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SPORT WITH VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS.

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VISCOUNT GALWAY.

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1876-1907.

BY

VISCOUNT GALWAY.

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DEDICATED

MY TRUE FRIENDS.

( SEASON.	:ONTENTS.	PAGE.
1876-1877		.	8
1877-1878 .			13
1878-1879			17
1879-1880			20
1880-1881			23
1881-1882			25
1882-1883			30
1883-1884			38
1884-1885			43
1885-1886			48
1886-1887			51
1887-1888			55
1888-1889			61
1889-189O			63
189O-189I			66
189I-1892			76
1892-1893			81
1893-1894			86
1894-1895			89
1895-1896			92
1896-1897			97
1897-1898			lOI
1898-1899			105
1899-I9OO			III
I9OO-I9OI			116
I9OI-I902			120
I902-I903			127
I903-I904			130
I904-I905			134
I905-I906			138
I906-I907			142

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Viscount Galway Frontispiece

Group OF Four. October 31st, 1901 ... Facing page 120

Large Group by the Cedar Tree.

October 31st, 1901 ,, ,, 122

Large Group ON Steps OF Serlby Hall... ,, ,, 146

Mounted Group with Hounds.

April 9th, 1907 , „ 148

sport with

Viscount Galwats Hounds,

1 876- 1 907.

A S I think my friends might hke to have some '^*' record of the many good runs we have enjoyed together, I have written this short Memoir of my Mastership of thirty-one years. Perhaps, how- ever, it would be as well to begin with a very few remarks about the history of the pack.

The pack was originally started in 1822 by Mr. George Foljambe, who continued the Master- ship until his blindness compelled him to resign in 1845. My father then acted as Master for one year, when Mr. Richard Lumley, afterwards seventh Earl of Scarbrough, became Master. In 1858, in consequence of Lord Scarbrough's failing health, my father then became Master, with Will Merry, who had hunted the hounds ever since Mr. Foljambe's bhndness, as Huntsman. In 1861 my father engaged Jack Morgan, a splendid horse- man, a good huntsman, and one who always had the hounds in excellent condition.

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The four best runs I saw during my father's Mastership were the following : —

December 24th, 1861. — The hounds met at Gateford. The hounds found in Tranka Wood ; they then ran through Scratta to Whitwell Wood on by Hollin Hill Gorse to Markland Grips, but they did not hesitate here, but went on round by Elmton Common to Creswell Crags, thence on by Sloswick to the Manor Hills ; ran straight through them up to the Clumber Lodge, where he was headed back through the Manor Hills away to Steetly Quarry and Scratta Wood, forward on from here all over a beautiful bit of grass country, up Hart Hill and by the Reservoirs through one of the Barlboro' Woods up to the Spink Hill, thence away over the canal opposite to Renishaw, and thence bore to its left to Eckington, where we eventually had to give him up by the railway station, owing to all the railways and tramways. A very fine run indeed. Three hours, fifty minutes.

The next run was on December 31st, 1872. The hounds met at Thorpe Salvin. After drawing the Thorpe Woods blank, they found in Cutbright and ran over the road straight up to Kiveton Station, then on the left along the canal and leaving Hart Hill just on his left up to Norwood, straight through it away very fast to Barlboro', across the park to Nittiker Hill ; then to his left, leaving West Cars on his right, away to the edge

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 3

of Whitwell Wood, but, the hounds pressing him so, dare not stay ; up the hill and raced to Lob Wells, thence on to Thorpe Wood, but along the wall all outside of it, straight to the Kiveton Colhery ; then on to the railway. Luckily the hounds got over all right in spite of a train, nearly to Wales over to Nicker Wood, and pulled him down in the park at Aston. A fine run of two hours, four minutes. Twenty- three couples of bitches, everyone up at the kill.

February 14th, 1873. — The hounds met at Sturton. Jack Morgan was laid up, also the first whipper-in, so my father hunted the hounds him- self, I acting as first whipper-in, and found directly in Fenton Gorse. Away over the road for Bole to his right, and round up by Little- borough, then raced up the Meadows, and over the railway by Cottam Willows on to Rampton, along the brook-side and straight up to Rampton Field, bearing to his right as if for Treswell Wood, but over the road and up the hill to South Lever- ton ; to his right down to Cottam Plantation, round to Rampton Thorns. There were two foxes on foot, and three couples turning to the right, killed their fox by Treswell Village ; but away with the body of the pack on to Laneham, to the right up the brook-side to Dra^^ton Mill, and over the road straight away to Babbington Springs round and away at the top end, nobody ever see- ing the fox here, as if for Tuxford, bearing to his

4 SPORT WITH

right, and then away for East Markham to ground in a heap of soil dug out by a pond side, where we soon got him out and killed him. Two hours, thirty-six minutes. A ten-mile point and, roughly taken, as twenty-three miles as the hounds run ; 17I couples of bitches.

March 13th, 1874. — The hounds met at Grove. After drawing Castle Hill Wood blank, found in Treswell Wood away nearly to Rampton, then to his left to South Leverton and back to Treswell Wood — a racing twenty-four minutes. Through it away by Ladywood, Mill Hill Clump, as if for East Markham, but turned to his right up to Gamston Wood. After several turns here and fresh foxes, we went away with our fox over the railway straight nearly to Tuxford, bore to his right, and by the Mausoleum up to Bevercotes Park. Here he jumped up in view and, racing round the wood, killed him just outside opposite Nicker Bush. Altogether two hours, forty-five minutes, from first finding at Treswell Wood.

My father was an enthusiastic sportsman. He hunted the Rufford Hounds himself three days a week for two seasons — 1836-1838, and as he was living at Serlby, and the nearest meet was fourteen miles, he had very long distances to go. He had a wonderful bay hack mare for some years, and in one week, taken as an average one, he rode her 176 miles to and from hunting. Besides hunting the Rufford, he used to hunt on the other days

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 5

with the Grove or Burton, and to show the dis- tances he rode, I would mention the following : — One day he rode from Serlby on the bay hack to Fiskerton Long Wood, six miles beyond Lincoln, to hunt with the Burton, and rode back after hunting. Another day he rode from Osberton with Mr. G. S. Foljambe, and after a good forty minutes with the Burton in the Brattleby country, they galloped back and shot 40 cock pheasants in Ashtons Wood. Another day he and Mr. Fol- jambe, with a relay of hacks, rode from Osberton to Bunny Park, and rode back after hunting with the Quorn all day. Mr. Foljambe's hounds, run- ning from Beckingham, crossed the river Idle above Idle Stop, and my father went over in a small row-boat, while his chestnut horse. Round Robin, swam the river by himself without drinking a drop of water. My father then rode with the hounds across to Gate Wood by himself, and getting the hounds together at dusk, he brought them to Serlby, where he kept them all night, Mr. Foljambe sending the hunt servants for them next morning. He thought one of the quickest gallops he ever rode was from Spridlington to Wickenby in twenty minutes, when he was riding a horse of Lord Henry Bentinck's, called Spotted Boy, and he was much chaffed for jumping over a hound.

In April, 1866, a red deer stag had got out of Welbeck Park, and, with the Duke's consent, my

6 SPORT WITH

father got Mr. H. Tomasson to bring the Penistone Harriers. They found the stag near Trueman's Lodge and had an extraordinary fine run, as they ran him away past Rufford, and when near Aver- ham my father saw the stag some four fields ahead, trotting calmly along, and jumping big fences without any effort. On looking round he found there were only three hounds left who could make any effort at all, so he stopped them and picked up the stragglers on their way home. The stag was shot in the cornfields near Kelham in the summer.

My father kept his keenness for hunting, as in the last years he frequently came down by the early train to hunt, after voting in the House of Commons.

The boundaries of the Grove Hunt are as follows : — On the west and north the rivers Rother and Don ; on the east the river Trent ; on the south from the Trent it runs up the Grassthorpe brook, on just below Scarthingmoor to Tuxford, along the North Road to Markham Moor, then along the road straight all the way down the Clumber Drive to Clumber Bridge. Here the water is the boundary up to Carburton Old Toll Bar ; then it follows the road so as to include

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 7

Welbeck Park and Tilekiln Wood. Thence on by the road over the railway to Elmton, including Old Hagg and Frith Wood. Then it follows the roads, including Rockley Wood, straight on to Staveley.

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ON February 6th, 1876, my father died, and on March 15th, at a meeting held at Worksop, I accepted the Mastership, having received a requisition signed by twenty-two of the most important land-owners, and two other requisitions with signatures of 262 tenant farmers. I propose now to give a short record of the best days' sport in each season from my hunting journal.

SEASON OF 1876-1877.

November 9th, 1876. — Met at Barlboro', with an inch of snow on the ground when we started. Jack Morgan was ill, so I hunted the hounds myself, as on some previous days. A fox slipped out unseen from Coalpit Wood, and I hunted him up to Spink Hill and lost. Then found in Romley Wood, a turn towards the left and then away, leaving the Gorse to his right, away to Bolsover, but leaving the Castle on his left, across the brook and rail tramway down to the second brook, and then away up beyond Duckmanton Village, where he beat me, but I think he must have got to ground in a drain there. One hour, five minutes from Romley Wood. Did not get back to Serlby until 7.45. Dogs, 19 couples ; wind, north-east.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 9

December i8th, 1876. — Met at Swinnow Wood. After running a fox from Swinnow Wood to Ros- sington Hall, I found our second fox in Martin Beck and raced away by Tickhill, Spittal, Well Hill Holt, leaving Nook In Flat on his left, across the river to the Laurels and ran from scent to view and killed beyond Brecks Wood. A capital run of fifty minutes. Then found in White Water Gorse, ran round by Toad Holes, turned short to his right up the Oldcotes Brook, across to the Dyce- cars, on to Letwell Church, and then round to Langold Holt. A capital forty-six minutes. It then came on to pour with rain, and a fresh fox on foot, so he beat us. Dogs, 18J couples ; wind, east.

January 23rd, 1877. — Met at Finningley Park. Found in Finningle}^ Park, and ran over to Hatch Hill Wood across the Warren down to Potteric Carr, up to the Rossington Woods, round them, then away back over the river by St. Catherines, over the brook, up to the Wadworth Woods, away by Braithwell, to ground in Maltby Wood. I saw the beaten fox just before the hounds. Dogs, 19 couples.

February 19th, 1877. — Met at Sutton Cross Roads. Found in Bollam Hill, ran down to Tilne Holt, but when about fifty yards from the covert he turned short to the right, over the ditches and the Old Eau, over all the grass of the steeple- chase course over the railway by Welham Road

10 SPORT WITH

Bridge to his right, up to the Grove Lodge ; the bitches fairly racing and, after jumping the Old Eau, I had nobody near me ; a check in Grove Park, but hit him off and hunted him on to ground by the brook between Lady Wood and Headon. Fifty minutes. Found a second fox in Danes Hill Gorse and ran merrily over the Tor- worth Fields to Brecks Wood, on by Bishopfield and Neales Gorse down to Mattersey Wood but he beat us at last. Bitches, i8J couples ; wind, west.

March 29th, 1877. — Met at Thorpe Salvin. After running a vixen to ground at Kiveton Park, found in Nicker Wood, but the fox ran about the railway towards Beighton and lost. After drawing Turnshaw blank and Spring Wood blank, found in Nicker Wood and ran beautifully, leaving Turn- shaw on his right, LTlley Gorse on his left, straight to Brampton Quarry, round it, back through Pea Carr Wood, to Ulley Gorse, very fast up to here ; a check, and, leaving the gorse on his left, hunted him on through Treeton Wood, on to Bole Hill Quarry, and killed him. One hour, fifteen minutes. The hounds only got back to Grove Kennels at 9.15. Bitches, 17 couples ; wind, south-east.

April 3rd, 1877. — Met at Stainton. Found in Stainton Wood, ran very fast through EdHngton Wood, across to the middle of Conisbro' Crags and down to the left. Standing in the road near the end of the crags, 1 saw a fox two fields away

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. ii

going forward, so I clapped the hounds on and, racing for six fields, killed him. While we were breaking him up, up came Lord Fitzwilliam's hounds, who had met at Loversall, and Roffey, the huntsman, declared it was their fox we had killed. Whatever it was, they were too late, as my hounds had eaten him ! A stormy afternoon and no more sport. Mixed pack, 17 couples ; wind, south-west.

April 6th, 1877. — Met at Trueman's Lodge. After drawing Hardwick Woods blank, found by Crooksford, our old friend of the end of last season, away by Lawn Covert, over the bridge to his right, nearly to the decoy. Over the brook and up the hill away between Bevercotes Park and Nicker Bush to the road at the bottom of the hill, whence he bore to his right to Wellow Park. Forty minutes up to here. Stuck to him in Wellow Park and killed him. Then found a second fox in Gamston Wood, and ran him round by Stoke- ham, to ground in view at Headon Brickyard. A good hour and twelve minutes. Dogs, 17-0 couples.

April 12th, 1877. — Met at Chequer House the last day of the season. Jack Morgan, who has been huntsman for sixteen years, was presented by Lord Scarbrough, on behalf of the subscribers, with a purse containing £600 and a gold watch and chain, as I am going to hunt the hounds entirely myself next season, he continuing on as kennel huntsman. A very large field out. Killed a fox at once in Apley Head Wood ; drew Patmore and

12 SPORT WITH

Eaton Brake blank. Then trotted off and found in Gamston Wood, ran hard with Upton on his left nearly to East Markham, then turned to his left to Treswell Wood. Twenty-six minutes up to here. Away from the wood to Castle Hill Wood, on to Clarborough, round to Cadow, then down for Treswell Village, but a fresh fox jumping up, I stopped the hounds. One hour, thirty minutes. It would be late before the sportsmen from the limestone side, some even from Chesterfield, would get home. Dogs, 15 J couples.

In this season the hounds killed 39 1 brace of foxes, besides running 17J brace to ground.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 13

SEASON OF 1877-78.

A very late harvest, and the hounds only began cub-hunting on September 3rd. I am hunting the hounds regularly myself this season.

November 2nd, 1877. — Met at Gringley. Ran a fast thirty minutes down from Gringley Gorse, over the canal, down into the low ground, and lost him near Oatlands Farm. Then found in Walker- ingham, and away to the low ground round to his left fast up to Gringley, then away round by Beckingham to Walkeringham, and ran into him in the open near Stockwith. One hour, forty minutes. Dogs, 20 couples ; wind, west.

November 8th, 1877. — Met at Dinnington. A lot of foot people out. Found in the low gorse and ran across by Laughton Village to Hooton Cliff, where I think he got to ground. Thurcroft and Brampton Gorse blank. Then found on Din- nington Common, and ran very fast towards Anston Tips, to his right up the brook-side nearly to Brampton Gorse, to his right again, over the brook, leaving Laughton and St. John's on his left, Throapham Farm on his right, to Dole Wood, the corner of King's Wood, and running from scent to view by Stubbins Wood, killed him in a field near

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Firbeck Village, One of the best thirty-two minutes I ever rode. Then found in Linger Wood, and ran round by Carlton, to ground at WaUing- wells. Bitches, 21 couples ; wind, south-west.

November 26th, 1877. — Met at Blythe Law Hill. A frosty morning, and the ground carried with our first fox, which we ran round by Hodsock and Winks Wood. Found our second fox in Blythe Ashholt, ran across the Torworth Fields up to Brecks Wood, across the park and river and through Blyth Wood, away then by Toadholes to Hermeston Hall, on by Haven Farm to Langold House, on to Wallingwells. Here a turn or two with two foxes on foot but away by Langold ; on as if for Dinnington, but round to his right by Lettwell and Park Hill, up to Stubbins Wood, where we ran into him. Two hours, ten minutes, with only nine of my field at the end. Bitches, 2o| couples ; wind, south-east.

