244 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1867 



number of noses to nail up on the kennel door just tallied 

 with the day of the month. Moreover, this was the day 

 on which Lord Alexander Paget presented the silver horn 

 to Tom Leedham after the great run of February 6th, an 

 account of which is given in the next chapter. 



In this year's entry there is a hound called Chorister 

 by Comus out of Paragon, who was used a good deal later 

 on at Hoar Cross. He was lent to Mr. Lane Fox, who 

 wrote the following characteristic and rather amusing 

 letter about him : — 



Biamliani, Taflcaster, March 8tli. 

 My dear Hugo, 



Chorister is stout, busy, and always in his place, with remarkable 

 good nose — a first rate dog certainly — but we cannot hear him " speak." He 

 has been perfectly mute since he came here. I have worked him in his turn, 

 and he has had plenty of opportunity, frequently showing the line with great 

 confidence of manner — but always silent. Is it conceit, impudence, jealousy, 

 swagger, or a natural defect? Please tell me about him and his sort as to 

 tongue. 



Yours very sincerely, 



George Lane Fox. 



How Chorister answered the catechism when he got 

 home does not appear, but the fact of this letter being 

 written is interesting in view of the Meynell hounds of 

 to-day being criticized for their lack of tongue. It also 

 shows that the blood was sought after in high quarters ; 

 in fact, the draft was always bespoken for two or three 

 years in advance and fetched a great price. 



There is also an interesting letter from Colonel 

 Anstruther Thomson anent Lullington Gorse mentioned 

 above. 



My DEAK Hugo, 



Bob Harper has sent me your letter. Nothing I should like 

 better than having a hunt in your woods when the days are longer, but I 

 much doubt my dogs catching one of your foxes. [They did catch one, and it 

 proved to be a vixen ! ] I have been out four times this week, but never brought 

 one to hand. It has hardly been fit to hunt any of the days, and to-day is so bad 

 that I did not go on. I am so sorry that Peter Colvile has raised this question 

 about Lullington Gorse. I only wish to hunt the fox in peace, and to be on 

 good terms with my neighbours, and especially with yourself. When I received 

 Peter's memorandum I made a draft of my answer and showed it to those 

 most interested in that matter, but I found there was a little difference of opinion, 

 so I wish the Atherstone Hunt to give me instructions at their next meeting how 



