexter, who comes into the pedigree in the third and fourth generation. The sire of Baronet has a great character for work, and was by " Belvoir Vagabond, 1899, one of the best on the line of a fox." Baronet shows beautiful length and liberty when he goes, he has the right bone, feet, and glorious tan colouring. At the stud he has shown that he stamps his stock in undeniable fashion, and if anything gets them in rather a larger mould than that in which he is cast. Baronet's son Wanderer, from Wanton, is a noble-looking giant, placed second in the 1912 entry. Random and Rambler are two hard-working Bel- voir Ragman dogs in the 1909 entry. Coming to 1910 we liked Woodman placed top, son of Atherstone Cranmer — from North Shropshire Winifred. Wood- man is an active, well-balanced dog, dark in colouring and just the type for a stud hound. Pihager, 1910, by Mr Bibby's Clansman, — North Shropshire Pansy, is a prettily-turned active little dog, and a real i82 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY hard driver. In the 191 1 entry Rascal was first, a son of Rasper — Wexford Rattle, a compact dog with elegant neck and shoulders, a leader in the field, but owing to a kick in the mouth has two sides to his face. Raeburn, his brother, and Partner by the same sire are good hunting hounds. Throughout the pack there is a uniformity of style and rich colouring, clean necks and shoulders, with good fox-catching heads, The excellence amongst the young hounds is evidence that the Ledbury is a kennel in the ascendant, and amongst the store of bitches, which we only saw collectively, there was the quality, substance, and type for all that is wanted in foxhound breeding. The North Ledbury The master of the North Ledbury is guaranteed ^^200 a year towards expenses by the Ledbury Hunt Committee, and a pack of 30 couples are hunted by Mr J. F. Twineberrow, who entered into office in 1912. The North Herefordshire The tract of Herefordshire country, some 16 miles square, hunted by these hounds, is undulating in character, comprising pasture, plough, and wood- land. Mr R. Alison Johnson was the first master in 1888, and Captain R. L. Heygate had a successful reign of seven seasons retiring in 1913. The kennel averages 35 couples for three days a week, for the most part home-bred, with infusions of Heythrop blood. Mr R. L. Kidston is the new master. The South Herefordshire The hunt dates from 1869 ; the present master, Mr M. C. Allbright, came into ofhce in 1911, hunting three days a week himself a pack of 30 couples WESTERN MIDLANDS & SOUTH WALES HUNTS 183 which belong to the country. Former masters include Mr R. G. Everard, Mr F. Gibson Fry, and Mr A. W. Foster. It is a home-bred pack with a lot of the old Trueman blood in it, and referring to the writings of the late G. S. L. he says, " they keep up the Welsh blood and have some Berkley, there is also a dash of Bel voir Dexter, Chesham Tyrant, and the Radnorshire Rockwood, the whole forming; a very useful pack suited to the country." The Ludlow A rough hilly country, strongly-fenced, lying in Shropshire, Hereford, and Worcestershire, a pack of 35 couples showed excellent sport hunted by the master, Mr Frederick Milbank, between 1907 and 1913, when he retired to take up the mastership of the Meynell. The country was established about 1814, and in 1890 Sir W. M. Curtis moved the kennels to Caynham. Mr H. C. Meredith and Mr J. E. Charlton are the new masters. The United The United hunt is in Salop and Montgomery- shire, and originated from a trencher-fed pack, got together about the year 1837 ^Y ^^i" Gittoes. The present pack of 25 couples is hunted by the master Mr Herbert Connop, who commenced to reign in 1896. Mr a. C. Browne's A private pack of 15 couples of hounds started in 1885 by the father of the present master, to hunt in Herefordshire. The Teme Valley Originally a harrier pack in Radnorshire, Mr T. A. Lote entered to fox in 1892 with 25J couples, for two days a week. i84 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Welsh Packs The packs that hunt in South Wales are Mr D. Davis, Afonwy, Llangammarch, Brecon, Radnor or West Hereford, Mr Partridge, Monmouthshire, Goger- ddan, Neuadd Fawr, Tivyside, Pembrokeshire, Mr Aliens, Carmarthen, Gelligear, Llangeinore, Ystrad, Glamorgan, Llangibby, Lord Tredegar, Mr Curre's. Rough-coated Welsh hounds are not seen so often as in years gone by, for there was great difficulty in breeding a level rough-coated pack, or even insuring uniformity of type and colour. Many of the rough-coated otter hounds are of Welsh descent, the opinion being that they stand the cold and wet. better than smooth hounds. The Neuadd Fawr pack started by the late Mr T. H. R. Hughes in 1876, and now under the mastership of Mrs Hughes, with David Jones as huntsman, is possibly the purest source of Welsh blood to be found. The 20 couple of hounds hunting in Carmarthen and Cardigan are rough-coated black and tans, Welsh and first cross with English hounds, every endeavour is made to maintain the distinctive character of the old breed. The Neuadd Fawr hounds are noted for their beautiful music, and their work on a cold line. It has been said of the Welsh hounds that they have the same peculiarity as the bloodhound, for they will not stand the whip or much interference in chase, being self-hunters, not handy at a cast. The only pure Welsh hounds w^e have seen were in an English kennel, hated by the huntsman for their independent quarrelsome ways. Most of the Welsh kennels now have a working pack suited to the needs of the country, bred with some regard as to feet and legs, and more level than was the case a generation ago. WESTERN MIDLANDS & SOUTH WALES HUNTS 185 The oldest pack of Welsh hounds is the Ynysfor, which hunt the fox in the winter and the otter in the summer, the ten couple for the greater number being rough-coated, black and tan in colour. The present master is Mr Evan Bowen Jones, and the kennel was founded by his great-grandfather in 1765. Hounds have plenty of music, good noses, and work well on a cold drag of fox or otter. Mr E. J. W. P. Pry or, writing with regard to the Gogerddan hounds, says " the pack mainly consists of Tivyside and Mr Curre's blood." Lord Tredegar's, Mr Curre's, A quarrel. the Monmouthshire, and the Llangibby are all smooth-coated hounds, though largely bred to the old Welsh blood. No doubt the qualities of the Welsh hound are admirably adapted to hunt the wild bred foxes of Wales and its borders. Years ago Mr John Lawrence used to take his Welsh pack to hunt by invitation in the Badminton country, and during Mr Merthyr Guest's master- ship of the Blackmore Vale some Welsh hounds were seen leading the beautiful dog pack. In the sixties, when the late Colonel Anstruther-Thomson was joint master of the Atherstone hounds with Mr Oakley, they bought the whole of the Gogerddan pack from Colonel Pryse. These hounds were pure i86 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY bred Welsh crossed with Heythrop, 25 couples under the 23-inch standard of height, with good backs, fair bone, rather sharp noses, and mostly light in colour. They were diligent hunters, ran hard, and threw their tongue freely. When Will Goodall was huntsman of the Pytchley he borrowed a couple of cross-bred Welsh hounds from Mr F. Lort Phillips, master of the Pembroke- shire, and the conspicuous sandy colouring made it plain to all what part these hounds were taking in a hunt. On the worst scenting days, the Welsh- bred bitch " Dimple " could hold the line, and get away with the lead. Goodall did not tell any- one at the time where they came from, but when at the end of six weeks he returned them to their owner, they had established a character for work. The late Mr H. Cumberland Bentley wrote some graceful verses commemorating the incident, but so far as Welsh blood and characteristics of make and shape are concerned, it is not a desirable source for an out-cross, if the beautiful conformation of the English foxhounds counts for anything. CHAPTER X THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS GLOUCESTER, OXFORD, BUCKINGHAM, BERKS, AND WILTS 'iBiceste'f and /The : /-<.^¥^'''^P \mmen \ /^erKleu / />^,.'"-- /-; J—A^^^ / '^,.; Hufceof •\iade\^^er/i!shire\ Oxford \ ipouth dfui / . -.^ '''•^''^'>L/' 'iTedwcrni\ Vine I • /jVew \ ^ ■' 'H.H 'Forest \f/famblet07i Division G — The Mid-Southern Counties Hunts, The Duke of Beaufort's One of four great family packs of England, the Badminton hunt has flourished under five successive Dukes of Beaufort, and to-day stands in the front rank with all hound breeders. Under the master- ship of the present and ninth Duke, everything 187 i88 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY connected with the Badminton Hunt is done in princely style, sport in the field being conducted with state and decorum. To those accustomed to see the orthodox scarlet of the chase, a field of 300 riders wearing the blue and buff, with the hunt servants clad in green uniforms, might be supposed to have a disappointing effect. But the display is brave as any assemblage in Leicestershire, the Duke of Beaufort's hunt being one of the best appointed in the kingdom, though the sight of a scarlet coat is of the rarest occurrence. Two visits to Badminton to see the hounds in kennel and in the field are never-to-be-forgotten incidents in a hunting experience, and no education is complete \vithout a sight of the Duke of Beaufort's hounds. One of the largest hunting countries, extending over three parts of the county of Gloucestershire, it is at the same time one of the best, offering every variety and condition of hunting. On the Severn side, next the Vale of the White Horse country, there is grass, second only to the pastures of Leicestershire, and near Beckhampton hounds can race over the downs, which are fine as any in England. The intermediate portions are fenced with stone walls, and the large tracts of forest are excellent nurseries for foxes, exceptional schooling-ground for young hounds. The average of hunting days exceeds that of any other hunt, and probably also the number of foxes killed, 150 brace for the season. As might be expected the kennel is a very large one in area, with day yards to accommodate 100 couples of hounds, the wherewithal to hunt six days a week, commencing the middle of August, finishing the latter end of April. The extent of the country allows of two different packs and two hunts being out on the same day, the Duke and his THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 189 huntsman hunting one or the other, so that the equivalent of seven or eight days may be said to count to a week's sport with the Badminton. A large type of hound has always been favoured by the Dukes of Beaufort, to fly the big stone walls. " The Beaufort Justice " is one of the great hounds of the last century, whose blood laid the foundation of much excellence, for he became the patriarch of the pack, the badger-pied colouring which was a distinguishing characteristic of the old Badminton ^iM-^-A >4 Twenty minutes to a kill sort being attributed to his influence in the kennel. The three great kennels — Belvoir, Badminton, and Fitzwilliam — exchanged courtesies, with great advantage to each, and Mr T. W. Dale relates in his history of the Badminton, that, " In 1801, Belvoir borrowed a hound from Badminton named Topper. This hound is one of the roots of the family of which Rallywood, Weathergage, Gambler, Dexter, and Dasher— 1900 — are famous representa- tives." The late and present Dukes of Beaufort retained their old strains, bringing the kennel up to date with valuable purchases of dog hounds from Lord Portsmouth in 1876, and the dog hounds of 190 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Mr Austin Mackenzie's, Woodland Pytchley pack in 1899. The latter purchases, combining as they did the best of Lord Henry Bentinck's old Burton blood, blending with that of Bel voir, had a marked influence on the colour, quality, and sorty appearance of the Badminton kennel. Amongst the purchases made from Mr Austin Mackenzie's kennel was a full-sized dog hound Vaulter, 1897, who won at Peterborough as a stallion hound. Of him Mr T. F. Dale says in his history of the Badminton, " Vaulter combines the Belvoir Weathergage blood grafted on that of old Blankney— which was Lord Henry Bentinck's blood — and he finds many of his kin at Badminton, for of Blankney blood at its best the Badminton kennel has many strains. Did not Contest come from Lord Henry Bentinck to Badminton, and please the eighth Duke greatly by his work ? " Vaulter, 1897, was by Belvoir Vaulter, 1894, a son of Hermit, by Grove Harkaway, and the dam was Mr Mackenzie's Lightning, by Belvoir Gameboy, 1884. Possessing beautiful quality with substance, Vaulter had symmetrical lines, girthed 31 inches round the heart, and his weight in hard condition was 79 lbs. Other good stallion hounds included Victor, 1896, by Belvoir Valiant ; Raglan, and Ringwood, 1898, by Belvoir Resolute ; and Woldsman, 1898, by Belvoir Welbeck, which won as a team at Peterborough and left their impress on subsequent Badminton entries. One of the last of the old type of Badminton to win at Peterborough was Rapture, 1898, by Councillor — Rarity, by Rubicon, a full-sized pied bitch with beautiful neck and shoulders, feet and legs, winner of the Champion Cup in 1899. Coming to the events of 1904, a blend of the new and old Badminton blood worked out top at Peter- DS CO <5 fe s THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 191 borough when contesting honours for the two couples, the team being Drapery, Drosky, Dagmar, and Lightly, sired by Dexter and Darter, purchased from Mr Austin Mackenzie. The Badminton is a kennel that always holds a good showing hand, entering in every possible class, whether at Peterborough, Reigate, or the West of England hound shows. The list of successes if enumerated would fill many columns of print ; but to mention those of the present year, 1913, at Peterborough the kennel was second for unentered dog hounds, first for two couples of bitches, second for brood bitch, and reserve for the Champion Cup. At Reigate the Ducal kennel was first for couples of unentered and en- tered dog hounds ; first for couples of bitches. At the Exeter show, the kennel was practically in- vincible, the Duke -of Beaufort in person receiving the award of prizes after the judging. " Badminton style " has come to be regarded as a recognised term, expressing as it does a full-sized, clean-limbed foxhound of the highest type and quality. The colouring to-day is identical with that of Belvoir, as is also the character of head, neck, shoulders, and noble carriage. The 1912 list gives 88J couples of hounds, the last two entries of 43 couples being by the home sires, with the exception of one couple by Belvoir Wizard. That of 1910 is made up of 16 couples, also by home sires, excepting one by Belvior Vulcan, and one by Mr Butt Millers Ackworth. Amongst the entry of The Duke of Beaufort's Sanguine. 192 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY 1913 seen in the show ring, the outside sires that did well for the Badminton kennel were Curraghmore Warwick by Belvoir Weaver ; and Belvoir Rioter, whilst the home sires to the fore were Finder, Prophet, Challenger, Weathergage, Juggler, and Jupiter. The Duke of Beaufort, who is regarded as the " Pillar of Fox-hunting," established his fame as a gentleman huntsman in 1868 when Marquis of Worcester ; and has hunted regularly since, four and six days a week. His Grace hunts the big dog hounds on Tuesday and Friday, a professional huntsman handling a mixed pack on Mondays and Thursdays, the bitch pack coming out on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with occasional by-days, when two packs are in the field. There is every promise that Badminton may flourish under the mastership of a Duke of Beaufort, in the next generation, for the young Marquis of Worcester, born in 1901, has already shown hereditary talent, handling a pack of beagles with remarkable promise. The Dukes of Beaufort have been fortunate in their selection of huntsmen, Nimrod Long, Tom Clark, Philip Payne, and Will Dale, being the best of their day. Two seasons ago when Will Dale retired after twenty years' service carrying the horn, he was succeeded by George Walters from the Tynedale, and his first ride across the Badminton country happened in the following way. A bitch hound that had been left out could not be persuaded to rejoin the pack, and after a time turned so wild that no one could approach her. Many fruitless attempts were made to entrap her in farm buildings which she visited during the night, and the Duke being anxious to capture her alive, the new hunts- man decided to ride her down. The leaf was on, the ground was hard, but George Walters meant THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 193 the capture of the hound, and for twenty minutes he rode straight, taking the fences as they came. At the finish the hound lay down acknowledging her superior in strategy, and Walters putting the couples on, returned triumphantly to kennels. The Avon Vale The country in the Avon Vale, and a large portion of adjoining hill, is in the Duke of Beau- fort's territory, which from 1885 to 1895 was hunted by Captain J. Spicer, between 1895 and 1899 by Mr George LI. Palmer, and up to 1912 by the Duke himself. The present master, Mr J. S. H. Fullerton, formerly held office with the Badsworth between 1895 and 1902, followed by a further mastership to the York and Ainsty from 1910 to 1912. The pre- sent pack of 32 couples Mr Fullerton brought with him originated from the purchases made at the sale of the South Shropshire kennel, when Mr J. C. Dun- Waters gave up the mastership in 1910. Hunted by Mr Fullerton in Yorkshire they established a reputation for being " extra special " in their work. Looking through the 1912-13 list it show^s that 3J couples are by Bel voir sires, whilst 12 couples are by Milton sires, and about half the pack are young hounds bred during the past two seasons. Writing from Trobridge last March, Mr Fullerton says, " I enclose you a hst of my hounds from which you will observe that the Berkeley — or Lord Fitz- hardinge's — kennel is the predominating line, and that there is very little Belvoir blood. The general characteristics of this pack of bitches are hght, quality hounds, with ribs, beautiful necks and shoul- ders, rather light of bone, and inchned to be back at the knee. Parti-coloured, i.e. there are grey, badger- pie, black and tan, and all sorts of colours, making N 194 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY it, to my mind much more interesting when in chase, as it is easy to distinguish them at a distance in a wild rough country hke this, while were they all Belvoir tan it would be impossible to see what was happening two iields away with any degree of accuracy. They have achieved notoriety for their persistence in hunting a cold line, their patience, the extraordinary rapidity with which they fling themselves in their cast, and their wonderful music ; in fact people are coming from a distance ev^ery day and are astounded at the volume of music. I have no dog hounds. If later on you care to come down here and see for yourself some of their work in one of our big woodlands, I shall be pleased to put you up and find you a horse." The Berkeley — Lord Fitzhardinge's The hunt dates from 1613 and derives its name from Colonel Berkeley, afterwards Earl Fitzhardinge, the present and third baron commencing his master- ship in 1897, the staff wearing orange-coloured livery. The territory of 350 square miles lies in Gloucestershire, and is a bank and ditch country with 70 per cent, pasture land. The Lord Fitzhardinges have seldom changed their huntsmen. Harry Ayres was with them 40 years and was never tired proclaiming the merits of Cromwell, 1855. Backhouse accomplished a long spell and died in harness, whilst Will Rawle retired at the end of twenty years' service. Early in the 'forties Lord Fitzhardinge and Harry Ayres went to Belvoir, Brocklesby, Milton, and Badminton for blood, and would have none but hard workers with plenty of tongue ; good looks never being taken into consideration. From the Warwickshire a stallion hound was obtained named Tarquin, 1845, a sort of THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 195 pied grey hound, and the colour is to be found in the kennel to this day. Though you cannot get make or shape from the kennel, yet wherever the blood is used, an improvement in work is noted. The present huntsman. Will Gilbert, went to the Berkeley kennel in 1907, and writing with reference to the hounds in August 1913, he says, " I am en- closing you a list, and our hounds in colour are different to most other packs. We keep all colours. Working out the line. the lemon, badger-pied, grey, and of course some tan. They are noted for their beautiful hunting qualities, fine cry, and are terrors in sticking to their foxes. Also they have wonderful sprung ribs. When using other blood the Meynell and the Milton packs have done very well for us of late years, and previously the Tickham Guider did us good. The present home sires we are using are Hermit, 19 10, by Worcestershire Hemlock, 1904 — Possible, 1906 ; Feudal, 1909, by Partisan, 1905 — Flurry, 1902 ; Galway, 1911, by Victor, 1902 — Genuine, 1904 ; i()6 