ON THE FLAGS AND IN THE SHOW RING. 247 



Harbinger — Damsel, by Rallywood ; and Rasper, by Random 

 — Graceful, by Gamester, were both good hounds that were 

 in high favour amongst hound-breeders. 



But amongst the entry of 1877 was a hound that was 

 destined to make a greater name than any of these, good as 

 they were ; and wherever foxhounds are bred the name of 

 Bramham Smoker is a 'household word.' He was by Dread- 

 nought (by Blankney Damper — Ruin, by Rocket) — Starlight, 

 by Sportsman — Wisdom, by Roman. He was an August 

 puppy, and was scarcely looked at ; indeed, it was thought 

 that he would never grow into a hound. But he did grow 

 Into one, and Smith expresses it as his opinion that he was 

 one of the very best foxhounds he ever saw. He was not 

 a particularly handsome hound, just an useful one in appear- 

 ance, but in his work he was a wonder. He had an excep- 

 tionally fine nose, and was full of drive. As an instance of 

 his fine hunting powers may be given an incident which 

 took place in a run, the date of which is not at hand, though 

 there is no doubt about the fact. Hounds had run over the 

 York road to Colton Whin, through which they drove their 

 fox on to the lane leading to Copmanthorpe. On the lane 

 scent failed, and no hound could own the line save Smoker, 

 who carried it on for half a mile by himself, a circumstance 

 which Mr. H. Preston will doubtless remember, as he was 

 much pleased with the performance at the time. Smoker, it 

 need scarcely be said, was a great success at the stud, and in 

 most of the kennels in England there is some of his blood 

 to be found. 



In 1S78, Grasper, by Gaylad — Famous, by Fleecer, stands 

 out as an useful hound both in the field and at the stud. 

 He unfortunately got 'stifled,' and was then sent to the 

 Duke of Buccleuch's kennel, where he did good service. 



Dancer, by Damper, a grandson of the Blankney Damper 

 — Merrylass, by Mountebank, a very well-bred hound, was 



