182 HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



thirty-one inches, and his arm below was eight 

 and a quarter inches round. Below the knee he 

 measured five and a quarter inches of solid bone, 

 while round the thigh he spanned full nine and a 

 quarter inches. The extended neck was ten inches 

 from cranium to shoulder, and the head ten inches 

 and a half long. His colour was of the richest, 

 displaying all the beautiful " Belvoir tan," and his 

 head had that brainy appearance expressive of the 

 highest intelligence. Gambler might have inspired 

 that earnest poet Canon Kingsley when he described 

 the modern foxhound : " The result of nature, not 

 limited, but developed by high civilisation. Next 

 to an old Greek statue there are few such com- 

 binations of grace and strength as in a fine fox- 

 hound. 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 joy to see such perfection alive." Gambler's own 

 brother, Gameboy, was quite as good in his work, 

 although he had not quite the same dash and 

 swagger, being rather shy with strangers when 

 showing on the flags. " In the field," Gillard said, 

 "both were hard -running hounds, and I often 

 pointed out the two brothers hunting side by 

 side as if they were in couples." Gameboy 

 left some good stock in the Belvoir kennel 

 like his brother did, and both sired many a 

 Peterborough winner for other packs, so that 

 their fame as the stout sons of old Weathergage 

 will never die out. 



The tremendous growth of nettles this season 