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Gainer, 191 1, by Governor, 1907 — Guilty, 1908 ; and Victor, 1902. Vampire we have just drafted, but he has left a lot of good stock. Packs that come to our blood are the Cotswold, North Cots- wold, Rufford, Lord Bathurst's Crawley and Hors- ham, Llangibby, Mr Fullerton's. The dog hounds measure about 23J to 24 inches, and the bitches of course are smaller. A big hound is no good in this country, so many strong fences to get through." The 1912 list gives a total of 59 couples, being 24 couples of dogs to 35 couples of bitches, and there is not a single hound by a Bel voir sire. The South and West Wilts A succession of short masterships preceded Lord Stalbridge who took command in 191 1, with Flarry White as huntsman and a pack of 45 couples to hunt three days a week. In the time of Major Jackson the kennel was judiciously bred to Badminton and Brocklesby, and 60 brace of foxes were killed during a season's sport. V. W. H. Cirencester Since 1886 the Vale of the White Horse Hunt has flourished under the mastership of the late and present Earls of Bathurst. Fifty couples of hounds to hunt two days a week with occasional bye-days are the property of the master, and last season Ben Wilkinson from the South Staffordshire was engaged as huntsman to succeed James Cooper. The foundation of the kennel is Lord Fitzhardinge blood, and the last fifteen years Lord Bathurst has been using Belvoir and Brocklesby sires. With Stentor, 1905, the son of Belvoir Stormer, the kennel won the Champion Cup at Peterborough, and other THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 197 winners from the kennel including Norah and Star- light, 1892, by Belvoir Nominal, Sprightly, and Wary ; Dairymaid and Damsel ; Dabchick and Waspish. Damsel came out as the best brood bitch, and the winner of the cup for the best bitch in the show. V. W. H. Cricklade The V. W. H. Cricklade has existed as an indepen- A trophy lor the kennel. dent hunt since 1886, when the old Vale of White Horse country was divided. Between 1888 and 1910 Mr T. Butt Miller bred a beautiful pack of hounds which showed excellent sport, and won many honours at Peterborough. When the kennel was dispersed large prices were realised, one of the chief purchasers being Mr E. A. V. Stanley, master of the Woodland Pytchley, who gave 230 guineas for Diligent, 1908, Blissful, 1908, and Active, 1908, daughters of Belvoir Chanter. Three more bitches igS THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Woodbine, 1908, Dingle, 1908, and Tariff, by Atherstone sires made 220 guineas. Mr Butt Miller, who previously held a mastership to the Oakley bred from exceptionally good hounds, such as Grafton Woodman, Warwickshire Hermit, Belvoir Dexter, and Nominal, Pytchle\^ Potentate, Fitzwilliam Gambler, Lord Galway's Roister, and Brocklesby Wrangler. The present master, Mr W. F. Fuller, from the Cattistock, succeeded in 1910, having for huntsman J. Willis, and 34 couples of hounds to hunt three days a week with an occasional bye-day. Writing from Cricklade, August 6th, 1913, Mr Fuller says, " I enclose you a hound list, and you will see that the foundation is very largely laid upon the Catti- stock blood. When Mr Butt Miller gave up this country he sold his hounds. I brought one pack from the Cattistock with me, and the country bought hounds for a second pack, some of Mr Miller's and some of Mr Gordon Canning's. The best stallion hound in my kennel to-day is Talisman, 1909. He was bred by Mr Wroughton, when at Woodland Pytchley, and taken to Cattistock as an unentered hound when Mr Wroughton sold his pack. He is a medium-sized tan dog, with great bone and substance — a little short in quality himself, he gets excellent stock. Cattistock Talisman, 1909, is by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 — Mr Wroughton's Tauntless, 1904, and he sired first and second prize bitches in last year's entry, and also the first prize bitch in this year's entry. We have used Cattistock Almanack, 1909, by Belvoir Whitaker, 1906 — Cattistock Active, 1905 ; also Commodore, 1910, by Atherstone Comus, 1906 — Crazy, 1907. The best working litter I have in the kennel is probably the Lord Rothschild's Stroller, 1901 litter. Sampler, Slothful, Spitfire, and Sylvia from Cattistock Sense- THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 199 less, 1909. They all entered at once, and have done splendidly in work, are full of drive, good drawers, and always at it. Stroller himself was at the Cattistock kennel, after he got too slow for stag hunting, he was a first rate foxhound, and an ideal stallion hound." The Heythrop Mr Albert Brassey has held the mastership since 1873, and owns the pack of 50 couples of hounds for four days a week, with Charles Sturman as hunts- man. The foundation of the present pack was laid by Jem Hills who bred for nose and working qualities, his choice being distinctly in favour of Belvoir and Badminton blood. Prior to 1835 the country was hunted by the Duke of Beaufort, and in 1873 Mr Albert Brassey purchased the hounds from Lord Redesdale, who had held the mastership from 1842 to 1853. The purchase money was placed in the hands of trustees to be invested for a pack of hounds, if ever the country wants one. The 1912 list gives 23J couples of dog hounds to 29 couples of bitches, and of these 18 couples are by Belvoir and Warwickshire sires, besides one couple by Sir Wat kin Wynn's. The Old Berkshire A long succession of masters have ruled since the days of its founder the Rev. John Loder, who reigned between 1760 and 1805. The present master, Mr L. Paine, commenced ofhce in 1909, succeeding Mr W. Tyrwhitt Drake, and he retained the services of Will Farmer as huntsman. The pack of 50 couples are the property of the country, to hunt three days a week and alternate Saturdays. Mr W. T. Drake again comes into mastership. 200 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY The Bicester and Warden Hill When studying the role of mastership, a wealth of hound lore is called to mind at mention of the names of Mr John Warde of 1778, Mr T. T. Drake of Duster fame, who held three periods of mastership. Colonel Anstruther Thomson, the present Lord North, the late Lord Chesham, and Mr John P. Heywood Lonsdale the reigning master, who suc- ceeded the Earl of Cottenham in 1899. The pack of 54i couples, bred to Belvoir, show excellent sport in a four-day-a-week country. Of the hounds, Charles Cox the huntsman says, " We try to keep up the necks and shoulders, drive and tongue, which I am glad to say we have, our bitches having as much tongue as some dog hounds. In past days we used Warwickshire very freely, also Belvoir and Pytchley. From Belvoir Vagabond we got some real good workers, and you will see by the list we have used Brocklesby a good deal, and Heythrop a little. We do not go in for big hounds, our bitches are small, but they do hunt a fox and are so quick in the field. Our stallion hounds are Talent, 1908, by Belvoir Warlock, 1906 ; Rallywood, 1909, by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 ; Comus, 1909, by Brocklesby Vulcan, 1903 ; and Nero, 191 1, by Brocklesby Nimrod, 1908. The following kennels have used our sires, the Heythrop, Grafton, Pytchley, South Oxfordshire, Old Berkshire, South Berks, The Vine, Albrighton, Old Berkeley, the Hurworth, the Wilton, North Shropshire, Cottesmore. You will see by the list Fearful, 1906, has been a great success as a brood bitch. She goes back to Belvoir Weathergage through Blankney Benedict." Eleven couple in the kennel are the produce of old Fearful. THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 201 S. Oxford The first master was the Earl of Macclesfield between 1845 and 1848, with a second period of office between 1857 ^^^ 1884. The late Lord Macclesfield's hounds are still lent to the successive masters of the country. The present pack of 43 couples is under the mastership of Mr S. A. Fane, reviving the name of a former master, Colonel Fane of Wormsley, who served as joint-master with Lord Macclesfield in the 'fifties. Craven The hunt has from the time of the great Mr John Warde in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, shown that as a breeding-ground for hounds it has few equals. The hounds purchased by the Ouorn from the Craven in the time of Tom Firr are a matter of history. In the long roll of mastership Colonel Gerard Ricardo and Mr W. H. Dunn are associated with a brilliant period of hound-breeding, raising the kennel into the very first rank. At Peterborough the beautiful Vagabond, by Warwickshire Hermit, won the Champion Cup in 1894, and was a hound whose blood has been in much request, for he brings in many notable sorts and previous winners on the flags. The present master, Mr W. J. Yorke Scarlett, succeeded Mr Peter Omrod in 1906, and with Fred Funnell hunts three days a week with a pack of 50 couples. The 1912 entry of hounds was numeri- cally small, with 3 J couples of dogs to 4 couples of bitches, the winners being sired by Craven Windsor, and Damper, Belvoir Harper, V. W. H. Nelson, and Lady Craven's Darter. 202 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY South Berks A long and brilliant period of mastership accom- plished by Mr John Hargreaves between 1865 and 1887 concluded with his presenting the hounds to the country. A good sporting pack of 45 couples for a four-day-a-week country, the present master, Mr Henry W. Boileau, has since 1910 carried the horn himself. The pick of the 1912 entry which numbered 25 couples were by old Berks sires. The Tedworth The present Tedworth hounds are descended from those collected together by the late Mr Assheton Smith, who founded the hunt in 1826 and held mastership until his death in 1858, when they were presented to the country. Five masters have held short periods of ofhce during the past twelve years, and the present master, Mr Oswald C. Riley, carries the horn himself, commencing last season. Fifty couples of hounds constitute a four-day-a-week pack. The Vine An old-established hunt that starts a new era in its history under the rulership of Lady Portal, who succeeds Sir Richard Rycroft in the mastership. Last season there were 35 couples of hounds, the property of the Vine Hunt Club, and for this season Lady Portal writes " over 20 couples of new hounds have been bought." The Wilton The fourth Earl of Radnor founded the hunt in 1869, and the fifth Earl held a seven-seasons' master- ship between 1890-97. The present master. Captain THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 203 H. A. Cartwright, commenced his duties in 1903, and owns the pack of 36J couples. Writing from Salis- bury, July 1913, Captain Cartwright says, "The stallion hounds you will see by the list are full of Belvoir blood. There is a good deal of Old Grafton blood — now almost lost — through Dividend, 1901, and Waggoner, 1900. I cannot afford to keep ' passengers ' and they all have to draw, hunt a low scent, drive, and throw their tongue to be of any use here, where scent is bad, foxes strong, and coverts thick." Referring to the 1912 list of the Wilton hounds, the stallion hounds marked are Rajput, 1908, by Belvoir Ranter, 1903; Weaver, 1909, by Belvoir Weaver, 1906 ; Nailer, 1910, by Belvoir Nailer, 1905 ; Wrangler, 1910, by Belvoir Warlock, 1906 ; Resolute, 1911, by Belvoir Rioter, 1908 ; Wiseman, 1911, by Councillor, 1906, a son of Belvoir Candidate, 1902. The bitches marked as especiaUy valuable for their blood are Rosebud, 1903, by Belvoir Rustic, 1895 ; Vocal, 1906, by Belvoir Vaulter, 1902 ; Cameo, 1905, by Grafton Dividend, 1901 ; Playful, 1905, by Grafton Waggoner, 1900, son of Whynot, son of Woodman ; Glitter, 1905, by Belvoir Game- boy, 1900. The 1913 entry are by the home sires Nailer ; Driver, 1909, a son of Brocklesby Speaker, 1906 ; Wrangler, Wiseman, Weaver, and Belvoir Comus. Three couples of dogs to si couples of bitches. New Forest The country consists chiefly of woodland and moor and is hunted by a pack of 50 couples, the property of the New Forest Hunt Club. The present master and huntsman is Lieat.-Col. E. F. Cooke Hurle, who succeeded Mr W. de P. Cazenove, in 191 1. 204 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY The Hursley The present master, Sir G. A. Cooper, succeeded Mr W. V. Long in 1908, and with a pack of 32J couples, which are the property of the country, hunts two days a week before Christmas, and three days after. Ted Bailey carries the horn, much of the country being woodland and plough, witli very little pasture. Hampshire " H. H." Few hunts have a more interesting history, or can claim more famous sportsmen for masters than the H. H., which dates from 1795. Consisting chiefly of plough and woodland, there are 54 couples of hounds at the present time under the mastership of Mr George Evans. Writing from Ropley kennels, July 1913, Mr Evans says, " The kennel is only four years old, for when I took it over I drafted nearly all the hounds as there was no type about them. Belvoir blood is what I go for, with a lot of Grafton Woodman blood through the Puckeridge. For three years I had the Puckeridge draft, getting the blood I wanted from Belvoir and Grafton." The stallion hounds in office are Tickham Senator, 1906, by Belvoir Stormer, 1899 ; Tickham Samson, 1907, by Belvoir Carnival, 1902 ; Tickham Darter, 1909, by Glancer, 1904 ; Puckeridge Gallant, 1909, by N. Shropshire Clansman, 1906 ; Danger, 19 10, by Atherstone Deacon, 1906 ; Galloper, 1910, by Warwickshire Artifice, 1905 ; Tickham Struggler, 1910, by Somerset, 1906. Hambledon The hunt dates from the eighteenth century, and up to 1900 was divided into West and East, when the THE MID-SOUTHERN COUNTIES HUNTS 205 present master, Captain W. P. Standish, took over the whole country. Writing from Ouslebury, August 1913, Captain Standish says, " I have used a good deal of Belvoir on a foundation of Oakley and Milton, with a certain amount of Puckeridge blood." The strength of the kennel is 18 couples of dogs to 32 couples of bitches, hunted three days a week by G. Roake, the hounds being the property of the Hunt Club. Isle of Wight The first master of the Isle of Wight hunt was Mr B. Cotton in 1845, and the present master Colonel E. Howard-Brooke commenced office in 1894, the pack of 25 couples being hunted two days a week by Captain H. Colli ngwood Bertram. History records the fact that foxes were first imported into the island in the year 1845, prior to that date the country was hunted by the Crockford Harriers, w^hich were sold, becoming the property of the Prince of Wales. CHAPTER XI THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS HERTFORD, ESSEX, MIDDLESEX, SURREY, KENT AND SUSSEK •xnase. i ..' '['_ i \East \ and /" ■', ^5hire. .' ;■""' <^ /' ^"^ C '""' ■' {^§ \ / Union. 11 /The ''\ ■■■■X^ ""y-.,^ ^^y^^^'^^JUkames /Garth. ^^-■^'^--::-<'^,r "W^^ X I) own. Division H — South-Eastern Counties Hunts. The Puckeridge The Puckeridge kennel from a houndsman's point of view, may be regarded in the past, present, and future tenses. One of the grandest old hunts in England, established in 1725 by Mr Calvert, and much of its importance to-day, as a source for blood, is due to the fact that it has been ruled over by noted hound men, who also served long periods THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 207 of office. The first great master was Mr Sampson Hanbury between 1801 and 1832, followed b}- Lord Petre, and Mr John Dalzell covering another six seasons. A notable era in the history of the hunt commenced with the mastership of Mr John Nicholas Parry, who accomplished a brilliant period of thirty-one seasons' sport between 1838 and 1875, being considered one of the greatest hound-breeders of his time, contemporary with Lord Henry Ben- tinck, Mr George Savile, Foljambe, Mr Tom Drake, " Squire " Osbaldeston, and Captain Percy Williams. Mr Parry went to Belvoir and Grove to get the foundation for a new pack, and when this was estab- lished used the crack sires at Belvoir, Brocklesby, and Grove, with occasional hits to other proven sources. Early in the 'forties Mr Parry got Pilgrim and Rummager, which strained back to " Squire " Osbaldeston's Furrier, and building up his kennel with these two hounds he bred for more dash and drive, qualities absolutely essential for a notoriously bad-scenting plough country. It is interesting to note that Mr Parry's system in breeding was to keep his favourite strains five generations apart, and he managed his own kennel arrangements. A worthy successor to Mr Parry was found in Mr Gosling, a large landowner who bought the pack, and held the mastership between 1875 and 1890, when the country was divided and discord prevailed until 1894, after which the Hon. Launcelot J. Bathurst showed two seasons' good sport, and smoothed ruffled feelings. In 1896 Mr Edward E. Barclay, a former master of Harriers, commenced a notable leadership in the history of the Puckeridge hunt. Purchasing the hounds from ^Ir Bathurst, the new master built kennels at his own place. Brent Pelham Hall, 2o8 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY original and convenient in design. The honorary secretaryship of the hunt was undertaken by Mr Tresham Gilbey and Major Anderson, whose organisa- tion put everything right throughout the country- side for the future of sport, just at a moment when most wanted. Mr Barclay commenced to breed a kennel, getting two valuable old drafts from Belvoir in which was included Wiseman, by Watchman, by Nominal, by Gambler, by Weathergage, his dam straining back to Grafton Dashwood, Oakley Driver, and Lord Henry Bentinck's Document. Half the Puckeridge kennel at one time was by Wiseman, and the old Parry strain of blood is preserved through hounds that were brought by Sir Walter Gilbey and pre- sented by him to the kennel, coming out in the two sires Cardinal, 1902, and Colonist, 1903, sons of Chancellor. At Peterborough in 1903 Puckeridge Colonist was placed second to Milton Harper, in the class for unentered dog hounds. A letter from Mr Edward Barclay in April 19 13, enclosing the 1912 Puckeridge list contains interesting hound notes giving " the key " to the present kennel. " I think I may fairly say there is no pack, except Belvoir itself, with so much Belvoir blood in it. For several years I had the Belvoir old draft and had amongst them several noted sires, which did me endless good. We are, I think, especially good in knees and ribs— I hate them back in the knees or fiat-sided. Our country is, I should think, about Puzzling a scent. THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 209 the worst in England for scent, and all under the plough, hardly ever see a grass field, so unless hounds can hunt, and at the same time keep getting forrard, we should never catch a fox. We have just finished a capital season and killed a record A mark to ground. number of foxes, viz. 44 brace. My aim has been to get as much Grafton Woodman blood as I can, through my own bred Chancellor, 1898, and through Bel voir Wonder, 1898, as I found it the best hunting blood there is. This, of course, means also back to Belvoir Weathergage, 1876. " This is a capital country for walks, we can always get out to walk from 95 to 105 couples — and good 210 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY walks they are too ! This season we have got in 63 couples from walks, out of 95 couples sent out. " I have just finished my seventeenth season here, having previously hunted beagles and harriers for eighteen seasons. I have not been without hounds of one sort or the other, and hunted them now for thirty-five consecutive seasons." In 1910 Mr Maurice E. Barclay became joint- master with his father, the present huntsman, Robert Gardiner, succeeded E. Short in 191 1 when he went to the Cheshire. Sixty and a half couples of hounds, for five days a week are made up as follows, 28 couples of dogs, to 32J couples of bitches, half the pack not being older than second season hunters. Referring to " Mr Edward Barclay's 1912 list of hounds " with pencilled notes, Warwick, 1904, is the veteran of the kennel, a son of Warrior, 1901, a son of Belvoir Wiseman, 1896, and Destiny, 1896 ; on the side of his dam Charlotte, 1902, he brings in valuable Grafton and Belvoir strains, for she was a daughter of Chancellor, 1898, son of Grafton Wood- man, 1892, and Crafty, 1896 ; her dam Mayflower, 1900, being by Belvoir Dalesman, 1891, out of Marigold, 1896. " Warwick ran up all last season, has a wonderful voice and nose, finding 90 per cent, of the foxes. His colour is tan with a black saddle. " Woodman, 1907, an own brother to Warwick, is an excellent dog in his work, and a winner at the Reigate show. " Harbinger, 1908, another stallion hound by Colonist, 1903, is a son of Chancellor, 1898 — and Sarah, 1901, back to Grafton Woodman, 1892, and Belvoir Dashwood, 1897. On the side of his dam Hebe, 1904, he gets all the best Belvoir blood. Harbinger stands 25 inches in height, is a hound THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 211 of great bone and quality, and excellent in his work. " Smoker, 1908, is a son of Fitzwilliam Harper, 1903, the Peterborough champion, with Atherstone and Tynedale blood in his veins ; and his dam is Singwell, 1904. Smoker stands a good 25 inches, has a very handsome tan head, white neck and shoulders, and black saddle. A good made hound with the right