ii8 GOOD SPORT 



is marvellous to think that half the pack did not get 

 their toes down before Christmas, much more that 

 they could show with the best on the flags at Peter- 

 borough in the summer. Tom Firr used to stay 

 with the master at Broadway, and many a useful 

 hint and valuable suggestion did he make at a 

 time when the kennel was rising into the front 

 rank. 



A certain air of Leicestershire was imported by 

 Mr. McNeill into the North Cotswold country, the 

 hunt servants being well turned out and beautifully 

 mounted. The new departure and faster era of 

 sport was thoroughly appreciated, and strangers 

 sojourned in the land, so that in the course of a 

 season or two the following and subscriptions con- 

 siderably increased, every house and stable in the 

 district having its hunting occupants. Yet it is 

 but a little country and far removed from Leicester- 

 shire, its extent being fourteen miles long and eight 

 miles wide, or rather less than that at its apex and 

 base. With the large community of farmers this 

 brilliant era of sport came as a revelation, and sad 

 was the parting when their inspiriting leader laid 

 down the horn, which once belonged to Tom Firr. 



As might be expected, Mr. McNeill favoured a 

 very nice stamp of blood-like horse on short legs, 

 something that could gallop and jump, and stay the 

 very best over the rough stony hills, or stride 

 across the Evesham vale. Here again the best-bred 

 ones seemed capable of doing the most work in a 

 rough country, with less damage to joints and tendons 

 than is the case with underbred horses. The muscle 

 that met the eye, on backs and quarters, showed 

 that they were horses not kept to look at, for nothing 

 but work could put it there ! Like the hounds, 

 the horses had youth on their side, changes taking 



