2o8 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



He is a noble dog, compact and near the ground, 

 resembling the old Paradox sort — so Mr Legard 

 remarked — just the pattern in size and character 

 for the requirements of the country. Stalwart 

 stands beautifully on the flags, and there is a work- 

 man-like look about his appearance, satisfying the 

 eye that he combines the right amount of substance 

 for a stallion hound, with quality. Deacon (1905), 

 by Dexter (1902), a son of Belvoir Dexter (1895) has 

 an extra special character for work, a foxhound 

 with marvellous instinct for finding a fox, or hitting 

 off a line when nothing else can touch it. On his 

 dam's side. Deacon has Grafton blood, and that of 

 Pytchley Potentate, a Peterborough champion by 

 Belvoir Gordon. All the Deacons have a good deal 

 of the old Belvoir Dexter character about them, 

 and are nailers in their work. Viceroy (1903) by 

 Belvoir Villager (1897), from Wildfire (1899) we did 

 not see ; although we remember him on a former 

 occasion, a nice tan dog with black on his ribs, who 

 stood well on short legs, and was a most deter- 

 mined hound in chase. One of the models of the 

 kennel was Rector (1906), a son of Reprobate (1899), 

 who was by Pytchley Freshman ; and this is a line 

 of blood by which the kennel sets much store. 

 When Rector showed on the flags, Mr Legard pro- 

 nounced him to be " the sort the late Lord Henry 

 Bentinck bred for," he looked every inch a foxhound, 

 and has a beautiful daughter, Redolent, in the 1911 

 entry. It is quite evident that Lord Middleton 

 has some great working hounds ; and being bred in 

 a scientific way, it must be a kennel to go to for 

 blood and improvement. 



A day at Birdsall is not complete without an 

 inspection of the hunt stables, around which Lord 

 and Lady Middleton personally conducted their guests 