knees, and short good bone, he is full of the best foxhound blood including 11 crosses back to Belvoir Weathergage, 1876. Smoker is a good stock getter, whilst his character for work is ' a great driver, with a beautiful voice.' " Pleader, 1909, is a son of Belvoir Helper, 1903, from Passion, 1905, who was by Prodigal, 1900, a pure-bred Belvoir dog ; and the dam of Passion was Caution, 1902, by Chancellor, 1898 — Belvoir Dauntless, 1897, a daughter of Belvoir Watchman. Pleader is a 24-inch hound on short legs, with excellent bone down to his toes— resembling Belvoir Helper — a nice dark colour with Belvoir markings. In the field he does drive along, and throw his tongue. " Ruler, 1909, by N. Shropshire Boxer, 1902 — Their Racket, 1904, was bought as unentered at Mr Frank Bibby's sale of the North Shropshire, and is one of the best working dogs in the pack, with a wonderful nose for a cold scent. A dark marked hound, with grizzly coloured head, elegant white neck and shoulders, he is symmetrical, but not overdone with bone, although he gets his stock very boney. Ruler's pedigree gives 7 crosses back to Belvoir Weathergage, 1876. " Gangway, 1910, a 24j-inch hound by Belvoir Gangway, 1907, a son of Belvoir Helper, 1903, from Gauntlet, 1905, who was a daughter of Belvoir 212 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Daystar. The dam of Puckeridge Gangway is Cowslip, 1901, a daughter of Chancellor, 1898, the son of Grafton Woodman, and her dam was Belvoir bred. " Gang^vay who possesses 22 crosses back to Belvoir Weathergage is a short-legged dog very like his sire in looks and markings, possessing excellent nose, tongue, and drive, a wonder over cold plough. " Ranger, 1910, will be remembered winning with his brother Rally wood in the open class for couples of unentered dog hounds at Peterborough. A son of Belvoir Ragman, 1906, his dam Dabchick, 1905, is a daughter of Colonist, and Dorothy, who brings in Belvoir Nominal and the best of Milton blood. " Somerset, 191 1, who has 17 crosses back to Belvoir Weathergage, is a powerful short-legged 24-inch dog, with white neck and Belvoir markings, a son of Smoker, 1908, and Songstress, 1906, who was a daughter of Chancellor, 1898, and Silent, 1901, bringing in the blood of Belvoir and Cottesmore." The foregoing summary of the present-day breed- ing of the kennel is evidence of the value of Pucker- idge strains for a change of blood, bred as they are to so few sorts. The Hertfordshire During the past ten years the fame of the Hertford- shire kennel has been associated with a very success- ful stud-dog Sampler, 1905, whose get is to be found near the top of many a good entry throughout the land. So far as history is concerned the country was originally hunted at the end of the eighteenth century by the Salisbury family, and until 1775 known by the name of the reigning master. A writer of great distinction, Mr F. P. Delme Radcliffe, author of the classic known as " the Noble Science," THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 213 held a four-season mastership between 1835 ^^^ 1839, having previously hunted the hare with dwarf foxhounds. It is a difficult country for hounds, with much cold-scenting plough and rough going, but it has always possessed a good pack, with the right foundation for work. In the 'sixties old Bob Ward was huntsman, and a great judge of hound work, a fine old character with whom origin- ated the saying when adversely criticising a favourite foxhound, " You, sir, are like the foxes, they also don't like him." Coming to later times between 1898 and 1909, when Mr T. Fenwick Harrison was in command, the fame of Sampler, 1905, adds lustre to an aristocratic kennel. Hertfordshire Sampler was bred in the South Cheshire kennel by Mr Reginald Corbet, by whom he was presented as a two-day-old whelp to Mr Fenwick Harrison, owing to the fact that no dog-puppies were reared. Of this famous stud-dog it has been said, that he possessed the blood of many great hounds seen during the previous quarter of a century, and there was nothing to beat his breeding. A truly made hound, possessing bone, size, and noble carriage. Sampler won the Champion Cup for his kennel at Peterborough in 1907, and was also the winning stallion hound. Standing a good twenty-four inches, he was noticeable for his rich and solid colouring, with splashes of white only on the chest and legs. The rounded shape of his skull resembled that of an otter to cleave the water when diving, and to his get he transmitted much the same characteristics of make and colouring. No wonder Will Wells, his huntsman, was proud when warmly congratulated by old Bel voir friends, who remembered him as Frank Gillard's brilliant 214 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY 00 X! 00 'rri ^ O 1^ j S !=■ 00 .b g .-^ =<5 ^ pq < > o Os C!^ be '-2 ;+ IS c ViO t^ c u5 <^ <^ 1:5 cs CT\ •- -K o a; Ch ill '53 a; C Belvoi Tap 1 en Ci- v- ets .3 *> ^'1 bD c CO W ^ H ^ (7^ c« f^ OJ ^ fJ Tl (1> 03 C o +-> Ol vn C ON ^ o >, 1— . -C c; bf) ci5 -4-> CL s cj o rC tS u -Ho. THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 215 whipper-in, before he left to go huntsman to the Puckeridge under Mr Goshng. The present master Colonel Earl Cavan who took office in 191 2, sends a recent list of the Hertfordshire kennel with a few remarks, chiefly regarding the young Samplers in the kennel, which number 17 couples in a total of 59^ couples. " Dasher, 1908, by Sampler, 1905 — Delicate, 1904, is a rare fox- catcher and draws splendidly. Trueman, 1909, by Sampler, 1905— Telltale, 1907, is a good little one, on good limbs and feet, and has some rare nice hounds in the present entry from Gracious, 1909, by Bel voir Warlock, 1906 — Lord Portman's Gossip, 1906. Sanguine, Sally, Saintly, and Saucy, 1912, by Sampler — South Staffordshire Starlight, 1903, are a beautiful litter. Seven couple in the kennel are by Lord Portman's sires. Caroline, 1912, by his Lordship's Caliph, 1907 — Trinket, 1910, is a nailer on a bad or good scenting day." A draft of five couples figure in the list from Lord Middleton's kennel, and Countess, 1910, by Chimer, 1906 — Hecuba, 1905, is the master's favourite, "as good in the field as she is in appearance." The present beautiful kennels were built by a former master, Mr Gerard Leigh, on the plan of those designed by the late Lord Middleton at Birdsall, only on a larger scale. Mr Smith Bosanquet's A portion of the Hertfordshire country on the south side has been lent since 1908 to Mr G. Smith- Bosanquet, who has estabHshed a two-day-a-week kennel at his residence Broxbornebury Park, carry- ing the horn himself. From small beginnings this young hunt has become firmly established, and each successive season grows in popularity, maintaining 2i6 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY an excellent average of sport. A shooting district abounding in beautiful coverts, the happiest state of feeling exists, foxes and pheasants flourishing under judicious management. Mr Smith-Bosanquet formerly held a mastership to the Cambridgeshire, from which pack he brought his present kennel huntsman James Budd, and first whipper-in Frank Tucker. ^ •si ^. "' Mr Smith Bosanquet's Saucebox, 1910. The kennels are constructed of wood and iron, placed in the park near the seventeenth-century mansion, most complete and healthy for 25 couples of hounds. It is a pack with a well-bred appearance, carefully drafted for working qualities, and full of music to make the big woodlands ring with melody. Amongst the drafts that have been purchased are smart typey bitches from the Atherstone, Lord Zetland's, and the Woodland Pytchley, full of Belvoir blood, the wherewithal to breed a kennel. THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 217 The completeness of the estabUshment with its 25 couples of hounds, and 12 horses, leaves little to be desired. The Whaddon Chase The Whaddon Chase hunt has been under the mastership of the Selby Lowndes family since 1750, and the present Mr W. Selby Lowndes junior, succeeded to the family heritage in 1908. A pack of 32 J couples hunt two days a week, in a tract of country hunted by Lord Rothschild's staghounds. The Whaddon Chase pack are descendants from Bel voir, Fitzwilliam, and Brocklesby drafts. Lord Rothschild's Lord Rothschild's beautiful pack of staghounds are not included in the " Foxhound Stud Book," yet it is kennel bred to Belvoir, and one to see on the flags. Collectively they are a noble pack of hounds, beautifully bred for working qualities and appearance, not larger in size than the stallion hounds of many crack packs. A visit last April to Ascott kennels, close by Mr Leopold de Rothschild's residence, was the opportunity to meet W. Gaskin and enjoy three interesting hours on the flags. The strength of the kennel which is well found in every department, is 15J couples of dogs to i6i couples of bitches. The predominating strain through the kennel is that of Belvoir Hemlock, 1899, a son of Dexter, 1895, and he has established the hall-mark of excellence on necks, shoulders, and colouring through Herald who did much for the kennel, especially in the female line. Gaskin wisely goes away from home for sires, but has used Con- queror, 1908, a nice dog by Belvoir Chanter, 1903 — Doubtful, 1906, who strains back to Grafton. 2i8 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY In the 1913 entry, which numbers 12 couples, the only home sire represented is Harper, 1909, the outside sires being from the Bicester, Grafton, Pytchley, besides a nice litter of 2 J couples by Hertfordshire Sampler. The dog hounds older than one-season hunters, have size and quality, big impressive hounds rich in colouring, Lord Rothschild liking to see the brown ticking in the white which is characteristic of the kennel. Amongst the two-season hunters there are two noble-looking sons of Belvoir Ragman, 1906, by name Rector and Rebel, from Hostile, 1903, by Herald, so three parts bred to Belvoir. Saffron, 191 2, is an elegant long-waisted dog by Hertfordshire Sampler — Haughty, 1905, by Belvoir Helper. A good old hound that had lost his colouring was Tapster, by Hertfordshire Talisman, no day being too long for him, and Racer, a son of Belvoir Ragman is a hard driving dog, but somewhat light of bone. There were plenty more that matched in, and nothing conspicuously tall on the leg. The bitches all through showed size, well sprung ribs, and beautiful quality, the majority being not more than one generation away from Belvoir in breeding. The Old Berkeley East Mr Robert B. Webber has been master since 1891, with 30 couples of hounds hunting two days a week, a tract of country about 100 square miles in Herts, Bucks, and Middlesex. Writing from the kennels at Chorley Wood in August 1913, Mr Webber says, " We do not breed here, as it is impossible to get enough good walks. Last year I lost through distemper nearly all the young hounds that I THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 219 bought, but this year, 1913, I have a good entry of 10 J couples." Referring to the hst, it shows that the greater portion of the pack are purchased hounds. The Garth The hounds from this old-estabhshed kennel came out to win at Peterborough this year 19 13, Garth Symbol being placed head of the class for unentered bitches from packs that have not won a prize during the past four years. In the open class she also ran Southdown Cheerful very close, a referee having to be called in to decide between the merits of the two ladies. Since Mr R. M. Gosling succeeded Mr T. C. Garth in 1902 the big standard of dog hounds has been maintained in the kennel by the purchase of drafts from Mr Austin Mackenzie, Cheshire, and Puckeridge. Garth Symbol, 1913, is a nice mouldy level bitch, with the right neck and shoulders, and her sire Radical, 1909, was a son of Belvoir Ragman, 1906, from Berwickshire Dowry, 1906. A line from the huntsman, J. Lawrence, says, " We have a good working pack of hounds both in the open and woodlands, with plenty of drive and good tongues. The size of our dog hounds is 24 inches, and the bitches 23 inches " The Garth have been well served by masters that have held long periods of office, noticeably so Sir John Cope, 1817-50, who had the distinction to finish a good hunt on the door-step of Windsor Castle the day the late King Edward was born. A hunting crop with a silver fox on the handle was afterwards sent to the master by the late Queen Victoria to commemorate the event. Mr T. C. Garth on his retirement after fifty years' mastership, sold the hounds to Mr Gosling for £700. The present kennels were built by Mr Gosling, and 220 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY J. Lawrence, with a pack of 56 couples, carries the horn four days a week. Essex The Essex, under the mastership of Capt. S. F. GosHng, with Jim Bailey huntsman, is a kennel that stands well on the flags and shows the best of sport in the field. At Peterborough 191 2 the Essex won A \', ;i riiiiV' III in the unentered class for bitches with Columbine and Costly, Puckeridge bred on both sides. In the dog hound classes also there were a nice couple of short-legged hounds, suitable for the country in which their work lies, by name Comrade and Wen- lock, also of Puckeridge descent, but showing conspicuous black colouring. In 1894 when the Essex were under the management of a committee, they exhibited at Peterborough for the first time, winning in the stallion hound class with Trouncer, 1891, by Whaddon Chase Tuner — Truelass, by Grafton Dancer. At Reigate, 1913, second prize THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 221 went to Brenda and Bribery, by Lanark and Renfrew Puzzler, in the class for unentered bitches. There are 50 couples of hounds, for four days' hunting a week. East Essex Mr R. Duke Hill has hunted the country since 1909, with a good working pack of 40 couples for three days a week, with G. Tongue to carry the horn. In 1898 Mr Andrew Motion bought the hounds from Mr Walter Grimston, and presented them to the country. Essex Union Captain Godfrey Heseltine, master and huntsman since 1910, prefaces his list with a line from the poet Somerville, " For hounds of middle size, active and strong," which we conclude is the standard of the 51 J couples occupying the benches. A summary of the list is as follows : 40J couples of Essex Union hounds, and 11 couples of Captain Heseltine's hounds, with " over 30 couples to be put on," The kennel was a competitor at Reigate, showing hounds possessing Warvvickshire and Belvoir blood. Essex and Suffolk The present master, Mr W. P. Burton, commenced in 1912, carrying the horn himself, hunting a pack of 37 couples two days a week. The key-note of the pack are Gainer and Galliard, 1905, by Tabulate — • Gaudy, by Grammont ; placed second at Peter- borough as unentered hounds, during the mastership of Mr G. K. B. Norman with Tom Darch huntsman. Galliard also won the silver hunting horn presented by the Rev. Cecil Legard for the best single unentered dog hound in the show. 222 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Surrey Union During the mastership of Mr G. H. Longman, between 1900 and 1904 only bitches were hunted, but during the joint-mastership of Mr F. G. Colman and Mr E. Murray, a few dog hounds were put on. Mr Edward Murray is now the sole master, and with 40 couples of hounds and Albert Povey hunts- man, shows sport two and sometimes three days a week. The hounds from this kennel competing at Reigate, had the blood of Lord Middleton's, and North Shropshire. Old Surrey Mr H. W. Boileau held the mastership between 1902 and 1909, owning a nice pack of hounds, bred to Warwickshire and Badminton, which compete year by year at Reigate. The present master, Mr Charles Leveson-Gower went on in 1910, with Mr Cecil Leveson-Gower huntsman, and a pack of 30 couples for two days a week. West Kent The West Kent was under the command of MrC. B. Kiddfrom 1910 to I9i3,the master hunting hounds himself three days a week. At Reigate the kennel, which is 45 couples strong, showed a dog Hesperus by York and Ainsty Helper — a Brocklesby bred bitch, and in the other class Surety, by Hert- fordshire Sampler from a Puckeridge bred bitch looked like catching a fox. Mr A. Havelock-Allen is the new master. East Kent Since 1900 Mr H. W. Selby Lowndes has held the mastership, following a succession of short THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 223 periods of office, and spends all his time in the country, having the distinction of being presented by the keepers of the shooting coverts with a silver hunting horn as a mark of appreciation. A pack of 50 couples are bred to Belvoir, Grafton, and Warwickshire, and hunted by the master are reported to have killed a record number of foxes for the district. This gives colour to the story told of Mr Selby Lowndes' grandfather, who said he was " only sent into the world to send foxes out of it." At Reigate the kennel was second with Guilty, in a class for unentered hounds. TiCKHAM There is some nice blood in the Tickham kennel, for the late Mr W. E. Rigden who held the mastership between 1874 and 1904 was a hound man who bred to a type, and dipped into notable sorts. Much of the present day excellence is due to the influence of a hound called Nestor, 1900, by Warwickshire Nailer, 1894, son of Belvoir Nominal, 1888 ; from Stella, 1893, with the best of Belvoir and Milton in her blood. The kennel is full of Belvoir and War- wickshire, particularly noticeable being good back ribs, necks, shoulders, and high bred appearance. Very level as a pack and even in colouring, they have tne character for perseverance, throw their tongue, and drive along. The country is chiefly plough and cold scenting so that the qualities of nose and drive are absolutely necessary for a pack to hunt with any success. After Mr Rigden's death, his widow carried on the mastership, assisted for four seasons by Mr George Evans, who won his reputation for a hound- breeder and gentleman huntsman during a fourteen- seasons' mastership to the Cambridgeshire. 224 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY The number of hunting days was reduced to two, when Mr W. C. Dawes and Lord Harris commenced their present mastership, with George Alcock as huntsman. This necessitated the sale of 40 couples possessing Bel voir, Warwickshire, and Brocklesby blood, nearly all the kennel straining back to Bel voir Weathergage, 1874. The 191 2 list of Tickham hounds returns a total of 30 couples, being in the proportion of 7 couples of dogs to 23 couples of bitches, and the last entries include the produce of such fashionable sires as Hertfordshire Sampler, Lord Lonsdale's Sergeant, Belvoir Vulcan, Ragman, Cottesmore Hermit, mated with bitches by Belvoir sires. The stallion hounds in office are Solomon and Saladin, 1907, by Belvoir Stormer, 1899 ; Sampler, 191 1, by Hertfordshire Sampler, 1905 ; Saffron, 1911, by Lord Lonsdale's Sergeant, 1909. At Reigate, 1913, the kennel won two first prizes with a one-season hunter, Gambler, by Belvoir Ragman, 1904 — Gadfly, 1906, by Belvoir Hymen, 1902. Gambler showed himself well, is a nice medium-sized dog with Belvoir characteristics, and said to be a first-class hound in his work. Eridge The Eridge are a two-day-a-week pack of 30 couples, under the mastership of Lord Henry Nevill since 1893. The hounds are the property of the master, and possess strains of old hunting blood, showing good sport, hunted by Fred Hills in a tract of grass and moorland, with large woodlands. The Chiddingfold The present master. Admiral Sir George Atkinson Willes,has been one season in ofhce, and the 33 couples THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 225 of hounds, the property of the country, for two days a week are hunted by Ned Farmer.