70 THE BROCKLESBY HOUNDS. [1838 



were marked to ground — thanks to the new system of 

 earth-stopping, I suppose. 



Regular hunting in 1838 began on November 5th, at 

 Bradley Wood, and no run of note marked that month. 

 In December Lord Yarborouo;h wrote Smith that he 

 would like the standard of the hounds reduced, twenty- 

 three inches being the highest and twenty-one inches the 

 lowest. Smith says he thinks twenty-two inches the best 

 Bize for hounds, but whether dogs, or bitches, or both, he 

 does not say. At the present time twenty-two inches is 

 the standard for bitches, and twenty-four inches for dogs 

 — an excellent standard, in the humble opinion of the 

 writer. On December 27th, Smith had a pack of nothing 

 but bitches, owing to so many being in season, and he was 

 particularly pleased with the way in which they worked. 

 Mr. D. Elwes took a bad toss that day, and was insensible 

 for some time. 



Sir Richard Sutton was out on December 21st, and 

 also on January 4th, on which day Smith went back with 

 him and enjoyed two days' hunting with the Burton. 

 Over and over again one finds Smith reviling the new 

 meal. On January 23rd he writes as follows : — " Nothing 

 can be so ridiculous as for us to use new meal in the 

 hunting season. Had it been my fault I could never have 

 forgiven myself, but it is the office people alone for not 

 ordering it." 



The Steeple Race took place on February 12th, sixteen 

 horses starting over a course laid in the neighbourhood, 

 and Mr. Carnley winning, on Old Mr. Fry. 



Mr. R. B. Davis came down for material for his picture 

 on February 17th, 1839, and he was to have hunted on 

 the morrow, but owing to some misunderstanding he did 

 not go. Will Smith and Will Mason and some of the 

 princijjal hounds appeared in the picture, they being in 

 the act of leaving Carr Leys Wood for Waterhills. In 

 the picture Will Smith is riding a horse called Snips, from 

 the white snip on his nose, while Will Mason is mounted 

 on a grey mare, an own sister to the celebrated grey Peter 



