XT be 5)uMes of IRutlan^ 309 



attained, being thus enabled to keep up the family 

 likeness, and to know the distinguishing characteristics 

 of each strain of blood in the kennel.' 



A Tory of the Tories, one of the stern, unbending 

 old school was the late Duke. In his early career, when 

 M.P. for Stamford, he succeeded Lord George Bentinck 

 as leader of the Protectionists in the House of Commons, 

 and to the end of his days he was a fierce enemy 

 of Free Trade. Right or wrong, he was at any rate 

 consistent, and never swerved from his convictions. 

 But I don't think any one troubled himself much about 

 the Duke's politics. It was as the dispenser of princely 

 hospitality at Belvoir Castle, as the generous and con- 

 siderate landlord, as the keen and enthusiastic sportsman, 

 that Charles Cecil John Manners, sixth Duke of Rutland, 

 was best known and loved in his lifetime, and will 

 be affectionately remembered in his grave. 



The present Duke, for most of his life familiar to the 

 public as Lord John Manners, the beau-ideal of a cultured 

 and courteous nobleman, succeeded to the title in 1 888 ; 

 and, though then in his 71st year, undertook the 

 Mastership of the Belvoir Hunt, continuing to discharge 

 those hereditary duties until increasing years compelled 

 him to abdicate and entrust the hounds to the able 

 hands of Sir Gilbert Greenall. 



The Dukes of Rutland have ever been a kindly 

 patrician race who have spent their wealth lavishly 

 in providing magnificent sport, not for their own selfish 

 gratification, but for the gratuitous enjoyment of 

 sportsmen less fortunate than themselves. 



