114 GOOD SPORT 



backbone of fox-hunting, and these Worcestershire 

 sportsmen bred and born are a community whose 

 fame for staunchness to fox-hunting is known far 

 and wide. The majority of them or their sons 

 ride to hounds, and wire is practically unknown in 

 their country, whilst foxes are preserved as they 

 ought to be — the best of good feeling prevailing 

 between sport and agriculture. Many countries 

 may go a-begging for a master, but 

 not so the North Cotswold, whose Hunt 

 Committee have on occasion had over 

 twenty applicants for the coveted post. 

 Our first sight of the North Cots- 

 wold was in 1906 when staying with 

 Mr. Charles McNeih, who held the mastership for 

 five seasons, 1901-6, a period of brilliant sport 

 which will long be remembered in the country. 

 Mr. McNeiU learnt his hunting from Tom Firr, 

 residing for several years in Quorn village at a 

 period when he was a most successful breeder 

 of fox-terriers, securing many championships in 

 the show ring. Reviving memories of those happy 

 days in i8g6 and after, Mr. McNeill said, " I was 

 continually in kennel studying his methods, and had 

 a pack of beagles of my own at Quorn, with which 

 Tom Firr used to come and run, occasionally treating 

 us to one of his silvery view halloas. At that time 

 he was captain of the Quorn Cricket Club, but had 

 to give it up, as his knee was always slipping out 

 of joint. One of nature's gentlemen, he was a very 

 reserved man, but in the long rides home from hunt- 

 ing used to become more communicative than at 

 other times, and would talk over the doings of the 

 day, arguing out what he considered his faulty casts, 

 but always having a reason for every one he made. 

 When he was forced to relinquish the post of hunts- 



