NOTES FROM THE BELVOIR KENNEL 249 



In Gillard's opinion Weathergauge was the best 

 hound he ever saw in every part of a run, possessing 

 nose, tongue, drive, constitution, and devihy when 

 breaking up a fox, quahties which he transmitted 

 to his stock, who always have plenty to say 

 about it, no matter how hard they are running. 

 In appearance Weathergauge was a disappointing 

 hound, being flat-sided and short in the neck, but 

 he never sired anything so mean-looking as him- 

 self, and Gillard kept very close to him when breed- 

 ing. His voice was true ; he had only to speak and 

 all the pack would fly to him ; carrying a line down 

 a road he was unsurpassed, and absolutely reliable 

 when making a cast. To-day the weight of opinion 

 is all in favour of the Weathergauge strain for good 

 looks and good work, no matter what the nature 

 of the country to be hunted may be — grass, plough, 

 stony wastes, or deep woodland. When discussing 

 Belvoir pedigrees, houndsmen seldom go farther 

 back than to Weathergauge, for in him the pack 

 culminated, as it were. Chance may be said to 

 have played an important part in the career of 

 Weathergauge, for, being a plain hound, he was in- 

 cluded in the draft, and offered for £10 to Mr. 

 Albert Brassey, who would not have him. A parallel 

 case was that of Furrier. Drafted from the Duke 

 of Rutland's kennel because he was not straight, 

 and purchased by Squire Osbaldeston, he eventually 

 blossomed into one of the most-sought-after sires 

 ever recorded in hunting history, though old Thomas 

 Goosey would not use him for the Belvoir— not even 

 after he had established his fame ! 



Another great hound bred by Frank Gillard was 

 Falhble ('74^;, the result of an out-cross with the Fitz- 

 wiUiam, for he was by Milton Furrier, from Pro- 

 phetess. He showed true foxhound style in every 



