A Day With the Belvoir Foxhounds 137 



readers to the hunting field where the INIaster has a kindly wel- 

 come for all, and where his clever huntsman, Ben Capell, is a 

 star performer, among the best of liis craft in handling the 

 pack, and an artist in outwitting his game. 



Nevertheless good and perfect as is the management and 

 appointment of the Belvoir Hunt in the field, its crowning 

 glory is at the kennels. As tliis most celebrated pack of hounds 

 has for many years enjoyed the distinction of being the "pre- 

 mier pack of Great Britain," the writer has decided to devote 

 this chapter to "A Day with the Hounds at Belvoir Kennels," 

 rather than in the field. 



AVhosoever has followed the writer's chapter on hound 

 breeding, rearing and management in "Cross Country with 

 Horse and Hounds," as well as his remarks on the subject in 

 previous chapters of this book, will readily understand the 

 value he places on hound breeding as it is generally conducted 

 in England, and pardon him, it is hoped, if in this chapter 

 he repeats some of the thoughts expressed in his previous work. 



To anyone at all interested in hound breeding, a visit to 

 the Belvoir Kennels is most enjoyable. The annual Peter- 

 boro' Hound Show is sometliing beautiful to see, and no hunt- 

 ing man ^^siting England, in the month of July, should fail to 

 attend it. But interesting as the Peterboro' show is, a day 

 at Belvoir and a chat with the cheery huntsman is the best 

 show of all. If you go once, you will surely wish to go again, 

 at least the writer found his seventh annual pilgrimage to Bel- 

 voir more interesting than ever before. Possibly he cannot do 

 better than attempt to take his readers there in the usual course. 

 From London we will ticket to Grantham. "A feed" at the 

 "Angel," and a drive to Belvoir Castle, where we put up at 

 the "Peacock," a wayside inn under the shadow of Belvoir 

 Castle. Belvoir Castle is one of the most beautiful, as well as 

 one of the best preserved castles of feudal times now standing 

 in England. Our stout hostess of the Peacock, with a coun- 