January 7th, 1878. — Met at Babworth Bar. I came by train from Crewe Hall. After drawing Walker's Plantation blank, found in Eaton Brake, ran to Gamston Low Covert, along the river to Cobler's Holt, to his right and all over the open to Normanton Bridge, the bitches streaming away beautifully, up to Normanton Inn by Cabin Hill, round across the water, over the open, leaving Hardwick Wood on his left, and ran into him before he got to Taylor's Lodge. A capital fifty- three minutes. Found later on in Worksop Forest,

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 15

ran about to ground, bolted him, and killed him in five minutes. Bitches, 19I couples ; wind, south-west.

February 22nd, 1878. — Hounds met at Grove. Ran our first fox round by Grove to ground, bolted him, and on to Little Gringley to ground. Then found in Caddow Gorse, round on to Treswell Wood, over Rampton Field to Laneham, then away nearly to Dunham, to his right by Ragnal on to Fledboro' up to Babbington Springs, away on to Tuxford to his right by East Markham, Drayton Mill, and I was obUged to stop the hounds going into Treswell Wood at 5.25. Dogs, 17 couples ; wind, west. I went up to London afterwards to vote in the House of Commons on Household Suffrage.

March ist, 1878.— Met at Rampton Field. Found in the Willows by the railway and ran very fast over a stiff fine nearly to Laneham Village, to his right, for Stokeham, to his right by Ramp- ton Hall to South Leverton Village. A good thirty minutes. A check and bother but hunted away, and hounds pulled him dawn in one of the large meadows below Cottam. -^^ne. hour, fourteen minutes. The Thorns blank. Found in Treswell Wood and hunted him away to East Markham, but the weather had changed — he ran us out of scent. Dogs, 18 couples ; wind, south-west.

March 19th, 1878. — Met at Stainton. Found in Stainton Wood, ran to Maltby Wood, away to

i6 SPORT WITH

Wood's Gorse, on to Micklebring, thence by Braith- well and Cockhill Holt to Edlington Wood ; here half the pack ran a fox to ground. On to Conisbro' Crags, but we drove him out again back to Edling- ton, and eventually he ran us out of scent by Maltby Village. A very hard day for hounds. Three hours, forty minutes. Dogs, i8 couples.

Finished hunting on April i6th. A good season, but a dry spring. I had ninety-one days' regular hunting, including four with other packs, and twenty-seven days' cub-hunting.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 17

SEASON OF 1878-1879.

This year a great disaster for the pack, as on June 4th I came down from London and had to order all the bitch entry (8-| couples) to be destroyed at once, as two showed clear symptoms of rabies. It was a terrible order to have to give, but it was the only way to make quite sure of saving the whole of the pack and avoiding any further anxiety.

November 4th, 1878. — Met at Serlby. First day of the season. The fox went to ground in ten minutes in the Laurels, then found in Hodgkin- son's Holt, ran very fast nearly to Ranskill, all over the open by Ranby Hall, by Green Mile to Ranby House. This was only forty minutes ! Then on up Chequer Station to Little Whin Covert, a couple of turns away, and killed him in the open. One hour, twenty minutes. Lost our second fox from Blythe Law Hills by Hodsock. Then found in Forest Plantation, round by Wigthorpe to Gate- ford, back by Carlton Hills, and gave up at Scofton. One hour, twenty minutes. Bitches, 22J couples ; wind, north-west.

February 17th, 1879. — Met at Barnby Moor. Found in Barnby High Wood and ran fast all

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about Bab worth for an hour and was beat, but I heard afterwards the fox went into Retford Town. Found a brace in Walker's Plantation, ran by Eaton Broke, Twyford Bridge, Lawn Covert, back by Elkesley House, up to Apley High Wood. Ran on down to Normanton Bridge across the open up to Hardwick Wood to CuUoden, back down over the railway by Chequer House, left Morton Hall on his left and killed him in the open near Chequer House. A right good hunt of three hours, ten minutes, kiUing at five o'clock. Bitches, 15J couples ; wind, south-west.

February i8th, 1879. — Met at Rossington Vil- lage. Found and away at once from Park Wood. Straight up by Wilsick to Cockhill Holt and up to Edhngton and Wadworth Woods, where we were running with three or four foxes for some time, but away at last and, running up by Crook Hill, the hounds then raced away, having Denaby Wood on his right to ground in the quarry pit by the ironworks. Fine run and every hound up. Dogs, 16J couples ; wind, north-east.

March 21st, 1879. — Met at Grove. Found in Treswell Wood, ran a ring round by Headon Clump, then away by Treswell Village to Rampton, on to Cottam, here a check as the fox was headed, and then wrong information was given, but hit him off again and ran through Darleys Willows by Laneham Thorns, Stokeham, on to Rampton Field, to his left, and pulled him down in the open by

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 19

East Drayton. A capital hunt of one hour, fifty minutes. After drawing East Markham blank, found in Gamston Wood, and hounds having got only a bad start, ran down to Stokeham and lost. Dogs, 19 couples ; wind, north-east.

May 1st, 1879. — The hounds met at Trueman's Lodge. A very large field out : three M.F.H.'s and several huntsmen. After drawing in the Manor Hills for some time, at last found, ran across nearly to Rough Brake, to his right by Wood Barn, across the park by the abbey, back into the Manor Hill's, and hunting our fox on through Slos- wick Springs, got up to him at the end of Bismarck and killed him by the park-side. Hurray for my first and only May fox ! Did no more good, as the ground was very dry. Dogs, 16J couples.

During this season the hounds killed 384 brace of foxes, besides running 35 brace to ground. There was very severe weather in December and January, the hounds being stopped from hunting on thirty-eight advertised days.

20 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1879-1880.

On July 24th, 1879, I married Vere Gosling, the May fox having clearly been an omen of good luck.

November 3rd. 1879. — The hounds met at Serlby. The first day of the season, an enormous field out, when I was presented by the Earl of Scarbrough, on behalf of 150 subscribers to the Hunt, with my portrait as a wedding present. Ran round the Laurels, and killed by the house, to the delight of the crowd. Ran another fox to the ground from the Ruins, also another fox to ground from Mattersey Wood, but had a merry forty minutes in the afternoon from Dameshill Gorse over the low ground and up to Blythe Law Hill, where fresh foxes beat us. Bitches, 19J couples.

On November 29th Jack Morgan died at Grove Kennels, having been in my father's and my service eighteen years, aged 62. A most excellent servant, with his master's interests always at heart.

On December 6th, 1879, the Duke of Portland died at Harcourt House, Cavendish Square, a true friend to my father and myself, and he always took the greatest interest in hunting affairs. My father

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 21

told me the Duke was thought to be the finest horseman of the three brothers, as he had excep- tionally good hands and wonderful nerve : cer- tainly he showed the latter quaUty when he jumped a canal lock on a hunter, which he was riding for the second time.

On the night of December 6th the thermometer at Serlby went down to 5 degrees below zero.

December i8th, 1879. — Met at Sandbeck. Owing to the frost there had been no hunting since November 28th, and the roads were still all ice. Found in Maltb}/ Wood and ran round b}^ Raddle Mill and Stainton Wood and lost by Tick- hill. Then found in Wooltwaite Bottoms, ran by Rough Park, left Hell Wood and Norwood on his left, away for Hooton, but bore to his left, leaving Thurcroft on his right up to Laughton Church ; then down to his right and all over the open, left Brampton Gorse on his right on for Todwick, but to his right up to Spring Wood. A very good hour and five minutes. Scent failed on the high ground and did not get up to him in Turnshaw Quarry. Dogs, 23J couples. The hounds only got back to Grove Kennels at 8.30.

January 13th, 1880. — Met at Scaftworth. Found in the hills, ran hard over the river to Mattersey Wood, and up to Ranskill to his left by Mattersey Hill, over Stone Hill Ford to Scaft- worth, back by Everton over the river, and killed him in the open by Mattersey Thorpe. Ran

22 SPORT WITH

a fox from Neale's Gorse to the Ruins and lost, but got up to a fox at Whitewater Gorse and raced by Hermeston Hall up to Langold Pond Head, down the Dyce Carrs, by Firbeck, to Malpas Hill, back to Firbeck, then across Sand- beck Park, and had to stop hounds at dark in Rough Park. A hard day. Dogs, i8 couples ; wind, north-east.

Finished hunting on April i6th, but the season was much spoiled by frost, and the hounds were stopped twenty-three days.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 23

SEASON OF 1880-1881.

This was only a very bad scenting season all through, the weather being so broken and change- able.

November 12th, 1880. — The meet was at Darl- ton. The hounds found in the Springs, and raced away over the brook up to East Markham railway crossing, then to his right and leaving the gorse on his right, straight to Treswell Wood. Thirty-five minutes — very good, indeed. Then on with the fox down to Leverton Village, where he beat us amongst the buildings. Ran the second fox to ground from Mormon Wood in ten minutes. Found third fox in Gringley and ran all round the Grove Woods, but was beat at last on foiled ground. Dogs, 18 couples.

November 15th, 1880. — Met at Gringley. Found in the gorse, away over the road and ran at a merry pace by Freeman's Gorse to Hayton, on to Mee's Farm ; then to his right, and, after running in view for two fields, into a yard at Clar- borough and killed. A very good thirty-eight minutes. Then ran a quick ring from the canal bank roimd by Wiseton, and lost by Drakeholes. Found in Mattersey Wood and ran two rings, then

24 SPORT WITH

away over the railway and eventually stopped the hounds at Ranskill at dark. Bitches, 21 couples ; wind, north-west.

February 17th, 1881. — Hounds met at Aston. Found in Nicker Wood, and ran very fast twenty- three minutes up to Faulkner Wood to ground. Then ran the second fox from Turnshaw Quarry to Nicker Wood, and thence on to Hailmary Hill, on to Burnt Wood and killed him. A satisfactory hour and ten minutes. Drew Brampton Gorse blank and ran late in the afternoon about Anston Stones, and was beat. Bitches, 15 couples.

This season the hounds killed 33I brace of foxes and ran 23 brace to ground.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 25

SEASON OF 1881-1882.

November 7th, 1881. — Met at Osberton. Found in Chequer Bottoms, raced by Whin Hills, and killed him by Thievesdale Lodge. Then found in Scofton Wood, and ran very merrily by the Hundred Acres across to Carlton Hills, on to the corner of Owday Wood, away nearly to Gilding- wells, on by Dewydale Corner, up to Anston Stones. The fox laid down dead beat at the edge of the covert, and the hounds ran into him. A very good fifty-eight minutes. Then found in WaUingwells Wood and ran round by Langold, Pond Head, Firbeck, and at last to ground by Letwell. Bitches, 24 couples ; wind, west.

November 14th, 1881. — Met at Barnby Moor. Found in High Wood, and ran down to the rail- way, but was headed back to Ranby, all over the Torworth Fields, and killed him by Torworth ; twenty-five minutes. Then found in Smith's Wil- lows, and raced away by Clayworth and then to Gringley ; he turned to his left and killed him below Wiseton in thirty-five minutes. The first fence we had to jump was the Old Eau. Only five of us got over — others in. Found later in Matter- sey Wood, but storms came on, and after a short

26 SPORT WITH

I ^ ■

ring, could do no more good. Bitches, 24J

couples ; wind, south.

November i8th, 1881.— Met at Grove. Killed a fox in Treswell Wood in twenty minutes, then away with another fox by Ladywood to Gringley Wood, Caddow Gorse, over the tunnel, away to Wheatley Village, on to Hayton, where he turned to his left, and as it was up wind ran very hard straight back to beyond Hutchinson's Holt, then on down the lane as if in view, to ground by the brook by the railway. A very good hour and forty-five minutes. Dogs, 24 J couples ; wind, south-east.

December 5th, 1881. — Met at Apley Head. i\fter drawing some of the coverts blank, found in Gamston Low Covert, ran over the railway by Grove Kennels, across the park to Castle Hill, down outside Treswell Wood to Treswell Village, on over Rampton Cross Roads to Stokeham, left Laneham Thorns two fields on his right and down the brook-side to Rampton Village. One hour, three minutes. After a little trouble in the Orchards, raced him back and killed him in the middle of a field near Stokeham. A very good hour and forty-five minutes. Bitches, 24 couples, and every hound up ; wind, south-east.

January 2nd, 1882. — Met at Hodsock Red Bridge. Found in Forest Plantation, and ran hard to Bilby and Blyth Law Hill, over the Torworth Fields back to Blyth Law Hill, away to

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 2^

Ranby, Chequer House, and Morton. Then away on to Green Mile, and over the canal through Barnby Wood, over the railway and on to Danes Hill, on as if for Lound, and by Mattersey Hill, across the river at Stone Hill. Round Scaftworth back over the river, ran hard for Mattersey, and then back to the river, where the hounds killed and drowned their fox. A very hard day. Bitches, 21 J couples ; wind, south-west.

January 5th, 1882. — Met at Aston. Found in Nicker Wood, raced up to Wales, then to his left, over the railway, to Todwick Grange, on, leaving Brampton Gorse on his left, nearly to Throapham. A good thirty minutes, but a heavy storm came on and lost. After hunting a fox about Dinnington, settled to a fox below the Tips, ran merrily by Laughtonand Lingodell, to Kings Wood, then away up the valley back by Laughton, to ground at the Tips ; on with another fox to Anston Stones. Here we had three foxes before us, on with one, said to be a tired fox, by Dewydale to Swinston Hill, and slowly on to Brands Wood. Here a fresh fox, and after running round by Cottage Plantation, stopped the hounds. A hard good day. Bitches, 18 couples ; wind, west.

January 9th, 1882. — Met at Jockey House. After drawing Gamston Low Covert and Eaton Brake blank, found by Elkesley, and raced away by Lawn Covert, all over the Lound Hall Meadows, to Tuxford, round the Mausoleum, back by West

28 SPORT WITH

Drayton, Lawn Covert, to Patmore, then away for Bothamsall and on for the Catwhins, and pulled him down dead beat by Blyth Corner Lodge. One hour, fifty minutes. Then found by Morton Hall, round to Rushy Inn, over the railway, by Apley Head, Hardwick Wood, and killed him in Clumber Lake. A very fast thirty-two minutes. Bitches, 22 couples ; wind, west.

January 26th, 1882. — Met at Barlborough Hall. Found in Coal Pit Wood and ran by Spink Hill to Southgate, to his left to West Carrs, away to Cut- bright, which he left one field on his right nearty to the railway, to his left, through the south-east corner of Norwood, on to Coalpit Wood to ground. A good hour and fifteen minutes. Then after drawing Holhn Hill blank, found in Markland- grips and ran best pace away to Bolsover, then to his left down to Scarcliffe Park, where he beat us. Thirty-five minutes to the park. Dogs, 18 couples, wind, west.

February 24th, 1882. — Met at Grove. Found in Treswell Wood and ran hard for Stokeham ; then hunted on by East Markham up to Darlton Village to his left for Laneham Thorns, which he left on his left down to Rampton, on nearly to Torksey Willows, to his right up the Trent side by Darleys Willows into Laneham Village, where he beat us. A good hunting hour and forty minutes. Rampton Thorns blank, and eventually stopped hounds from a vixen in

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 29

Castle Hill Wood. Dogs, 15 couples ; wind, south-west.

March 3rd, 1882. — Met at Gringley. Drew the gorse blank, found in Saundbj^ Park, and regularly raced across Bole and Wheatley Fields by Mee's Farm, straight up by Mormon Wood side to Cad- dow Gorse in only twenty-nine minutes ! On through it and across where Old Norwood used to stand, and ran into him before he could get to Castle Hill Wood. Forty-five minutes — A.i. Then ran another good fifty minutes from Castle Hill Wood all round the Grove Woods, but lost by Hayton. Dogs, 17 couples ; wind, east.

