THE OLD HUNTSMAN AND THE YOUNG MASTER 



1839, the year of Lord Suffield's mastership of the Quorn, 

 Nimrod came over from his exile at Calais to enjoy a glimpse 

 of his favourite sport. He was by this time a subdued Nim- 

 rod. The exuberances of his style had disappeared, and his 

 description of the hounds, being that of a contemporary of 

 much experience, finds an appropriate place here. 



" Of the Belvoir hounds, my opinion is expressed in a few- 

 words. Under every advantage of upwards of thirty years' 

 establishment under the eyes of clever men, and with those 

 means in particular so necessary to the end which large pos- 

 sessions by the owners of them can hardly fail to afford, they 

 are allowed to have arrived at perfection in form and like- 

 wise in their work. The style of hound is also described in 

 a few words. Like the thorough-bred horse, he exhibits a 

 frame peculiarly fitted for the work he has to perform, com- 

 bining immense powers, for his size, disguised, if I may be 

 allowed the expression, by the elegance of his form. But, to 

 speak more soberly, in looking over the pack that was this 

 day out, the eye was attracted to the following distinguishing 

 features. First, their extremely placid demeanour while 

 waiting for the time of throwing off It resembled that of 

 what is termed the sluggish thorough-bred horse previously 

 to his being roused into action. Secondly, the sort of family 

 likeness which reigned throughout the pack. Thirdly, the 

 generally perfect and exact symmetry in their form ; and, 

 lastly, the form itself. It has the length necessary to speed 

 and essential to the stride which a roomy and, in parts, 

 highly ridged country requires, with a display of power in 

 certain portions of the frame, as well as in the acting parts, 

 which cannot be too much admired. For example : the 

 combination of strength with depth of rib is remarkable in 

 these hounds, so distinguished for their blood-like appearance; 

 and this combination is again strengthened by their powerful 

 loins and muscular hind legs. The head of the Belvoir fox- 

 hound has long been remarkable for somewhat of a peculiar 

 construction and for being short. This peculiarity, however, 

 did not strike me so forcibly as when I last saw the pack. 

 Their legs and feet appeared straight and good, as a matter 



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