314 The Hunting Countries of England, 



preservers and well-wishers in the Hunt. His blood, 

 soundness, and quality should be of great value among 

 the draught -mares and ponies of the district — which, 

 for hardiness and endurance, have a reputation quite 

 world-wide. 



Mr. Froude-Bellew^s pack, consisting mostly of 

 bitches, averages about twenty-two inches in height, is 

 made up of quick, muscular quartered, active hounds — 

 full of drive and strength. They are chiefly bred at 

 home, and walked by the neighbouring farmers who 

 compete keenly for the honour of sending in the best 

 puppy. Crosses of blood are obtained from the Egges- 

 ford Kennel — Lord Portsmouth ever lending friendly 

 and well-appreciated help in selection of sires from his 

 beautiful pack. 



I cannot conclude better than in the words of one 

 who has had long experience of Devonshire. " The 

 Dulverton country, far west as it is, is most desirable 

 ground for a sportsman — though a sportsman, perhaps, 

 of the old school rather than the new. The man learns 

 the habits, the strength, the endurance of a wild roam- 

 ing fox, and the instinct, the hunting power, and 

 capability of the hound. He sees the two fairly pitted, 

 one against the other — without the modern interven- 

 tions of telegra,phing, ' hark holloa ' and ^ yonder he 

 goes,^ or the hurry-scurry melee which every day tends 

 so much to disorganise hounds and to mar true sport. 

 No Devonshire fox is killed by hustling ; the more he 

 is bullied the shorter he turns ; and time is more often 

 lost than gained in the hurly-burly. Let them alone ! 

 is the golden rule for the west country ; and it is mar- 

 vellous the sport a good pack of hounds will show 



