FOX-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 25 



it was almost a national calamity in the hunting 

 world when such a famous pack was dispersed 

 at the hammer. Lord Chesham bought largely 

 at the Rugby sale, in addition to which he 

 purchased from me every Blankney bitch that 

 I possessed on retiring from the Hurworth country 

 in 1888 (I had bought about eighteen couples 

 privately from Lord Lonsdale a few years 

 previously). 



When Lord Chesham gave up the Bicester 

 country there was probably more of the real blood 

 in that kennel than in any other. No doubt 

 the sort may still exist in other kennels, but it 

 would be interesting to know where it most 

 abounds. Where, indeed, are the descendants of 

 Contest, Regulus, Damper, Dorimont, Vanquisher, 

 Tapster, Sailor, and Saladin ? Let those who have 

 the blood value it as priceless, for now it could 

 not be obtained for love or money. 



When I was hunting the New Forest in 1874, 

 I had about twenty couples from Mr. Chaplin, 

 and my bitch pack was in those days, and again 

 in the Hurworth country in 1886, composed of 

 that blood. I never knew one of them to tire. 

 Who that ever saw the pack when in Lord Henry's 

 hands, and hunted by Charley Hawtin, can forget 

 how at the end of the longest day they would 

 cast themselves one or two fields in front of their 