March 15th, 1882. — I was gazetted Colonel of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry.

March 24th, 1882. — Hon. George V. A. Monck- ton born.

The hounds finished hunting on March 31st, having had a very good season's sport, and were only stopped three days by frost. I did all the cub-hunting, except one fortnight at the end of September myself this year, whereas, as a rule, I only take the hounds myself for two days in Don- caster race week, and then regularly from about October loth, so I had 77 days' regular hunting and 36 cub-hunting.

30 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1882-1883.

November loth, 1882. — Met at Grove. Found in Treswell Wood, and ran fast by Headon Clump, and killed in Castle Hill. Away with another fox and ran over the railway below Clarborough tun- nel, on for Wheatley, but he bore away to his right by Mormon Wood, down to Sturton, and killed him. A very pretty fifty minutes. Drew Fenton Gorse and Cadow blank. Found in Gring- ley Wood and ran by Clarborough tunnel, Mormon Wood, round to Treswell Village, and lost him. Dogs, 20 couples ; cold west wind.

December 5th, 1882. — Met at Finningley Park. The hounds got a capital start from Finningley Wood and ran very hard straight through Marr Flat by Gravel Hills on Hunster Wood ; outside^the covert all the way, by edge of Stancil over the drains, straight away for Wilsick. It was only thirty-five minutes up to the Tickhill and Wad- worth road. Then slow hunting owing to storms, but beautiful work of hounds over the fallows to Cockhill Holts, and leaving these on his right to Edlington Wood. A good run of one hour and ten minutes. We were in the wood for an hour with other foxes, but could not get on our beaten

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 31

fox. Then found in Stainton Wood, but unluckily ran back to foiled ground in Edlington Wood. A very wet morning. Dogs, 20J couples.

December 22nd, 1882. — Met at Grove. I came by early train from Stretton in Staffordshire. Ran a fox twenty minutes round Treswell Wood and killed him. Then found in Gamston Wood, away across by Headon for Stokeham, but he turned to his right by Drayton Mill, nearly to Darlton. A capital thirty- five minutes. Hunted on for the Sprmgs, and he ran me out of scent. Found in Rampton Thorns and ran hard forty-five minutes, leaving Treswell Village on his left, Treswell Wood on his right by Headon Village to Gamston Wood without touching a cover, but he beat me at last on the foiled ground. Bitches, 23 J couples ; wind, south-west.

December 26th, 1882. — Met at Hodsock Priory. Drew Forest Plantation, Fifty Acres, and Bilby blank. Found in Allison's Gorse, ran a ring round Whin Hills, then over the river and canal, to Ranby House, through the Morton Woods, and alongside of the railway straight to Morton Grange, and ran into him. A clipping forty-one minutes. Then drew Cascade, Scofton Wood, Thievesdale, and One Hundred Acres all blank. Bitches, 23J couples.

January 8th, 1883.— Met at Barnby Moor. After drawing Bellmoor and Barnby High Wood blank, found in AlHson's Gorse, and killed by the

32 SPORT WITH

river, the fox being headed. Then found in Chequer Bottoms and ran by Coach Road Brake, Bilby, Hodsock Red Bridge, to his left by the forest to Carlton Village, up the brook-side to Carlton Hills, across to Older Wood, to edge of Tindrick Common, to his right to Olans Wood and across the park ; killed him in Wallingwells Gardens. One hour, ten minutes, at a great pace all the way ; a very good run. Drew Kilton and Scofton Wood blank. Bitches, 20 couples ; wind, north-east.

January nth, 1883.— Met at Aston Hall. After drawing Nicker Wood blank on our way to Brampton Gorse, we got on the line of a fox, heel- way at first, but I quickly got them right, and ran nearly to Ulley Gorse on to Morton Hall and Wickersley Quarries. Then a ring for Morthen, and back to Wickersley Wood, through it and Black Carr, and rolled him over in the open by Whiston Old Hall. A first-rate hour and fifty minutes. Bitches, 20 couples.

February 9th, 1883. — Met at Gringley. Ran a ring from Gringley Gorse down by the canal and village to ground. Found in Wheatley Wood, ran for Wheatley, but turned to his left across Bole Field, over the brook to Beckingham Mill, over the railway and on to Walkeringham Thorns. Forty-seven minutes. Away to Mister ton, on by the brickyards, then over the canal to Cornley, over the river Idle, and turning to his right over

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 33

the railway. Here the fox mysteriously disap- peared, and I could never get any trace of him again. Dogs, 17J couples ; wind, south-west. There was a large party staying at Serlby, and the following poem was written on the day's sport : —

(Written by Viscountess Galway and F. Monckton that evening).

We started in the morning a merry party gay, The meet it was at Gringley, on a warm and sunny day ; The party numbered half-a-score, behind the rest afar Came Francis ^ in^the brougham, a-smoking his cigar.

Sam Morgan, with the beauties, was waiting on the green, And pacing up and down there these sportsmen keen are seen. There's Galway upon Bridegroom, close by old Franky Raynes, Who, spite of eighty-three long years, knows neither aches or ■ pains.

The covert drawn was Gringley Gorse, where foxes four or five Were soon afoot and running round, till the place seemed quite

alive ; But getting on a ringing brute, he ran the village round And in and out of every croft, till at last he went to ground.

Next Clayworth Wood and Saundby Park, alas ! in vain we

drew ; At each blank place our faces each moment longer grew. The Master glared about him, with anything but glee, And the way he munched his sandwiches was terrible to see.

Hark ! holloa ! hark ! that gladsome sound dispels awakening

fears, And the foxhounds' merry music now gladdens all our ears. Away ! away ! to Saundby Park, and o'er Bole Field we sped And far in front of all the rest our gallant Master led.

IF. Monckton, M.P. for West Staffordshire.

34 SPORT WITH

Jones^, Whalley^, Lumleys, Huntsman*, with each other did

compete ; There's Osbert^, Charlton^, Otter^ and Ellis^ can't be beat. But when hounds once were running, why enumerate the rest When Francis^ and my lady^^ went decidedly the best ! !

Now circhng by Bole Guide Post, to Beckingham he ran. And when at Walkeringham Thorns our Master led the van Across the rail and back again, our fox he quickly flew And, skirting down the broad high road, Tod Naylor came in view.

Tod Naylor on his chestnut still pounds along the lanes, But somehow never to the hounds gets nearer for his pains ; And as he always dreaded lest he should get a spill, Contents himself to view the run from top of Gringley Hill.

The Aston squire is full of ride, and through the mud did

spatter, But ere the run was half-way o'er all asked him, " Who's

your hatter ? " For, charging at a rasping fence, his mare fell prone and flat ; Upon his head Verelst he stands, and telescoped his hat.

Weep, weep, ye Badsworth sportsmen at the story that I tell. How riding at the Saundby brook your gallant Master ^^ fell, Its rotten banks and waters deep engulfed his strugghng steed, He's left there to lament his fate and watch the chase past speed.

Now Misterton is quickly past and stretching wide and far. To our disgusted eyes appears the far-famed Gringley Carr, And panting steeds and heaving flanks attest the pace we've

come — But forrard ! forrard ! still we cry, the fun is not yet done.

The hounds are running fiercely and the pace begins to tell ; Will nothing stop our dauntless fox, who runs so straight and

well ? For now we are at Cornley, and from its farm we spy The sleepy river Idle, which idles idly by.

iR. H. Jones, Esq., Badsworth eNicholas Charlton, Esq., Chilwell

Hall. Hall.

aCapt. R. Whalley. 'R. C Otter, Esq.

^Viscount Lumley. seIHs D. Gosling, Esq.

*H. Huntman, Esq. »F. Monckton.

"Hon. Osbert Lumley. ^ « Viscountess Galway. lie. B. Wright, Esq.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 35

In dash the hounds and in they splash, and as they stem the

tide, They throw their tongues and hit the line upon the other side ; And now at Haxey station the porters wildly run. And say our fox is close before and very nearly done.

Colder and colder grew the scent on those fallows bare.

Our fox at last he vanished like hopes into thin air.

Frank Monckton said he'd sunk the wind, Frank Foljambe said

" Not so," Sam Morgan backed the former up, as one who ought to know.

In vain our Master cast his hounds, he cast on every side ; The Member for West Staffordshire declared he cast too wide. But, anyhow, of Reynard sly we failed to find a trace, And so at last reluctantly we all gave up the Chase.

February i6th, 1883. — Met at Grove. I came down by early train from House of Commons. Found in Eaton Wood, ran a ring to Castle Hill and back, then away to Welham, and the railway to his left, up the grass all the way to Eaton Wood, and over the railway between the two bridges. Here Rufus was killed by the express, and half the pack must have been killed if the dogs had not stopped to my horn and halloa. Got up to a fox in the Railway Holt, and ran between the railway and river, over to the Kennels, back to Eaton Village, where I thought we should have him, but away over the river to Gamston Low Covert, Jockey House (the fox was seen here), on to Middle Hills, all round them, back to Jockey House, and lost him in the dark at 5.55. A very hard day for hounds, and unluckily not killing. Dogs, 17J couples ; wind, south-west.

36 SPORT WITH

March 2nd, 1883. — The hounds met at Darlton. Drew the Springs blank. Found in Laneham, ran nearly to the Trent by Laneham Village, he turned away back to his right and went straight for Tres- well Wood across Rampton Field, but killed him by the brook-side before he could get over there. A very good forty minutes. Rampton Thorns blank. Then found in Treswell Wood, and ran to Gringley Wood and Hutchinson's Holt, over the Clarborough tunnel away for Wheatley, turning down to his right over the railway nearly to Burton Willows ; to his right by Fenton Bank, on nearly to Caddow Wood and up to Sturton High House. A delay here, as the fox was said to be in the building, but eventually hunted him down to Wheatley Village, where he beat us. A very good hour and ten minutes up to Sturton High House. Dogs, 17J couples.

March loth, 1883. — Twenty-six degrees of frost, which did great damage.

March 13th, 1883. — Met at Barlborough Hall. Found by the gardens, ran to West Carrs, to Harthill, leaving Norwood two fields on his right, to Coalpit Wood, away by the reservoirs to Hart- hill, round to ground in Barlborough Park. A good hunting hour and twenty minutes. Found in Whitwell Wood and, after running in covert for about thirty minutes, awa}^ to Lobb Wells, to the canal, by Shireoaks Hall, over the railway nearly to West Wood, by Harness Grove, past

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 37

Huntriss Farm to Whitwell Village, on to the wood ; worked on slowly, at last got up to him, ran hard for twenty-five minutes, to ground under a rock, bolted him, and he got through the pack, so they rattled him in the wood another twenty minutes and, driving him out almost in view, ran into him four fields away, every hound up. Three hours and ten minutes altogether. A fine day's sport and a credit to the stoutness and condition of the hounds. Bitches, 17I couples ; wind, north.

March 20th, 1883. — Met at Throapham. Bolted a fox from the Sticks and round over the grass up to Anston Tips, down to the right by Charles Wright's Gorse, over the brook, then quite straight, leaving Brampton Gorse just on his right, away to Morthen Hall. A check here, but I hit him off directly, and they ran straight into him in the middle of a field three fields from Ulley Village. A really good fifty minutes. Found a second fox in Nicker Wood, and ran him by Brampton to Anston, then back to Aston, but heavy storms came on and he beat us. One hour, fifteen minutes. Dogs, 20J couples ; wind, north-east.

Finished hunting on April i8th, the hounds having killed 40! brace of foxes and run 20 brace to ground. A good season's sport ; only stopped ten days.

38 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1883-1884.

November 5th, 1883. — Met at Ghngley. Away at once from the Gorse down to Walkeringham Village, and lost. After drawing Walkeringham and Saundby Park blank, found in Wheatley Wood, and raced in ten minutes up to Hay ton Castle, a check here, hunted him on to Caddow Wood, Hutchinson's Holt, Gringley Wood, where I think we changed, away by Caddow, down the valley to Leverton, left the station on his left, by the windmill straight down to the Trent, then to his right up the meadows to Torksey Willows. Unluckily found a fresh fox here, and stopped the hounds at dark by Cottam. Only got back with George Estcourt to Serlby at 7.50. Bitches, 22J couples ; wind, south-west.

December 27th, 1883. — Met at Gringley. Found in the Gorse, and away down by the canal and below the village to Drakeholes. Got close to him here, and raced down by Wiseton Hall down to the river, on to Pusto Hill, and by Ever ton brickyard down into the low ground, then to his right to the river, up the bank of this nearly to Misterton, where he crossed the Idle. One hour thirty-five minutes. I galloped away to Idle Stop,

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 39

and then rode across the Isle, and could hear the hounds a long way before me. I followed them across the Isle to Finningley and eventually found the hounds by Rossington Village, having either killed their fox or run their fox to ground, as they were quite satisfied. Two hours, fifty minutes. A very fine run. Bitches, 19 couples ; wind, west.

December 31st, 1883. — Met at Barnby Moor. Did no good with the fox from High Wood, as he was headed in every direction. Found in the rushes by Tilne, ran on to Bollam, away over the river and canal to Babworth, then on, hunting slowly to Morton Grange, to Apley Head. Here a brace of foxes, ran on by Silver Firs, Culloden, Apley Head, the Silver Firs again, down parallel with the railway, over it by Rayton Holt, and, viewing our fox, the hounds ran into him in the middle of a field between Worksop and Worksop Forest. A good hunting run. Bitches, 19J couples ; wind, east.

January ist, 1884. — Met at Sandbeck. Found in Maltby Wood and ran a quick ring of thirty minutes round by Lilley Hall, about the wood by Rough Park and Hell Wood, to ground, and got him. Then hunted a fox from Foulds Wood with a bad start, away by Styrrup. Found in Toad- holes and raced up for Styrrup, to his left, by Her- miston, across to Ashton's Farm, by the edge of Carlton Village, straight to Champion's Planting. A capital fifty minutes without touching a covert.

40 SPORT WITH

It was too dark to kill him on the sewage farm, although he was dead beat. Dogs, i8| couples ; wind, east.

January loth, 1884 — Met at Barlborough Hall. Drew Romley blank. Found by the brick kiln, and ran very fast by Southgate, left Hollin Hill just on his left, the Grips on his right, away for ScarcHffe, but his heart failed him, so back to the Grips, to ground in view. A capital forty-three minutes in the open. Did no good with another fox there, and Frith Wood blank. Found in Cres- well Crags, and raced by Hollin Hill to Markland Grips to ground ; the fox came out while the hounds were baying at the other end, and the hounds racing away by Bullivant Wood, killed in the open. Thirty-two minutes. Bitches, i8| couples ; wind, south-west.

February 14th, 1884. — The hounds met at Let- well. Found in Dole Wood, ran across to the edge of Grange Wood, back from here, and leaving Throapham on his right by Cross Plantation and the edge of Divydale to Anston Stones. Fifty-five minutes. Then away by Brands Wood to Wal- lingwells Park, round by Birkett Wood and Lin- drick, back to the Stones, up the valley and pulled him down in the grass field below Dinnington Hall. Two hours, thirty minutes. Bitches, lyh couples; wind, north-east.

February i8th, 1884. — Met at Barnby Moor. Found in Bellmoor Wood away for Linghurst, over

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 41

the wooden bridge, to his right ; left Tilne just on his right, over the Old Eau and over the grass, to Retford town end. A capital thirty live minutes. Then hunted him slowly back by Bellmoor to Danes Hill and lost. Found again in Linghurst and ran for Danes Hill round to Mattersey Wood, a ring round by Mattersey Hill and Ranskill Station, then over the river by Stone Hill, on by Everton, and finally lost on the dry fallows below Drakeholes. Two hours, twenty minutes. Bitches 17 couples ; wind, south-east.

