THE HISTORY OF THE BEL VOIR HUNT 



they poured into him a regular screaming volley once round 

 it, and killed him most handsomely. 



" I beg to remain, Honoured Sir, 



" Your most humble and obedient servant, 



" Wm. Goodall." 



The next letter tells its own story. 



XII 



" Belvoir Kennels, 

 '' April 20th, 1857. 

 "Honoured Sir. — 



" Having got a very decent entry of young dog-hounds, 

 and being obliged to pull down our old pack to a certain 

 number, I think I shall be able to select a very good dog- 

 hound as a stallion for Mr. Errington, who, I am delighted to 

 hear, is again about establishing a pack of fox-hounds. May 

 he do so, and quickly, and a good one is my sincere wish, 

 and may they rouse up the old blood which flowed through 

 his veins some twenty years ago, employing all the muscles 

 and nerves both in heart and head, which so soon become 

 inanimate when retiring from fox-hunting, making our lives 

 (in this most beautiful world Providence has placed us in) a 

 burthen to us. Depend there is nothing like fox-hunting for 

 health and strength when rightly carried out — cheering with- 

 out inebriating. There we all meet together, high and low, rich 

 and poor, all English hearts throbbing like a maiden's at the 

 letter for the sound gone away. But I must stop, or I shall 

 be gone too, and to business. I need not tell you I shall be 

 very happy indeed to show you our pack any day next week 

 most convenient to yourself to come, and I think Mr. Litch- 

 ford, who has not seen them, would have great pleasure in 

 meeting you here if you will please give me one line to say 

 what day and what hour, and I will be in readiness for you, 

 and shall have great pleasure in having a chop for you, too, 

 at two o'clock. 



" I beg to remain. Honoured Sir, 



" Your most humble and obedient servant, 



" Wm. Goodall." 

 202 



