138 KENNEL AND STUD. 



Sutton could only be regarded as the nucleus of a kennel. 

 Hounds had therefore to be acquired here and there, a few 

 couples at a time, wherever a favourable opportunity 

 presented itself. The selection of a kennel was not then 

 the comparatively easy matter which it has become since 

 the inauguration of Hound Shows, (the first of which took 

 place at Redcar, Yorkshire, in 1859,) which have given 

 such an impetus to the breeding of hounds throughout the 

 country. However, by judicious selection and the mating 

 of the best strains obtainable, and the indefatigable atten- 

 tion paid to every detail in connection with his kennel, 

 and by equal personal care in the supervision of his stable, 

 Mr. Tailby succeeded in triumphing, as easily as he rode, 

 over all obstacles, and soon found himself at the head of 

 one of the best packs and most popular hunting countries 

 in three kingdoms. 



This enviable position was only rendered possible of 

 attainment by the hearty co-operation of owners, and 

 occupiers of land, and by the loyal support which Mr. 

 Tailby received, not only from subscribers to the Hunt, 

 but from the whole countryside. Everyone seemed to 

 appreciate his efforts, and to be imbued with his spirit of 

 keen determination, to make a fine art of fox-hunting in the 

 Billesdon country, and by whatever standard we may 

 choose to gauge results, whether by the number of straight 

 runs, long points, pace, distances covered, or last but not 

 least important, the hunting capabilities of his hounds, it 

 may with confidence be asserted that the sport shown — as 

 indicated in the foregoing extracts from the Master's 

 Journal — will bear favourable comparison with that of any 

 other Hunt, either before or since. 



Mr. Tailby purchased most of his horses from an Irish 

 dealer, named McGrain, of Dublin, whose representative, a 

 Mr. Brown, lived at Harborough, and to distinguish him 

 from others who also rejoiced in that not uncommon 

 patronymic, he was known as * Harborough Brown.' The 