- The pack goes for change of blood to neighbouring kennels, and sent to Reigate 1913, Dayman, a second-season hunter, by Lord Leconfield's Wetherby. Lord Leconfield's Since 1869 the hunt has been under the mastership of three successive Lord Leconfields and are kennelled at Petworth Park, Sussex. The 1912 list of returns 83J couples of hounds for five days a week, hunted by Tom Carr, and it is a pack bred for work as well as good looks. The policy to go outside for sires has been ably acted upon, for 10 couple only are by home sires, and the best represented is Wetherby, 1908, by Belvoir Weaver, 1906 — Atherstone Chatter- box. The sires of Belvoir and Atherstone are responsible for a large number of hounds in the kennel, and on a foundation of Grafton, Oakley, and Warwickshire blood promise well for future entries. At Reigate, 1913, a nicely turned bitchy Welladay, 1912, by Belvoir Ragman, i9o6~Waifer, 1908, by Belvoir Warlaby, 1904, was placed first, in the class for local kennels. The Crawley and Horsham In 1887 Lieut. -Colonel C. B. Goodman succeeded Colonel Calvert, who accomplished eighteen seasons of office. A pack of 60 couples, for four days' hunting, are the property of the country, and for many years have been reinforced by drafts from the Warwickshire. R. Kingsland is huntsman, coming whipper-in to the kennel as far back as 1873. Mr R. W. M'Kergow became joint-master this season. P 226 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY The Burstow Mr Cyril Selby Lowndes stands in the capacity of master and huntsman to a three-day-a-week pack of 45 couples, hunting in Surrey, Sussex, and Kent. The kennel is bred to Belvoir, Grafton, Puckeridge, and other sources, figuring in the winning list at Reigate. The Southdown During the mastership of the Hon. C. Brand, between 1881 and 1903, the Southdown was ex- clusively a bitch pack, using the Warwickshire and Brocklesby sires. For a number of years the Icennel has held a winning hand when competing on the flags at Peterborough and Reigate. Last year, 191 2, under the mastership of Mr Norman W. Loder, the Southdown won the prize for two couples of bitches, Vision, Telltale, Tricksy, and Tempest, by Atherstone and Warwickshire sires, showing capital bone, any amount of substance, and nice quality. This year, 1913, the kennel put forward Charity and Cheerful, unentered roomy bitches, with length and scope, by Belvoir Chimer, 1909 — Vision, by Atherstone Vivian. Cheerful won as a single unentered bitch, and later was awarded the Champion Cup in one of the keenest competitions seen on the flags at Peterborough. At the end of season 1912-3 Mr Loder left to take up the duties of the Atherstone, and his successor, Mr C. Bernard Kidd, informs us " that the present pack is largely made up of draft hounds." Formerly 49 couples were kept to hunt four days a week. The Duke of Devonshire's The hunt was known as the Eastbourne when under the mastership of Colonel W. A. Cardwell THE SOUTH-EASTERN COUNTIES HUNTS 227 between 1895 and 1910, since then it has borne the title of the reigning master. The pack of 33! couples of bitches belong to the Duke of Devonshire, who finds kennels and hunt establishment, engaging J. Turner to hunt the hounds two days a week. Mr J. Gosden is the present master, with A. Paxford huntsman. The East Sussex The Hon. T. A. Brassey served a valuable period of mastership to the hunt between 1899 and 1906, and with George Morgan as huntsman there was a good pack in the kennel, and good sport in the field. The present master, Mr R. H. Baskerville, commenced in 1910, and was joined last season by Mr J. Kirby Stapley, who carries the horn, the strength of the kennel being 30 couples for two days a week. CHAPTER XII THE WEST COUNTRY HUNTS DEVON, SOMERSET, DORSET, AND CORNWALL Bristol Channel Jh^lish Channel Division I — -West Country Hunts. " ^Vhile louder and deeper the challenge resounds. Till it rings through the coombe in a chorus of hounds. And the music of death with its echo surrounds The King of the West." The Western group includes 22 packs of foxhounds hunting Somerset, Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall, besides staghounds, otter-hounds, and harriers. The charm of Exmoor hunting is the variety of sport, the beauty of scenery on the grand moorlands, and the science and woodcraft necessary to hunt the wild animal in such surroundings. There are four packs of foxhounds in the stag-hunting country, the Exmoor, the West Somerset, the Tiverton, and the Dulverton. Many of the West country hunts 228 THE WEST COUNTRY HUNTS 229 have been founded by old county families, notably so Lord Portman, the Luttrells of Dunster, the Williams of Four Burrow. The Exmoor The Exmoor were established by Mr Nicholas Snow, and up to 1889 were known as " the Stars of the West," their territory of grand moorland wdth big woods and very little plough being the district hunted by the Devon and Somerset staghounds. At one time this pack used to hunt nearly all the year round, driving foxes from the sea-coast on to the moorlands. Masters who have served the Exmoor since 1889 are the Hon. L. J. Bathurst, Sir William Wilhams, Mr W. J. Matthews, Mr Peter Omrod, Mr Hubert F. Brunskill, Mr M. H. Salaman, Mr S. Slater, Mr A. Yalden Thomson. The present master, Mr S. Salter, has George Barwick for huntsman, and 28 couples of big, clean-limbed hounds of Fitzwilliam type. The W^est Somerset The hunt was known as Mr Luttrell's from 1824 to 1883, and possesses some of the best rough country in England, also hunted by the Devon and Somerset stag. Former masters were Mr C. E. J. Esdaile, Mr Bert St A. Jenner, Captain H. A. Kinglake, Mr Wilfred Marshall. In 1913 Lieut. Col. Dennis F. Boles, M.P., was succeeded by Mr H. Sweet Escott, retaining Will Tame as huntsman, and 45 couples to hunt four days a week. Mr T. F. Dale, in an interesting article in B ally's Magazine, says : " A smart pack at Carhampton kennels by Taunton, hounds descended from Mr Luttrell's pack, and based on the famous Lord Poltimore strains. On 230 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY the vane of the kennel is an effigy of Romulus, a noted Lord Poltimore hound and founder of the pack." In 1907 a valuable addition was made to the pack with purchases from Mr Wroughton's kennel, quick small bitches, which can squeeze through the thick fences, and hunt a fox over the rough going. The Dulverton Originally part of Lord Portsmouth's country, until 1875, when Mr Froude Bellew formed the Dulverton pack to hunt the moorland and strong woodland in the stag area. This pack, one of the best in the West Country, was sold so Lord Guilford. In 1908 the present master. Sir Gilbert Wills, with Mr Ernest Hancock huntsman, got together 25 couples, which show excellent sport, in a wild country where there are necessarily long draws. The Tiverton The Tiverton hunt, a sporting country of big banks in moor and woodland district on the borders of the Devon and Somerset. The present master, Mr Ian H. Amory, has 35 couples of hounds for three days a week, hunted by Mr Ludovic H. Amory. Lord Portman's Lord Portman has been field-master, and master to the pack which bears his name, since 1858. The present field-master and secretary of the poultr}^ fund is Mr A. W. Heber Percy, the huntsman George Jones, and the strength of the pack 52^- couples for three days a week. It is a bank and ditch country with light flying fences, situated in Dorset, Wilts, and Hants. The foundation of the kennel are strains THE W^EST COUNTRY HUNTS 231 from Belvoir, Warwickshire, Oakley, and Brocklesby, and of late years Belvoir has been the source of improvement, for, remarks Mr Heber Percy, " it is not to be beaten." The pack as a whole show great quality, uniformity of type, and colouring. They are a hard driving, quick pack with a great cry, for Lord Portman has always been most par- Lord Portman's Royal igii. ticular about a hound throwing his tongue, and never keeps a mute one, however good-looking he may be, nor one that is found doing wrong or stubborn. The dog hounds are full of quality, with good bone, averaging 24 to 24J inches in height, with clean necks and shoulders. The sires outside the kennel from which the pack have derived most benefit are Warwickshire Pedlar, 1901 ; Oakley General, 1902 ; Mr Wroughton's Gaylad, 1900 ; Hert- fordshire Sampler, 1905; Belvoir Whitaker, 1906; Ragman, 1906; Nestor, 1909. 232 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY The bitches have beautiful quality, perhaps smaller in size than in some other packs, but they are a hard driving lot with plenty of tongue. The following have proved themselves good brood bitches: Hemlock and Hopeful, 1908, by Lord Bathurst's Patrick, 1904 — Handmaid ; Pliant, 1908, by Proctor, 1903 — Hornet, 1904; Speedy, 1908, by Lord Yarborough's Vulcan, 1903 — Stately, 1903 ; Gossamer, 1909, by Pilgrim, 1906 — Gratitude, 1906 ; Hornet, 1909, by Belvoir Warlaby, 1904 — Helen, 1905 ; Trinket, 1909, by Belvoir Whitaker, 1906 — Tranquil, 1906. Very hard, good bitches in the field are Hopeful, 1909 ; Patty, 1908 ; Telltale, 1908, by Oakley General ; Trinket, 1909 ; Stella, 1910 ; Dulcet and Gladsome, 1908, by Lord Portman's Selim, 1906 ; Hasty, 1911 ; Tuneful, 1910 ; Truthful, 1910 ; Glory, 1911, by Belvoir Rioter, 1908. Lord Portman's stallion hounds are ; Selim, 1906, by Warwickshire Pedlar, 1901 — Stately, 1903, a very good dog in his work, with great drive, and beautiful tongue — equally good on grass, plough, road or in woodland. Standing 24 inches, he measures, girth, 32^ inches, round arm 8 J inches, below knee 5J inches. A successful sire, all his stock are good in their work and have good tongue. Palafox, a tan hound, standing 24J inches — he is a hard driving dog, with good tongue — girths 32 f- inches, arm 8| inches, below knee 5? inches — a good sire getting beautiful quality in his stock. Palafox is by Mr Wroughton's Gaylad, by Belvoir Bachelor, out of Primitive, by Warwickshire Pedlar, and has been much used. Mr Wroughton's Gaylad, by Belvoir Bachelor, d. Garnish, d. s. York and Ainsty Windsor, has done a lot of good to this pack, he was such an honest foxhound in his work. At Peter- THE W^ST COUNTRY HUNTS 233 borough, 1903, Gaylad was the first prize stalHon hound, Warwickshire Pedlar being second that year. Dancer, 1908, by Belvoir Chanter, 1903 — Dayhght, 1904, is a very hard driving, good dog, with beautiful deep tongue — combining Belvoir and Warwickshire blood — standing 24 inches. Lord Portman's Wilfred, 1910. Singer, 1908, by Lord Yarboro's Vulcan, 1903 — Stately, 1903, is a tan dog, standing 24! inches — a hard driving hound, with good tongue, he goes back to Belvoir Vanquisher and Warwickshire Nailer, with Belvoir Nominal on sire's side — Oakley Dancer on dam's side. Damper, 1909, by Belvoir Weaver, 1906 — Day- light, 1904, stands 24^ inches, and is a hard driving dog, with good tongue. Hardwick, 1909, is by Belvoir Warlaby, 1904 — Helen, 1905. A tan dog — standing 24 inches. 234 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Sultan, 1909, by Selim, 1906 — Placid, 1903, is tri- colour, very hard, good dog, with deep tongue — almost good as his sire. Guardian, 1910, by Belvoir Galloper, 1903 — Help- ful, 1901, is a good dog in his work, 24 inches in height, possessing beautiful tongue. His dam was by Mr Wroughton's Gaylad. Seaman, 1910 ; Tomboy, 1910 ; Warlock, 1910 ; Wilfred, 1910, by Belvoir Weaver, i9o6,-are all good 24-inch dogs, with tongue. Gordon, 1911, by Belvoir Rioter, 1908— Gossip, 1906, is a 24-inch tan dog, with beautiful neck and shoulders, great quality, and good in his work. Herdsman, 1911, by Sehm, 1906 — Henbane, 1907, is a very good tan dog, standing 24 inches. Royal, 1911, by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 — Heedless, 1906, stands 24! inches, is tricolour, has great bone, the right feet and very strong knees. A very good dog in his work, he is all liberty, and jumps his fences in chase. Veteran, 191 1, by Herts Sampler, 1905 — Venomous, 1905, is a full-sized dog, with great bone, and very good in his work. Veteran won at Peterborough, 1911. In the 1912 entry. Novice and Norah, by Belvoir Nestor, 1909 — vSpeedy, 1908, were the second best couple of unentered bitches at Peterborough, Novice also winning as the best unentered bitch. The following packs send bitches to the sires of Lord Portman's kennel : Blackmore Vale, S. Dorset, S. and W. Wilts, New Forest, Dartmoor, Mr Scott Browne, Isle of Wight, V. W. H (Cricklade), Duke of Beaufort, Craven, Woodland Pytchley, Essex, Ledbury, Hertfordshire, Essex and Suffolk, Lord Bathurst V. W. H. THE WEST COUNTRY HUNTS 235 The Blackmore Vale Mr G. Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle founded the present Blackmore Vale hunt in 1858, buying 20 couple from Lord Portman's when master of the Vine. The present kennels at Charlton Horethom in the centre of the country were built by the master, who hunted the country for seven seasons at his own expense, engaging Jack Press from the Cam- bridgeshire as huntsman. It is a bank and ditch \ J- _ W A scent on the grass. country lying in Dorset and Somerset, chiefly pasture, with large woodlands. From 1884 to 1900 Mr Merthyr Guest hunted the country mounting the whole of the staff on grey horses, the kennel being an excellent one often represented on the flags at Peterborough. Mr Guest purchased the celebrated Brocklesby dog hounds from Lord Lonsdale in 1896, but the hounds were dispersed when he retired in 1900. Mr J. Hargreaves succeeded to the mastership, bringing with him his own pack of bitches from the Cattistock, chiefly descended from Blankney blood. In 1909 Mr 236 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY F. J. B. Wingfield Digby, son of the founder of the hunt, became master with 55 couples of hounds, hunting them two days a week himself, W. Welsh carrying the horn on the other two days. At Peterborough, 19 13, the Blackmore Vale won with a couple of unentered dog hounds. Sounder, by Sampson — Delicate by Dasher, and Dreadnought, by Diver — Sandal, by Dasher. Big dogs, with good backs and loins, clean necks and shoulders. The South Dorset Mr J. Ashton Radcliffe, the present master, com- menced in 1894 to hunt the country which before then had belonged to the Cattistock. The pack of 25 couples hunted by W. Maiden two days a week is bred to Belvoir, and were in the winning list at the West of England Show in 191 1 and 1912, also exhibiting at Reigate, 1913. The Cattistock The hunt was started by the Rev. J. Phelips of Cattistock Lodge, and was known as the " True Blue Hunt." For half a century, 1806-1858, " the grand old man of the West," Mr J. J. Farquharson, hunted the whole of Dorsetshire at his own expense, with Jim Treadwell huntsman, 75 couples of hounds, and 50 horses. In i860 Lord Poltimore carried on the mastership for twelve seasons, his pack being sold for £3328, los., averaging £154, i6s. a couple. A notable mastership was that of Mr R. Chandos- Pole between 1888 and 1897 with a pack of 30 couples, including dog hounds from the Blankney, and drafts from the Cheshire. In 1897 Mr J. Hargreaves bought the pack, and with the best-looking stud of hunters in England, accomplished three seasons THE \\TST COUNTRY HUNTS 237 mastership. The Cattistock has the distinction of being the only hunt in England that has no wire, poultry, or damage fund. In 1900 the present master, the Rev. E. A. Milne, commenced to hunt the country himself — for five seasons having as partner Mr W. F. Fuller. For many years the fame of the Cattistock kennel has been known world-mde, winning the highest honours on the flags at Peterborough and Reigate. Writing from Chilfrome, Dorchester, November 17th, 1912, Mr E. A. Milne very kindly sends a list of the prizes awarded to the Cottistock hounds between 1907 and 1912. " I took the Cattistock hounds in 1900 and had nothing good enough for show until 1907, winning at the Exeter West of England Show, and commencing a long winning record at Reigate Hound Show in 1908. My first success at Peterborough was in 1909, after ten years' hard work. I have used practically no sires but Belvoir, though at times I have gone to other kennels for Belvoir blood, e.g. Lord Rothschild's Herald, by Belvoir Hemlock, and Lord Rothschild's Stroller, by Belvoir Dexter, out of Stately. I hope I have been repaid by getting type and colour. My dogs average nearly 25 inches, and bitches 23I inches. I am told by my friends that both dogs and bitches are remarkable for good necks, shoulders, and ribs — a somewhat difficult combination. Of course I am helped tremendously by being able to send 80 to 100 couples to walk — so only keep the best. In the field — it is not for me to say so— they are excellent, full of tongue and drive, and it is to the hound's credit, not mine as huntsman, that we catch so many foxes. I have killed over 2000 since I came here. " Our sires are used by Blackmore Vale, V. W. H. 238 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Cricklade, Carmarthen, Cheshire, East Cornwall, Craven, Mid-Devon, South Devon, Eggesford, Isle of Wight, Silverton, West Somerset, Stevenstone, Surrey Union, Tetcott, Tiverton, Western. " No doubt you gather from my notes that all our success, both in the field and kennel, has been due to Lord Rothschild's staghound blood. The best bred pack of foxhounds in England ! And through them to Belvoir ; so Belvoir is, of course, what we are particularly indebted to." The following are interesting notes from the 191 2 Cattistock list : — " Sixteen couples in the list are descended from Lord Rothschild's Herald, 5| couples from Lord Roths- child's Stroller. Baronet, 1906, by Craven Vandyke, 1901 —Bravery, 1901, is practically pure Austin Mackenzie blood, Vandyke being by his Vaulter — sold to the Duke of Beaufort — -and Bravery, grand- daughter of his Whalebone. He is one of the truest and best foxhounds I ever had. " Sapper, 1903, did me endless good, he was by Lord Rothschild's Herald — Skilful, who was by Lord Portman's Cromwell, a noted hound. " An extraordinary bitch in the kennel was Bristly, taken to the V. W. H. by Mr W. H. Fuller. She was by Mr Wroughton's Whisker, by Belvoir Dexter — Boundaway. Boundavvay was bred by Mr Chandos-Pole — most unscientifically to my mind. Her sire only four generations back combined Tickham, Oakley, Beaufort, Grafton, Brocklesby, Musters, Milton, Poltimore, Southdown, Blankney, Leconfield, and Milton blood — twelve kennels. Her dam, same number of generations, had blood from Eridge, Pytchley, Southdown, Brocklesby, Belvoir, Portman, Bicester, Cambridgeshire, Milton — nine kennels. I have now 8| couples bred from THE WEST COUNTRY HUNTS 239 Bristly, and her daughters, and they are all clinkers. " Anchorite, 1909, by Belvoir Warlock, 1906 — Agile, 1906, is a very honest good dog, used a great deal. " Deputy, 1906 — a stalhon hound not in the kennel now — for looks and work could not be beaten. He was never shown at Peterborough nor Reigate, because being by a Lord Rothschild sire, he was disqualified. All the winners from here at Peter- borough were by Deputy, viz.. Statesman, Salesman, and Surety. " Tradesman, 1909, by Belvoir Weaver, 1906 — Traitress, 1905. The Blackmore Vale used this dog with success, so I tried him, and have got three beautiful, and good, bitches in this year's entry. " Arcobat, 1910, by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 — Airy, 1907, by Sapper, is a very hard driving dog, with beautiful neck and shoulders, but rather light in loin and ribs. " Statesman and Salesman 1912, by Deputy, 1906 — Sportly, 1909, out of Mr Wroughton's Spindle, who was by Lord Rothschild's Herald. These two hounds — Statesman and Salesman — trace back to Lord Rothschild's Herald on sire and dam's side. I am using them both. They won at Reigate and Peterborough in 1912, and are A i in their work, with immense character. Even were they not A i 1 should use them for their blood. I am a great believer in breeding for a sort and not the individual." The Cattistock 191 2 list is made up as follows : Old hounds, 36 J couples ; young hounds, 22 couples ; dogs, 24J couples, bitches ; 34I couples. Total 58^ couples. The following are the chief successes of the Catti- stock at Peterborough between 1909 and 1912 240 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY shown by a master of the art, W. Medcalf, who went from the Holderness to the Cattistock in 1907, and left in 1913. Peterborough 1909. ist Novice Dogs 2nd Novice Dogs 2nd Brood Bitch Champion Bitch 1910. Anchorite. Tradesman. Stately. Perfect. {Perfect. T t Vasna. Perfect. 'Victory. Governess. Sportly. ^Violet. Stately. (Statesman. \ Salesman. Surety. ist Brood Bitch 191 1. 2nd 2 couple entered Bitches 2nd Brood Bitch . 