February 21st, 1884. — ^Met at Whitwell. Found in a field by Romley and ran by Southgate, the edge of Nitiker Hill, across to Norwood, round it, away to Cutbright, then on to the Thorpe Woods, through them away by Lobb Wells, to Whitwell Wood, round it, away to Scratta Wood, on by Shireoaks, over the railways to Tranka Wood, on to Gateford, and pulled him down. Three hours, forty minutes. A capital hunting run. Bitches, 17 couples ; wind, south-west.

March 7th, 1884.— Met at Darlton. A first- rate thirty-seven minutes from the Springs, by East Markham, then up the valley between Headon and Upton to Eaton Wood. Holloaed to another fox away by Eaton Village, round by Grove to Treswell Wood ; then away fast, left Rampton on his right, to the Thorns, on to Stoke- ham, down to Laneham Village. Here two lines, and he beat us. A capital day, only wanting a

42 SPORT WITH

kill, as the fox ran good lines. Dogs, 15 J couples; wind, south-west.

March 14th, 1884. — Met at Misterton. Becking- ham Willows blank. Found in Beckingham Wood, ran to Saundby Park, then raced to Wheatley Village, round by Freeman's Gorse up to Gringley, away for the canal, then slow hunting over the canal and on to Drakeholes. Here the scent im- proved, and ran very merrily over the marsh coun- try below Everton, on to Scaftworth to ground. A very good hunt. Dogs, 16J couples ; wind, south.

March i8th, 1884.— Met at Osberton. Found in Manton Plantation, over Worksop Forest, across to Kilton, away by Black Hill Clump, to Cocked Hat Wood, to Bilby Flash, Blythlaw Hill, getting up to him by the river. Then away fast by the Mantles, on for Ranskill, to his right by Tor- worth Grange, down on to the low ground, and, hunting slowly on, got up to him and killed him in Barnby High Covert. A good hunt and capital work of hounds. Dogs, 15 couples; wind, south- west.

The hounds finished hunting on April 7th, having hunted every advertised day, four days a week, from the beginning of the season ; also four days a week cub-hunting from August 27th, never having been stopped once. They killed 40 J brace of foxes and ran 27 brace to ground. I had ninety-three regular days' hunting, including nine with other packs, besides twenty-two cub-hunting.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 43

SEASON OF 1884-1885.

November 6th, 1884. — Met at Grove. Found in Castle Hill Wood, ran very hard by Lady Wood, Mill Hill Clump, Headon. A check here, as the fox was run by a dog, but hunted him on over the railway, by Gamston Village, to the river opposite Twyford Bridge, and gave up as the fox had crossed. Then found in Gamston Wood, away for Askham, to his left quite straight by edge of Castle Hill Wood, on by edge over the railway, to ground by Clarborough Village, and got him out. An A.i. thirty-three minutes. Bitches, 21 1 couples ; wind, south-west.

December 26th, 1884. — Met at Gringley. Ran away from the Gorse towards Walkeringham, round by Pear Tree Hill, skirted Clayworth Wood and leaving Wheatley Wood on his right, away for Wheatley Village. Turned to his left down to Sturton Village. Very fast forty minutes. Here I held forward and, hitting the fox off, got away out of the village, on down to Fenton Gorse and the Willows, and hunted parallel with the Trent to the Torksey Willows. Here we got up to our fox, and raced away back by the meadows to Fen- ton Gorse, up for Fenton Bank, and pulled him

44 SPORT WITH

down by the village. A very fine run ; time altogether, two hours, twenty minutes. Bitches, 2iJ couples ; wind, north.

December 29th, 1884. — Met at Bole Field. Found in the Willows and ran very merrily away for Stockwith, over the railway and leaving Walkeringham Thorns on his right, by the brick- yards, over the canal on to ground by Cornley. Fifty-five minutes altogether. Then found in Walkeringham Thorns, over the railway, and along the good grass line up to Beckingham Vil- lage. Away by the windmill up to Gringley Gorse, but he would not go into the cover, but away for Wiseton, then bore to his left by Clay- worth Village, and we ran into him by the canal, after a capital fifty-seven minutes. Bitches, 21 J couples ; wind, south-east.

January 19th, 1885. — Met at Barnby Moor. Drew Barnby Wood blank. Found in the Hundred Acres, ran to Forest Plantation and back, then away over the Carlton Hills, Wigthorpe, over the road all along the edge of WaUingwells Wood, between Linger Wood and Langold Holt, nearly to Gilding Wells, then to his right by Lettwell down to Firbeck, and pulled him down by the Yews. An A.i. fifty-seven minutes from the Hundred Acres ; only six up. Then trotted off to Kilton Plantation, meeting several of the field on the way. Found and ran to Scofton Wood, round to Carlton Hills, Owday Wood, across Lin-

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 45

drick Common, and to ground in view at Lindrick Dell. A racing thirty-eight minutes. Bitches, 20J couples ; wind, south-east.

February 23rd, 1885. — Met at Jockey House. Found on Spitfire Hill, ran two big rings round by Middle Hills and Elkesley Village, then away to Bothamsall. Left Lawn Cover on his left, round by Twyford Brkige and Elkesley Village, and ran fairly into him by Apley Head. Altogether, two hours. Found in Gamston Low Cover and ran to Ordsall over the river and up parallel with the railway to Askham tunnel ; then turned to his right by Gamston Village, over the river on to Lawn Cover, and unfortunately just beat us into the Catwhins. One hour, twenty-five minutes. Hunted on with several other foxes on foot, and eventually got beat. Bitches, i6| couples ; wind, south-west.

March 13th, 1885. — Met at Grove. Ran from Treswell Wood down to the railway by Leverton, but gave him up, as he had a long start. Found in Rampton Thorns, ran merrily up to Treswell Wood, leaving Gringley Wood on his left, to Clar- borough tunnel, headed here back by Cadow to Treswell, thence ran fast to Little Gringley Pits, down to Retford, to his left all along the grass by the railway, turned up opposite Whitehouses and, running from scent to view, pulled him down in Grove Park. A really good hunting run of two hours, ten minutes. Dogs, i6| couples: wind, north-east.

46 SPORT WITH

March 31st, 1885. — Met at Scrooby Top House. Mattersey Wood blank. Found in the rushes by Mattersey Abbey, and the hounds raced away by edge of Linghurst, straight away to Belmoor Wood, Twenty minutes, and a lot of grief in the ditches. There was no scent on the dry fallows, so he beat us. Drew Danes Hill and Blythlaw Hill blank. Found by the river at Hodsock, ran to Crossley Hill, Kegham End, away to his right over the open to Winks Wood, on by Toadholes and Blyth Wood, and getting up to him, raced away and pulled him down at the Ruins. A capital gallop. Bitches, 14 couples ; wind, south.

April 7th, 1885. — Met at Jockey House. After drawing Gamston Low Cover blank (I had come by train with Vere from Hallaton, after Melton Steeplechases yesterday), found in Gamston Wood away by Askham to East Markham, on for Tux- ford, up to the brook, and then hunted him on to Bevercotes Park. Away on from here to Nicker Bush. There we had two foxes before us, but the hounds raced away to the far side of Laxton Field, then on to Kneesall Wood. Hunted on through the woods, and back, but unluckily no one ever saw the fox to give us a hft, but hounds hunted him away to Kneesall Village, back towards the wood. I cast on and hit him off over the turnpike road down to Kneesall, and on to ground in a large culvert drain, A very fine run. Time altogether, three hours. Dogs, 18 J couples; wind, north-east.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 47

April 13th, 1885. — Met at Jockey House, last day of the season. Found by the low ford, ran merrily by Elkesley, to Lawn Covert, unluckily headed at the river, away by Bothamsall, to Pat- more, to Normanton Inn, and killed at Normanton Bridge. Forty-seven minutes. Drew the Lings and CuUoden blank. Found by Coach Road and raced away by Apley Head, Normanton Bridge, to Bothamsall, to his right, over the open to the Catwhins, through them ; changed here ; on across Thoresby Park, to Thoresby Bridge — a very good fifty-five minutes. Hunted him on by Budby Carr and Budby Forest, but he beat us at dark. Dogs, 17J couples ; wind, north-east.

48 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1885-1886.

November 23rd, 1885. — The hounds met at Barnby Moor. Found in the Barnby High Wood, ran a fast twenty-five minutes round by Babworth and Walker's Plantation, and killed him in the open. Then drew Tilne blank, found in Smith's Willows, raced away by Wiseton, left Freeman's Gorse just on his left to Wheatley Village. Twenty- five minutes. Then hunted him on down to Stur- ton Village, on for Leverton. Here we were re- duced to slow hunting up the brook-side, but got closer to him by Caddow Woods, and raced away for Clarborough tunnel to Hayton by Wheatley Wood, and they killed him just outside Clay worth Wood. Two hours, twenty-five minutes — a fine day's sport. Bitches, 23J couples ; wind, south- west.

November 30th, 1885. — Hounds met at Fin- ningley Park. I went by early train to vote at Hemsworth at the General Election, and back. Drew Finningley blank. Found in the Gravel Hills, and ran very fast by Lady Galway's Planta- tion and over the drains to ground between Norwith and Misson. Thirty-five minutes. Then found in Swinnow Wood, and ran fast to Blyth Wood : one

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 49

fox to ground here. On with the other by Brecks Wood and killed him in the North Road near Scrooby. A capital forty-five minutes. Found again in Mattersey Wood, ran to Blako Hill, but scent changed, and were beaten. Bitches, 21J couples ; wind, south-west.

March 6th, 1886. — There were 31 degrees of frost last night, and I have not seen the water on the North Lake at Serlby since January 6th for ice.

March 15th, 1886. — Met at Grove. After drawing Gamston Wood blank, found in Treswell Wood, ran by Castle Hill, by the Kennels, round to Eaton Wood ; a check in a snowstorm, hunted on, got up to him in Headon School-house, and ran" fast by Askham, East Markham, left East Drayton on his left, and skirting Laneham, to ground in Rampton Thorns. A very good hunting run of two hours and forty minutes. A great many snow-drifts still about. Bitches, 20 couples ; wind, east.

April 12th, 1886. — Hounds met at Barnby Moor. Drew BoUam, Tilne blank. Found in Danes Hill Gorse round by Sutton Station, Sutton Church, down over the river by the Tilne Hold, over the canal to Hayton Castle, and ran into him close to Wheatley Village. A really good fifty-one minutes. Then drew several coverts blank, as the earths were all open. Bitches, 16J couples ; wind, north- west.

50 SPORT WITH

April 22nd, 1886. — Met at Jockey House, the last day of the season. A very large field. Found at once by the ford, ran to Lawn Covert, back to Patmore, away again by Lound Old Church, for Bevercotes, round to the Decoy, back to Patmore. Away for Markham Clinton, on through Bevercotes Park and Nicker Bush, to the Decoy, where they nearly caught him, on to ground under the road by Elkesley Village, and got him. A good hunting run to finish with. Dogs, 15^ couples ; wind, north.

The hounds were stopped hunting twenty-six advertised days by frost, and a very unsatisfactory season for stormy weather.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS.

SEASON OF 1886-1887.

November 9th, 1886. — Hounds met at Sand- beck. Found in Maltby Wood away by Green- land, nearly to Micklebring Gorse. On away from here to Silver Wood, close to which he jumped up in a turnip field, round on by the reservoir to Ravenfield Park, and to ground in a big drain under some fields. Found in Brampton Gorse. Ran nearly to Laughton and turned to his left by Morthen Hall, on for Ulley ; then away, leaving Wickersley Gorse on his right, away to Black Carr, straight on through this and Dalton Bank and, bearing to his right, he went to ground between Thryburgh and Aldwark. A fine run ; the hounds only got back to Grove Kennels at 9 o'clock. Bitches, 22| couples ; wind, south-east.

November 12th, 1886. — Met at Sturton. Found in Fenton Gorse. Ran a wide ring round here, down into the low ground. Went on to Cottam Willows, holloaed here to no doubt a fresh fox, and ran away back to Fenton Bank, away up close to Mormon Wood, over to Mee's Farm, then on over the canal to Hayton Bridge, and along the low ground, crossed the river Idle opposite Wiseton. I, with Gen. Rush Keene, the only two with^the

52 SPORT WITH

hounds, went over Smith's Willows Bridge, as the river was very full, and we found the hounds checked at Mattersey Village. They hunted their fox over the Idle again up to Pusto Hill, where we gave up at dark, and no doubt the fox had got to ground. Bitches, 20 couples ; wind, north-east.

November 22nd, 1886. — The hounds met at Sutton Cross Roads. After drawing Tilne blank, found in Smith's Willows. The hounds raced away over the river by Blako Hill, left Mattersey Wood on his right, over the railway to Scrooby, and by Neal's Gorse. Ran him eventual^ between Scrooby and Bawtry, by Gibbet Hill, to ground. Then drew the Ruins and the Toad Holes blank, but could do no good with a fox late in the stormy weather from Brachern Hill. Bitches, 21 couples ; wind, south-west.

January 27th, 1887. — The hounds met at Lin- drick Common. Found, after drawing the Stones blank, in Heads, and ran below Laughton Village to Thurcroft and lost. Trotted on to Grange Wood and, finding, ran up to Norwood by Hooton Levett on to New Hall, then to the edge of Wickersley Wood, round to Bramley very fast. A check here, but hunted on through Silver Wood, to ground by Ravenfield. All my field got left, so was by myself nearly the whole way. Found again in Brampton Gorse, and running round by Morthen, ran some rings round there, stopping eventually at Slack's Gorse. Bitches, 19I couples.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 53

February ist, 1887. — There was great chaff as, after a bad day and long draw about Dinnington and Aston, I came to Anston Stones. As it was down wind I said to George Outram, extra whip * * Gallop away to the far end, to halloa a fox away for Dewy dale." We very soon heard a holloa, so off hounds and all of us went best pace, but not being able to hit any line, and asking the whip, he said, * ' I never saw any fox, but your Lordship told me to holloa away for Dewy dale, and I obeyed orders ! ' ' Tableau !

February 4th, 1887.— Met at Grove. Hunted a fox from Gamston Wood through Treswell Wood down to Leverton, and lost. Found in White's Covert and raced by Fenton and crossed the Trent at Red Quarries. We all galloped to Littleborough Ferry, but the man had not put the boat back after the floods, so, I with Sam, crossed in a Httle row-boat, ran up to Gate Burton Hall, where we got ponies from Morland Hutton. We found the hounds beyond Lea Station, George Hutton, who came out from Knaith, with them, but having lost their fox. Brought all back over the ferry, the hounds swimming after the row-boat. A scurry from Fenton Gorse, but all the field had gone home. Dogs, 15} couples ; wind, south-west.

April 13th, 1887.— Met at Rossington Village. Ran quick for ten minutes from Awkley, and killed him by Rossington Farm. Then found in Holmes Carr, ran back by Hunster Wood, by Eastfield,

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turned to his left and all along the Golden Dyke to Styrrup Holts, on by Clatterker and Malpas Hill, and killed by the sunk fence in Sandbeck Park. A capital hunt. Bitches, 14! couples ; wind, north-east.

Finished hunting on April 15th, having killed 41 brace of foxes and run 20 brace to ground. There was a very long frost, and the hounds were stopped on twenty-six advertised days.

The foundation bricks of the new Kennels at Serlby were laid on April i6th by Vere G., George, and Violet Monckton.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 55

SEASON OF 1887-1888.

On August 27th, 1887, Sam Morgan brought 56 couples of hounds from Grove Kennels to the new Kennels at Serlby, the plans of which I de- signed myself, and which were built by m}/ own men.

