244 HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



preciation in value of the ancestral acres owing to 

 agricultural depression. The noble owners of 

 Belvoir had hunted a vast country in the most 

 liberal way for so long a time, and maintaining 

 the prestige of the Belvoir, benefited every hunt 

 in England through what may be termed a national 

 pack. The strength of the kennel remained the 

 same, being still three packs, made up of sixty-two 

 couple. 



A capital hunting song was composed and sung 

 by a local sportsman, marking the change in the 

 number of hunting days, the following being a 

 couple of verses. 



Let us stroll to the kennels that lie in the grounds 



Of good old Belvoir. 

 To talk with Frank Gillard and look at his hounds — 



The good old Belvoir. 

 How deep is each che'st, how strong is each thigh, 

 How broad is each muzzle, how gentle each eye ; 

 But see them from Sherbrooke's across the vale fly, — 



Good old Belvoir. 



Then, hey, tally-ho ! a-hunting we'll go, but not Monday 



next week ; 

 On Saturday, too, you may ride the vale thro"*, but 



Gillard in vain you'll seek ; 

 From South Notts to Cottesmore, from Lincoln to Quorn, 

 You my hearken in vain for the sound of the horn. 

 Each fortnight from Friday till Tuesday's morn. 

 The hounds grow sleek. 



That Gillard thought the world of Gambler 

 and also of old Glancer, sons of Weathergage, is 



