1894] WARWICKSHTEE SWEEPS THE BOARD. 269 



A good show it uufloubtedly was, and Ave saw many good hounds on a fair 

 level of excellence. But, if we are right in so saying, it introdiiced us to 

 nothing obviously beyond compare, according to the ap]>raisement of tlie day. 

 Perhaps, by the help of Lord Willoughl)y, we are establishing our measure 

 too high. His "Waitress is certainly a lovely matron. But ho has others 

 quite as good at home. And the Craven Vagabond (by his Hermit) is a very 

 handsome dog. Whether he will be as handsome as his sire we must wait 

 another season or two to see. The judges seemed to have no difficulty in 

 making their choice throughout ; and as they are in a position to view with 

 far more accuracy and readiness than any of us in the outer circle ; and as, 

 moreover, they were represented in the capable persons of Sir Bache Cunard, 

 • Mr. John Watson, and Mr. W. H. A. Wharton, we are quite content to accept 

 their decisions without whisper of dissent. As to the two champion hoimds, 

 we did not hear, even from the most captious criticism, a differing opinion, 

 when once their verdict was given. And believe us this is a great occasion 

 for dogmatic opinionism, for solemn if whispered assertion, and for more or 

 less silent yet distinctly un])ending denial, on the part of the little outer world. 



Well, apart from all this — or, let us say, in consideration of this privilege 

 — the Foxhound Show is a charming occasion. It is a stoi^ping place in our 

 pilgrimage across the desert of summer. It is the point from which the 

 promised land comes dimly into view. Hitherto, but for a Sunday at Tatter- 

 sail's, or for a lounge within the pleasant portals of the Nimrod Club, we have 

 found ourselves separated altogether from the camaraderie that belongs to 

 what we look upon as the pith of our existence. At Peterborough we find 

 ourselves thrown among it once more — and are happy, in the moment and in 

 anticipation. Why, the very spai'kle of scarlet, the new brilliant robing of 

 the hunt servants, rouses as it will do our oldest hunter on his way to the next 

 covert-side ! Now to details of the show. 



Though sixteen packs entered into this year's catalogue, fifteen oidy com- 

 peted, the Cumlierland not arriving till too late — these being the Bicester, 

 Blankney, Cheshire, Craven, Essex, Mr. Fernie's, the Holderness, Lanark and 

 Renfrewshire, Mr. Mackenzie's, the Oakley, Mr. Burdon-Sanderson's, the 

 Southdown, Vale of White Horse, the Warwickshire, and the Worcestershire. 



The class for young dog hounds secured most nominations, and the War- 

 wick.shire opened the ball by securing first prize with a smart, well-matched, 

 and blood-like couple by their Fui-rier (son of the well-known Fifer), their 

 names being Dancer and Traverser. Second to them were placed the Oakley 

 Fallible ami Boaster (by Belvoir Dancer and Beh^oir Shamrock respectively) ; 

 and to Oakley Fallible was awarded the special prize for the best single young 

 hound. In this class Mr. Austin Mackenzie also showed an exceedingly nice 

 couple. Gaffer and Saifron — tlu^se dis^daying, as is the characteristic of his 

 kennel, great quality, fashion, and activity. 



The Warwickshire next took leading honours for the best two couples of 

 entered hounds, with four one-season huutei's, viz., Dominic, by Belvoir 

 Nominal ; Grecian, by Holderness Gaffer ; Sailor, by ditto ; Talisman by 

 Grafton Gambler ; beating, among others, two good lots shown by the Oakley 

 and Mr. Mackenzie. Second in this class were the Craven family. Vagabond, 

 Valesman, Vampire, and Vanquisher (by Warwickshire Hermit out of 

 Volatile, l)y Rustic). The first two of this handsonu^ hand of ))rothers were 

 last year, it will l)e remend)ered, winners of the unentered hound competition ; 

 and these, therefore, are also all on(^-season hunt(Ts. 