January 9th, 1888. — Met at Grove. Hunted a fox away from Treswell Wood for Stokeham, but he was coursed by a dog, and no good. After drawing Rampton blank, ran from Cottam for Littleborough, to his left, and killed in South Leverton Village. A very fast thirty minutes and a lot of grief. Found in Laneham, ran a ring over Rampton Fields, away round by Laneham Village, across the Trent near Dunham Bridge, to ground near Kettlethorpe. One hour and five minutes ; quite a hot day ; thermometer, 57^ Dogs, 15J couples.

January 14th, 1888.— Met at North Carlton. After drawing Dyce Carrs blank and Langold, found in Linger Wood, and ran a very fast twenty- eight minutes to Anston Stones to ground. Ran another fox about there to ground. Then found in Kegham End, and raced by Hundred Acres to Scofton Wood, away again by Forest Hill, the edge

56 SPORT WITH

of Carlton Hills, to Older Wood, Fox Covert, Shire- oaks Wood, to Moses Seat, and stopped at dark from Anston Stones. A very fast hour and ten minutes. Bitches, i6 couples.

January 17th, 1888. — Met at Rossington. Drew the Low Woods and Finningley Park blank. Found in Hunster Wood. Killed one fox in four fields, ran another on and killed him near the farm. Then found in Swinnow Wood and ran twenty minutes ring to ground by Bawtry. Found in the Laurels at 3.45, and ran very hard round by Bishopfield to Torworth and across to the White Waters, and were obliged to stop at dark after a merry fifty-five minutes. Bitches, 16 couples ; cold east wind.

January 19th, 1888.— Met at Whitwell Village. Found in Romley Gorse, and ran a racing thirty- four minutes ring without a check, and only rode over three arable fields, going by Rockley Wood as if for Sutton, then down to Bolsover New gorse and back to Romley. Hunted him away again for Scarcliff, but he bore round to his left to Markland Grips, where he laid down in the ivy, and we killed him. One hour and forty minutes up to the Grips. Drew two or three more covers blank on the way home. Dogs, 15 couples ; wind, south-west.

January 23rd, 1888. — Met at Misterton Village. Drew Langholme-in-the-Isle blank first, as also Walkeringham Thorns. Found in Beckingham Willows and raced over the grass and the open

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 57

ditches to Bole. Hunted him on to Fenton Gorse, where we raced back to Bole Willows to ground and got him out. He was quite dead when we got to him, as he had been suffocated. One hour, forty minutes. Dogs, 15 couples.

January 24th, 1888. — Met at Hodsock Red Bridge. Found in Forest Plantation and raced through the Hundred Acres by Thievesdale to AlHson's Gorse, on by Blythlaw Hill and over the Torworth Fields to Breckswood and Serlby Park. Here a check, but went away with a fox from the Laurels, back to Blythlaw Hill, and round by Rans- kill to Torworth and killed him. Two hours, twenty minutes. Found in Horse Pasture Wood, away by the Hundred Acres, but halloed to a fresh fox and away to Carlton, Hodsock, Winks Wood, Blythlaw Hill, back to Hodsock and Carlton Vil- lage. Stopped the hounds at dark, after running one hour and fifty-five minutes. Bitches, 15 couples ; wind, south-west.

February 6th, 1888.— Met at Sutton Cross Roads. Killed a fox almost directly in Belmore Wood. Danes Hill blank. Found three foxes in Barnby Wood, and raced away over the railway up the river to the Butts, and to his right over the railway and canal by Babworth, on to Thrump- ton. Here checked ; on again over the railway and up to Mount Vernon, where the fox got into the buildings, and he bit me through the thumb before the hounds killed him. We did no more

58 SPORT WITH

good in the afternoon at Eaton Breck and Mason's Ash Holt. Bitches, 15 J couples ; wind, west.

February 21st, 1888.— Met at Serlby Hall. H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence staying there, we were determined to hunt in spite of the snow, which had stopped hunting since last week. After drawing the Laurels blank, found in the Ruins and ran merrily by Plumtree, Bawtry Holts, Swinnow Wood, round it, back to Snipe Park, and to ground in a hedge-row by Tickhill Spital. A cheery twenty-eight minutes, and all much amused at jumping the fences in the snow. Drew Martin Beck and Hesley and Hunster blank ; very disap- pointing. Dogs, 16 couples.

March 12th, 1888. — Met at Gringley. A snowy morning. Found in the Gorse and ran very merrily over the road to his right up to Drake- holes, then down into the low ground below Ever- ton, and on to Scaftworth, through the hills and Low Covert, and over the river away to Mattersey Wood; through the corner of this, on for Ranskill. Then to his left by Dane HiU Farm, up to High Field. A good run of an hour and ten minutes. Here a heavy snowstorm came on, and we could never make out what became of him. Drew Bel- more Wood and Smith's Willows, then gave up and came home. Dogs, 17 couples.

March i6th, 1888.— Met at Grove. Found in Caddow Gorse, ran up to Grove, then away by Welham and Clarborough to Hayton Castle, but

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 59

only slow hunting, and did not get up to him at Mormon Wood. Trotted off and found a brace of foxes in S. White's Plantation near Cottam. Raced to Fenton Gorse Boundary Fence, then to his right down to the Trent and on to Cottam Willows. Then hunted him on up to Leverton, over a good line to Rampton, and on down to the Torksey Willows. Got up to him here and raced away back by the Little Willows on to Barley's Willows, and ran into him near Laneham. A very good hour and fifty minutes. Mixed pack, 15 1 couples ; cold north-east wind.

March 20th, 1888.— Met at Gateford. Found in Anston Stones and ran about, but no good. Found, after drawing WalHngwells blank, in Lang- old Holt. Raced merrily away by the Red Quarries and Cross Plantation ; then left Anston and Anston Church close on his right, away over the railway, through the Thorpe Woods up to Scratta and to Steetly Bar. Then on by Harness Grove to Sloswick and Welbeck Park and into the Manor Hills, where I stopped them. A fine run, but it was unlucky that nobody ever saw the fox after Thorpe Village, to give the hounds a Hft. Mixed pack, 17 J couples ; cold north-east wind.

The hounds finished hunting on April 12th, after a good season's sport, the hounds having killed 34J brace of foxes and run 30 brace to ground. This season I made a change with regard to the earth stoppers and keepers, as I

6o SPORT WITH

was disgusted with the long draws I had last year, and so many foxes run to ground. This year, therefore, instead of the old plan of a fixed sum to each keeper, I settled to give los. to each keeper, £i for each litter found by the hounds, and after cub-hunting 5s. for every find, and a fine of 2S. 6d. for every fox run to ground in any earth which , in my opinion, ought to have been stopped.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 6i

SEASON OF 1888-1889.

Vere and I went out and spent this winter in India. With the consent of the subscribers, I arranged for Mr. Charles Wright, of Anston, to act as Field Master, and Sam Morgan to hunt the hounds.

It was a very good scenting season, and the hounds had some good sport, their best run being on March ist, when they met at Bishop Field. They found in the Laurels, and ran by Breckswood over the Torworth Fields to Blythlaw Hills ; then left AlHson's Gorse just on his right towards Barnby Moor, but he turned away to Chequers Bottoms and ran up by Osberton Mill, over the canal to the Little Whin Covert. Then over the railway, through Silver Firs, CuUoden, into Lord Scarbrough's Lings. They ran twice round here, then up by Apley Head Lodge and Sharpe's Hill to Hardwick, where he turned down by the lake, back through Sharpe's Hill, and through Clumber Park to Carburton, leaving Rough Brake on his left to Welbeck and through the Manor Hills, on to Marshe's Farm, up to Worksop Forest, where they killed him after a run of two hours and fifty minutes. A very fine run.

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The hounds finished hunting on April 5th, having killed 34! brace of foxes and run 26 J brace to ground.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 63

SEASON OF 1889-1890.

November 4th, 1889. — Met at Serlby, first day of the season. At the Meet Col. Denison presented Sam Morgan with a testimonial, consisting of a clock, the life free membership of the Hunt Ser- vants' Society, and £140. — Found by the river, ran to the Breckswood, over Scrooby Hills, over the railway by Mattersey Wood and Blako Hill to Mattersey Abbey. Then up the river-side, and, running from scent to view, rolled him over oppo- site Tilne. A good hour and five minutes. After drawing Dane's Hill blank, found in Mattersey Wood and ran to ground near Ling Hurst in fifteen minutes. Bitches, 21J couples ; wind, west.

November 21st, 1889. — Met at Serlby. Found again by the river and ran by Bishop Field to Scrooby and up the riverside and killed him by Bawtry in thirty-five minutes. Then found in a turnip field by Mattersey Wood, ran over the river to Scaftworth and Stone Hill, away to Everton, down into the low ground, and running all along the riverside, killed him opposite Bawtry station. A good hour and fifty-eight minutes. Then found in Swinnow Wood, but the weather changed and

64 SPORT WITH

did no more good. Bitches, 21 couples ; cold south-east wind.

January 30th, 1890. — Met at Aston Hall. After drawing Nicker Wood blank, found in Spring Wood and raced away to Morthen Hall and on for Thur- croft. Here we had a check after running twenty- eight minutes. Then on and round by Slack's Gorse and Wickersley, and on to UUey and back to ground in Brampton Quarry. One hour and twenty minutes. Found in Brampton Gorse and raced over the grass to ground at Anston Tips. Drew Dinnington blank and found a third fox in King's Wood, but lost in heavy rain at Park Hill. Bitches, 20 couples.

February i8th, 1890. — Met at Finningley. Drew Finningley Park blank. Found in the Gravel Hills and round Whitemires and Hunster, back to the Gravel Hills, down to Twelve Months Car, to his left by Rossington Bridge, and killed by Holmescarr in one hour and twenty minutes. Then found at Hesley, ran a ring over the railway to Rossington and lost. Then found at Swinnow Wood, ran a ring by the Ruins, then on to Tick- hill, Spittal, and Harworth, on to the Ruins, to ground in a drain under the road, but he bolted while we were waiting, and we killed him in five minutes. Altogether, one hour and forty minutes. Dogs, 19 couples.

February 21st, 1890. — Met at Darlton. Found in the Springs, away for Grassthorpe, round for

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 65

Tuxford, then by East Markham Spinneys to Dray- ton, to his left, and ran into him by Headon Park Farm. An A.i. fifty-five'minutes. Then drew Castle Hill, Gringley, and Cadow Woods, Hutchinson and Cherry Holts all blank — very disappointing. Dogs, 17 couples ; cold east wind.

March 21st, 1890. — The hounds met at Beck- ingham. Found in Horberry's Willows and raced to ground in a shed. After about twenty-five minutes he bolted, and we ran him merrily away to Walkeringham Thorns ; away from round Walk- eringham Village on his right up to Gringley, on to Drakeholes, over the canal, and away below Ever ton to Scaft worth Hills. Here we ran him round the covert in view, and he got to ground in a big earth, where we could not get him out. A fine run with an eleven-mile point, and a lot of grief. Dogs, 17 couples ; wind, north.

Finished hunting on April 3rd, 1890.

66 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1890-1891.

November 27th, 1890. — There were quite twelve inches of snow, so drove tandem in the sleigh for three days.

December 5th, 1890. — Met at Headon Clump. Found in Beverley Springs and raced away to the corner of Gamston Wood by Askhajn, to East Markham. Here he was headed, but on to Darlton and round it, leaving the village on his right, up to the Springs. An A.i. gallop of forty minutes. Here there were other foxes, but eventually hunted a fox away by East Markham and Stokeham, but the scent had quite changed after this, and though I got up to other foxes in Tresswell Wood, I was obliged eventually to stop the hounds from Gam- ston Wood late. Bitches, 20 couples ; wind, north.

February 4th, 1891. — Met at Serlby after the Retford Ball. Large field out. Found in the Laurels and ran across to White Waters, raced up to Martin Beck, to ground at Swinnow. Then found in the Ruins, and killed what was no doubt a tired fox in ten minutes, by Plumtree. Then found in Mattersey Wood, ran over the river to Scaft worth, away by Bawtry, and ran into him by

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 67

Martin Beck. A racing forty-five minutes. Mixed pack, 17 couples ; wind, north.

February 6th, 1891.— Met at Welham Old Bar. Found in Castle Hill Wood and ran away by Wel- ham to Hayton, nearly to Wheatley Wood and to his right to Sturton. Very fast. Here a bother at the railway, but hunted on by Leverton, up to Caddo ws, where we got up to him and killed him. Altogether, two hours ten minutes. Found again in Castle Hill Wood, and raced away to the Clar- boro' Tunnel, Mormon Wood, down to Sturton, round by Leverton and back to Caddow, then down to the railway to ground under the lane below Mormon Wood, where we soon got him. A very fine day's sport. Fifty-seven minutes. Bitches, 18 couples.

February 14th, 1891. — Met at Jockey House. Drew Patmore and Apley Head blank. Found in Eaton Breck, raced away for Retford, to his right, by Eaton Bog up to Elkesley, away to the Lawn Covert for Markham Moor, on over the river by Jacket Mill, and to ground by the White Houses, where we bolted and killed him. Fifty-five minutes. Bitches, 16 couples ; wind, north-west. February 26th, 1891. — Hunted at Whitwell after 12 degrees of frost, and killed a fox after two hours' work. This now makes sixteen foxes killed in twelve consecutive days' hunting.

March 9th, 1891. — Met at Scaftworth. Found in the hills, ran very hard over the river, straight

68 SPORT WITH

to Partridge Hill, a check, then to his right, over the drains to Misson, and over the river, to ground at Scaft worth. I got bogged trying to ford the river at Misson. Chopped a fox in Mattersey Wood. Found in Danes Hill Gorse, ran by the railway to Ranskill, to his right, to Blako Hill, on to Ling- hurst, then on to Hayton. I fell at the Old Eau, and my horse was in for an hour and a quarter before they pulled him out with horses. They hunted him on by Tilne and Bolham, and I got to them by Retford Glebe, where they lost him. Bitches, i8 couples ; wind, cold north-east.

April 2nd, 1891. — We had a point-to-point race meeting at Headon Clump. It was a very fine day, many people there, and no serious accident beyond L. BulUvant's collar-bone. The course was all round Headon Clump, so that the spectators could see nearly all the race : it commenced by the brook on the Treswell Wood side, up round a flag near Grove Farm, to the left away to opposite Eaton Wood, round a flag, on to the left, round Headon School-house, winning in Headon Park Field by the Avenue.

THE FARMERS' RACE.

Mr. George Peck's b. g. by Cardinal (J. Sharp) i

Mr. George Peck's b. g. Cob, by Cardinal (W. Carnley) ... 2

Mr. F. Wilkinson 's Whipcord ( W. Wilkinson) 3

Mr. E. Smith's Tallyho (Owner) 4

Mr. L. BulUvant's Lindor (Owner) 5

Lindor looked like winning easily, but fell at the last fence.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 69

THE MEMBERS' RACE (light-weights, i2st. 71b., heavy- weights, I4st. 71b.

Mr. C. Wright's Blue Beard (Owner) i

Mr. M. Dawson's Tuscan (Owner) 2

Col. Denison's Don Quixote (Mr. R. C. Otter) 3

Viscount Galway 's Patch (Earl Scarbrough) 4

Viscount Galway 's Zanzibar (Owner) 5

Mr. F. Willey's Mac (Owner) 6

Mr. Verelst's Morgiana (Capt. F. Blacker) 7

Capt. Bather's Uncle Tom (Owner) 8

Mr. Dawson, who was leading, fell at the last fence, but quickly remounting, came in second. Blue Beard won the hght-weights and Morgiana the heavy-weights as Mac was dis- qualified, only having been purchased on January 7th, while the condition was before January ist.

DUKE OF PORTLAND'S CUP (Farmers' race, weight not less than I4st. 71b.

