226 THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



the lots consisted of four couples each. Amongst the 

 purchasers, it may be mentioned that Mr. Morgan 

 Jones, Lord Eglinton, and Lord Euston became the 

 possessors of the first three lots at 120 gs. each ; Lord 

 Middleton took two at 285 gs., Captain Peyton four at 

 720 gs., Mr. Tailby two at 405 gs., Lord Eglinton two 

 more at 480 gs., and Mr. Musters one at 225 gs., the 

 total amount realised (including the unentered hounds) 

 being 2871 gs. In the same week, at Hyde Park Corner, 

 the Old Berkeley, then Lord Lonsdale's hounds, were 

 sold, with the exception of one lot, to Sir David Baird, 

 to take into the Lothians, but that gentleman obtained 

 thirty-nine couples of working hounds at an average 

 of something under 8 gs. per couple, the total, 

 together with three unentered hounds, amounting to 

 319 gs. Before the expiration of this same month Mr. 

 Selby Lowndes, who had a short time previously pur- 

 chased the pack from Lord Southampton, sent twenty- 

 three couples of dog hounds to the hammer with a not 

 very satisfactory result, though the celebrated hunts- 

 man, George Beers, said of one lot that "with twelve 

 couples like them he would kill a fox against any other 

 pack in Europe." The top price, 185 gs., was paid for 

 four couples by Lord Eglinton, and altogether 675 gs. 

 were realised. In the succeeding May the North 

 Warwickshire were sold on the death of Mr. Baker, 

 when once more moderate prices ruled, 855 gs. being 

 paid for sixty-nine couples. Lord Curzon leading the 

 way with 180 gs. for six couples. 



About this time several crack packs were for one 

 reason or another brought to the hammer, and in the 

 month of April, 1863, after one year of joint master- 

 ship. Sir Algernon Peyton and Mr. Richardson put 

 up the Bicester hounds for sale at Stratton Audley. 



