204 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



Digby Legard, and Mr Watt of racing renown, who 

 twice won the Leger, with Blacklock and Altisidora. 

 The Sykes family were identified as masters for 

 the next fifty years ; after that time Lord Middleton 

 bought the hounds in 1834, and later kennels were 

 built at Birdsall. Mr H. Willoughby— eighth 

 Baron Middleton — father of the present peer, 

 took over the country in 1853 ; and there was 

 no better sportsman, or amateur huntsman of his 

 time. The beautiful range of kennels at Birds- 

 all were erected by the late Lord Middleton, from 

 his own plans ; which have been adopted by other 

 hunts of more recent date. The greatest attention 

 was paid to the breeding of hunters and hounds, his 

 lordship showing splendid sport for five and twenty 

 years, and at his death in 1877, being succeeded by 

 his son — the present and ninth holder of the title. 



The huntsmen who have had charge of the kennel, 

 include names to be found on the illustrious scroll 

 of fame ; the finest exponents of the noble science, 

 Tom and George Carter, Ben Morgan, Will Grant, 

 and Tom Bishopp the present huntsman. 



It has been our good fortune to spend two days 

 on the flags of Lord Middleton's kennel, the 

 occasions being the judging of the young entry of 

 1908 and 1911. 



Unlike the puppy shows at other kennels, these 

 occasions are private in character, with only the 

 house-party from Birdsall as spectators, and there- 

 fore an exceptionally good opportunity to study 

 the hounds. The day is always a long one — five 

 hours being spent on the flags — for Lord and Lady 

 Middleton like to see each hound of the fifty-three 

 couples in kennel, drawn for inspection. The same 

 two judges officiate year by year, Captain the Hon. 

 Francis Johnstone, and the Rev. Cecil Legard ; to 