1912. ist unentered Dogs Champion Bitch . At Reigate Hound Show between 1008 and 1912 the Cattistock representatives won twenty-eight prizes, including five championships, winning right out the Challenge Cup for the best bitch in 1912. At the West of England Hound Show held at Exeter, twenty-nine prizes went to their credit, in- cluding six championships won between 1907 and 191 1. Truly a remarkable record for any one kennel. The East, Mid, and South Devon Devonshire shows extremes of character, areas of wild moorland with walls, intersected by ravines and coombes, adjoining highly farmed areas. The three packs of hounds hunting this district are the East Devon, under the mastership of Lieutenant- Colonel J. A. T. Garratt, with 25 couples of hounds to hunt two days a week. The Mid-Devon, with Colonel A. H. Carter master, and 23 couples of THE WEST COUNTRY HUNTS 241 hounds to hunt two days a week. The South Devon with Mr H. F. Brunskill and 45 couples of hounds, to hunt three days a week. Both the South Devon, and the East Devon were in the winning hst at the West of England Show, 1912. The Taunton Vale, Stevenstone, Silverton, Eggesford Hunts Captain H. A. Kinglake has hunted the Taunton Vale since 1902, with 35 couples of hounds for two days a week, greatly improving the pack with drafts from Milton, liking to see them stand on the flags. The Stevenstone was formerly known as the Hon. Mark Rolles' country, where the late Frank Gillard — the greatest houndman of his day— started his career in the 'sixties. The present master, Mr David Hordon, commenced in 1907, and hunts a pack himself of 25 couples two days a week. The Silverton is a new slice of country from the South Devon, hunted by Mr A. G. Pape, with 20 couples of hounds. The Eggesford hunt a wild corner of Devonshire country with banks and deep ravines, where hounds have to go unattended. The present master, Mr A. W. Luxton, commenced to hunt the country in 1 90 1, with a pack of 25 couples for two days a week. At the West of England show, 1912, the Eggesford won with a little bitch Resolution. Mr Scott Browne's The hunt was formed in 1896 by Mr Scott-Browne, and was formerly the Tetcott country hunted by the late Mr Vincent P. Calmady. Kennels were built by the present master at Buckland Filleigh, Q 242 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY and the country covers about 200 miles in Devon. Mr Scott Browne has a pack of 45 J couples, with Philip Back kennel huntsman, for five days a fort- night. It is a rough country for hounds but fairly good scenting, the straggling hedges on the banks delaying them, and there is no earth stopping. Mr Scott Browne writing from Buckland Filleigh, N. Devon, November 191 2, gives some interesting Champion bitch at the West of England Show, 191 2. details concerning the breeding of his pack, which won a double championship at the West of England Show, 1 91 2 : — " My dog hounds are active with no great lumber, averaging 23 J inches, their shoulders are good, bone fairly well down, for they are not massive. The bitches are stuffy and big, colouring black, tan, and white. I am very particular about shoulders, also that every hound shall draw well and have lots to say. I have used Belvoir sires a good deal, and especially .like the Ragman, Warlaby, and Stormer strain/. Warwickshire Coroner and X THE WEST COUNTRY HUNTS 243 Brocklesby Armlet have done us good, and so has then' Janitor. Last season, 1911-12, I used Milton Mesmerist, and his son Merman — the former is a son of Belvoir Daystar. " The bitches fall into seven families, the most important Cattistock Haughty, 1903. I bought her from Mr Walmsly as a third-season hound. She is by Cattistock Sentiment, 1899, who was by Lord Portman's Cromwell, 1893, from Cattistock Sontag, 1895, back to Brocklesby and Belvoir Weathergage. The dam of Haughty, 1903, was S. Dorset Hostess, 1896, by Oakley Darter, 1890, back to Grafton Deputy, 1887 and Belvoir Proctor and Nominal. "Another bitch Garland, 1905, from which my present pack is descended, I bought at the Hon J. Batharst's sale. She is by Oakley Bluster, 1902 back to Belvoir Gambler, Traitor, and Nominal The dam of Garland was Gambol, 1901, by Pytchley Gambler, bringing in the blood of Warwickshire and Belvoir. " Honesty, 1906, another founder of the pack, I bought at the Galtee sale. She is by Galtee Thrasher, 1900, bringing in Rufford Galliard, Belvoir Senator, and Warwickshire Sailor in the fourth generation. The dam of Honesty was North Cotswold Hopeless of Oakley and Warwickshire extraction. " Rosamond, 1904, I bought from Lord Portman, and she strains back to Warwickshire Harper, Belvoir Fallible, Milton Wrangler, and Reveller and Oakley Feudal. "Three other bitches, Primrose, 1901, Harriet, 1904, and Dainty, 1904, go back to Mr Calmady's hounds purchased in 1896." At the West of England Hound Show held at Exeter, 1912, champion prize for dog hounds was awarded to Ranter, 1910, by Belvoir Rallywood, 244 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY 1909 — Heroine, 1907, by Belvoir Warlaby, 1904 — Cattistock Haughty. The championship for bitches was awarded to Harebell, 1910, by Belvoir Ragman, 1906 — Harmony, 1907, by Belvoir Warlaby, 1904 — Cattistock Haughty, 1903. Describing Mr Scott Browne's champion Ranter, he is a light galloping dog, with more of a Warwick- shire than a Belvoir shoulder, and bright colouring. A few local packs send to Mr Scott Browne's sires, viz. the Stevenstone, Lamerton, E. Devon, W. Somerset, Silverton, Eggesford, and Western. The Dartmoor, Tetcott, and Lamerton There is beautiful Devonshire scenery to inspire the poet, in the 130,000 acres of moorland hunted by the Dartmoor hounds. Generally speaking a good scenting country, Mr W. Coryton has shown sport with 55 couples since 1889, when he brought half his old pack from the East Cornwall. High bred foxhounds, with plenty of music, they push a fox through the wooded vales, in which five salmon streams rise. The Tetcott hunt has its origin from the gift of a few hounds presented by Parson Jack Russell, and has been described as the Leicestershire of Devon and Cornwall. Mr C. B. Shuker has a good working pack of 30 couples, which show the best of sport. A committee control the Lamerton hunt which has a pack of 40 couples, to hunt in Devon and Cornwall. The East Cornwall Mr W. N. Connock Marshall had two spells of mastership between 1873 and 1912, learning the art of hunting the fox from Mr Froude Bellew, Parson Jack Russell, and Lord Portsmouth. A great hound THE WEST COUNTRY HUNTS 245 country he would throw them forward over deep valleys. There was no noise, no hurry, no halloas, and the fox very seldom seen, a system beloved by those who love hunting for hunting's sake. In 1903 ]\Ir W. Phillpotts \Mlliams, " the graceful laureate of the chase " became joint-master, taking sole charge in 191 2. A North Cornwall hunt was also established in 1912 by Mr C. H. Davey in the delightfully pictur- esque district of Bodmin, 40 couples hunting three days a week. The Four Burrow It is not known when the Four Burrow Hunt was first established, but prior to 1839 ^^^^ ^^^^ master recorded is Mr Turner, M.P. for Truro, who was succeeded by the Hussey Vivian family. The Four Burrow is the leading pack in the county of Cornwall, and for over half a century was one of the family packs presided over by the Williams, four of that name holding office between 1854 ^^^ ^9^7- ^ working pack, possessing drive, tongue, and resolution is best fitted for the difficulties of the country, for foxes take some catching. In 1910 Mr Aubrey Wallis undertook the master- ship, building new kennels at Roskrow, Penryn, where he had a very interesting pack of 40 couples, with Tom Pitman first whip and kennel huntsman. In a letter of Febmary 26th, 191 3, Mr Aubrey Wallis describes the distinctive qualities of his famous " black and tans " : — " The majority of my pack are the old Irish black and tan hounds ; they have no Welsh blood, no foxhound blood, no bloodhound cross. They are the pure original black and tan, the same as the Scarteen in Ireland. At the moment all I have been able to ascertain has been compiled 246 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY from notes, and sent to my old friend Mr Charles Richardson, the Hunting Editor of the Field, as he intends inserting an illustrated article shortly. " These hounds do not always throw black and tans. I have several tricoloured hounds, but I try, and hope eventually to have nothing but black and tans ; but it is very difficult ! As a breed they are very hard to rear. They are very precocious ; but I never consider them worth anything until their second season, when you simply cannot overwork or tire them. They have exceptional music ; in fact, they are the only hounds I know that can tell you all about it, and still go the pace. They never hurry on a line, and they have exceptional noses. I won't keep a hound that is not good in his work." In 1913 Lord Annaly, master of the Pytchley, offered Mr Aubrey Wallis the mastership of the Woodland Pytchley country, which he accepted, taking his famous pack of black and tans to the Brigstock kennels, Northamptonshire. Big upstand- ing hounds, taller than foxhounds, they fly their fences in chase ; and it will be interesting to see their working qualities in so different a sphere of scene. On a cold line they have been pronounced extraordinary. The Western The last pack in England is the Western, to hunt the rocky hills, sheltered valleys, and gorses, the natural home of a wild breed of foxes. The hunt owes its existence to the energy and support of one family — the Bolitho's of Penzance — who have been masters and carried the horn since 1864. The Western have a pack of 22 couple to hunt two days a week, and for a change of blood depend on Four Burrow and Belvoir. CHAPTER XIII THE REIGATE FOXHOUND SHOW THE THIRTEENTH ANNIVERSARY I9I3 The Duke of Beaufort in great winning form — The Oakley double champion- ship — The Grafton come out to win wth the ex-double champion. Rakish — The Tickham and the Ledbury both win in good company — A large representative gathering of the hunting world under the president ship of Lord Leconfield Assembled on the platform at London Bridge Station on the last Wednesday in May were a little group that looked " vera like the chase," though un- ostentatiously disguised in just ordinary attire. The arriving trains were as usual discharging a busy- looking crowd in tall silk hats, rushing along as if they W'Cre hunted by the devil and had not a moment to spare in the journey to the various " houses of tor- ment " in the business area of the great city. The select gathering, unmistakably " up from the country," were bound for Reigate Horse and Hound Show : the busy crowd rushing to their daily tasks to raise the sinews of war, without which fox-hunting would go to the wall ! The forty miles run out of London to Reigate has little to offer in the w^ay of attraction, for during the greater part of the journey the train is threading its way through the vast human hive of tenements. No matter by which 247 Reigate Horse and Hound Show. 248 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY route we enter London the view is not impressive, for the grandeur and wealth hes at the heart of the capital, the extremities looking as though they were out of circulation. If we would realise what nobility of scene means in the plan of a town, approach Edinburgh by rail and Stamford by road, the dignity of architecture being most inspiring. As a connecting link between these two towns, the great Sir Walter Scott when passing by coach through Stamford, which is several hundred miles from Edinburgh, was wont to raise his hat as a tribute to the majesty of St Mary's Church spire. Established in 1900, the Reigate and Redhill Horse and Elound Show has found its way into the hunting-man's calendar, drawing followers of fox- hounds, harriers, and beagles from all parts of the Kingdom. In no way a rival for the National show at Peterborough, which follows on some six weeks later, it is rather a help as a trial ground and an inducement for South country packs to try conclusions on the flags. There must be luck in odd numbers, for ideal weather favoured the thirteenth birthday of the Reigate Hound Show, and regular attendants pro- nounced it the best collection of hounds ever seen in the showing ring. As a gathering it was very representative of all departments of the chase, for there must have been hundreds present whose interests and business is centred in the kennel. If shows had no other purpose than an opportunity to meet and discuss knotty points in kennel management, they would serve their end. Very beautiful is the setting for the show-ground at the foot of the Surrey hills, which present a rolling panorama of grass and white patches of chalk pits. Geographically it stands in the country hunted by THE REIGATE FOXHOUND SHOW 249 Lord Leconfield's hounds, some forty miles south of Charing Cross, the noble master being the President of the Societ}^ and in a short speech at the luncheon, he made reference to the continued progress of the Reigate and Redhill Society. The committee numbers many \\ell-kno\vn names in the world of sport, the Lady Giffard, M.H., Colonel Robertson- Aikman, Mr E. E. Barclay, M.F.H., Major F. M. Beaumont, Mr H. W. Boileau, M.F.H., Lieut.-Col. T. T. Burt, M.B., Mr F. G. Colman, Mr L. C. Croslegh, Mr Ewen C. R. Goff, M.B., Mr R. W. M'Kergow, Mr Cyril Selby Lowndes, M.F.H., Mr Percy J. Pelly, Colonel R. H. Rawson, M.P., Mr Charles Richardson, Mr J. T. Richardson, Mr James Russel, M.B., Mr H. C. Lee Steere, M.S.H., Mr A. G. Allen-Turner, Mr A. R. Walters, Mr F. A. White. The joint honorary secretaries of the Show, under whose skilful management success has been assured, are Mr Eustace Frith and Mr F. C. Morrison. The judges for foxhounds were Lord Bathurst, master of the V. W. H. Cirencester, and Lord Southampton, master of the Hur^vorth, with stewards for this department, Mr F. Gibson, Captain L. F. Ricardo, Mr H. A. Bryden, and Mr E. Murray. Three well-appointed covered-in rings stand in the middle of a square of temporary kennels, the judging of foxhounds, harriers, and beagles pro- ceeding simultaneously, the music of the various breeds of hounds mingling in pleasant harmony. The following is a list of the twenty-two foxhound kennels sending representatives :— Xaine of Pack. Master. Huntsman or Kennel Huntsman. Beaufort's, The Duke of Duke of Beaufort . George Walters Berks, South . . Mr H. W .Boileau . Isaac Sheffield BlackmoreVale . . {^\.^: J' ^^^^"§^^^^| W. Welch \ Digby . . .1 250 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Name of Pack. Burstovv Cattistock . Chiddingfokl Craven Dorset^ South Essex Essex Union Grafton Hambledon Hurt's, Mr . Kent, East Kent, West Leconfield's, Lord Ledbury Oakley Southdown Surrey, Old Surrey Union Tickham Master. Mr C. Selby Lowndes The Rev. E. A. Milne (Admiral Sir G. Atkin- \ y son Willes . . I (Messrs W. J. Yorke^l - Scarlett and J. A. Fair- ,- [ hurst . . .j Mr J. A. Raddiffe Capt. S. F. Goslin^^ Capt. G. Heseltine Mr H. Hawkins Capt. Standish . Mr F. C. A. Hurts . /Mr H. W. Selby \ y Lowndes . . I Mr A. Havelock-AUan Lord Leconfield Sir G. Bullough Mr E. Arkwright Mr C. B. Kidd . Mr C. Leveson-Gower Mr A. H. Tritton ^Lord Harris and Mr"| \ W. C. Dawes . . j Huntsman or Kennel Huntsman. E. Carrol George Riggs Ned Farmer Fred Funnell N. Mendin James Bailey H. Jones W. Farmer G. Roake T. Ashton The Master R. Easterby Tom Carr W. Batchelor W. Boore Ned Friend C. Travess Lord Maiden G. Alcock The awards made in the various classes were as follows : — Class i.^Best couple of unentered dog hounds. — I, the Duke of Beaufort's Warrior and Wanderer by Curraghmore Warwick out of Tawdry ; 2, the Grafton Gulhver by Vandal out of Guilty, and Clansman. Class 2. — Best unentered dog hound. — 1, the Oakley Sailor by Gamester out of Septic ; 2, the Grafton Gulliver by Vandal out of Guilt}^ Class 3. — Best entered dog hound, confined to Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, or Berkshire packs. — I, the Tickham Gambler by Belvoir Ragman out of Gadfly ; 2, the Craven Vandyke by Milton Glatton out of Craven Valid. Class 4. — Best couple of entered dog hounds. — i, the Duke of Beaufort's THE REIGATE FOXHOUND SHOW 251 Tancred, b}^ Juggler, out of Tawdry, and Colonist ; 2, the Grafton Nickleby, by Belvoir Rally wood, out of Nimble, and Nathan, by Grafton Racer, out of Nancy. Class 5. — Best entered dog hound.- — ^i, the Tickham Gambler, b}- Belvoir Ragman, out of Gadfly ; 2, the Craven Vandyke, by Milton Glatton, out of Craven Valid. Class 6. — Best couple of unentered bitch hounds. — i, the Duke of Beaufort's Caroline, by Challenger, out of Waitress, and Rivulet, by Belvoir Rioter, out of Vigil ; 2, the Blackmore Vale Dainty and Darling by Diver, out of Sandal. Class 7. — Best unentered bitch hound. — i, the Eedbury Waitress, by Baronet, out of W^anton ; 2, the Duke of Beaufort's Cora, by Weathergage, out of Charity. Class 8. — Best couple of entered bitch hounds. — i, the Oakley Rarity, by Belvoir Rioter, out of Golden and Witness ; 2, the Essex, Brenda, by Lanark and Renfrew Puzzler, out of Brilhant, and Relish. Class g. — Best entered bitch hound. — I, the Grafton Rakish, by Belvoir Rally- wood, out of Vanda ; 2, the Chiddingfold Charmer, by East Essex Champion, out of Vanity. Class 10. ■ — Best entered bitch hound, confined to Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, or Berkshire packs — I, Lord Leconfield's Welladay, by Belvoir Ragman, out of Waiter; 2, the East Kent Guilty, by Finder, out of Gleeful. Champion dog hound, Oakley Sailor ; reserve Tickham Gambler. Champion bitch hound. — Oakley Witness ; reserve Ledbury Waitress. A study of the artistic catalogue — adorned with a coloured sketch — was evidence of the strong support which the Duke of Beaufort gives to the Reigate enterprise, for the Badminton hounds were entered in every possible class. As the judging progressed, George Walters, the Duke's huntsman, had a blue 252 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY or a red ribbon in every button-hole of his green coat, winning three firsts, one second, and two reserves. The ducal kennel drew first blood in the unentered class for a couple of dog hounds, showing two couple of well-grown hounds possessing the usual Badminton style and size. The brothers Warrior and Wanderer pleased the judges best, and are the sons of Curraghmore Warwick, a hound bred by the late Marquis of Waterford, being a son of Belvoir Weaver, who combined the best Weather- gage and Grafton Woodman strains. The dam of Warwick was a Milton bred bitch, so he combines many notable strains of blood. At the dispersal sale of the Curraghmore kennel, Mr E. A. V. Stanley, when master of the Woodland Pytchley, paid i6o guineas for Warwick, whose name comes this season into the pedigrees of young hounds showing from the kennels of the Duke of Beaufort, the Fitzwilliam, the North Warwickshire, and the Muskerry. Again in the class for a couple of entered dog hounds and unentered bitches, Badminton was invincible, with all that you want in a foxhound — size, style, symmetry, necks, shoulders, and keenness to hunt. Another famous kennel that did well at Reigate was the Oakley, the young master, Mr Esme Arkwright, inheriting the talent for breeding a pack of hounds to stand well on the flags, which dis- tinguished the mastership of his ancestors between 1850 and 1885. Last year the Oakley won a double championship at Reigate and Peterborough, with a beautifully turned one-season hunter, Byron. Mr Arkwright again won the Reigate championship with an unentered dog named Sailor, and later on the same for bitches, by the aid of Witness. This year's Oakley champion dog has not quite the impressive size of last year's winner, but that may THE REIGATE FOXHOUND SHOW 253 come with age and work, for he is very symmetrical, deep through the ribs and loin, the popular verdict being for Sailor the moment he came into the ring. The Grafton representatives also pleased the judges, and a first prize went their way for the peerless Rakish, a daughter of Belvoir Rallywood, who as an unentered hound accomplished a record for Mr Charles M'Neill, her breeder, winning him the championship at the two shows. Ver^^ matronly and grand she looked in her third season, the style and elegance. property of the new master, Mr Henry Hawkins, a pattern hound to remember in years to come. The Grafton also won two second prizes with Gulliver, who is quite a Belvoir sort. The class for unentered bitches was a strong one with eighteen entries, comprising the best of breeding, giving the judges considerable trouble to award the palm for beauty. The stuff and line qualit\^ of Ledbury Waitress won the judicial verdict, and she is a beautifully- turned golden tan bitch by Baronet, who stamps his stock in unmistakable fashion. Second in the class was the Duke of Beaufort's Cora, who is higher on the leg than the winner, whilst Southdown Cheerful, by Belvoir Chimer, 254 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY went nnnoticed, though she came out to win the Championship at Peterborough six weeks later, which proves that the Reigate class was a very strong one. The Tickham is a pack of sound breeding and sent a nice medium-sized young dog Gambler, a son of Belvoir Ragman from a daughter of Belvoir Hymen. A square-built hound and a good hard «» «*#" Charles at home. colour, he had the best of characters for work looking the right sort to get to the end of a long day's hunting, and trot back to kennels with his stern carried gaily over his quarters. Gambler had the distinction of winning two first prizes, and was placed reserve for the Championship. Lord Leconfield at home in his own country was awarded a ribbon in the restricted class, the Craven, Blackmore Vale, Essex, and Chiddingfold each securing a second prize so that honours were well distributed. It was remarkable that the Cattistock, who in years past had such a strong winning hand, THE REIGATE FOXHOUND SHOW ^DD were clean out of form, and never got nearer than a reserve. If a pack does not always win, it is some consolation to know that it has been in the fighting line, a good competitor that has profited by experience when measuring its merits on the flags. CHAPTER XIV THE NATIONAL FOXHOUND SHoW AT PETERBOROUOH, I913 A record for numbers and quality — The champion dog hounds of ten consecutive years — The masters present and the thirty kennels show- ing — Lord Willoughby de Broke's appreciation of foxhound showing — The grand class of unentered dog hounds — Scotland and Ireland to the fore, and Wales in the lighting line — The Reigate champion wins in the unentered class — "Scotland for ever," and the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Factor — The Duke of Beaufort's bitches maintain the honour of the southern kennels — The ex-champion Grafton Rakish adds yet another leaf to her laurels, and the Southdown Cheerful wins the champion cup, concluding the most strenuous day's judging in foxhound showing annals — Belvoir blood wins all through the female classes. Peterborough the Shrine of the Foxhound, 1913 The summer pilgrimage to Peterborough Show with its unique sporting attractions in the wa^^ of hunters and hounds draws hunting enthusiasts hving between John o' Groat's and Land's End. The year nineteen hundred and thirteen, the thirty-third anniversary exhibition of foxhounds, was a great gathering, standing for a record as regards the number and general uniformit}^ of quality amongst the repre- sentatives