28 TWO DISTINCT BREEDS 



of Beaufort and Lord Fitzwilliam, as belonging to the 

 larger class, when compared with those of the Duke of 

 Rutland and Lord Yarborough ; this distinctive differ- 

 ence has, however, been gradually wearing away, by the 

 crosses so continually made between the two species ; but 

 even at this date, it is not unusual to find specimens 

 in several kennels, which clearly show their original 

 descent, by a width of head, coarseness of neck, and 

 bulkiness of frame, generally so much at variance with 

 the fashionable form of the present day. 



Some thirty years ago, when making a tour of inspection 

 to some of the first kennels of the country, I was much 

 struck with the different appearance of the Belvoir and 

 Cottesmore packs. The Duke of Rutland's hounds, then 

 under the management of Goosey, were, respecting 

 framework, as nearly perfection as possible, looking as 

 neat and bright in their coats as a new pin, averaging in 

 height about twenty-three inches. A very striking 

 contrast was presented in the late Lord Lonsdale's pack, 

 which was of a totally different character, particularly 

 perceptible in the dog-hounds. Some of these stood 

 twenty-six inches in height, with rather wide, long heads, 

 and a good share of neckcloth ; they were also put loosely 

 together, although possessing straight legs and good feet, 

 with plenty of bone and muscle. The characters of these 

 two packs were also very different in the field. The 

 Duke's were quick, active, and mettlesome — forcing the 

 fight, and running into their fox in the open. The 

 movements and tactics of the Cottesmore just the reverse 

 — ^hunting the fox being their forte, and this they certainly 

 accomplished to perfection. Their style of going was 

 like that of a large thorough-bred horse, striding over the 

 ground at a long lurching pace ; but their noses were 



