140 The Hunting Field With Horse and Hound 



covers the experience of the clever huntsman and most noted 

 hound breeder, Frank Gillard, who was huntsman to the Bel- 

 voir for 26 years prior to the time when the present Duke of 

 Rutland resigned his position of Master of his own hounds. 

 This was in 1896, when His Grace had arrived at his seventy- 

 fifth year. 



''He owed his old age and his stamina sound 

 To the genuine love for the horse and the hound." 



There is an old saying that "the hours spent in the chase 

 are not reckoned against us in the numbering of our days." 

 From the great number of men between sixty and ninety 

 years old that are still riding to hounds, it would seem that 

 this saying might more properly be called an axiom. Speaking 

 of elderly men in the hunting field, Parson Bullin of the Bel- 

 voir hunted up to liis ninetieth year. He has been known to go 

 out in the forenoon, return to his parish for a wedding or 

 funeral, and be out and at it again the same afternoon. The 

 great Atherton Smith carried the horn to his own pack up to 

 his eightieth year. About this time he was invited to bring his 

 hounds into the Quorn country. So great was his popularity 

 that upwards of two thousand superbly mounted horsemen 

 were present to meet him and join in the chase. 



John Peel, another veteran past master huntsman of 

 national reputation, carried the horn up to his eightieth year. 

 A favourite hunting song will keep his memory green to the 

 end of time. 



'D'ye ken John Peel with his coat so grey. 

 D'ye ken John Peel at the break of day. 

 D'ye ken John Peel when he's far away. 

 With his horse and his hounds in the morning?' 



