THE ALBRIGHTON COUNTRY 187 



Although I have not seen Mr. Hellier's hounds since 

 he left North Warwickshire, I have reason to know he 

 has a very superior pack. He commenced upon an 

 excellent principle, that of procuring them in the first 

 instance from one or two of the most celebrated estab- 

 lishments and subsequently breeding a sufficient number, 

 or nearly so, every year to form his entry. This is im- 

 portant for obvious reasons ; by doing so a master of 

 hounds knows the peculiar excellences or failings of the 

 progenitors, which he cannot ascertain so minutely if 

 he procures drafts from other kennels. On this subject 

 Somerville gives some excellent counsel, which may be 

 found at page 123. Beckford also observes that a pack 

 " to look well should be all nearly of a size ; and I even 

 think they should all look of the same family." This 

 latter perfection cannot be obtained so readily if a 

 master of hounds breeds from various sorts totally 

 dissimilar in their characters. 



Mr. Hellier procured most of his hounds in the first 

 instance from the Earl Yarborough's ; some from the 

 Quorn, which contained much of the Brocklesby blood 

 and were very similar in appearance ; a few from Mr. 

 Smyth Owen's and the Warwickshire. The following 

 season he had a large draft of unentered hounds from 

 the Duke of Rutland's kennels, fifteen couples and a 

 half of which were put forward. Upon these he has 

 engrafted his present pack, and it was impossible for 

 him to choose better blood. As he has been a master of 

 hounds fifteen seasons, having made good use of his 

 time, there is no doubt he has a most superior pack. 



There are many serious impediments to sport of a 

 first-rate character in the Albrighton country which 

 cannot be readily overcome. It holds a very indifferent 

 scent ; the land generally being of a light, sandy nature, 

 except in wet weather, it frequently happens there is 

 no scent at all. The coverts, though not large, are 

 numerous and very strong; consequently, hounds have 

 great difficulty in forcing the foxes through them. The 

 estates are in the hands of a great number of proprietors, 



