SEASON 1878-79 121 



with Belvoir blood and stuck to it, but it was 

 soon dispersed when the Quorn claimed this slice 

 of country to themselves. When this happened 

 George Gillson migrated to the York and Ainstry, 

 where he remained until Mr. William Baird accepted 

 the mastership of the Cottesmore, and his choice 

 fell on Gillson for huntsman in 1888, to the great 

 improvement in the breeding of that old-established 

 pack. 



The second whipper-in, George Cottrell, came 

 from Mr. George Lane Fox, and after a season or 

 two at Belvoir he passed on to Quorn to fill the 

 first position of whipper-in. Possessed of a good 

 voice, he was a plucky horseman and good servant. 

 Many a time, to use Brooksby's words : 



When we're jammed in a corner, the timber too strong, 

 The bullfinch too thick, and our courage all gone 

 Hie ! give us a lead ! and over he'll flip, 

 But ifs little improved by the galloping whip. 



Gillard called to mind a particular occasion when 

 a locked gate, with an up-hill take off and bad 

 landing, confronted the field. Some one said, " Now, 

 George, give us a lead, and we'll give you a 

 sovereign if you smash it." Cottrell, riding a 

 mare bought from Mr. Philip Hornsby, humped 

 his back, rammed the mare at it, getting well over 

 without breaking the top bar, but he at once 

 pulled up and drew the sovereign. 



A succession of bad colds brought on a smart 

 attack of gout and rheumatism which placed Gillard 

 hors de combat for a few days and gave Wells the 



