156 HUNTING TOURS. 



In the hound of gigantic frame it is not to 

 be found. I have reason to believe these 

 hounds, in olden times, were of higher 

 stature, the dogs averaging twenty-five 

 inches, and the bitches only two inches 

 lower. When Sebright came, instigated by 

 the instincts he had happily acquired from 

 Mr. Osbaldeston's exquisite examples, he 

 reduced the standard to that which is the 

 acme of perfection, three-and-twenty inches. 

 The experience of more modern days has 

 convinced most masters of hounds that a 

 medium height is more conducive to perfec- 

 tion, and it is self-evident that hounds of 

 moderate size in an enclosed country, where 

 the nature of the fences is such that they 

 cannot fly them, must carry a better head 

 than those of great bulk. There is, neverthe- 

 less, a certain medium to be observed in order 

 to acquire power, and the advantages of 

 stride, where it can be displayed. For fine 

 heads, necks, shoulders, legs, and loins, this 

 pack is quite the model of perfection. It 

 has, I know, been a conclusion with huntsmen 

 that these fine qualities have been produced 

 by somewhat close breeding. Whether or not 

 that may have been the case half a century 



