210 THE NEW FOREST 



minimum height of 26 inches, to get hold of the 

 big hounds, that were out of place in foxhound 

 kennels, but were otherwise symmetrical. 



By doing this he eliminated all competitors but 

 two, viz. the Devon and Somerset Staghounds, who 

 also have a big pack, as well as one of the usual 

 standard, and the occasional foreigner. When once 

 the West Country pack had made up its numbers, it 

 was not difficult to pick up what was wanted out 

 of the remainder of the big hounds in the market. 



I was not altogether happy about this at first, 

 for I am not very fond of extra big hounds, and 

 feared an accession of lumbering great dogs. But 

 I was completely mistaken. No lumberers ap- 

 peared, and the pack was as smart and quick 

 as any little pack of bitches, under Mr. Thursby's 

 control. And I do not think there has ever been 

 a pack in the Forest that got over the ground 

 faster, and ran better together, than these big 

 dog-hounds, while the echo of their cry among 

 the old woods was magnificent. 



Much of this was due to Mr. Thursby's ex- 

 ceptional qualities as a huntsman and a judge of 

 hounds, whether in kennel or in the field. I 

 certainly consider him the best and quickest 

 gentleman huntsman that I have ever seen or 

 heard of, except perhaps the late Sir Charles 

 Slingsby, who is to me but a recollection. 



