The Origin of Fox-hunting 



There was Smith of the Broklesby, too, with his 

 love for the foxhound that had its place at his 

 death as he murmured softly to his son, ''Stick to 

 Ranter." There are those still alive who have the 

 same feelings. Lord Coventry would almost hesi- 

 tate in any conversation at the very mention of 

 Rambler. Mr. E. Rawnsley, the Master of the 

 Southwold for a quarter of a century, would show 

 commendable feeling in referring to Freeman, and 

 Frank Gillard would talk for a day about the merits 

 of the Belvoir Weather-gage. What is it that 

 brings the foxhound so close to the heart of the 

 sportsman ? Is it not the same influence that 

 started the breed early in the seventeen-hundreds, 

 and maintained it through generations of enthu- 

 siasts, the like of Charles Pelham, John Corbet, 

 John Warde, Lord Middleton, and Assheton Smith, 

 and the question is — Would fox-hunting have 

 grown to what it is without them ? 



17 B 