of thirty competing kennels, comprising 117 couples of hounds. Many pleasant memories are aroused as each successive Peterborough comes round, for the scene hardly changes, or the intensity of interest abates amongst those who assemble round the ring-side to set the standard of excellence in foxhound make and shape. Transferred from Yorkshire to Peter- borough thirty-three years ago by the late Mr William 256 FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 257 Barford, whose memory to-day is cherished as the " father " of the show, it is worthy of note that his son, Mr James Barford, represented the Cathedral city as Mayor, attending the foxhound show luncheon wearing the chain of ofhce. If proof were wanting that service in the cause of sport promotes longevity, the same stewards of the show ring have fulfilled the duties since its inception, Mr Frank Percival Sport and agriculture meet at Peterborough. and Mr R. B. Walker being presented with silver statuettes as mementoes of long tenures of ofhce. The name of the secretary, Mr John R. Smart, familiar .to three generations of masters, we regret to say, appeared for the last time, as he died suddenly a few weeks later, after a long and successful term, of office in the cause of Sport and Agriculture. The President for the year, Lord Ribblesdale — who was the last master of the Royal Buck hounds — was unable to be present owing to Parliamentary duties, or see the award of the Champion Cup given R 258 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY by each successive President, which on this occasion went over the borders to Scotland for the first time. Last year the coveted trophy presented by Lord Leconfield, was awarded by Mr W. Selby Lowndes and Mr J. E. Rogerson to the Oakley Byron, a very symmetrical one-season hunter, that was champion both at Reigate and Peterborough. Alas, the doubly crowned hero met his fate from the kick of a horse the end of last season, and died in London, where he was sent for expert medical treatment after the accident. To cast back but ten years in the history of Peterborough and note the award of championship to dog hounds competing on the flags, is instructive, showing as it does the sources from which excellence arises. Two years ago, 191 1, a full-sized noble dog, Meynell Waverley, by Belvoir Warlock, as a second- season hunter won the Marquis of Zetland's presi- dential cup, adjudged by Colonel Robertson Aikman and the Hon. L. J. Bathurst. The year 1910 saw the favourite pack at Peterborough come out top, with the big lemon-pied Milton Rector, by the white dog Potent, a fourth-season hunter adjudged by Mr Reginald Corbet and the Rev. Cecil Legard, to be the best representative in the show to take Lord Willoughby de Broke's presidential cup. In 1909, the jubilee year of the show, the beautiful Warwickshire kennel captured the Champion Cup presented by Earl Fitzwilliam, with Trickster, a son of Traveller, a former champion, the judges that year being Captain W. Peacocke and the late Mr J. Maunsell Richardson. Another of the white coloured Potents, Milton Donovan, a massive third- season hunter, won the Champion Cup in 1908, presented by Mr W. H. Wharton, the judges being Mr J. D. Radcliffe with Mr W. H. Dunn as a colleague. A great hound in pedigree, Hertfordshire Sampler, FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 259 then in his second season, a son of Mr Wroughton's Spanker, was the champion of 1907, Mr Arthur Wilson being the donor of the cup, the judicial verdict being pronounced by Mr W. de P. Cazenove and Mr T. Butt Miller. Warwickshire was to the fore in 1906 with a beautiful first-season hunter Wizard, showing a distinguishing white stern, and opinion being divided between Mr G. H. Hardy and Mr Charles M'Neill, the late Mr John Watson gave the casting vote, the cup being presented by Lord Portman. The stout Milton blood triumphed in 1905 with the massive tricoloured Harper, by Atherstone Harper, from a Tynedale Ardent bitch boasting Milton blood, the judges being Mr H. E, Preston and the late Mr J. Maunsell Richardson, the president of the year Earl Man vers. The year previous saw the invincible Warwickshire blood transcendent with the aid of Traveller, a first-season hunter, by Belvoir Handel, which pleased Mr W. H. Dunn and Mr John Watson when searching for a recipient of the cup given by Lord Annaly. To refer to 1903 is suffi- ciently far away, the committee presenting the cup that year, which went to the V. W. H. Stentor, an elegant dog by Belvoir Stormer, the judges being Sir W. Curtis and Mr J. S. H Fuherton. The type and character of each successive champion it has been our privilege to picture for Baily's Magazine since 1899, Pytchley Potentate's year. It would be a nice problem to decide which should take the precedence could they all meet on the flags, for there is not a bad one amongst them. Hertfordshire Sampler's subsequent record at the stud is perhaps the most eminent ? A representative gathering of masters of hounds, ex-masters, their ladies, and others, included the Duke of Beaufort, Lord Willoughby de Broke, Lord 26o THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY North, Lord Leconfield, Lord ManverS; Lord Bathurst, Lord Lilford, Lord Exeter, Lord Romney, Lord Robert Manners, Lord Charles Bentinck, Lord Huntley, Lord Southampton, Lord Cavan, Sir George Bullough, Mr George Fitzwilliam, Sir W. Hyde Parker, Sir Michael Culme Seymour, Mr E. P. Rawnsley, Mr Gerald Hardy, Mr T. Bouch, Mr George Evans, Mr F. Ames, Mr Arthur Jones, Mr VilHers Forster, Mr Reginald Corbet, Mr W. H. Wharton, Mr J. S. H. Fullerton, Mr J. Fielden, Mr C. M'Neill, Mr C. R. Mills, Mr Esme Arkwright, Mr J. P. Arkwright, Mr M. C. Albright, Messrs E, E. and M. E, Barclay, Mr Douglas Crossman, Mr G. Lane-Fox, Mr R. H. Gosling, Captain Higson, Mr Rolance Court, Mr F. C. Hurt, Mr W. N. Loder, Captain Heywood Lonsdale, Mr R. W. M'Kergow, Mr J. E. Rogerson, Mr C. T. Scott, Captain Standish, Mr H. Straker, Mr J. C. Staker, Mr R. Clayton-Swan, Mr W. H. A. Wharton, Mr A. E. Parker, Mr W. R. Wroughton, the Rev. Cecil Legard, Mr W. P. Cazenove, Mr R. W. Hall Dare, Colonel Wynn, Mr E. W. Griffith, Mr A. W. Heber-Percy, Mr George Thursby, Mr H. E. Preston, Major J. L. Mills, Colonel Henry Wickham, Mr H. Nell, Mr Ian Bullough, Mr C. W. B. Fernie, Mr Gordon B. Foster, Mr F. J. B. Wingfield Digby, Mr W. E. Grogan, Mr H. Hawkins, Mr A. J. Meldrum, Mr J. Clay, the Hon. H. C. Vane, Mr W. Selby-Lowndes, junr., Mr H. C. Leonard Brassey, Mr T. Hare, Mr L. Trower, Colonel Proby, Mr Sowerby, Mr C. B. Kidd, Captain G. Haseltine, Mr W. Tinsley. The thirty packs represented were : — FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 261 Packs. Badsworth Beaufort's, Duke of Bedale Blackmore Vale Cambridgeshire . Carlo w FitzwilHam'S; Earl Fitzwilliam Flint & Denbigh Garth Grafton Hurt's, Mr Hurworth Kildare Lanarkshire & Renfrew shire Ledbury . Linlithgowshire and Stirlingshire . Muskerry . North Northumberland Oakley Puckeridge Rufford . Southdown Staffordshire, South V.W.H. (Cirencester) Vane's, Hon. H. Warwickshire Warwickshire, North Whaddon Chase Worcestershire . Masters. Mr G. B. Foster . . The Duke of Beaufort Mr J. J. ]\Ioubray . Mr. F. J. B. Wingfield Di^ Mr Douglas Grossman ]\Ir W. E. Grogan . Earl Fitzwilliam Mr G. C. W. FitzwilUam . (Colonel Wynn, D.S.O., ^ land Mr E. W. Griffith . / Mr R. H. Gosling . Mr H. Hawkins Mr F. C. A. Hurt . Lord Southampton (Captain E. F. Talbot ) l Ponsonby . . .J Mr G. Barclay Sir George BuUough j\Ir. A. J. Meldrum . Mr I. Bullough Mr J. Clay . Mr E. AricwTight f Mr E. E. Barclay and Mr ) \ M. E. Barclay . . \ Earl Manvers Mr C. B. Kidd (The Marquis of Anglesey \ I and ]\Ir F. V. Forster . j Earl Bathurst The Hon. H. C. Vane f Lord Willoughby de Broke) \ and Mr J. Fielden . / Mr. G. F. Jackson . Mr. W. Selby Lowndes, jun. Mr A. Jones . Huntsmen. H. French G. Walters B. Downs ;byW. Welch M. CuUeton E. Gulwell S. Morgan, sen. W. Barnard T. Medcalf J. La-wrence W. Farmer T. Ashton F. Holland W. Jacklin T. Molyneux W. Batchelor S. Morgan, jun. A. F. Wilson L. Gilholme W. Boore R. Gardiner F. Capon Ned Friend W. Davis B. Wilkinson B. Thatcher G. Turner W. Haynes F. Thompson T. Vockins The crack kennels not represented at Peterborough in 1913 were the Meynell, Cattistock, Cheshire, Mr Femie's, Atherstone, Holdemess, Brocklesby, which in the past have all sent winners, and between them have enough good hounds to make a show of itself. The Belvoir occupying the premier position 262 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY has never entered into competition on the flags at Peterborough, though the blood is to the fore through other kennels. It is a matter of con- gratulation that such distinguished kennels as the Duke of Beaufort's and Mr George Fitzwilliam's take their chance on the flags and have always entered into keen competition for the ribbons since the institution of the Peterborough show. A high standard has been established by the great kennels showing, and Lord Willoughby de Broke's remarks in a speech at the foxhound luncheon were in his happiest vein : " When any master or huntsman told him that he didn't care whether he won at Peterborough or not, he knew that man was not speaking the truth (laughter). When he brought the Warwickshire he always liked to see them placed number one, and the reason they had not received a red or even blue ribbon that day was because they had left all the best hounds at home (laughter). There was a very wise regulation in the Society which prevented a winning hound coming two years in succession (hear, hear). The object of the hound show was not to encourage people to breed hounds for the purpose of winning prizes, but to breed them of a certain type, form, and symmetry, to do their work with the greatest ease, kill foxes in the shortest space of time, and then go home after a long day's hunting, with sterns up." It was not only numerically a great show on the flags, but the general uniformity was remarkable, making it an unusually difflcult task to arrive at a decision. Commencing at ten o'clock, it was nearly two hours after time when the judges completed their task a few minutes before six o'clock. Illus- trating how difficult the awards were to make, in a class of unentered hounds, for which 14 couple FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 263 competed, only 3 couples were summarily dis- missed, the II having to return into the ring. A strenuous morning's work judging the dog hounds was expeditiously completed before lunch by Mr J. C. Straker, master of the Tynedale, and Mr R. Clayton Swan, master of the Blankney. The bitches were even a more difhcuit class to divide, the judging being undertaken by Sir William Hyde Parker, ex-master of the Newmarket and Thurlow, 12 3456 I. Tom Whitemore. 2. Will Goodall. 3. Mr Merthyr Guest. 4. ^Ir Tom Parrington. 5. Mr C. B. E. Wright. 6. George Carter. Peterborough in the eighties. with Mr H. E. Preston, editor of the foxhound stud-book, and ex-master of the York and Ainsty. The awards were as follows.: — Dog Hounds Class I. — Couple entered hounds, whelped since 1st December, 1911. — i, £10 (huntsman, ;f3), the Blackmore Vale, Sounder, and Dreadnought ; 2, £5 (huntsman, £2) the Duke of Beaufort's, Cardinal and Coxcomb. 264 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Special prize, silver hunting horn by Rev. Cecil Legard, for best single hound in Class i : The Oakley, Sailor. 2. — Unentered hound from pack that has not won since igo8. — i, £5 (huntsman, £2), Linlithgow and Stirhngshire, Seaman ; 2, £3 (huntsman, £1), The Carlow, Valesman. 3. — Two couples of entered hounds. — i, £10 (huntsman, £3), Linlithgow and Stirlingshire, Vamper, Factor, Fencer, and Donovan ; 2, £'^ (huntsman, £2), The Bedale, Candidate, Vanguard, Vulcan, and Student. 4. — Stallion hound, not less than a two-season hunter. — i, £10 (huntsman, £3), Linlithgow and Stirlingshire, Factor; 2, £5 (huntsman, £2), The Fitzwilliam, Wiseman. Champion Cup, value £10 (given by the President), for the best dog hound. — The Linlithgow and Stirlingshire, Factor. Bitch Hounds 5. — Couple unentered hounds. — i, £^q (huntsman, £3), The Southdown, Charity and Cheerful ; 2, £5 (huntsman. £2), The North Warwickshire, Artful and Wallflower. Special prize of £5 for best single hound exhibited in Class 5. — The Southdown, Cheerful. 6. — Unentered hound from unsuccessful pack at Peterborough since 1908. — i, £5 (huntsman, £2), The Garth, Symbol ; 2, £3 (huntsman, £1), The North Warwickshire, Wallflower. 7. — Two couples of entered hounds. — i, £10 (huntsman, £3), The Duke of Beaufort's Cheerful, Rally, Rarity, and Furious; 2, £5 (huntsman, £2), The Warwickshire, Winifred, Wistful, Coral, and Honesty. FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 265 8. — Hound, not less than a two-season hunter, dam of hving puppies. — i, £10 (huntsman, £3), The Grafton, Rakish; 2. £5 (huntsman, £2), The Duke of Beaufort's, Rally. Champion Cup, value £10, for best bitch hound in show. — The Southdown, Cheerful reserve. The Duke of Beaufort's Rally. The strength of a kennel is the young hounds, and the same applies to an entry on the flags, so that it was highly satisfactory that 20 kennels sent couples in the unentered class for dog hounds whelped since December 191 1. Nearly all were good enough to show, and after a careful survey the judges had back the couples from the Beaufort, Bedale, Blackmore Vale, Carlow, Ledbury, Lin- lithgow and Stirling, Oakley, and V. W. H. (Ciren- cester). The sight of so good a lot of young hounds in such numbers, was a crowning feature of the show, and it was evidence of the immense number of young hounds that are bred every year all through the country, compared with what was the case ten or fifteen years ago. The winners were well matched, big framed hounds from the Blackmore Vale kennel, where Mr F. J. B. Wingfield Digby has been master since 1909, following in the foot- steps of an illustrious ancestor. Years ago this kennel used to catch the judge's eye on the flags, but it is some time since it last competed, re- viving memories of the late Mr Merthyr Guest in the eighties, who bred a beautiful pack and bought the Brocklesby dog hounds from the Earl of Lonsdale. Second for honours were the Duke of Beaufort's stylish big hounds, typical of the Badminton kennel. The reserved couple being the Carlow, nice powerfully built hounds, with good bone, by Lord Lonsdale's Vulcan, purchased by the 266 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY late Marquis of Waterford for Ireland. Other couples that were good enough to win in an ordinary year, include the Badsworth, by Holderness, or Lord Eonsdale's vSargeant, the first prize stallion hound of 1912. The Bedale representatives, dis- playing the best characteristics of the Belvoir blood. From the Fitzwilliam kennel came a couple of big framed, clean limbed young hounds, including Mr Cliailes M'Neill, Mr Gerald Hardy, Jack Brown, Air Juliii Watson. Peterborough, 1906. Wansford, adjudged the top of the Milton entry two days previously, an up-standing young dog by Lord Waterford's Warwick. This dog may prove a valuable out-cross for Mr Fitzwilliam's kennel — Waterford Warwick being a son of Belvoir Weaver brings in the Grafton Woodman strain, and the dam of Warwick was a Milton Harper bitch possess- ing Atherstone and Tynedale blood. The Ledbury couple by Baronet were a good match, with stuff FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 267 and quality, showing the same golden tan as their sire. The Oakley had a nice couple, but not quite a match for size, colour, or character. One of these was Sailor, an Oakley bred dog, that carried all before him at Reigate, and bears a strong family likeness to Byron, last year's champion. Many liked the other young dog shown with him, Trojan, by Belvoir Chimer, higher on the leg than his com- panion, and with some solid black on the muzzle. He did not show well, but wants time and may be heard of again, for he looks a rare sort of fox-catcher. The South Staffordshire couple were very sorty, and not troubled with shyness, for Warbler jumped out of the ring, amongst the spectators, an unusual incident that raised a ripple of laughter most divert- ing to the solemn assembly. The Warwickshire representatives were as usual quite captivating, but the best dog was not showing himself to advan- tage. The North Warwickshire couple were by Waterford Warwick, who was bred and entered by Will Haynes, the present huntsman, when in Ireland. They are big framed hounds, Belvoir in type, their respective dams being by Belvoir Ragman and Belvoir Reveller, two of the very best on the line of a fox. The Worcestershire had a nice couple by Pytchley Rufus, who was by Belvoir Ruler, and they had the right sort of heads, good frames, and were built near the ground. In such a strong class it was no disgrace to be beaten, for it was the best lot of young hounds ever brought into a show ring. The prize of a silver hunting horn offered by the Rev. Cecil Legard for the best single unentered dog hound was awarded to Oakley Sailor, the judges thereby upholding the Reigate verdict, the Duke of Beaufort's Cardinal being the runner-up. 268 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Another large class faced the judges in an entry of twenty-five for the best single hound, restricted to kennels that have not won a prize since 1908. First honours went to Scotland, the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Seaman gaining the award, and Ireland came in a good second with the Carlow Valesman, by Lord Lonsdale's Vulcan, a young dog with a good forearm like his sire, and deep ribs that promise From picture painted for Mr Gerald Hardy. Impressive size and beautiful quality. Meynell Waverley, 1909 well for a long day's hunting later on. It was a plucky performance Scotland and Ireland travelling hounds such long distances, to win from the kennels of England. In the class for two couple of dog hounds there was a noble array of hounds in the zenith of vigour and the pink of condition, only four hounds amongst the forty entered were older than three-season hunters. Ten kennels competed, and of these the Badminton, Bedale, Fitzwilliam, Linlithgow and FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 269 Stirlingshire stayed in longest. The final decision of the judges rested with the last-named Scotch pack, with Vamper, fifth-season hunter, by Brocklesby Vulcan ; Factor, and Fencer, third-season hunters, and Donovan, second-season hunter, all by Corporal, a son of Atherstone Comrade. In appearance this was a well-matched, massive team, dark in colouring, and built near the ground. It is a trite saying " you never know what your luck may be," for the previous year at Peterborough, three out of the four hounds in the winning team returned to Scotland " un- honoured and unsung." It was a triumph for young Sam Morgan, who is huntsman to Mr A. J. Meldrum, and it does not often happen in these hurrying days that father and son are seen showing hounds in the same class, but such was the case, the veteran being there with Earl Fitzwilliam's team. Something lighter in build and Belvoir in type was placed second, the Bedale shown by B. Downs scoring for Mr J. J. Moubray. Much interest is always centred in the judging of the stallion hounds, and fourteen entered, the following being brought back, thereby winning honourable mention, the Duke of Beaufort's Fifer, a very stylish Badminton-bred dog in his second season. The Bedale Candidate, a second-season hunter, by Belvoir Vulcan, from Careless, by Belvoir Carnival, a very nice dog, close to the ground, with the right stuff and quality. The Hurworth Voyager, a second-season hunter, by Warwickshire Racer, a nice flippant tan and white hound, all activity on the flags. The Warwickshire Diomed, in his third season, by Belvoir Smoker, a nice, airy, galloping sort, by Belvoir Smoker, showing elegance of neck and shoulders. The Puckeridge Gangway, by Belvoir Gangway, a dog much admired, with exactly the 270 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY right type of head, rare bone, and a beautiful way of going. However, the judges had none of these mentioned, finally selecting the Tinlithgow and Stirlingshire Factor, who through his sire brings in Atherstone blood, and on the dam's side combines the hard hunting strains of the old Grove kennel. Second prize went to the Fitzwilliam Wiseman, by Belsize, a third-season hunter, and top of the 1910 Milton entry, a nicely turned dog, possessing the right sub- stance and quality, giving Will Barnard his single winning ribbon for the day. Three only came out for the Champion Cup, and as they stood on the flags, presented three distinctive types of hound, and lines of blood. To take them in the order of age, there was the unentered Oakley Sailor, shown by W. Boore, huntsman to Mr Esme Arkwright. The winner of the Reigate Champion Cup is prettily turned and symmetrical, and his white collar sets off a well laid shoulder. In type, colour, and outline he is very much like Byron, last year's champion from the same kennel, and time should develop his many good points. Will Barnard brought in the very big and smart one-season hunter Comus, who won last year at Peterborough as an unentered hound for the Fitz- William kennel. A season's hunting has fined Comus