6 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



leisure moments have been invigoratingly spent 

 in the saddle. The signature of the present Bishop 

 of Peterborough was one of those most prized in 

 the testimonial headed by the late King Edward, 

 subscribing to the worth of the great Tom Firr, 

 " the finest huntsman who ever blew a horn." 



Peterborough is a name we instinctively associate 

 with the foxhound, just as Newmarket is with 

 that of the racehorse ; moreover, for the last quarter 

 of a century the famous city has established " a 

 half-way house," between one season and the next, 

 where hunting people from all over the world meet 

 at the hound show during the first week of July. 



The history of the chase and the Fitzwilliam 

 Hunt, whose kennels are at Milton by Peterborough, 

 are inseparably linked together, for it is one of a 

 few great family packs which came into existence 

 rather more than 150 years ago and has never 

 changed hands, though others have pro tern, held 

 short periods of mastership. As far back as 1768, 

 it is recorded that ten couple of the Fitzwilliam 

 hounds were matched for speed against Mr Hugo 

 Meynell's, which were considered the best of their 

 time, but Milton Darter and Druid outpaced the 

 lot, and won the match. The pack also had the 

 honour of being shown at Redcar Hound Show, 

 instituted by Mr Tom Parrington, on September 

 9, 1859, during the mastership of Mr George 

 Fitzwilliam's father, and two hounds, by name 

 Hardwick and Friendly, won first prize at this 

 the first hound show open to all England. 



Illustrating how the far-famed Milton blood has 

 maintained its supremacy, as a potent factor in 

 breeding the best animal of its day ; at the Jubilee 

 show of the Foxhound Society, at Peterborough 

 July 7, 1909, the winners of the silver cup pre- 



