58 Modern Dogs. 



took place on Knavesmire, in 1877. Following this 

 came the establishment at Peterborough, that is 

 held in June, and it has so grown under its excellent 

 management, that it now must be recognised as one 

 of the institutions or our land. At Peterborough 

 Hound Show, Masters, Huntsmen, and Whips, meet 

 as on a common threshold, and they talk of their 

 prospects, admire the .hounds, and criticise the 

 awards in the most friendly spirit imaginable. A 

 day at Peterborough is one that hunting men look 

 forward to as a kind of connecting link between 

 that time when hounds race on a burning scent, and 

 when they are the pets of the household. Almost 

 all the best foxhounds of the day are to be seen at 

 Peterborough Show, and no prospective Master 

 should miss the gathering ; few of the present 

 Masters do so. 



Already I have mentioned the odd price for which 

 Merkin was sold, but it seems rather strange that 

 whilst comparatively useless dogs of a purely fancy 

 breed occasionally bring from ^500 to ^1000 

 apiece, a whole pack of foxhounds may often 

 be purchased for the latter sum, or even for less. 

 There are hounds that a master would not sell at any 

 price, but if he would there could scarcely be the 

 demand for them at such enormous figures as a 

 terrier, a sheep dog, or a St. Bernard will often com- 