down into a beautiful dog, and it is seldom one sees a foxhound of his inches so active in all his movements. White in appearance with splashes of lemon, his neck, shoulders, and clean limbs, deep fore rib, please the eye, for he was full of play, boxing his veretan huntsman. Comus is the son of Rector, a former Peterborough champion, and brings in the blood of Atherstone on his dam's side. The motto for the day seemed to be " Scotland / o r 3 X o Qi S -r a E < . m ■^ u 1 2 on O FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 271 for ever," and the judicial glance was riveted on Linlithgow and Stirhngshire Factor, who in his third season of fitness, looked " very like the field," and a sort to catch a fox. In colour the winner differed from any previous champion, resembling that of the bloodhound in shade and distribution, the tan being of the richest brown, splashed down to the knee of the off fore-leg. Very muscular, his frame is well study for pictures p:iinted for Mr Ch. M'Neill and Mr C. T. Scott. A double champion. Cotswold Pilgrim, 1905. knit, and he stands square like a castle on four good legs. Ribs are well sprung, and there is a look about his back and loin that gives promise of staying power. A stout dog with an air of independence he looks the type for work. The sire of Factor is Corporal, who was at Peterborough the previous year, and is a son of Atherstone Comrade, 1900, a hound that won at Peterborough for Mr Gerald Hardy and George Whitemore. The dam of Factor is Furious, by Grove Furrier, a hound bred by old Sam 272 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Morgan, father of the young Scotch huntsman, and we can imagine paternal advice as to proven sources to breed from, acted on with the happiest results. Luncheon, the speeches, toast list, and the spirit of hunting that pervades the tent with its ' ' scarlet table ' ' of huntsmen, was a most welcome interval of relaxa- tion from the high state of tension, necessary to follow the course of events during the judging. The palm of beauty is with the gentler sex, and foxhounds are no exception to the rule, the Peter- borough ladies giving the judges an exceptionally hard task to decide upon the merits of their exquisite symmetry. Couples of unentered bitch hounds were again a strong class, Sir William Hyde Parker and Mr H. E. Preston having to decide upon the merits of 17 couple, and the process was an arduous one, for 11 couple were called back for a second inspection. The Southdown had a strong winning hand and scored with a couple of big " mouldy " bitches by Belvoir Chimer, out of a bitch by Atherstone Vivian. The North Warwickshire were second with a couple of smart well-grown bitches by Atherstone Contest and Waterford Warwick. It was a strong class, and there were several not far behind the winners, the Duke of Beaufort's couple being conspicuous for size and style. The Garth representatives fine big bitches. The FHnt and Denbigh showing the stamp of Bel- voir on necks and shoulders. The Fitzwilliam big limbs and quality. The Warwickshire a lengthy racing couple by Belvoir Reveller. The Worcester- shire a nice sorty couple. The Muskerry showed a white bitch, and one by Waterford Warwick. For the best single hound there was a fine display on the flags, and the verdict eventually rested between Southdown Cheerful and Garth Symbol. Mr E. E. FOXHOUND SHOW AT PETERBOROUGH 273 Barclay being called in, as referee, decided for Cheerful by Belvoir Chimer, a fine square bitch \vith depth through the loin, just the type for a matron of the future. Symbol had, perhaps, rather more quality, but not the substance of the winner. In the class for packs that have not won a prize in recent years, the Garth and the North Warwick- shire were successful, and the contest for two couples of unentered bitches was another good competition, with ten kennels showing. The verdict eventually went to the fine matched team sent by the Duke of Beaufort. The Warwickshire being second with a smaller pattern of hound, very captivating and nippy. Other teams competing were the Bedale, Earl Fitzwilliam's, the Fitzwilliam, the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire, the Oakley, the Southdown, the V. W. H. Cirencester, and the Worcestershire. A pageant of beauty presenting elegant necks and shoulders, rhythm of line, and poetry of motion as they danced over the flags. Twenty brood bitches with many perfect speci- mens showing, presented a fine sight, and it was a matter of congratulation that the beautiful Belvoir blood came out top, the prize going to Grafton Rakish. The ex-double champion of 1911, daughter of Belvoir Rally wood looked very regal in her third season, for though her lines are suggestive of grace and airiness, she would measure against many dog hounds. The Duke of Beaufort was second with Rally, the Puckeridge Gleeful by Belvoir Wenlock being reserve. The award of the Champion Cup to the unentered bitch. Southdown Cheerful by Belvoir Chimer, from Vision by Atherstone Vivian, brought to a close about six o'clock, a notable day's judging on the flags. S 274 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY To give a summary of results at Peterborough, Belvoir blood triumphed all through the female classes in decided fashion, but as regards dog hounds the blood of the winners was very remote from that kennel. The question is, how will it work out in the future ? Hound breeders will, however, show us in the breeding of subsequent entries. CHAPTER XV THE SIRES OF BELVOIR KENNEL ON THE FLAGS, I913: AND A REVIEW OF THE OUT-CROSSES, 1870 TO 1912 For a regular kennel-goer since the days of Frank Gillard in the latter 'eighties, our first visit to Belvoir under the new regime of Lord Robert Manners and Mr Thomas Bouch aroused misgivings as to whether we ought to have been " included in the old draft " when Sir Gilbert Greenall retired from the master- ship in 191 2. Still, to be able to look back has its compensations, for it is necessary to see the hounds of at least three generations before acquiring " a foxhound eye and memory." The occasion was, however, a " Masters' meet " on the flags at Belvoir, and included veterans who could give fifteen years longer reminiscences of kennel lore, and describe the great Weathergage of 1876, who to-day is the "bed rock" of Belvoir pedigrees; breeders seldom troubling to cast further back. The distinguished party who had accepted Mr Bouch's invitation included Mr Gerald Hardy, master of the Meynell, Mr J. B. Fernie, master of the old Billesden country, Mr W. H. A. Wharton, master of the Cleveland, Mr R. Clayton Swan, master of the Blankney, and half a dozen more, the huntsmen present including Arthur Thatcher, from Mr Fernie's, H. Andrews of the Meynell. It was certainly a gathering of expert opinion, and as each hound was drawn for inspection, his breeding, shape, and performance in the field was discussed by those best qualified to judge. 275 276 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY On the flags Mr T. Bouch, with one season to his record, was there to do the honours of the kennel, assisted by Dick Woodward, the new professional huntsman. The appointment by the Duke of Rutland, of Lord Robert Manners and Mr Thomas Bouch to the mastership of the Belvoir hounds, com- menced a fresh era in the history of the hunt, for it became a six-day-a-week pack. More hounds were necessarily required for the extra day's hunting than the 65 couples in kennel, so Mr Bouch purchased a private pack of nearly 30 couples to hunt himself twice a week on the Lincolnshire side, engaging Jack Hewitt to hunt the Belvoir pack three days a week, with a frequent bye-day on the Leicester- shire side. During their first season (1912-13) the private pack established a reputation as a hard driving lot, for Mr Bouch spared no pains, spending long hours in kennel, whilst in the field, though a stranger to the strongly-fenced Lincolnshire country, the obstacle was not forthcoming to separate him from his hounds. Many a long and interesting day's sport was accomplished, though the season was notorious for its difficulties, the tenacity of going, and the fit fulness of scent, which were circumstances all in favour of the stout running Lincolnshire foxes. The private pack hunted by Mr Bouch was made up of dog hounds from the late Marquis of Water- ford's kennel, which were inclined to be riotous in districts where there was ground game on the move. Several couples of dog hounds from the Burton kennel turned out well, and others that had previously been hunted by their owner when serving an apprenticeship with the Tipperary and the Atherstone were the mainstays. The " guiding hounds " in the private pack were Trivial by Belvoir Warlaby — Mr W. M. Wroughton's THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR KENNEL 277 True Love, who was by Lord Rothschild's Herald — Mr Austin Mackenzie's Trusty. This bitch was bought at Mr Wroughton's sale five years previously and is pronounced by Mr Bouch to be " the best foxhound in the field," a litter from her of three couple being put on, entered well. Another extra good bitch is Hazel by Mr Wroughton's Hazelwood — his Dewberry by Captain Johnstone's Dorimont — Mr Wroughton's Decorate. A hound that " gave continual help " was Lord Waterford's Bachelor, by Milton Brushwood— Four Burrow Cunning back to Grafton Woodman ; Burton Chaser and Painter were also good "pack hounds." As no entry is bred from the private pack whilst they lodge in the Bel voir kennel, further purchases were made when Mr E. A. V. Stanley dispersed his Woodland Pytchley pack, so that sport promises well for the future. With Mr Bouch's management of the Belvoir kennel a service-book has been started, so that masters of hounds using the sires may see what patronage stands to the credit of each dog hound, and the results. Mr Vance, in charge of the book, kindly supplies the record for the year 191 2 of the two sires, Curate and Chimer, whose services have been in great demand. As Mr Bouch, in the new role of joint-rulership to the classic kennel, passed the great sires before the critical gathering, it was evident that the new master had gone to the root of pedigrees, and from close observation during a season's hunting had formed an opinion of the individual character of each. Taking the stalhon hounds in order of seniority, the review started \vith Gangway 1907, a son of Helper 1903, " a model foxhound if not very near a show dog, and one of the best in 2/8 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Dog's Name, Curate — Year 191 i By Wizard^ 1909 — Countess, 1904, by Belvoir Stormer, il Mated with — i Date. Result. Home. Stratiger. 1912. Risky . May 2 6 whelps Lord Middleton's Stately „ 10 10 „ Ledbun,' Wisdom „ 19 8 „ Mr Smith's Bosanquet's Rachel „ 24 7 „ Tynedale Rosewood „ 25 missed Mr Smith Bosanquet's Racket .... June 5 10 whelps Oakley Rainbow- Aug. 29 3 >y Woodland Pytchley Revel . Sept. 21 missed Helpful . Oct. 7; 10 2 whelps Lady Craven's Decimal „ 27 missed Risky . Nov. 20, 23 8 whelps Bedale Worthy . Dec. 21 9 „ Reason . Jan. 4, 9 Slipped Quorn Royalty . Feb. 7 missed Random . . „ 17; 19 missed Blankney Royalty ,. 25 missed Lord Middleton's Strangle . Mar. 5 14 whelps „ „ Dismal ., 8 missed Blankney Similax „ 26 missed Quorn Genuine . Apr. 15 missed Remedy „ 18, 21 slipped Careless May 27, 29 8 whelps 85 whelps for 1912 THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR KENNEL 279 Dog's Name, Chimer — Year 19 10 By Weaver, 1906 — Charmer, 1906, by Lord Galway's Woldsman, 1903 1 Mated with — Date. Result. Home. i Stranger. 1912. \ Woodland Pytchley Spitfire May I \ 9 whelps 1 Lanarkshire Ringold . „ 4 missed Meynell Fleetwing „ 7 4 whelps Blankney Curious „ 9 missed Lord Middleton's Votive >, II II whelps Cora „ 20 6 „ 1 Blankney Repaid „ 29 5 „ Careless Sept. 21, 24 12 „ Oakley Gaylas? . Oct. II 2 „ Rattle . . . „ 17 Died after service Croome Violet . Nov. 27 4 whelps Cottesmore Songstress Dec. 5 7 )> Hilda . „ 16, 18 4 „ Mr Fernie's Hopeful . „ 31 9 „ Blankney Decimal Jan. 15 6 „ Croome Deha . „ 31 10 „ Blankney Negative Feb. 25 4 „ Meynell Honesty Mar. 5 6 „ „ Wakeful . ,, 16 5 „ Mr Fernie's Ruin „ 20 6 „ Newmarket and Thurlow „ 26 T'> Oakley Sable April 7 9 whelps „ Cheerful „ 22 missed Blankney Dellier ;, 29 8 whelps North Northumberland 1 t Wealthy May 16 slipped Cora .. .. „ 19; 21 12 whelps 151 whelps j- for 1912 , 28o THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY the field." Smoker of the same year, the son of Stormer 1899, had gone, but we remember him as a massive low-set sire with wonderfully good knees. Harper, 1908, another big Helper dog, used to be shown by Capell as a match in outline with Ragman, and he is wearing well. Then there was Rioter, 1908, a nice " mouldy " son of Ragman ; also Vulcan, 1908, the beautifully balanced son of Weaver, of whom Capell used to say, " Vulcan has the back and shoulders of a well-bred hunter, a real made one, that will never come down ; for look what you've got in front of the saddle ! " And the old dog is such a determined sort in the field ! The next year, 1909, gives a group of five couples of stallion hounds. Dalesman Dandy, Dabster Rally- wood, Reveller, Salesman, and Singer, all sons of Ragman. Whilst to represent the Weaver clan there is Wizard, Wilfred, and Wexford. Of these during the past year the brothers Rallywood and Reveller have worked out top for many entries throughout the country. Wizard has " a distin- guishing white tick in his coat," remarked at the time of his entry as unusual for Bel voir, with the probability that it would disappear with the change of puppy coat. Since 1909 a great many hounds in the kennel have shown the pronounced white ticking in the colouring, and it appears to be a hereditary tendency introduced through some outside strain. A somewhat similar characteristic appeared in Frank Gillard's time, after using Grove Harkaway, whose descendants show pronounced brown spots in the white. Before that when commenting on character- istic Bel voir colouring, it used to be " rich Belvoir tan, with black saddle, and ground of purest white." The 1910 group of stallion hounds is an important one, including as it does the successful Chorister THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR I^NNEL 281 and Chimer, sons of Weaver^ — Charmer by Lord Galway's Woldsman. Big, upstanding hounds \vith noble heads, their colouring is hardly typical of the Belvoir kennel, and Chimer is too tall, a tendency that can be counteracted in the mating. Comus, by Voyager, 1905, is another sire valuable for his Stormer blood, and he is getting good stock all about the country. Donegal, Deadlock, and Nominal, are sons A determined sort ia tin- licld. of Ragman; Contract, a son of Weaver; Harlow, Warwick, and Wrangler, sons of Warlaby, 1904, who successfully established the Grafton Woodman strain in the kennel. The entry of 191 1 is headed by Curate, a rare sort of full-sized dog, a nice loosely made foxhound with clean limbs, valuable for his blood which brings in all the best at Belvoir, including Dexter, Stormer, Grove Harkaway, and Grafton Woodman. The last of the Ragman dogs, in this entry, are General and Roman, but his son Rally wood is represented 282 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY by Roderick, and there is Hector and Whisperer, by Vulcan. Whalebone and Woldsman, by Warlaby. A galaxy of breeding left by Sir Gilbert Greenall and Ben Capell in plenty and variety, wherewith to carry on the fame of an illustrious kennel. The 191 2 entry was headed by Rampion, a son of Rallywood, but it is not numerically strong or promising for stallion hounds. The sons of Chorister and Chimer were top of the 1913 entry, the daughters From picture /.i .!. u - _,\ ■ Lady Greenall. Daystar. Dexter. Kings of the Kennel. Dasher. of Comus, Reveller, and Chorister securing the verdict for the opposite sex. Regarding the future breeding of the kennel, Mr Bouch speaking for himself and Lord Robert Manners, said on the occasion of the puppy show luncheon, " it would be their endeavour to maintain the high standard, and if they had erred at all, it was on the side of caution, because they had been content to breed entirely from the fine pack of hounds Capell left them. Whilst quite ready to xl uJ -^..--^^Z^)^^ THE HlGHfH DIKE OF KLTLAXD To face page 282 THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR KENNEL 283 admit that the out-cross was occasionally necessary, they did not think it would have been wise to go out of the kennel this year, because by doing so new characteristics might have been introduced which were not desirable. After a year's experience and with the re-introduction of certain old Belvoir strains that had lain fallow in some of the best known kennels for years, they hoped to strengthen the stamina and fertility of the pack. They would not be satisfied until they were able to send out nearly double the number of puppies, and the first step taken was to insure the sanitary state of the kennel, so necessary for the welfare of the hounds, the Duke of Rutland having most generously under- taken to put them in order at a very great expense to himself." It is interesting to note the out-crosses at Belvoir under the three late masterships, viz. two Dukes of Rutland and Sir Gilbert Greenall. The principle of management between 1870 and 1912 covering the period when Frank Gillard and his successor, Ben Capell, presided over the destinies of the kennel was, " Belvoir never goes very far from itself." Looking at the record of these two great kennelmen it is plain to see how successfully they worked on the lines set forth by predecessors, for there was no revolution, no upsetting of tradition, no going back in the standard of the hounds, each leaving the kennel stronger than he found it. The value to-day of such purity of ancestry cannot be overestimated, for the Belvoir are an established family, their blood being pre-potent to impose its own character in crosses with other strains. Both Gillard and Capell never lost a chance to try for an out-cross, for though the Belvoir blood nicks with that of any other kennel turning to it for a source 284 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY of improvement, yet it always has been, and still remains, a most difficult problem to find outside blood to suit itself without losing something of the hereditary characteristics. The Belvoir hounds are of necessity extraordinarily inbred, as the type and family likeness throughout the pack clearly shows, but so far from this leading to deterioration, it has allowed them to acquire a pattern of strength and symmetry quite unrivalled. A certain out-cross may seem desirable in many ways, but results are doubtful when it is derived from kennels that have bred out into too many sorts. In the past, Grafton, which is full of Belvoir, and not bred out into many sorts, has been the surest resource for Belvoir to get back its own blood. Brocklesby also might have been considered desirable, but Belvoir has not benefited in that direction of late years to the extent that was to be expected. Taking a survey of the kennels of England there is scarcely a hound of any note that is more than three generations away from Belvoir, and kennels keep going back for the blood. When getting an out-cross Belvoir is not so fortunate, for the produce often has not the type and outline up to standard of entry, whilst the undesirable characteristics of other blood appear to be intensified in the offspring. As Capell used to say, " get hounds in your kennel back at the knees, and it takes five generations to correct the fault. Good knees are a most difficult quality to get throughout a kennel. Belvoir must maintain its standard and go for good looks as well as work. The kennel has to breed for the summer as well as the winter ; for shelly, under- sized dogs are of no use to make stallion hounds. You must have stuff and quality in the sire, lots of wear and tear ; no use at all if they are weak below the knee." i\s an instance we may mention Wonder, THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR KENNEL 285 1898, who was by Grafton Woodman ; he was not a show hound, only just gaining an entry, but his produce through his son Warlaby, 1904, have worked out into one of the most successful and beautiful families of foxhounds in the line of Weaver, Vulcan, Wizard, and Curate. Showing how distant blood does not nick with Belvoir, Capell would point to the produce of Warble, 1908, and the very marked difference in her offspring by the home sire Rallywood, and the stranger, Milton Donovan, 1905. In the first instance the result was two beautiful young dogs, Roderick and Resident, the second issue being Darnley, the only one saved out of a large htter. In using Milton Donovan, it may be presumed the experiment was tried as he was rich in Grafton blood, but it was evidently not sufficiently potent, for Darnley does not match with the Belvoir sort, and is most defective as to knees, bone, and feet. He has very wisely never been used, though good in his work, for it would take many generations to breed out such defects in confirmation. Looking through the back lists between 1870 and 1896 it is interesting to see the outside crossing that Frank Gillard resorted to, and note how few of the puppies by outside sires were good enough to gain a place