294 HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



personal share which you have had in the mainte- 

 nance of it." 



In replying to the presentation speech, after a 

 spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm from the as- 

 sembled crowd, Gillard said : "It is gratifying to 

 feel that I have so many kind and true friends, 

 not only in the Belvoir Hunt, but also in many 

 others far and near. I have participated in the 

 sport for many years, and had the honour of hunt- 

 ing the noble Duke of Rutland's famous pack for 

 the long period of twenty-six seasons. It seems but 

 yesterday, though forty years ago, that I started 

 a long career in my native country — sweet Devon- 

 shire — first with the harriers, and then with the 

 foxhounds. During this long period I have served 

 under five masters, of whom I have the most 

 pleasant memories, viz. Captain Willett, the Hon. 

 Mark Rolle, Mr. John Chaworth Musters, the 

 late and the present Dukes of Rutland. You may 

 therefore conclude that I have had a long and 

 most enjoyable innings, and I assure you that I 

 greatly feel my severance from the Belvoir Hunt." 



