THE QUORN HUNT. 41 



not a very difficult matter for a master of 

 hounds who has had practice, and Is gifted 

 with an eye for symmetrical proportions, to 

 collect a lot of handsome rogues, if he will 

 only be industrious, and search for the 

 beauties that are condemned and drafted 

 for vices and misdemeanours. In such 

 cases, too, ancestral excellences are totally 

 ignored. But how will such pretenders 

 deport themselves ? They may have runs, 

 wdth two or three couples leading, doing all 

 the work, with the remainder following in 

 the rear, at wide intervals, doing nothing, 

 unless perchance '' babbling behind," than 

 which the antecedent failing is far more 

 venial. Such collections — packs of hounds 

 I cannot call them — may kill foxes, but the 

 manner in which they accomplish that desi- 

 deratum will not bear description. I have 

 witnessed such performances, but I decline 

 the honour of recording them, so let them 

 pass without further comment. Mr Clowes 

 was fortunate in having no such difficulties 

 to contend with. He obtained a clever 

 pack of hounds, composed of good materials. 



