The Greyhound 621 



in Yorkshire a meeting was early established at Malton and the formation of 

 clubs spread rapidly throughout England, extending to Scotland through 

 the encouragement given to the sport by the Duke of Gordon, the Earl of 

 Eglinton and other influential gentlemen. 



The custom of greyhound owners to give their dogs names with the 

 same initial letter had its origin in the Swaffham Club. The members were 

 restricted to twenty-six, the number of letters in the alphabet, and each had 

 to give his dogs names beginning with the letter he represented as a member. 

 The members had also to name their colours, but what they were for does 

 not appear. Probably the dogs' clothing was made up in the claimed col- 

 ours. Some of the club rules were very peculiar, such as the right of a mem- 

 ber to put up at auction the dog of any other member and the owner was only 

 allowed one bid on his dog. Another rule was that no rough-haired dog 

 should be considered a greyhound, a provision which would have barred a 

 number of north country dogs, for many of the best greyhounds of Scotland 

 were rough in coat; not to the extent shown in the deerhound, but what 

 might be looked for in a dog one-quarter deerhound. 



Among the famous greyhounds of England before public coursing was 

 established Major Topham's Snowball is perhaps the best known. Mr. 

 Lee, misled by the name states that it was a white dog, whereas he was jet 

 black, two others of the litter being brindle. These were named Major 

 and Sylvia and the three were considered the most remarkable trio of grey- 

 hounds ever produced in one litter. Snowball was bred by Major Topham 

 and was by Claret, a dog got from Lord Orford's kennel by Colonel Thorn- 

 ton. 



Sir Walter Scott was an ardent patron of the leash and had this to say 

 about the famed Snowball: 



'Twas when fleet Snowball's head was grey, 

 A luckless lev' ret met him on his way: 

 Who knows not Snowball ? He whose race renowned 

 Is still victorious on each coursing ground: 

 Swaffham, Newmarket and the Roman Camp 

 Have seen them victors o'er each meaner stamp" 



Of the growth and progress of coursing in England it is not necessary to 

 go into details, for it is well known that it is the great winter sport, taking the 



