THE OLD QUORN BLOOD 45 



of hounds, as we can of horses in a stud-book, to an 

 earh- date ; but unfortunately that cannot be done to 

 any extent. The uncontrollable vicissitudes occasioned 

 by deaths and resignations, in consequence of which 

 many of the oldest-established packs have been sold in 

 lots, have caused them to be dispersed; but for the 

 information of those who are curious in such matters, 

 I will endeavour to show, in the best manner I am 

 able, the kennels into which they have passed, and will 

 begin with those of Mr. Meynell, so justly distinguished 

 as the old Quorn blood. 



In the year 1793 Mr. Lambton purchased a pack of 

 hounds from the Lord Talbot of that day. They had 

 been hunting a portion of Staffordshire, in the vicinity 

 of Ingestre Hall, Rugeley, and Cannock Chase. 

 Previously to that time, in 1780, Lord Talbot procured 

 eighteen couples and a half of hounds, crosses between 

 Mr. Meynell 's and Lord Fitz William's, and also Mr. 

 Meynell's and Lord Ludlow's blood ; and in sub- 

 sequent years the former gentleman's kennel was had 

 recourse to for fresh infusions ; likewise Mr. Heron's, 

 who at that period hunted the Cheshire country, and 

 had much of the Quorn blood in his kennel. The latter 

 draft was procured by Mr. Lambton in 1813. The 

 Lambton hounds, it will be remembered, were sold to 

 Lord Suffield, to go into Leicestershire in 1838, at the 

 large price of 3,000 guineas, being 1,000 more than had 

 ever been given for a pack before. It consisted of 

 sixty-six couples of old hounds and forty couples of 

 young ones. They only remained in Lord Suffield 's 

 possession one year, when they became the property of 

 Mr. Robertson, who took them into Berwickshire. At 

 his retirement a few years afterwards, if my memory 

 serves me, they were sold in lots. A good deal of the 

 Quorn blood went into the Cheshire kennels, as Mr. 

 Heron bred from that source for many years ; but little, 

 if any, of it can be recognised there at the present time^ 

 in consequence of the unfortunate malady which broke 

 out in the Cheshire establishment some vears since> 



