26 



always satisfactory. When I had the pleasure of 

 seeing his pack^ what struck me most was the general 

 excellence of shoulders, and if Colonel Curre con- 

 tinues to keep that essential point as a guiding star 

 for the next ten years he will, I think, definitely 

 establish a breed. 



Colonel Curre began his labours because he wa& 

 dissatisfied with many of the English hounds' work 

 in the field and disagreed with the fancy points that 

 gained favour at Peterborough. Introducing new 

 strains into old-esj>ablished blood is always a hazardous 

 proceeding and may result in bringmg out the worst 

 qualities of both. I should therefore advise anyone 

 desirous of improving his pack to select descendants 

 of well-known EngUsh ancestors and breed only from 

 those inheriting their best hunting qualities. Let him 

 forget for a few years all about feet and legs, con- 

 fining his attention in conformation chiefly to 

 shoulders, ribs, and thighs but above all remembering 

 that all these things are worthless unless the balance 

 is true. I feel convinced that the sterling qualities 

 possessed by hounds of the early nineteenth century 

 are only dormant and that careful breeding would 

 restore them to their original pristine strength. 



Foxhound breeders of to-day must realise from 

 Mr. Clapham's indictment and from Colonel Curre 's 

 search into the unknown that all is not as ijt should 

 be, and it is therefore time they put their house in 

 order. 



