THE LOUTH HOUNDS. I 17 



one of the litter. When he retired, I saw a trio by 

 Vaulter, out of Ardent— Ajax, Albion, and Assheton. 

 The first-mentioned has been in the infirmary, and 

 does not look well ; Ajax is very good-looking, and 

 better even than he looks. The five-year-olds were 

 then called out. Lounger, by Linkboy, out of Vanquish, 

 appeared to be very timid. Cardinal, by Viceroy, is 

 one that would please any critic, and, I believe, he is 

 very like his grandsire and namesake — a dog that 

 belonged to Sir Watkin Wynn. Bellman, by 

 Brusher, out of Chauntress, is a "commoner;" nor 

 did his half-brother, out of Tell-tale, impress me 

 favourably. Guider, by Warwickshire Brusher, out 

 of Gaiety, is a true-shaped hound, indeed perfect 

 in build. The six-year-old bitch, Darling, is by Bel- 

 voir Drayman, from Liberty; she would be a great 

 acquisition to any kennel. Victory, by the Meath 

 Argus, out of Violet, pleased me very much, and is a 

 wonder on plough. Violet was by the Pytchley 

 General, out of Vestris. Poor old Affable has done a 

 great deal in the hunting-field, and reared several of 

 the best hounds in the kennel ; she is a grand old 

 *' lady," and is by the Meath Argus, out of Magic, by 

 Mussulman, out of Festive. Affable' s hunting days 

 are now over; and Advocate, a valuable hound by 

 Asteroid out of Violet, was killed, in 1876, by a kick 

 from a horse. 



There are fourteen hunters in the stables — a good 

 stud of useful, wear-and-tear horses. 



The following brief history of the Louth Hunt 

 may be read with interest : In the early part of this 

 century, Louth was hunted by several packs of har- 

 riers, and the first attempt at establishing a county pack 

 was about 1817, when the late Mr. Sheills of Newtown 



