ii6 GOOD SPORT 



The formation of a pack of hounds of the highest 

 class has been the hfe ambition of many a famous 

 sportsman of the past, and Mr. McNeill in six seasons 

 built up one of great excellence. The kennel pre- 

 sented a very level appearance — brimful of quality 

 and matching in colour — the type throughout being 

 Belvoir ; the big bitches, measuring rather over 

 twenty-three inches, were remarkable for muscular 

 backs, strong quarters, and well-sprung ribs. In 

 chase they were deep-noted as dog-hounds, and with 

 nothing older than five-season hunters running with 

 the pack presented the zenith of vigour — a determined 

 lot of ladies who meant catching their fox at the end 

 of a gallop. The season we hunted with them they 

 killed forty brace of wild hill-foxes up to the end of 

 February, though the district is poor scenting, and 

 the country only two days a week, though three is 

 sometimes managed. In breeding Mr. McNeill went 

 close with happy results, having gained experience 

 with show fox-terriers, his favourite blood in hound 

 breeding being Belvoir Dexter ('95) and Belvoir 

 Vagabond ('99), judiciously crossed in and out. 

 Such was the pack that showed much excellent sport 

 to the followers of the North Cotswold, and won 

 many honours on the flags at Peterborough. When 

 Mr. McNeill retired in 1906 from office as master and 

 huntsman, the pack of forty-two couple of bitches 

 was purchased by the newly appointed master. 

 Sir John Hume Campbell, for £3600, a sum which 

 expert opinion said would have been exceeded if 

 the pack had gone into the open market. We may 

 call to mind the success of other Belvoir-bred packs 

 in late years, viz., the Woodland Pytchley, sold by 

 Mr. Austin Mackenzie, the dogs making ^2000, the 

 bitches ^3000 ; the Morpeth, sold by Mr. R. Clayton 

 Swan, made ;^3000 ; and the Atherstone, sold by 



