THE MASTERS OF BADMINTON 



dispenser of nods and frowns to the sporting 

 world. 



It was the sixth Duke who appointed Philip 

 Payne, the latter coming to him from Cheshire in 

 1802. The staghound origin of the Badminton 

 pack to which I have already alluded was strongly 

 marked at that time. They did not altogether 

 please the new huntsman, fresh from Mr. George 

 Heron's rich black white and tans, which were far 

 more perfect in their legs and feet. The old Bad- 

 minton sort as Philip Payne found them were inclined 

 to be splay-footed, and were also somewhat heavy- 

 shouldered. 



Philip Payne's former masters, Mr. Heron and 

 Sir Peter Warburton, were both ardent admirers of 

 the Meynell hounds and the Meynell style of hunt- 

 ing. The quicker methods then already coming 

 into vogue, and which a year or two later Gentle- 

 man Shaw was to show to admiring Meltonians in 

 the Belvoir Vale, made good feet and better laid 

 shoulders a necessity. What more natural, then, 

 than that Philip should turn to Cheshire to improve 

 the Badminton pack. What the Duke's views on 

 the best type of hound for his country were we 

 do not know ; but everything seems to show that 

 having a good servant in Payne, he trusted him, and 

 the huntsman was consequently allowed to send 

 hounds to any kennel he chose. His first steps 

 were made with the help of a badger pie, by name 

 Diligent, a descendant of the famous Abelard. 



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