283 



with Belle of Scjotland, Sir John, and Eyes of Fire. His first undecided 

 was in his first course for a Waterloo, but he ran it off successfully, 

 whereas both Sir John and Eyes of Fire were drawn from him. 



The following will be found a correct list of the greyhounds van- 

 quished by the mighty monarch, and amongst them will be found a 

 long line of celebrities : Polly Pelham, Louie, S. S., Cricket, and What's 

 the Tip, at Lurgan, October, '67 ; Brilliant, Master Frederick, Little 

 Sly, and Warranted, at Creagh, October, '67 ; Belle of Scotland, Kalista, 

 Marionette, Brigade, Lobelia, and Cock Robin, at Altcar, February, '68 ; 

 Lady Meta, S. S., Sir John, and Sir William (Lonsdale's), at Lurgan, 

 October, '68 ; Borealis, Hard Lines, Charming May, Randolph, Lobelia, 

 and Bab-at-the-Bowster, at Altcar, February, '69 ; Old Rosy Maid, 

 Precentor, Double-or-Quits, Smuggler, and Fritz, at Lurgan, October, 

 '70 ; Wharfinger, Eyes of Fire, Rocketer, Letter T, Black Knight, and 

 Pretender, at Altcar, February, '71, suffering defeat alone from Lady 

 Lyon as already described. 



I have before me an authentic record of his measurement as taken 

 most carefully just before the Waterloo of 1871 by the late Mr. W. J. 

 Dunbar, editor of the ItUIl ^Sportsmcai, and a prominent member of the 

 Leash. I therefore give the particulars : — 



Head. — From tip of nose to neck, 9^ins. ; girth between eyes and 

 ears, 14ins. ; girth of snout, 7|in9. ; distance between eyes, 2|ins. 

 Neck. — Length from joining on of head to shoulders, 9ins. ; girth 

 round neck, 13|ins. Back.— From neck to base of tail, 21ins. ; length 

 of tail, 17ins. Intermediate Points. — Length of loin from junction of 

 last rib to hip-bone. Sins. ; length from hip-bone to socket of thigh 

 joint, 5ins. Fore Leg. — From base of two middle nails to fetlock 

 joint, 2ins. ; from fetlock joint to elbow joint, 12jins. ; thickness of 

 fore leg below the elbow, 6ins. Hind Leg. — From hock to stifle joint, 

 9|ins. ; from stifle to top of hip-bone, 12ins. ; girth of ham part of 

 thigh, 14ins. ; thickness of second thigh below stifle, 8|ins. Body. — 

 Girth round depth of chest, 26^ins. ; girth round the loins, 17iins. He 

 stood 26^ins., and weighed 54lbs., never varying 2lbs. whether in or out 

 of condition. 



.Thus is seen how wonderfully well shaped he was. Although not 

 tall, he was hig^ and could cover an immensity of ground in his stride, 

 He displayed extraordinary muscular development, had a plain, short, 

 but honest head, good neck and shoulders, and stood on the very best of 

 legs and feet. His tail was short but remarkably fine ; in colour he was 

 black, ticked with white spots and a blaze down the front. 



That McGrath was metaphorically a great-hearted dog few will deny, 

 but he was one in reality, for when taken from the carcase at the post- 

 mortem examination his heart was found to weigh fifty-four ounces^ 

 just double the ordinary size for a dog of his weight. 



In every detail of his w^orking he was first-class. Although his tail was 

 shortish he could turn as quickly as his game, while a better killer was 

 never slipped. Except on the one occasion, not alone was he never 



