252 Hunting Countries of England, 



direction that the Hound Shows of late years have 

 worked so much benefit. A standard of excellence is 

 there laid down by the best, acknowledged, judges, 

 and presented for the study of Masters and huntsmen. 

 The latter have at the same time the opportunity of 

 comparing for themselves the picked representatives of 

 the best kennels, and establishing a model for their 

 own guidance more easily and satisfactorily than they 

 could hope to by any other means. For, if as an 

 alternative — instead of additional — course, you visit a 

 number of separate Kennels, you find in every one — 

 take which you will — that in each class there are one 

 or two hounds standing pre-eminently above the 

 others ; while, again, if you pursue your studies below 

 these elect, your search for knowledge cannot but be 

 more or less swayed, and your judgment influenced, by 

 the opinion of those who have had the making of the 

 pack under observation — and who may, or may not be, 

 the soundest of authorities. Moreover, granting the 

 argument that the showyard and its results aflbrd no 

 criterion of a hound's nose, and behaviour in the field, 

 yet his points for actual work bear so much more 

 proportionate weight in the minds of the judges than 

 his mere beauty of appearance that at least he must be 

 bodily suitable for the field. And, though in a less 

 degree with the hound than the horse, it may be 

 asserted that a well-shaped animal is more likely to 

 be a good performer than one of faulty make. 



Then, again, besides the opportunity given by 

 Hound Shows of filling the eye with the truest model, 

 every facility is now granted by Masters of Hounds 

 for access to the blood producing it ; and thus every 



