54 REMINISCENCES, ETC. 



Rutland, and was of the same size as many of tbe best bounds 

 in tbe pack ; in fact, a perfect model for a foxhound, 

 answering in every way to Mr. Meynell's well-known de- 

 scription — " short back, open bosom, straight legs, and com- 

 pact feet ;" and to that by Beckford, equally familiar to 

 sportsmen, " Let his legs be straight as arrows, his feet 

 round and not too large, his chest deep and back broad, 

 his head small, his neck thin, his tail thick and bushy ; 

 if he carries it well, so much the better."* Yet notwith- 

 standing Beckford, than whom there cannot be better autho- 

 rity, for his work may be said to be the fox-hunter's text- 

 book, speaks of a thin neck as recommending a hound, 

 Mr. Smith used to like " throaty hounds," for he said " that 

 by getting rid of the throat, the nose goes along with it, for 

 a throaty hound has invariably a good nose." 



It may not be out of place here to describe the animated 

 and interesting scene which invariably occurred when the 

 squire joined his hounds at the meet. Directly he appeared, 

 every hound rushed towards him, and if ever there was a 

 hearty welcome given to man by " dumb animals," theirs was 

 that welcome. It could not be said, however, to be given 

 by " dumb animals," for each hound had a peculiar winning 

 note of its own to express its joy, and no one could for a 

 moment doubt the reciprocal delight both of master and 

 hounds. This was the more singular as ]Mr. Smith never 

 fed his hounds in the kennel, but, directly the hunting 

 was over for the day, he mounted his hack and galloped 

 home, while the hounds returned quietly with the whip- 

 pers-in. 



It did not add little to the character of this sylvan scene, 

 to see the well-mounted field, and the cordial greeting which 

 the knot of scarlets gave to the master of the hounds. No 

 time, however, was lost in salutations, for business was to 

 be done. So alongside of his hack the squire's hunter was 



* " On Hunting," p. 29. 



