THE HISTORY OF THE BEL VOIR HUNT 



of course, where such choice of entry is at command and 

 their bone quite equal to their frame. 



" In their work, the Belvoir hounds are allowed to be 

 eminent for the manner in which they drive a scent when 

 it is ahead, and for the quick and decisive manner in which 

 they turn with it when it is no longer ahead. This excellence 

 is essential to killing a stout fox which runs short, and the 

 absence of it accounts for the frequent loss of such foxes. 

 The general speed of hounds, indeed, in runs of a certain 

 description, entirely depends on the extent to which they 

 possess this quality. Without it, I should say the chances 

 are three to one in favour of the fox on a good scenting day. 

 I wish to observe that the foregoing remarks are the result 

 entirely of my own observation, not having had conversation 

 with any individual on the subject 



" The general speed of the Belvoir hounds has long been 

 proverbial." ^ 



Nimrod, however, returns somewhat to his older style when 

 he speaks of the Duke of Rutland, but he tells us that the 

 Duke was out and took the greatest interest in seeing the 

 hounds draw Melton Spinney. He also tells us of some others 

 who were present. 



" There were several conspicuous characters this day in 

 the field, amongst them two German princes who were on a 

 visit to Belvoir, and a German count, domiciled at Melton, to 

 all of whom, by their own desire, I had the honour to be in- 

 troduced. Neither was the introduction a mere matter of 

 ceremonious form. The two princes — Trautsmandorfif, the 

 head of his family, as I am told, and the only son of the late 

 master of the horse to the Emperor of Austria ; and Rudolph 

 Lichtenstein, a captain of dragoons in the Austrian service — 

 gave me a pressing invitation to visit them at Vienna, which 

 the distance alone prevents my accepting. Neither did their 

 civility end here ; they offered to mount me, if I hunted with 

 Lord Chesterfield in the woodlands, which, unfortunately, it 

 was not in my power to do, and I missed some fine sport. 

 The name of the count is Neidhardt de Gneisenau, a 

 ^ Sporting Review, vol. xi., p. 183, 1839. 

 142 