Mr. Crossley's bay g. (Owner) i

Mr. George Peck's Drumhead (W. Camley) 2

Mr. G. Walker's Chesnut (Owner) 3

Mr. S. Hall's Archer (Owner) 4

Mr. G. Peck's g by Silvester (J. Sharpe) 5

Mr. F. Wilkinson's Whipcord (E. Smith) (disq.) o

The Silvester gelding fell at the last fence and Whipcord was disqualified, as he had not been sufficiently regularly hunted this season.

The hounds finished hunting on April loth, having been stopped hunting twenty-seven adver- tised days.

70 SPORT WITH

LORD GALWAY'S HOUNDS OF 1891. By "Whipcord."

Come listen awhile good sportsmen, a story I would tell, About a famous pack of hounds, that now at Serlby dwell ; Why should our muse be silent ? other hunts have their lays, Their celebrated stories, great records of great days.

We too look back with pleasure, in many different ways. To gallops on the forest, grand runs across the clays, When only those on business, as well as pleasure bent. Enjoy those stiff close fences by our "rubicon" the Trent.

Oh the joy ! to hear a holloa, Gone away ! ! from Gamston

Wood, Treswell, Castle Hill, or Caddow, when the going's sound and

good ; Should you get a start from Laneham, Rampton Thorns or

Gringley Gorse, If for Grove or Burton Willows, it will test both man and horse.

How we tear away from Nicker, how we "bless" the horse that

kicks Cramming through those narrow gateways, in a rush from

Skinner's sticks ; How we plunge through boggy Patmore, when the season's

getting late, Or ride a hack at Osberton, to race from gate to gate.

Take a bird's-eye view of Whitwell, Owday, Langold, Malpas

Hill, Maltby too and back by Tickhill, cross Whitewater to Blyth

Mill; Serlby next, Scaft worth and Clay worth, Mattersey, and then

we stop. Ending with those rushy meadows, from Tiln Holt to Barnby

Top.

Wondrous tales are often told us, of these hounds in days of old Mastered by the Lord of Sandbeck, or that Squire of speech

so bold Then the late Lord Galway bought them, known and liked by

every one, "May yourreign be as successful," is our best wish for his son.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 71

Full seven weeks this season, the frost has held its sway, Gone at last — so come and join them for a Friday on the clay ; Bring a well-conditioned hunter, deep in girth, both long and

low, No suspicion of a roarer, bold and clever one you know.

Trotting steadily to cover, mark the fences with your eye, Choosing in imagination, where to creep and which to fly, Then inspect the gathering horsemen forming up as for review. Through these lines, tho' poor and feeble, you may recognise a few.

First the Master ! let us yield him pride of place and sporting

fame, Mounted on his chesnut hunter "Beaconsfield" it's honoured

name. When hound's run he's always with them, and a wonder 'tis

to all, Charging with loose rein his fences, he so rarely gets a fall.

Her Ladyship can seldom hunt, but all are glad to find Two small keen riders in the front, of thorough sporting mind, Sitting his rough brown pony as to the manner born. Some future day, young Master George intends to bear the horn.

A splendid bay ! who owns it ? What manners, action, pace, The answer echoes in the cry, hurrah ! here comes his Grace i; His genial face so cheery, is welcomed far and wide, True sportsman and true gentleman, worthy his county's pride.

Another Lord in scarlet^, he's had a longish ride, Is that the reason why we miss his daughter^ at his side ? Now see the youngest Duchess*, has she made up her mind To order us a fox or two, in Clumber's woods to find ?

Who's this I see in velvet cap', riding a small bay mare Long scarlet coat and faultless seat ; good huntsman he, I

swear. Sometimes a sporting parson^, forsakes for us his pack, And holds his own in foreign climes, on chesnut, roan, or black.

'Duke of Portland. ■'Duchess of Newcastle.

-Earl Manvers. *L. RoUeston (M.F.H. Rufford).

^Lady M. Pierrepoint. «Rev. R. Fitzherbert.

72 SPORT WITH

In smart grey coat and button-hole, for model seek no higher Than he with smile and courteous word, a pattern English

squire^; If "Mr. George"^ has left us, he's equalled though not beaten By two young brothers, when at home from Trinity or Eton,

With calm dehberation, talking to many a friend, Riding a bay he knows can stay, all day from start to end, Straight as a die he steers him ; the man must e'en sit tight Who from the springs of Babbington, would follow "Charlie Wright. "3

Our "only General"* greets us, as "keen" as any there.

His wife rides straight, a feather-weight ! they are a sporting

pair. Then popular and pleasant "the Colonel"* dashes past, His big black horse can pull like fun, and gallop fairly fast.

Our military members quite muster up in force. The "Adjutant"*^ so very smart on his black charger horse ; The "Major'"' too from Bawtry can hold his own with most. He has a wondrous chesnut steed, and loves its feats to boast.

Another friend is coming, his horse looks full of go. Sitting hghtly on the saddle, hard and well rides R.C.O.^ ; The family from Eaton, all patronize the pack, No one more anxious to be first, more plucky than young Jack,

Aston's master** — always merry and real good fun is he Though his lady beats her lord to hounds, unless he's on

" Trustee ; " Many miles two more have ridden, o'er the Hmestone roads so

stony. His "Reverence" ^° on a little grey, she^^ on a ripping pony.

A couple^ 2 here from Ranby go like the wind together. And in the chase undaunted face the roughest fence or weather, We miss our friend from Scaf t worth i=^, no better man comes out. And Where's the hunter from "The Grange, "^^^ what can he be about ?

'F. J. Foljambe. »R. C. Otter.

*G. Foljambe. "H. W. Verelst.

'C. Wright (Anston). ">Rev. G. Athorpe.

*Gen. Ruck Keene. ' 'Miss Athorpe.

*Col. H. Denison. '*M. S. Dawson and Mrs. Dawaon.

'Capt. J. S. WiUett. "Capt. F. Blacker.

'Major Bather. '*C, Lister Kaye.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 73

Grove's squire^ is quite a stranger out hunting, yet you know Good foxes, draw them when you may, his covers always show ; Sheffield still sends us riders, a dozen horsemen quite, But (with other well-known faces) we miss most the gallant knight. 2

To one^ in scarlet on a bay we feel incUned to holloa

Oh sir, you look so very nice, but where, oh where's your collar?

This other* on a chesnut, one merrily salutes

With parody of well-known song, "Where did you get those

boots ? " True sportsman of the good old school 5, no better judge of

horses. His hunter's back, we all regret, he now so seldom crosses ; But mounted on black "Peter," a lady^ holds her own, And "J.G.B.'"' good rider he, though checked by fifteen stone. This house seems quite forsaken. Where's the Master,^ is he ill? Given up his horse for roses ! ! poor exchange thinks Gateford

Hill ; From his farm not many miles off, "George"^ still rides his

chesnut mare, Come to see them find in Trancar, for he knows a fox is there.

On roan and grey from Worksop, Father ^^and Daughter start, He wisely takes a safe back seat, she plays a leading part Curvetting round upon a bay. Would he go if hounds ran ? Not far ! you'll find this lawyer ^^ is a very careful man. An hour late from Tickhill, though not at all concerned, A ponderous sportsman ^^ wanders up, and thinks his port is

earned ; Carlton's lady^^ won't be beaten, seated on a gallant grey ; WaUingwells^* is represented, and young HaU still rides the

bay. The chesnut horse from Hesley'-^ may still be sometimes seen, From Rossington till Xmas, comes out two riders i** keen ; Steetley sends a hardy horseman, with sayings full of pith. Fords may be deep and banks too steep, but what cares

Sydney Smith.

r 'E. H. Vernon. "G. Machin.

*Sir H. Watson. '°T. Gouldesborough.

'S. Roberts. ' 'H. S. Hodding.

*G. K. WUson. '*Major Todd Naylor.

^ *H. Beevor. "Miss Shaw.

"Miss Ellison. "'W. Jessop.

•J. G. Beevor. '*B. J. Whitaker.

'H. V. Machin. "R. and Miss Streatfield,

74 SPORT WITH

Blyth boasts a brace of [riders^; Rampton's tenant- knows

he will Find a kindred hunting spirit, in a friend just up the hill ; Three sportsmen hunt from Retford, all quite devoted to it. Prepared to stay and ride all day, are Hannam, Holmes, and

Hewitt.

As regular as clock-work, comes a hunter from Welham,^ He knows each lane and gate and gap, and means no fence to

kill him ; Here, too, a rare old sportsman* leaves his pony-cart to run, As larky as a four-year old, he can't be ninety-one.

On sturdy cob or hunter, regardless of his neck.

With jovial face and curious hat, up gallops Mr. Peck-'* ;

Another rider'' with him, who is his right-hand man.

Full well he goes, but no one knows why he should lead the van.

Here's to the pair from Gringley,' on horses black and brown. Both tip-top riders, and the first to help a friend when down ; No fence too big to stop them, no drain too wide to try, With hunters (never knocked about) which are the sort to buy.

The doctor too from Saundby^, stih rides his hog-maned grey. Encouraged by a long sharp whip, it does more work than play, Then from the Burton border, got up in pink so neat, Comes one^ who on his chesnut horse, is very bad to beat.

Riding a small bay thorough-bred, trotting so quick and sound, This mani^'sits well and looks as well, the pair are "Sharp" all

round ; Leverton sends a party, ^^ they own some sporting ground In "White's" snug cover many a time, a straight-necked fox

is found.

Waiting here with many others, under shelter of the wood. Fit as can be I think you'll see, Johnson, Eden, Walker, Goode; Now eleven o'clock is striking, the season's flying fast. Wait but a minute, I have kept one of the first till last.

'F. Wilkinson. "J. Carnley.

^F. Willey. 'E. and W. Smith.

'C". Thorold. *Dr. Dawson.

*F. Raynes. °J. D. Sanders.

*G. Peck. '"J- Sharpe.

"S. White.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 75

To Morgan, best of riders ! full meed of praise is due, Our kennel huntsman many years, so steady, bold and true ; One season all remember, what glorious sport we had, When many a day, Sam led the way, and hounds would run Hke mad.

Listen ! they draw the cover ; we know bold Rejmard's there, For "Harkaway" has spoken, he'd scorn to greet a hare ; Good-bye then for the present, that note shall end this song. With one good toast I finish, to miss it would be wrong.

Here's to the fox so cunning, here's to the hound so fast, Here's to the Master and his men, to the Field from first to last; Fox hunting ! What comes near it ? Nothing in mortal bounds Good luck to all, both great and small ; success to Lord Gal way's hounds.

76 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1891-1892.

November 17th, 1891. — Met at Sutton Cross roads. Found in Danes Hill Gorse, and ran merrily, leaving Blako Hill on his right, round over the middle bridge, then up the grass by Tilne, to ground in Bollam Hills — a very nice fifty-eight minutes. Drew Mattersey Wood blank, then bolted a fox near the Ranskill Lodge, and after running all about Serlby, etc., to ground in Brakes Wood and got him out. Dogs, 19J couples ; wind, south-east.

November 19th, 1891. — Met at Throapham Manor. Found in Clattaker Gorse. Ran across Throapham Common beyond St. John's, to King's Wood, then by Stubbins to Firbeck Hall, on by Letwell to Langold Holt and Lindrick Common, by Dewydale and Red Hills and killed him. A good hunt of two hours and five minutes. Then found in Brampton Gorse, and ran very fast by Laughton, to ground by Hooton. Twenty-five minutes. Bitches, 22J couples ; wind, south-west.

November 20th, 1891. — Met at Grove. Found in Castle Hill and ran two very fast rings round by Clarboro' and Welham, to ground at Welham

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 77

Cross Roads. Found in Mormon Wood, and ran for Hayton with a brace of foxes before us. One went to ground in the plaster pits, and killed the other by Clarboro'. Then found in Hutchinson's Holt and ran away to Hayton Village, down over the canal, over the steeple-chase course, and stopped at dark by Hayton Village. A good hard day. Dogs, iSJ couples.

January ist, 1892. — Met at Sturton. Ran a fox hard from Fenton Gorse to White's Covert back and lost. Found in Burton Willows, and raced away by Sturton station, on by Leverton mill, to opposite Treswell Wood. An A.i. twenty-five minutes. Here he was headed, and turned down wind, and eventually lost by White's Covert. Drew Rampton Thorns blank, but got up to a fox in Hungry Hill, ran to Laneham, to his left to Rampton, got up to him here in a field : the beaten fox ran to Leverton Village, round to Treswell Village, and gave up on Rampton field at dark. A good hard day, but the hounds deserved a fox. Dogs, 18J couples ; wind, west.

February 5th, 1892.— Met at East Markham. Found three foxes lying in the narrow grass field by East Markham Plantation, and raced away to the middle of Rampton field ; a check, hit him off and down to Laneham Thorns, and killing one in covert, straight through to Laneham Village. Then to his right up to Dunham School-house, to his right nearly to East Markham, back to Laneham

78 SPORT WITH

where I gave the hounds their first fox. Found in Treswell Wood ; I away with half the hounds up the brook-side to Drayton, and lost beyond East Markham. Then found four foxes in Gamston Wood, and I went away after a tired fox with only six couples, by Askham and Upton, down to Stoke- ham, and stopped, getting all the other hounds on my way home. A hard day, and unlucky the hounds dividing. Dogs, 17J couples ; wind, south- west.

February 12th, 1892. — Met at Bole. Found in the Wheatley Wood Den. Ran fast to Hay ton Village, then hunted on for Mormon Wood, to his left across Bole Field, and he beat us in Wheatley Wood, no doubt to ground. Found in Gringley Gorse and lost the fox at Beckingham Village. Then found late at Walkeringham and raced by Gamston's Farm by Gringley, over the grass, to his left to Clayworth Wood, and ran into him beyond Wheatley Wood. An A.i. thirty-two minutes. I out again with plastered ribs from fall on the 6th. Dogs, 17 couples.

March 22nd, 1892. — Met at Letwell Village. After drawing Brampton Gorse and Spring Wood blank, found in Nicker Wood, ran one to ground, and then with another had a nice ring round Mor- then and back and lost. Found in King's Wood, ran round by Lingodell. Then away up the valley nearly to Brampton Village to his left, leaving Brampton Gorse on his left, on for Dinnington,

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 79

but he turned short to his left, and we killed him before he could get to Laughton Village. A capital fifty minutes. Dogs, 17 couples ; wind, north-east.

April ist, 1892.— Met at Welham Old Toll Bar for a Farmers' Point-to-Point Race before hunting. Catch- weights. Light-weights above I2st. 71b. ; heavy-weights above i4st. 71b. No horse ever to have been in a public training stable, and going 100 yards along a road, or opening a gate during the race, to disquahfy.

It was a very fine spring day, and a very large number of people at the meet. I collected the run- ners and then trotted them off to the middle of Bole Field, a little above the Guide Post, and from where a poplar tree in the grass field between Mor- mon Wood and Sturton High House, where the winning-post was, could be seen. It was a stiff course, as there were three brooks to cross, J. Sharpe led till opposite Sturton station, when T. Park took the lead at a fast pace till he fell about one hundred yards from the winning-post. LIGHT-WEIGHT CLASS.

Mr. F. Wilkinson's b. g. Lindor (Owner) i

Mr. E. Curtis's b. g. Domino (J. Sharpe) 2

Mr. W. Smith's ch. m. Dulcie, (Owner) 3

Mr. J. Dickinson's b. g. The Deemster (Owner) o

Mr. S. Haigh's br. m. Charity (E. Curtis) o

Mr. L. BulUvant's ch. g. Venturer (Owner) o

HEAVY-WEIGHT CLASS.