in the entry with those by the home sires. The result of the outside crosses when successful, came out strongest in the female line, and have been of great value in maintaining the constitution of the pack, giving colour to the theory that make and shape comes from the sire, character from the dam. The out-cross of which Frank Gillard was most proud, resulted from the visit of Prophetess, a daughter of Rallywood, to Milton Furrier, who had no Belvoir blood in him for many generations 286 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY back. So many as two couple from this union were considered up to the standard to gain a place in the entry of 1874, and included Fallible, who became head of a Belvoir family, being used every- where, as was his son Founder. But to-day the Fallible line is nothing like so pronounced in the kennel as that of Weathergage, 1876, who was a Frank Gillard in the " Duke's Room " at the Belvoir KenneN three-cornered, flat-sided, home-bred hound for which Mr Albert Brassey would not give £10 when included in the old draft. But breeding will tell, for when carefully mated Weathergage never sired anything as mean-looking as himself, whilst in the field he was good in every part of a run, possessing nose, tongue, drive, constitution, and devilry when breaking up a fox, qualities which he transmitted to his stock. Weathergage, 1876, was the son of Warrior, 1870, who was the son of Wonder, 1864, THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR KENNEL 287 the son of Chanticleer, the son of Chaser, the son of Brocklesby Rahywood, brought to Belvoir in 1850. His dam was Wihing, a noted bitch by Rallywood, son of Belvoir Rallywood, Warrior's pedigree has two hits to Mr Drake's Duster, two to Rallywood, and two to Senator. In breeding, when going for type it would appear that Frank Gillard's system was to get the same blood on both sides in the third and fourth generation, such a nick working out with the happiest results. Through Weathergage, Frank Gillard built up the fortunes of the Belvoir kennel, breeding in direct line Gambler, 1884, and Dexter, 1895, who were the most sought after sires of their time. Though Frank Gillard bred and entered Dexter, who was pronounced by experts to be the handsomest hound seen on the flags, yet it was Sir Gilbert Greenall with Ben Capell who brought him out as a stallion hound, and a pedigree so full of choice blood is worthy of close study. Frank Gillard's Gambler, 1884, was regarded as a model of make and shape, his heart measurement being 31 inches. When measuring Weaver, igo6, he taped 34i- inches, a measurement attested by the Rev. Cecil Legard, who judged all the seventeen entries put on by Sir Gilbert Greenall, and has continued to do so for Lord Robert Manners and Mr T. Bouch, with the Duke of Beaufort as a colleague. Round the arm. Weaver measured 8J inches. Gambler 8J inches ; below the knee both measured alike 5| inches of good bone. Both Gambler and Weaver had a weighty, well-balanced appearance, with well-laid shoulders, head, and neck, that were material for a painter, back and quarters suggestive of work and stamina. The type is a long, low hound, possessing wonderful substance, exquisite quality, and no suspicion of lumber or coarseness. 288 THE FOXHOUND OF THE XXth CENTURY Research amongst back Belvoir entries shows that Frank Gillard in the early 'seventies put on two Utters of five hounds each by Cottesmore Seaman, and Primate ; two hounds by Mr Muster's Romulus ; one by Blankney Prompter ; two hounds by Brocklesby Rocket ; four by Grafton Driver ; six by Grafton Silence ; one by Mr Muster's Stormer ; one by Bramham Moor Chanticleer ; one by Pytchley Comus ; one by South Notts Mountebank ; two by Lord Portsmouth's Sailor, outside blood that was doubtless useful to the kennel. During the latter part of the 'eighties a couple appear by Lord Lonsdale's Villager, 1884, a hoimd full of old Blankney blood, who comes out strong in the pedigree of Belvoir Vagabond, 1899, for Sir Gilbert Greenall and Ben Capell picked up these strains very cleverly, making the best use of them. Continuing the sequence of out-crosses, three hounds by Rufford Galliard gained an entry ; four in one litter by Grafton Dancer ; one each by Grafton Duncan and Deputy ; one by Lord Galway's — Grove Harkaway ; five by Rufford Dancer, 1896, the largest lot to be found by an outside sire. Two by Cottesmore Warrior ; and one in Frank Gillard's last season, 1895, by Brocklesby Acrobat. Qualities for work and good looks came through Grove Harkaway, the blood nicking with that of Belvoir Dexter, 1895, giving the kennel Belvoir Stormer, 1899, one of the most noted of sires bred by Ben Capell, during Sir Gilbert Greenall's master- ship. Frank Gillard laid store in his latter days by the out-cross to Rufford Dancer, 1886, who was by Rufford Galliard, a son of Oakley Rhymer, the dam being Rufford Gipsy, by Belvoir General. Rufford Dancer was a very handsome hound, bred by the late Mr Harvey Bailey, who was a noted breeder of r C^ IS ^ 'J} Si — 2 > S '^ -I - .5 C to o 3 THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR KENNEL 289 00 (7> 00 ^ o -3 go o ^ f^ O c^ = O "^ t- N M " iS ^ ^ -n .c« -H 5 00 o 00 'C 00 10 ^3 00 ^ O vj -^ ^^ -- ^ "^ 'H ^00 aj tn o S -S >-, =-> 'C ±i "S c^ 'TS 'O M 00 \0 '-' ON °2 ^ «^ rt ^ •3 fe S i ^ 2 E m ^ .33*^ ^ P^ cJ: bD 3 o X ■*-> 3 in 3 in >> TS S > O M 0) ^ IT) U2 10 00 M 00 CO c3 00 00 M M M CO M 00 M 3 00 n _bp 00 S ^ ,0 i^ 4-r 3 -a >^ . C/ > 1Z cS -4-> )-l >s, -3 Q_ i i 1 ■ * vo 00 00 t^ 00 w 00 CO •s >-< / Sir Gilbert Greeiiall LADY GREEXALL IN COMMAND OF THE BELVOIR To face f>age 294 THE SIRES OF THE BELVOIR KENNEL 295 interest has always been centred in each successive Belvoir entry, because hound men are appreciative to see how the crosses of blood have been utilised, and what the new infusions promise for the future of foxhound breeding. That is why fifty or more masters of hounds make an annual pilgrimage to the Belvoir kennels, with twice as many more hunstmen and houndsmen. The Belvoir kennel is a national institution which for generations has been open to the inspection and criticism of the world at large, pursuing the even tenor of its way, " careless of criticism, regardless of praise." The order of merit amongst a long suc- cession of stallion hounds has never been set by the Belvoir management, but by the masters of England, who have turned to the Duke of Rutland's kennel when they wanted to breed a foxhound possessing type, size, bone, symmetry, colour, nose, tongue, ** and hunting qualities as a matter of course." INDEX His Majesty the late King Edwaxd, 219 His INIajesty King George, 163 A Albrighton Hunt, 98 Allbright, M. C, 182 Alcock, G., 224 Ames, F., 165 Amory, I. H., 230 Anderson, Major, 208 Andrews, H., ^75 Anglesey, jNIarquis, 90 Annaly, Lord, 132, 246 Anthony Lee, 153 Arkwright, Esme, 153-160, 2^2 ArkwTight, J. P., 139 Arkwright, R., 152 Ashton,T. H., 165 Atherstone Hunt, 130, 132 Atkinson, Admiral Sir G., 224 Atkinson, F. B., 44 Avon, Vale of, Hunt, 193 A}Tes, H., 194 B Back, 28 Badsworth Hunt, 81, 82 Bailey, J., 220 Bailey, T., 204 Baily, H. D., 129 Bair'd, W., 121 Barclay, E. E., 89, 162, 207-212 Barclay, M. E., 210 Bar ford, J. and W., 256-257 Barlow Hunt, 91 Barnard, R. J., 136 Barnard, W., 82, 149, 150, 162 Barry, J. Smith, 85 Bartlett, F., 82 Barton, J. H., 81 Barwick, G., 229 Batchelor, \V., 179, 182 Bathurst, Earl, 196 Baskerville, R. H., 227 Bass, H., 92 Beaufort, Duke of, 16, 18, 19, 134, 180, 187-193, 251, 287 Bedale Hunt, 64, 66 Bedford, Duke of, 153 Beers, G., 153 Beers, F., 141 Bellew, F., 230, 244 Belvoir, 120, 275-295 Belvoir Chimer, 59, 279 297 298 INDEX Belvoir Dexter, 20, 56, 174, 287, 289 Belvoir Gambler, 26, 35, 75 Belvoir Ragman, 36, 69, 293 Belvoir Stormer, 114 Belvoir Vagabond, 64, 114, 174, 181,287 Belvoir Vulcan, 74, 28 1 Belvoir Weathergage, 3, 20, 21, 56, 113, 286 Belvoir Weaver, 36, 287, 292 Bentinck, Lord C, 118, 171 Bentinck, Lord H., 19, 30, 57, 109, 118, 122, 134, 190 Bentley, H. C, 186 Berks, S., Hunt, 202 Berkley Hunt, 194, 196 Berkley, Old E., Hunt, 218 Berkshire, Old, Hunt, 199 Bertram, Capt. H. C, 205 Bethell, W., 59 Bevan, W., 163 Bibby, F., 96, 97, 180 Bicester and Warden Hill Hunt, 200 Bilsdale Hunt, 67 Birdsall, 53 Bishopp, T., 7, 53-59, 126, 141 Blackhouse, H., no Blackmore Vale Hunt, 235 Blankney Hunt, 1 18-120 Blencathra Hunt, 48 Boileau, H. W., 202, 222 Boles, Lt. Col. D. F., 229 Bolitho, 246 Boore, J., 86, 138 Border Hunt, 41, 42 Bosanquet Smith, 148, 160, 215 BouchT.,82, 112, 132, 275-295 Boyne, Viscount, 46 Boys hunting, i, 121, 192, 293 Brand, Hon. C., 226 Bramham Moor Hunt, 75, -jj Brassey, A., 199, 286 Brassey, Hon. T. A., 227 Brocklesby Hunt, 140-108 Brocklesbv Rallywood, 20, 105 Brook, C.,"6o, 81 Brooke, Col., E. H., 205 Brotherhood, S., 152 Brown, J., 138 Browne, A. C, Hunt, 183 Browne, Scott-, Mr, 241 Browning, H., 155 Brunskill, H. F., 241 Buckingham, Duke of, 67 Budd, J., 216 BuUough, Sir G., 179-182 Burstow Hunt, 226 Burton Hunt, 108-112 Burton, W. P., 221 Burghley, Lord, 121 C Calmady, V. P., 241 Cambridgeshire Hunt, 1 59-161 Campbell, Sir J. H., 173 Canning, W. C, 179 Capell, B., 3, 30, 36, 95, 118, 119, 275-295 INDEX 299 Cardwell, Col. W. A., 226 Carr, T., 225 Carter, G., 53 Carter G., 147, 150, 154 Cartright, H. A., 203 Carter, Col. A. H., 240 Cattistock Hunt, 236-240 Cavan, Earl, 160, 162, 215 Cay ley, Sir E., 71 Cazenove, W. de P., 203 "Cecil," 16 Champion, P., 86 Chaplin, H., 12, 27, 109, 118, 121, 134 Chesham, Lord, 152, :oo Cheshire Hunt, 12, 85-89 Cheshire Bluecap, 85 Chiddingfold Hunt, 224 Cholmeley, Sir M., 1 10 Christy, S. H., 98 Clay, J., 40 Cleveland Hunt, 63, 64 Cleveland, Duke of, 52, 72 Clowes, M., 92 Cockburn, N. C, 119 Colman, F. G., 222 Colour of hounds, 76, 84, 99, 135, 193, 195, 246, 2S0 Coniston Hunt, 48 Cooke, Sir W., 117, 118, 179 Cookson, M., 43 Coonop, H., 183 Cooper, Sir G. A., 204 Cooper, J., 196 Coquetdale Hunt, ^3 Corbet, R., 19, 56, 86, 127, 213 Cornwall, E., Hunt, 244 Coryton, W., 244 Cotswold Hunt, 172, 176 Cotswold Hunt, N., 172-178 Cotswold, N., Pilgrim, 175 Cottenham, Lord, 200 Cottesmore Hunt, 121-125 Court, R., 88 Coventry, Earl, 154, 165, 173 Coventry's, Lord, Rambler, 20 Coventry, Hon. H. T., 171 Cowen, W., 43 Cowen, Col. A, 43 Cox, C, 200 Coxon, G., 44 Cradock, C., 72 Craven Hunt, 201 Crawley and Horsham Hunt, 225 Creswell, A. B., 43 Croome Hunt, 171, 172 Grossman, D., 159-162 Culloden,M., 160 Cumberland Hunt, 49 Cumberland Hunt, W., 49 Curtis, Sir W., 165, 183 Curwen's, Mr, Hunt, 48 D Drake, T. T., 200 Drake, W. T., 199 300 INDEX Dale, Stainton Hunt, 66 Dale, T. W., 99, 189, 227 Dale, W., 105, 192 Darch, T., 221 Darlington, Earl of, 47 Dartmoor Hunt, 244 Davey, C. H., 245 Dawes, W. C, 2:4 Derwent, Braes of, Hunt, 44, 46 Development of foxhound, 14-21 Devonshire, Duke of, 226 Digby, G. Wingfield, 235 Dighby, F. J. P. Wingfield, 236 Dobson, W., 89 Dorset, S., Hunt, 236 Downs, B., 65 Dudley, Lord, 163 Dulverton Hunt, 230 Dunn, W. H., 201 Dunne, F. P. N., 49 Durham, Lord, 47 Durham, N., Hunt, 46 Durham, S., Hunt, 46 E Earp, F., 127 Eden, Sir W., 46 Eggesford Hunt, 241 Enniskillen, Earl of, 86 Eridge Hunt, 224 Eskdale Hunt, 48 Essex Hunt, 220 Essex Hunt, E., 221 Essex Hunt Union, 221 Essex and Suffolk Hunt, 221 Evans, G. P. E., 159, 204, 223 Exeter, Marquis of. Hunt, 121, 148 Exmoor Hunt, 229 Expenditure, 6, 52, 67 F Fairfax, Col., 78 Fane, S. A., 201 Farmer, N., 225 Farmer, W., 199 Farndale, Hunt, 67 Farquarson, J. J., 236 Farrelly P., 65 Fenwick G., 39 Fernies, Mr, Hunt, 126, 148, 275 Fielder, J., 138 Filmer, Sir R., 119 Firr, P., 176 Firr, T., 70, 125, 174 Fitt, J. N., 109 Fitzhardinge's, Lord, Cromwell, 20 Fitzhardinge's, Lord, Hunt, 98, 194 Fitzwilliam, Earl, 16, 19, CiZ, 82-84 Fitzwilliam's, Mr G., Hunt, 12, 146, 152 Flint and Denbigh Hunt, 100, loi Foljambe, G. S., 20, 52, 8;^ Forbes, W., yy Forester, Capt. F., 126 INDEX 301 Forest, New, Hunt, 203 Foster, Capt. J., 99 Foster, F. V., 90 Foster, G. B., 81 Foster, R. C, 179 Fort, R., 92 Four Burrow Hunt, 245, 246 Fox, Lane, G., 12, 19, 52, 75 Fox, v., no Freeman, F., 64, 116, 132 Freeman, W., 72 Fuller, W. F., 198, 237 FuUerton, J. S. H., 79, 81, 98, I93 Funnel F., 201 Furness, Lord, 79 G Galwav, Lord, 83 Garratt, J. A. T., Col., 240 Garth Hunt, 219 Garth, T. C, 219 Gaskin, W., 217 Gilbert, W., 195 Gilbev, SirW., 208 Gilbey, T., 208 Gillard, F., 8, 21, 36, 75, S3, 114, 213, 241, 275-295 Gillson, C, 94 Gillson, G., 124 Gillson, S., 64, 124 Goodall, G., jun., 186 Goodall, W., 9, 20, 104 Goodman, Lt. Col. G. B., 225 Goosey, T., 9, 19, 104 Gosden, F., 86 Gosling, R. M., 215, 219 Gosling, S. F., 220 Gothland Hunt, 67 Gower, C. Leveson-, 222 Grafton, Duke of, 141, 163 Grafton Hunt, 141-145 Grafton Rakish, 37, 143 Grafton Woodman, 20, 56, 114, 141, 209, 290 Graham, Sir R., 154 Grant, H., 40 Grant, W., 53 Green, E. L., 79, 120 Greenall, Lady, 8, 293 Greenall, Masters, 293 Greenall, Sir G., 9, 124, 133, 139, 275-295 Griffith, F. W., 100 Grove Hunt, 83 Guest, M., 185, 235 H Hall, L., 60 Hambledon Hunt, 204 Hampshire Hunt, " H. H.," 204 Hanburj, E., 122 Hancock, E., 230 Hardy, G., 89, 92 to 96, 131, 275 Hardy, H., 97 Hargreaves, J., 171, 2or, 235, 236 Harrington's, Earl of. Hunt, 127, 128 302 INDEX Harris, Lord, 224 Harrison, Fenwick, 213-215 Harrison, T., 66 Hawkins, H., 145, 253 Hawtin, C, 109 Hawtin, T., 109 Haydon Hunt, 43 Haynes, W., 139 Heigham, G., 60 Height of hounds, 34 Helmsley, Lord, 68 Herefordshire Hunt, N., 182 Herefordshire Hunt, S., 182 Hertfordshire Hunt, 127, 213, 214 Hertfordshire Sampler, 213 Heseltine, Capt. G., 221 Heygate, Capt. R. L., 184 Heythrop Hunt, 199 Hewitt, J., 276 Hicks, R. S., 163 Higson, Capt., 88 Hills, F., 224 Hill, R., 71 Hill.R. D., 221, Hodgson, T., 60 Holderness Hunt, 59-63 Hordon, D., 241 Horsfall, F. W., 67 Hughes, T. H. R., 184 Huntingdon, Earl of, 89, 13s Hurle, Major J. A., 203 Hurslev Hunt, 204 Hurt, R. C. A., Hurworth Hunt, j-j Inge, W. F., 131 Isaac, C, 126 Isaac, J., 132 Isaac, T., 120, 124 J Jackson, G. F., 139 Jackson, Major, 196 Jarvis, Mr, 1 10 Jefferson, J. H., 49 Johnson, R. A., 182 Johnstone, Hon. F., 55, 57, 71, 122 Jones, A., 164-170 Jones, E. B., 102, 185 Jones, G., 230 Jones, H., 97 Jones, J., 86 K Kent, E., Hunt, 222 Kent, W., Hunt, 222 Kidd, C. B., 222, 226 Kingslake, Capt. H. A., 241 Kingsland, R., 225 Kingsley, Canon, 15, 23 Knee.s, hounds', 30, 34, 96, 284 INDEX 303 Lambton, Hon. R., 47 Lamerton Hunt, 244 Langham, Sir H., 154 Lawrence, J., 219 Lawson, Sir W., 49 Leadham, C., 91 Leaf, G., 53, 126 Leathers, Major, 38 Leconfield's, Lord, Hunt, 49, 225 Ledbury Hunt, 178-182 Ledbury Hunt, N., 182 Leeds, Duke of, 64 Legard, D., 53, 59 Legard, Rev. C, 18, 36, 55, 57, 95, 108, 151-152, 165, 287 Leigh, G., 215 Lmdell, C, 159 Lockwood, S., 66 Loder, N. W., 132, 226 Londonderry, Lord, "JT, 105, 118 Lonsdale, Earl of, 62, 109, 121-134 Lonsdale, H., 96, 97, 200 Lonsdale's, Lord, Vulcan, 78, 123 Lonsdale's, Lord, Sargeant, 62, 65, 123, 176 Long, N., 105, 192 Long, W. v., 204 Longman, G. H., 222 Lowndes, C. S., 226 Lowndes, H. W., 222 Lowndes, S., 139 Lowndes, W. S., 215 Lord, H. O., 180 Lote, T. A., 183 Lowe, G. S., 20, 159, 183 Lowther, J., 48 Lubbock, E., 1 19 Ludlow Hunt, 183 Luttrell, Mr, 229 Luxton, A. G., 241 M Macan, T., 154 Macclesfield, Earl of, 201 Mackenzie, A., no, 134, 190 Maiden, W., 236 Maling, C. T., 43 Manners, Lord R., 275-295 Manvers, Earl, 129 Marshall, W. N. C, 241 Mayall, C. G., 99 Maynard, A. L., 46 M'Neill, C. P., 38, 120, 141, 173, 179, 253 Measurements of hounds, 35, 36, ■^y, 38, 287 Medcalf, W., 60, 240 Mellbrake Hunt, 48 Melton Mowbray, 19 Melville, W., 13' Meynell Hugo, 19, 85, 91, 104, 146 Meynell Hunt, 91-96 Meynell Waverley, 80, 94 Meynell Why Not, 93, 127 Middleton, Lord, 7, 52-59, 215 Milbanke, F., 127, 183 304 INDEX Miller, J. B., 155 Mills, C. R., 165 Milne, Rev. E. A., 237-240 Milton Hunt, 146-152 Milton Rector, 149 Milvain, Capt. R., 40 Misa, Mr, 97 Monson, Lord, 19 Morgan, B., 53 Morgan, G., 227 Morgan, S., 82 Morpeth Hunt, 43, 44 Motion, A., 221 Moubray, J., 64 Murray, E., 222 Musters, J., 19, 127 N Nevill, Lord H., 224 Newmarket and Thurlow Hunt, 163 Nightengale, B., 36 Noel, T., 18 Norfolk Hunt, W., 162 Norman, G. K. B., 221 North, Lord, 136, 200 Northumberland Hunt, N., 40 Nose of foxhound, 32, 76 O Oakley Hunt, 153-159 Oakley, W., 130 Omrod, P., 201 Ord, R , 46 Osborne, J., 66 Osbaldestone's, Squire, Furrier, 3, 19, 20, 57 Oxford Hunt, S., 201 Paine, L., 199 Pape, A. G., 241 Parker, C. J., 49 Parker, Hon. A., 139 Parker, J., 67 Parker, Sir W. H., 263 Parrington, T., 67, 70, 8^, 147, 154 Parry, J. W., 20 Peacock, Capt., 179 Pearson, A., 70 Pease, Sir A. L., 64 Peel, J., 48 Pennant, E. D., Hon., 141 Pennington, Hon. A., 60 Penryhn, Lord, 141 Percival, F., 152, 257 Percy, H. A. W., 230, 234 Percy Hunt, 40 Peterborough, Champion Dog Hounds, 258 Peterborough, Fox Hound Shows, 191 3, 256, 274 Peterborough judges, 258 Peterborough packs of hounds showing, 261 Peterborough presidents, 257 Peterborough, those present, 259 INDEX 305 Peterborough winners described, 263 Phelips, Rev. J., 236 Phillips, L., 171, 186 Plas Machynlleth Hunt, 102 Pole, R. Chandos, 92, 236 Portal, Lady, 202, Portman's, Lord. Hunt, 230-234 Portsmouth, Lord, 72 Povey, A., 22; Preston, H., 79, 263 Press, J., 235 Price of hounds, 97, 131, 135, 171, 197 Pryor, E. J. W. P., 185 Puckeridge Hunt, 206-234 Puppy Walkers, i-i 3 Pjrtchley Fresliman, 56 Pytchley Hunt, 132-135 Pytchley Woodland Hunt, 135 Q Quorn, Alfred, 20, 70, 125 Quorn Hunt, 125, 126 R Radclifte, J. A., J 36 Radnor, Lord, 202 Ratcliffe, F. P. P., 212 Rawnsley, P., 112, 115, 151 Rees, J., 64 Reid, D., 173 Reigate Hound Show, 191 3, 247, 255 Reigate Hound Show committee, 299 Reigate Hound Show entry, 249 Reigate Hound Show winners, 250 Ribs of hounds, 28 Richardson, C, 246 Richardson, J. M., 105 Rigden, W. E., 223 Riley, O. C, 202 Roake, G., 205 Roberts, J. A., 141 Robson, J., 41 Robson, T., 43 Rogerson, J. E., 46 RoUes, Hon. M., 241 RoUeston, L., 127 Rothschild's, Lord, Hunt, 217, 237 Rothschild, L., 217 RufEord Hunt, 129, 130 Rushout, A., 173 Russell, Hon. C. H., 100 Russell, Rev. J., 244 Rutland, Duke of, 8, 16, 19, 276-295 Rycroft, Sir R., 202 S Scarlett, W. J. Yorke, 201 Scott, C. T., 173-178 Scott, Sir S., 38, 142 Seabright, T., 82, 147 Sedberg Hunt, 67 Sedgefield Hunt Club, 47 U 3o6 INDEX Seymour, C, 165 Shepherd, G., 120 Sherbrooke, P. C, 68 Short, E., 89, 210 Shropshire Hunt, N., 96, 98 Shropshire Hunt, S., 98 Shuker, C. B., 244 Silverton Hunt, 241 Shngsby, Sir C, 78 Smart, J. R., 257 Smith, A., 202 Smith, T., 104 Smith, D., 171 Snow, N., 229 Somerset, W., Hunt, 229 Southampton, Lord, 141 Southdown Hunt, 226 Southwold Hunt, 112, 118 Southwold Freeman, 20 Spencer, Lord, i ^S Spicer, Capt. J., 193 Stacey, Capt. C, 173 Stafford, Hunt, S., 89 Stafford Hunt, N., 90 Standish, Capt., 205 Stanley, E. A. V., 97, 134, 197 Stapleton, M. J., 70 Stapley, J. K., 227 Stevenstone Hunt, 241 Straker, J ., 39, 263 Straker, H., 72 Strawbridge, R. E., 124 Stud book, 18 Suffold Hunt, 163 Suf&eld, Lord, loi Sunnington Hunt, 67-71 Sussex Union Hunt, 322 Sussex Hunt, E., 227 Sutherland, Duke of, 96, 98 Sutton, Sir R., 19 Swan, R. C, 43, 6?, ii3, 119, 263, 275 Sykes, Sir T., 53 Sykes, Sir M., 59 T Tame, W., 229 Taunton Vale Hunt, 241 Tedworth Hunt, 202 Teme Valley Hunt, 183 Tempest, Major A., 118 Tetcott Hunt, 241 Thatcher, A., 122, 124, 126, 275 Thatcher, B., 71 Thomson, A. Y., 229 Thomson, Col. A., 185, 200 Thornton, Col., 78 Thursby, G. J., 179 Tickham Hunt, 223, 224 Tiverton Hunt, 230 Tongue, C, 16, i>~^ Tongue, W., 44 Tongue, G., 221 Trojan, J. Corbet's, 2, 56 Trotter, J. O., Capt., 165 INDEX 307 Tucker, F., 216 Turner, J., 227 Turner, G., iSo Twineberrow, J. F., 182 Tynedale Hunt, 39, 40 Tyne Hunt, N., 43 Tyrell, E., 86 UUswater Hunt, 48 United Hunt, 183 U Vane, Hon. H., 5;, 71, 72 Vane-Tempest, Lord, 102 Vine Hunt, 202 V. H. H., Cricklade, 197 Vockins, T., 166 V. W. H., Cirencester, 196 Vyner, R., 59 Vyner, R., 104, 139 W Walker, J., loi Walker, R. B., 257 Wallis, A., 135, 245 Walters, G., 192, 251 Warburton, Sir P., 85 Wai-de, B., 213 Warde, J., 200, 201 Warwickshire Hunt, 136-139 Warwickshire Hunt, N., 139 Waters, Dun-, 98, 99, 193 Waterford, Marquis of, 124 Waterford Warwick, 252 Waterpark, Lord, 92 Watt. R., 59 Webber, R. B., 218 Wells, W., 213 Welsh Packs, 185, 186 Welsh, W., 236 Western Hunt, 246 Westminster, Duke of, 86 Whaddon Chase Hunt, 217 Wharton, W. A., 63, 275 Wheatland Hunt, 99, 100 Wheatlay, W., 89 Whitaker, P. A. O., 155 Whitemore, T. and G., 70, 92, 95, 131, 153, 155 W'hitworth, H., 60, 123, 178 Wight, Isle of, Hunt, 205 Wilkinson, B., 90, 196 Williams, O. J., 100 Wilhams-Wynn, R. W\, 100 Williams- Wynn, Sir W., loi Williams, Capt. P., 129 Williams, W. P., 245 Willoughbys, 52 Willoughby de Broke, 11, 25, 75, 86, 136, 158 W^iUs, Sir G., 230 Wills, J., 198 Wilson, A., 60 3o8 INDEX Wilson, H., 86, 88, 179 Wilson, W., 91 Wilson, T., no Wilton Hunt, 202 Wilts, S. and W., Hunt, 196 Winn, R., 19 Woodward, D., 81, 276 Worcestershire Hunt, 164-170 Worcester, Marquis of, 192 Worsley, Lord, 105 Wright, C. B. E., 81, 148 Wroughton, W. M., 71, 132 Yarborough, Earls of, 16, 19, 104, 105 Yates, Capt. P., 86 Yorkshire, 51 York and Ainsty Hunt, 78-81 Ynysfort Hunt, 102 Zetland's, Marquis of, Hunt, 72-75 Zetland's, Marquis of, Trimbush, -ji lURNBULL AND SPEARS. PRINTERS, EDINBURGH University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. FHHH MAR 3 1 1998 JUL 06 WAS D 000 014 723 1