CHAPTER XVII 



NOTES FROM THE BELVOIR KENNEL 



The history of the Belvoir in a nut-shell — Expert opinion on the influence 

 of the kennel on foxhound breeding — The late Queen Victoria's 

 opinion of Belvoir Castle — The picturesque position of the kennels — 

 The sixth Duke of Rutland— The seventh Duke of Rutland — A 

 Duke of Rutland's luck in kennel matters — Sir Gilbert Greenall — 

 Brocklesby Rallywood ('50) — Belvoir Weathergauge ('76) — The his- 

 tory of Belvoir Weathergauge ('76) — Belvoir Fallible ('74) — Belvoir 

 Gambler ('84)— Belvoir Pirate ('86)— The strength of the kennel 

 when Frank Gillard left it — Belvoir Dexter's ('95) full pedigree — 

 Belvoir Dexter ('95)— The Rev. Cecil Legard and Mr. Austin 

 Mackenzie on the flags at Belvoir — Dexter captivates all the critics 

 —Ben Capell's management of Dexter — Sir Gilbert Greenall as a 

 hound-breeder — The great entry of 1899 — The Belvoir sires Vaga- 

 bond Stormer and Handel ('99) — Success of Belvoir sires at Peter- 

 borough, 1899 — Mr. James Hoyes' cup — Belvoir Dasher (1900) — 

 Dasher's pedigree — Radical top of the Conservative pack, and sub- 

 sequent chaff—Duke John's story of old Goosey told at the Puppy 

 Show luncheon — Presentation to SirGilbert Greenall on his marriage, 

 1900 — Tom Firr's last public appearance and speech — Captain 

 Pennell Elmhirst's opinion on the kennel, 1905 — Day-Star and Helper 

 ('05) — The great entry of 1906 — Ragman, Rufus Weaver— Weaver 

 ('06) described — Warlock and Whitaker ('06) — A note about the 

 late Lord Willoughby de Broke— The eighth Duke of Rutland— The 

 meet at Belvoir Castle, 1909 — Weaver kills the last fox of the season 

 1908-9 — The brush and mask go to two young sportsmen— The 

 entries of igo8 and 1909 — The key to the Belvoir kennel. 



" Let us stroll to the kennels that lie in the grounds 



Of good old Belvoir, 

 To talk with the huntsman and look at the hounds — 



The good old Belvoir. 

 How deep is each chest, how strong is each thigh, 

 How broad is each muzzle, how gentle each eye ; 

 But see them from Sherbrooke's across the vale fly, — 



Good old Belvoir ! " 



Referring to " Cecil," the Belvoir Hunt — which 

 dates back to 1750 — became a foxhound pack in 

 1762 ; and with the exception of the period 1830-57, 