Mr. F. Wilkinson's ch. g. Alpha (E. Smith) i

Mr. T. Park's grey mare (Owner) *

Mr. F. Wilkinson's b. g. Major (A. E. Rose) *

Mr. G. A. Walker's ch. m. Princess (J. Carnley) o

Mr. S. Hall's b.r g. Archer (Owner) o

* Dead-heat for second place.

8o SPORT WITH

Alpha came in first, the grey mare and Major running a dead-heat for second place. Several falls, but no one hurt. Nobody had any idea where the course was going to be till I started them.

After the race, took the hounds and found in Hutchinson's Holt, ran over to Gringley Wood, Castle Hill Wood, down for Retford, to his right to Welham Old Bar (I had a rattHng fall and luckily did not break my neck, but after a bit trotted on to Leverton). The hounds turned up to the right to Cadows, on up to Sturton High House, away down over the railway for Fenton Gorse, to his right to Leverton Village, through it to ground in a drain in Dr. Savile's field. Bolted him and killed. A good hour and ten minutes. Dogs, 17 couples.

Finished the season on April i6th, having had a nice gallop on the 14th from Greenland by Micklebring Gorse up to Denaby Wood.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 8i

SEASON OF 1892-1893.

A late harvest, so the hounds only began cub- hunting on September ist.

November 3rd, 1892. — Met at Aston Hall. Found a capital show in Nicker Wood, away at last, and lost by Todwick. Then found in Spring Wood and away at once, leaving Brampton Gorse on his left at a racing pace for Throapham. Then on for King's Wood and Lingodell, leaving King's Wood on his left, straight for Sandbeck Park. The hounds viewed him all across the park and ran into him by the house. An A. i . forty-seven minutes. Then drew Malpas Hill blank, and home. Dogs, 21 couples.

November 21st, 1892. — Met at Gringley. Found in the Gorse. Away down along the canal side, and raced to ground below Gringley Windmill. Found in Royston New Thorns, after drawing Freeman's Gorse blank, and ran very fast to Wiseton, back by Smith's Willows to Tilne Holt, away for Hayton Village, but he turned to his left, and the hounds pulled him down below Clay worth Village. A capital hour and ten minutes. Then found in Scaftworth, ran all round the covers there, and to

82 SPORT WITH

ground in thirty-five minutes at Wiseton. A good day. Dogs, 19J couples ; wind, south-west.

December 17th, 1892.— Met at Blythlaw Hill. Found in Hodsock Plantation, and ran all about Hodsock to ground. Then found in the little holt by the river, ran to Winks Wood, Horse Pasture Wood, away to his right, by Hodsock Park, Old- cotes, left Malpas Hill just on his left, to the Styrrup Holts, on to the Harworth Willows, round to his right, and killed him in the open between Serlby and Styrrup. A capital hour and fifteen minutes. Dogs, 19 J couples ; wind, south-west.

January 30th, 1893. — Met at Osberton. Found in Cascade Wood and ran to ground on the Sewage Farm. Away with another fox through Scofton to Hundred Acres and to Carlton Village, round to Horse Pasture Wood, where we got up to him and then hounds raced away straight to Chequer Bot- toms, and killed him at Scofton. Then ran very hard another fox from Allison's Gorse to ground in the main earth at Hundred Acres. Bitches, 21 J couples ; wind, south-west.

February 2nd, 1893. — Met at Aston Hall. Found in Nicker Wood, ran over the railway, but did no good. Then found in Spring Wood and raced away to Morthen, left the new gorse on his right, on for Slack's Gorse, but to his right by Thurcroft, nearly to Norwood ; a check, hunted him on to Rough Park. It was an A.i. thirty minutes up to the check. We changed foxes and

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 83

were running about Maltby, etc., till 5 o'clock, but without scent enough in covert to kill a fox. Bitches, 16J couples ; wind, south-west.

February 17th, 1893. — Met at Darlton. Drew the Springs, Marnham, Billyard Gorse, and East Markham Coverts blank. Found in a garden near Tuxford, and ran very hard nearly to Bevercotes. Then bore away to his left for Ladywood down to the Great Northern Railway near Tuxford Village. An A.I. gallop up to here. Then up back over the railway by the edge of the Springs and down to East Markham Village, to ground in a big drain by the railway. Unlucky, not killing him for the hounds. Bitches, 18J couples. I came down early train from London, and back after hunting.

February 24th, 1893. — Met at Grove. Found in Gamston Wood. Away at once by Askham and East Markham down to Drayton Windmill, round to his left, back up to Gamston Wood, fairly racing, then on by Beverley Spring to Mill Hill Clump to ground under the road. Bolted with a pole and killed him by East Markham. A very good hour and five minutes. Then found in Little Gringley Wood. Ran all round the Grove Woods, and eventually gave up at dark. Bitches, 19 couples.

March 3rd, 1893.— Met at Sturton. Found in Fenton Gorse. Ran up to White's cover and back by Littleboro' Willows, and killed at Sturton Vil- lage. Fifty minutes. This fox had two white fore-

84 SPORT WITH

pads. After drawing Burton Willows blank, found in Caddow Wood, ran over the tunnel on to Hay- ton Castle, then over Wheatley and Bole Fields by Saundby and on to Pear-tree Hill. I think our fox went to Walkeringham, but I was halloaed back round to Clayworth Wood and Freeman's Gorse, and stopped the hounds from going after a fresh fox at Clayworth Village. Bitches, 17I couples ; wind, south-west.

March 7th, 1893. — Met at Osberton. Drew Cascade, Scofton Wood, Champion's Plantation, One Hundred Acres, Fifty Acres, and Bilby all blank. Found in Alison's Gorse and raced to the Hundred Acres corner, by edge of Scofton Wood, to Chequer Bottoms, over the canal, and killed him at Morton Far Wood. A capital forty minutes. Then found in Mason's Ash Holt, and ran by Bab- worth, Green Mile, across to Morton, Broom Wood, by Osberton to Cascade, on leaving Scofton Wood just on his right, away for Carlton Hills, headed at the road, and to ground by Thievesdale. One hour and twenty minutes. A good forest day. Bitches, 18 couples.; wind, north-west.

March 15th, 1893. — Met at Gateford. Stopped the hounds from a vixen in Owday Wood, then found in Lindrick Dale, to ground in Anston Stones. Found our third fox in Linger Wood, and ran by the Holt, away to Lingodell, King's Wood, Grange Wood, Norwood, very fast to Maltby Wood. Then took a fox a ring round by Hell Wood and

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 85

back, but they drove him eventually away by Braithwell, and running from scent to view, killed him beyond Greenlands. Bitches, iSJ couples.

March 23rd, 1893.— Met at Eaton Hall. While we were drawing the new covert, a fox swam over the river to us, so got a rare start, and I saw him all the way in front of hounds to Apley Head, round it and Sharpes Hill, and killed him at Apley Head. A capital thirty-five minutes. Did no good in Pat- more. Found in a field by Apple Pie, and ran a fast ring for Eaton, then away across to Patmore, on to Bothamsall, to Lawn Covert, over the river, to his left to Gamston Village. Here we were un- luckily halloaed to a fresh fox, who took us over the river again and eventually lost him beyond Jockey House. Two hours and thirty minutes. A good day but disappointing, not killing this last fox. Dogs, 18 couples.

March 23rd, 1893. — Finished hunting on April 6th, the ground being very dry and dusty, with an unusually early spring. The hounds were stopped hunting twenty-two advertized days.

86 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1893-1894.

November 9th, 1893. — Met at Throapham, but not advertized, owing to the strike of the colUers, which has lasted since July 28th. Found in Nicker Wood and, after two turns, ran to Hail Mary Hill, on to ground in Treeton Wood. On our way back met a fox near Aston and killed him in ten minutes near Aughton. After drawing Brampton Gorse blank, found in Common Plantation, ran fast by Throapham, to ground beyond Laughton. Found in Windmill Plantation, and ran over the low grass nicely for twenty minutes to ground in Anston Tips. Bitches, 2o| couples.

January 19th, 1894. — Hounds met at Barnby Moor, before the Retford ball. Found in the High Wood, and ran straight across the Torworth Fields to Breckswood, and to ground near Ranskill. Then ran a fox a ring from the Bracken beds in Serlby Park and killed him. Found in Mattersey Wood and raced away by Mattersey Thorpe to Scaftworth Hills to ground. Then found in Dane's Hill Gorse, and ran down to Belmore over the low ground by Blako Hill, across to Wiseton, and stopped the hounds by Drakeholes. Bitches, 17J couples ; wind, south-west.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. ^7

February 12th, 1894. — The hounds met at Barnby Moor. A high wind still, after a terrible gale last night. Barnby Moor, Dane's Hill, and Mattersey Wood blank. Found in the Ruins and ran to the Breckswood. Then away to his left, by Scrooby over the railway, on to Scaftworth low cover. Hunted on, the fox jumped up in view near Stone Hill, and the hounds raced into him near Mattersey Bridge. Dogs, 19^ couples ; wind, west.

March 14th, 1894.— Met at Harthill Village. Drew Norwood blank. Found in Nicker Wood, and ran away by Kiveton Park, Smarston Hills, to the low corner of Anston Stones. Straight away through it to the Red Quarries, Park Hill, and pulled him down at Stone Village. A very good hour and five minutes. Found in King's Wood, and ran a fox to Laughton, headed back to Lingo- dell and Firbeck, but could not get up to him or another fox in Dycecarrs or Linger Wood. Bitches, 17J couples.

April 2nd, 1894. — Met at Carburton Old Toll Bar. Found in the Rough Breck, and ran by Nightingale Plantation over the water by Day's Corner to ground at the far end of the Cat whins. A nice forty minutes. Then found by Holy Well. Ran very fast by Trueman's Breck and Rough Breck, and killed him by the waterfall by Nightin- gale Plantation. Thirty minutes. Then found a fox in Langwell Plantation, ran to the Manor Hills, through them, back across Welbeck Park, and

88 SPORT WITH

killed him on the Rufford side of the water, opposite Gibraltar. Bitches, iGJ couples.

Finished hunting on April 3rd, in a furious storm of thunder and lightning, and, a curious fact, we began cub-hunting after a very early harvest, in an equally heavy thunderstorm at Serlby, on August loth. I began cutting oats on July 20th, and all my harvest in on August 20th.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 89

SEASON OF 1894-1895.

November 5th, 1894. — The hounds met at Gringley. Away at once from the gorse down over the railway by Walkeringham station, to Becking- ham Willows, then over the grass up to Bole and Burton Willows, straight through them by Sturton station, nearly up to Clarboro', but a heavy storm of rain came on and he beat us. One hour and fifteen minutes. A good run. Then found a litter of cubs in Caddow Wood, and after running about some time, killed one. Bitches, 23J couples.

December 14th, 1894. — Met at Dunham. I was laid up with the influenza, so Sam hunted them. They found in the Willows, and the fox swam the Trent at a little distance above, so all the field were able to cross at Dunham Bridge, and got to the hounds before they reached Thorney. They ran through Thorney coverts, and by the Foss Dyke, on to Saxilby Gorse, through it, a ring, then away, and eventually lost him near Stowe. A fine run. The Dogs.

December 20th, 1894. — Met at Aston. After drawing Spring Wood blank, killed a shabby fox in Nicker Wood. Found in Brampton Gorse, and ran very fast nearly to Wright's Gorse, to his right

90 SPORT WITH

up to Kiveton Park, round it to ground by the village. Then drew Windmill Plantation and Swin- ston Hill blank. Found in Owday Wood, and raced away by Forest Hill to Scofton Wood, through it to Chequer Bottoms, over the river and lost by Ranby. A good gallop. Bitches, 2oi couples ; wind, north-west.

February 7th, 1895. — The thermometer at Serlby went down to four degrees below zero !

March 26th, 1895.— Met at Creswell Village. Drew the Old Hag blank, and killed a shabby fox in Bullivant Wood. On our way to the Grips a fox jumped up in view, so raced away on by Elmton and worked round through Scarcliffe, and straight through this, awa}^ back to the Grips. Then away again by Elmton to Bolsover Castle, and bore to his left for Scarcliffe, He just managed to get into the wood, but they killed him in five minutes. A very good hour and fifty minutes. Bitches, 17! couples.

April nth, 1895. — Met at Letwell. Found at Park Hill and raced by Firbeck Lodge, Dycecars, Green Wood, round by Langold Holt to Letwell, to ground at Park Hill. Bolted and killed him in five minutes. A good forty minutes. Found another fox and hunted him away to Red Quar- ries but lost, as only got a bad start. Then found by Wallingwells, ran a ring by Gateford, back by Carlton, Ashton's Farm, and killed him in the open

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 91

near Hodsock. A good fifty minutes. Dogs, 16J couples.

Finished hunting on April i8th, the hounds having killed 45 brace of foxes and run 25 J brace to ground. This was a very severe winter, and the hounds were stopped thirty-five days.

92 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1895-1896.

November 12th, 1895. — Met at Sutton Cross Roads. After drawing Belmore blank, found in Tilne, and raced away along the Old Eau side, over the bridge, on up by Wild Goose Cottage, straight to Mattersey Wood. Then on over the river to Scaftworth by Stone Hill, back over the river at Mattersey Thorpe, and ran into him at Mattersey Hill. A very good hour and five minutes. Then found in Otter's Thorns, and ran two rings round by Clarboro', losing him at last by Wiseton. Bitches, 23J couples ; wind, west.

December 17th, 1895. — Met at Rossington Bridge. Found in Twelve Month Car. Ran merrily away towards Blackstone and below Mossam, on across the Torn for Gate Wood. To his left through Sandall Beat, across the Racecourse, on by Bessi- car, and killed him in the Torn. One hour fifteen minutes. Ran a fox to ground in ten minutes in Park Woods. Then found in Hunster Wood, and ran by Hesley coverts, across the low ground, by East Field up to Stainton, and killed him by the village. A good fifty minutes. A fine day's sport. Bitches, 21J couples.

December 19th, 1895.— Met at Harthill. Ran a ring from Norwood, round by Barlboro', to ground. Dug with a gang of colliers and killed one,

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 93

letting two other foxes go. Found in Nicker Wood ; away for Todwick, round Kiveton Park, over the railway up to Norwood, but he bore away to his right, and we killed him in the river Rother, by Bedgrave ; good fifty minutes. Dogs, iqJ couples.

December 27th, 1895. — Met at Sturton. Could not hunt for frost yesterday, but sleet this morning. Found in Fenton Gorse, ran hard up to Leverton, back to Fenton, then away for Treswell Wood, but stopped the hounds as the ground was so hard on the higher ground. Found again in Fenton Gorse and ran by Leverton on to Rampton Hall. Then, as hard as they could race, quite straight up to Dunham. Hunted him away on for Darlton and leaving East Markham covers on his left, to Upton, and he got to ground under a gate by Headon School-house, but got him out directly with a terrier. A very good hour and fifty-five minutes. A long point and A.i. work of hounds. Bitches, 22 couples ; cold east wind.

January 3rd, 1896. — Met at Grove. Ran a fox several times round Castle Hill Wood and killed him. Then found in Treswell Wood and raced to Rampton Thorns in sixteen minutes. Away back to Hungry Hill Plantation, then to his left down to below Laneham, and on to Dunham, away up the Darlton Brook, round by Drayton and Stoke- ham, and we lost our fox somewhere by Rampton Village. A very good hour and thirty-five minutes. Bitches, 21 couples.

94 SPORT WITH

January 9th, 1896. — Met at Rossington Hall. Found by the railway. Ran across to Marr Thick, back by Rossington Village, and killed him at Hunster Wood. Twenty-five minutes. Ran a fox from a tree in Holmscarr to ground in ten minutes. Then found by the railway. Up the woods to Stan- di. Here he turned short to his right over the ditches for Wadworth. Bore to his right by Lover- sail by the church on to St. Catherine's, then to his right back over the ditches to Rossington Woods on to Bessicar Warren and on by Twelve Month Car, Marr Thick, back to Rossington, and killed him by the railway. One hour twenty-five minutes. Dogs, 18J couples ; wind, north. A very good day's sport.

