THE BLACKMORE VALE HOUNDS. 233 



known strains of foxhound blood, grafted on to the 

 old Blackmore Vale pack some remarkable results 

 might have been anticipated. Unfortunately, 

 however, Mr Guest's resignation took place before 

 the full effect of this introduction could be ap- 

 preciated, and, to the lasting sorrow of all lovers of 

 hounds, the grand old pack was lost to the country 

 and dispersed under the hammer of the auc- 

 tioneer. Such an event seemed the last indignity 

 that could be offered to fox-hunting in the Vale, 

 and will certainly never be forgotten by the fol- 

 lowers and supporters of the old hunt. Few, if 

 any. Masters of Hounds of modern time have been 

 more staunchly supported by the entire farming 

 and landed interest of a hunt country than were 

 those of the old regime, and it will be long before 

 regret for the lost associations and glories of the 

 past dies out in the minds of those who shared in 

 them. 



