1868] GEMS OF THE KENNEL. 277 



are remarkably good-looking, with freedom of action. Royal was a son of Sir 

 Watkin Wynn's Royal and Lively, a daughter of Lord Henry Bentinck's Lark- 

 spur and Gladsome. Regan and Rosamond are from Regulus and Songstress. 

 Rivulet is a daughter of Albion and Ringlet, and she does justice to her parent- 

 age. Singer, Sorcerer, and Stormer represent Regulus and Syren ; they are 

 particularly clean, Sorcerer remarkably handsome, which may also be said of 

 Stormer, though he is rather light of bone. Wilful ends the list ; she is a 

 daughter of Wanderer and Dairymaid, very good, and a rare young one to drive 

 a scent. 



Taking the pack in a body, the bitches have an unquestionable ascendancy ; 

 indeed, it would be difficult to find a better, if so good a lot. What a happy 

 result ! You may procure the services of dog hounds from other kennels, but 

 the other sex you cannot procure if they possess high pretensions. 



For some years past the supply of water was not of good quality, hence 

 inconvenience arose, affecting some of the hounds in a peculiar manner. That 

 has been fortunately overcome by procuring water from a different source, and 

 the annoyance no longer exists. 



Although Mr. Meynell Ingram does not attend his hoimds in the field, nor has 

 he been able to do so for several years, the interest he takes in the perfection of 

 the pack, and the sport they afford, is as keen as ever. Mr. Hugo Meynell 

 Ingram performs the duties with admirable tact and judgment, always in the 

 front rank when hounds are rimning. The Miss Meynells are also ardently fond 

 of hunting, and their equestrian accomplishments have gained a -wide-spread 

 fame. In a conversation I had with Mr. Meynell Ingram at luncheon, after a 

 very delightful morning on the flags, I was much gratified to find that he con- 

 firmed an opinion I have for some time entertained and expressed, that the very 

 upright pasterns and cat's feet, so imperative in the estimation of the most 

 critical judges of hoimds, were not the most serviceable for useful pui-poses. It 

 is quite evident that more concussion must exist with such very straight pasterns, 

 and that upon the same principle that it is known to exist in the horse. 



The fact of this lengthy article appearing in the lead- 

 ing paper for all hunting subjects is sufficient proof, if any 

 were needed, of the high estimation in which the Hoar 

 Cross hounds were held at this date. 



A similar one appears in 1886, from which they do 

 not seem to have lost their ancient prestige. After that 

 Mr. Bass is said to have improved them immensely. It 

 is worth while for the reader to bear these facts in mind. 

 For the present, however, it is more to the purpose to 

 turn to their actual performances in the field. 



The season opened on October 26th, and then for some 

 reason they did not go out again till November 9th. The 

 Master was kept at home a great deal through indisposition , 

 but, which is more curious still, hounds did not come out 

 one day because neither Tom nor Charles were well enough 



