32 THE BELVOIR HUNT. 



There are few occupations more pleasing 

 during the intervals between the hunting 

 seasons than a day's inspection of the 

 young hounds destined to fill the openings 

 in the ranks which departed favourites 

 have vacated. The good old hound 

 that has so often gallantly led the van 

 cannot be missed without regret, and 

 then out of regard to his good deeds and 

 his memory we are curious to inquire the 

 character of the progeny in whom we hope 

 to find all his good qualities inherent. To 

 those noblemen and gentlemen of wealth, 

 whose hunting establishments have been 

 maintained as heirlooms for very many 

 generations, the unbounded thanks of 

 sportsmen are emphatically due for the 

 liberal spirit and vast talent displayed in 

 breeding foxhounds. It must be conceded 

 that very marked improvements are visible 

 in many provincial packs, yet those im- 

 provements are principally to be attributed 



