62 Modern Dogs. 



script still, I believe ; but I am perfectly assured that the leading 

 hound breeders of the day have seen it, and hence the great 

 leaning of late years towards the pack that came originally from 

 Lord Henry's benches. One might go considerably further back, 

 to quote how Mr. Corbet is said to have spoilt his pack by 

 excessive in-breeding to Trojan ; and how Sir Thomas Mostyn 

 committed the same mistake by appreciating the blood too much 

 of a famous bitch called Lady. It is sufficient, however, to note 

 that this sort of allegiance to certain hounds has had a marvellous 

 effect on hound breeding, and that such hounds can be regarded 

 as landmarks through a veritable maze of pedigrees ranging over 

 half a century. No animal of any sort whatever has been bred to 

 in the same persistency as can be traced to the Osbaldeston 

 Furrier ; he was the best hound of his day, in the opinion of an 

 experienced authority ; and that opinion was followed by such 

 hound breeders as the late Mr Foljambe, the late Lord Henry 

 Bentinck, and the late Mr. Parry, besides a host of others, not 

 excepting those who attended to the well-being of the almost 

 classical packs of Belvoir, Brocklesby, Fitzwilliam, and Bad- 

 minton. 



There have been hounds in considerable numbers that could 

 boast of temporary reputations, but they have not secured lasting 

 fame : and I should be inclined to limit what might be called the 

 standard favourites to a dozen since the days of the Osbaldeston 

 Furrier. Others may be inclined to differ from my selections, 

 but they will catch my meaning if they will trace recent pedigrees 

 to their sources, and will regard such hounds as are seen at the 

 Peterborough show. It is seen that during years of breeding 

 there has been no loss of size and bone, to begin with no loss 

 of quality, as shown in clean necks and shoulders, and general 

 carriage ; and, if looks can be taken for anything, there can 

 have been no loss in pace, or in such qualities of shape that 

 suggest power and stamina. Hunting men of various countries 

 can decide whether foxhounds are not as good or better than they 

 have ever been ; but a very strong feature in maintaining the 