January 17th, 1896. — Met at Grove. Found by the Park Side, and ran very fast by Beverley Spring, the edge of Headon Norwood, Gringley Wood, Caddows, away at the bottom of the gorse, but ran into him before he could get to Treswell Wood. Thirty-eight minutes. Then found in Tres- well Wood. Ran a ring round by Caddows, then ran two big rings all round the Grove Woods, to ground by Clarboro' Tunnel in an hour and thirty minutes. Bolted and killed him directly in the open. Bitches, 20 couples.

January 31st, 1896. — Met at Darlton. Found in the Springs, ran by Darlton, to East Markham, and round to ground at King's Haugh right under the farmyard. Fifty minutes. We did not know

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 95

any hounds had got in, but enquiries being made for one missing, Winsom was dug out alive on Monday evening, February 3rd. After drawing Laneham blank, found on Rampton Field, ran down to Cottam, then to his right, away to Lane- ham Village, all up the brook to Darlton, then on by East Markham, and stopped the hounds going into Gamston Wood at dusk. A very good hour and twenty-five minutes. Bitches, 19J couples.

February 4th, 1896. — Met at Gringley. After drawing the gorse blank, found in the fields above the canal bank, three hounds killed one fox, while we went on with the other over the canal and along the low ground to the far end of Scaftworth Hills, then back to Everton Village, and losing him, gave the hounds their first fox. Then found in the new gorse at Wiseton, ran to Gringley, on and killed him in Walkeringham Village. The Thorns blank. Bitches, 21 couples.

February 20th, 1896. — The hounds met at Aston Hall. After drawing Spring Wood blank, hunted a fox away from Turnshaw Quarry with a bad start nearly to Canklow and gave up. Then found in Brampton Gorse and ran fast for Spring Wood, to his right to Ulley Gorse and on to Wickersley, where half the hounds ran a fox to ground. We went on with the other by Slack's Gorse and by Thurcroft, Laughton, King's Wood, Norwood, Hooton Levett, away for Newhall, but

96 SPORT WITH

back to ground in Maltby Crags. A very good hunt. Dogs, i6J couples.

March 5th, 1896. — Met at Letwell. Found at Park Hill, ran fast to ground by Gilding Wells, bolted him, ran to Wallingwells, on to ground by Langold Gate, and got him out. Drew Malpas Hill blank, found in Stubbins Wood, ran to Park Hill, then raced away by Lingodell, King's Wood, Nor- wood, away for Hooton, short to his left straight to Throapham. Here we had a check, but hunted him on nearly to Swinston Hill, to his left back by Cottage Plantation to King's Wood, when heavy rain came on and all scent failed. A good hunt. Dogs, 18 J couples ; wind, north-west.

March 9th, 1896. — Met at Scaftworth. Drew all the coverts blank. Found in a tree by the river by Penny Acre, ran hard by the Ruins, straight, leaving Harworth on his right, to Tickhill Castle. Here we stirred a fox out of some ivy on the wall, and ran away for Limestone Quarry and Stainton, but he turned to his right by Eastfield, Dumpling Castle, Swinnow, and he was only fifty yards before hounds into Droversdale ! He went to ground as I was halloaed to a fresh fox, and he beat us — un- lucky. Whitewaters blank. Dogs, 18 couples ; wind, west.

Finished hunting on April 2nd, the hounds having killed this year a record number of 53 1 brace of foxes, besides running 39 1 brace to ground. A very forward spring.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 97

SEASON OF 1896-1897.

November 24th, 1896. — Met at Stainton. Found in the wood, and ran for Wilsick, then to his right, leaving Tickhill on his left, to Wongs Farm, to his left, straight across the carr to within three fields of the Ruins, to his right to White- water, to his right again straight to Tickhill Castle. Here we were halloed to a fresh fox, and ran for Wilsick, twisted all along the edge of Cock- hill, leaving Braithwell on his left, on for Four- doles, round to Greenland. Here a brace of foxes, and although I rode after the beaten fox once, eventually I had to give him up below Hooton. A very hard day, as we were running for three hours and fifty minutes, and never in a covert of more than four acres. Bitches, aoj couples.

November 25th, 1896. — Mr. Frank Raynes' funeral at Bawtry, aged 96J, after one day's ill- ness. A fine old sportsman, who hunted till he was 89, and skated three hours every morning for a week when he was 85 !

December 3rd, 1896. — Met at Blaxton. Came by train from London. Found in Blaxton Willows, away for Auwkley, over the Torne, to Gate Wood, round by Lindholme, and ran into him near Blax-

98 SPORT WITH

ton. A capital fifty minutes. Then drew Twelve- month Carr and the Rossington Low Woods blank. Found in Hunster Wood, ran to Holmescarr, away nearly to EdHngton, to his left by Wilsick, and gave up by Tickhill, scent having quite changed from the morning. Bitches, 19^ couples ; wind, east.

December 21st, 1896. — A frosty morning, and roads ice, but we were able to hunt on the lime- stone. Met at North Carlton. After drawing Wal- lingwells blank, found in Langold Holt, and ran very hard round by Pond Head, and killed him in Wallingwells Park — twenty-five minutes. Then found in Carlton Hill and ran up by Carlton Vil- lage, Wallingwells, straight to Lindrick Common, and by Dewydale to ground at the west end of Anston Stones. A good fifty-five minutes. Dogs, 21 couples.

January 14th, 1897. — Met at Rossington Hall. Drew the woods blank. Found at Hunster and ran away by Hesley, across by East Field to Stainton Wood House, one field to the left of Maltby Wood, but he turned again to his left and over by Wool- thwaite Farm, Wongs Farm, straight across to Tick Hill Spital, round to his left to East Field, and killed him by the Wadworth old turnpike. A very good hour and twenty minutes. Drew Tick- hill Castle blank, and ran a fox from the Ruins down to Serlby, but were beat in a heavy storm. Dogs, 20 couples.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 99

February 20th, 1897.— Met at Serlby. Found in the Ruins, ran by Whitewater to Blyth Wood, across Serlby Park, by Neale's Gorse, to Scrooby, then up the side of the railway and lost by Rans- kill. Found again in the Ruins, ran round by Swinnow, back by Nook-in-Flat, the Holt, Plum- tree, Swinnow, away again to Blyth, and killed him at last by Southcarr. Mixed pack, 16J couples.

March 5th, 1897. — The hounds met at Ramp- ton. Raced a fox from the Thorns nearly to Tres- well Wood, to his right, to ground in South Lever- ton Village — twenty-four minutes. Then drew Fen- ton Gorse blank, as also Caddow and Gringley Wood. Found in Castle Hill Wood and ran round very fast by Clarboro' Tunnel to ground in Gringley Wood. Found in Treswell Wood, and raced away, leaving Gamston Wood on his right to Askham Tunnel ; seventeen minutes up to here. Over it, down nearly to Gamston Village, on over the river, to Twyford Bridge, and up the drive to ground in Patmore. An A.i. fifty minutes. Bitches, 17 couples.

March 8th, 1897.— Met at Hodsock Red Bridge. Came down from London. A fox in Horse Pasture Wood, got up to him in Fifty Acres, and ran very hard by Carlton Village, straight over the open to Moses Seat, on to Anston Stones, through them, and killed him in Dinnington Village. A capital hour and five minutes. Found again in Fifty Acres, ran round to ground in the Hundred x\cres

100 SPORT WITH

Hunted another fox about to Scofton Wood, etc., but the weather had quite changed. Dogs, 17J couples.

Finished hunting on April loth. This year I arranged for a committee to arrange about getting the barbed wire taken down during the hunting season.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. loi

SEASON OF 1897-1898.

November 9th, 1897. — Met at Sutton Cross Roads. Came down from London. Found in Bel- moor Wood, away for the railway crossing, headed and back by Linghurst, to ground by Wildgoose cottage. Found in Smith's Willows, ran round by Wiseton, to ground by the canal bridge. After drawing Tilne and Bollam blank, found in Danes Hill, and ran very hard to Mattersey Wood, on to Scaft worth Low Covert. A fresh fox here, but we stuck to our beaten fox, and after running about, killed him. A capital finish. I went back to Lon- don from Retford. Bitches, 20J couples.

November 22nd, 1897. — Met at Scaftworth. I left Paris the previous afternoon. Drew Scaft- worth blank. Found three foxes in Mattersey Wood, and ran very merrily to Linghurst, on to below Wildgoose cottage, round to his left to Mattersey Village, where he beat us ; heard after- wards he was laid in a garden. Found in Danes Hill, and raced up to Mattersey Wood, on to Scaft- worth, away by Everton to his right, to the river

I02 SPORT WITH

by Stone Hill, and all up the river-side opposite Bawtry, and gave up opposite Misson. Dogs, 177} couples ; wind, south-west.

November 25th, 1897. — The hounds met at Aston. Found in Nicker Wood and ran by Kiveton Park to Smarston Hills, where no doubt he got to ground, as I did not get up to him either at Anston Stones or Divydale. Then ran a fox from Swin- ston Hill to ground in Anston Stones. Then found in Heads, and ran to Langold Holt and on to Linger Wood, where the hounds divided. I went on with my lot by Gateford, Carlton Hills, away for Scofton, back to the Hills down on to the Hundred Acres, Hodsock Spinnies, Carlton, and stopped the hounds, going for Oldcotes. Sam stopped his lot at Blythlaw Hill, going for Ranby. Dogs, 17I couples.

December 20th, 1897. — The hounds met at Scaft worth. Ran a fox from the low covert a ring round by Pusto Hill and Everton, and back to ground. Found in Mattersey Wood and ran nearly to Danes Hill, turned short to his left, thereby slipping most of the field, away by Mattersey Vil- lage, over the river by Stone Hill, straight through Scaftworth Hills and down to Misson. Here he turned to his left up the river bank opposite New- ington and Bawtry, into Scaftworth low cover, where no doubt he got to ground, although I could not mark him. A very good hour and ten minutes. Then found in Danes Hill Gorse and ran hard by

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 103

Mattersey Wood, over the Scaftworth Hills, then back over the river, by Stone Hill, and stopped the hounds near Ranskill at dark. A hard good day's sport. Dogs, 18J couples.

January 13th, 1898. — Hounds met at Barnby Moor, before the Retford ball. Found in Barnby cover and ran up to Torworth, round over the fields, back for Ranby Hall. A long check, and did not get up to him at Danes Hill. Mattersey Wood blank. Found in Breckswood. Ran round by Bishop Field to the Laurels, across to the Ruins, to Swinnow Wood, Martin Beck, Hesley, away by Wellingley nearly to Wadworth. Then he turned to his left at the large farm by the road, and all over the open by Tickhill Quarry, straight to Wool- thwaite, and on into Rough Park, where I stopped the hounds at dusk from going into Maltby Wood. A fine run. Dogs, igj couples.

February 15th, 1898. — Met at Tickhill Spital. Found in the Ruins and ran round by Bawtry Hall, Swinnow Wood, Tickhill Spital, to ground by Styrrup. A merry forty minutes. Then drew White Water, Blyth Wood, Laurels blank. A fox to ground at once in Neale's Gorse. Found in Breckswood and ran by Ranskill on for Barnby Moor, then round back by Scrooby station, across to Scaftworth, where we saw a beaten fox, and we ran down to opposite Newington, where we had to stop at dusk, with two foxes before the hounds. Dogs, 17J couples.

104 SPORT WITH

March 28th, 1898.— Met at Barnby Moor. Found in Barnby Moor Wood, ran up to Bilby, but did not hit him off at Blythlaw Hill. After drawing Danes Hill blank, found in Mattersey Wood, ran for Danes Hill and lost. Killed a fox directly from out of a tree near Tilne, and drew the holt blank. Found in Linghurst, ran to Danes Hill, back through Lound, over the river, for Tilne to their right, across to ground in Walker's Plantation. The hounds gave us all the slip by Tilne Holt. Bitches, 18 couples.

Finished hunting on April 2nd. The Retford Races were held on Monday, April 4th, and an invitation luncheon was given in the Town Hall to farmers residing within the Hmit of the county before the races. It was a great success, and I .am sure will be of great benefit to hunting.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 105

SEASON OF i^

December 2nd, 1898. — Met at Sturton. Found in Fenton Gorse and ran to Burton Willows ; then back all the way up the meadows round to Cottam, up for South Le vert on, but he turned short back to his right, and they killed him by the Trent-side, opposite the Red Cliff, in one hour and twenty minutes. Then found in Rampton Thorns and ran round by Treswell, but eventually he beat us in Rampton Village. Bitches, 19J couples ; a high west wind.

December 15th, 1898. — Met at Serlby, before the Serlby Ball. A large field out. Found in Breckswood, and ran a ring all round by Scrooby and Ranskill, but he beat us. Then found in the Ruins and ran very fast over the Scrooby Hills by Bishop Field, up to Blythlaw Hill Road, down to his left by Barnby High Covert. Then on to Bab- worth and up to Walker's Plantation, on by the Great Central Railway up to Morton, but he ran us out of scent between Broom Wood and Manton. Dogs, 18 couples.

December 30th, 1898. — Met at Grove. Found in Castle Hill Wood, ran about and to ground in a stick heap near Retford. Then found in Treswell

io6 SPORT WITH

Wood, ran down to Laneham, away to his right, to ground under the Upton and Drayton road ; a good thirty-five minutes. Bolted him, and ran by Mill Hill Clump, to Treswell Wood, away at the low end, on to Rampton, by the edge of the Thorns, on by Cottam, and to ground by the road and big drain ; a good day's sport. Bitches, 20 couples ; cold north-west wind.

January 17th, 1899. — Met at Scaftworth. Drew all Scaftworth blank. Found in Mattersey Wood and ran a merry thirty minutes up to Sutton Village, then back nearly to Blako Hill, and he beat us. There was no scent with another fox from Mattersey Wood. Found in the Laurels, and ran hard by Blyth Wood, Toadholes, on for Oldcotes to Malpas Hill Gate, straight across the Carrs to Tickhill Spital, and he eventually beat us late in Swinnow Wood. It was a good Mty minutes up to Swinnow Wood. Bitches, 18 couples.

February 3rd, 1899. — The hounds met at Darl- ton. I left Cannes, after the Battailes des Fleurs, at 7.40 on Wednesday evening, and was rewarded for coming by one of the finest runs I ever had. It was a frosty morning, but had thawed. We drew Fledborough and the Springs blank. Found at 2 o'clock at Laneham and ran, leaving Drayton just on his left, up to Upton Village. Here he was headed and turned to his left down the brookside, leaving Darlton on his right, as if for Ragnall. Here the hounds checked on a bad bit of ground.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 107

but I hit him off without delay away to the right over the road. From here he ran on straight, leaving Babbington Springs and Normanton on his right, nearly to the Grassthorpe Brook. The fox then turned to his right and went over the railway and the brook, away, having Weston on his left, straight for Ossington. Turning to his left, he ran right across the park, and running from scent to view, they pulled him down in the open a mile farther on. A very fine run indeed ; a twelve-mile point — eighteen miles as the hounds ran it, and never touching a cover ; a very stout fox. Time, one hour and forty-five minutes. Bitches, 18 couples.

As I think the run of February 3rd, 1899, about the best run I had during my Mastership, I am tempted to insert an account which appeared in the newspapers of it from their correspondent : —

A GRAND RUN WITH VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS.

Those who ventured to the meet at Darlton last Friday were well rewarded, for a better hunt has seldom been seen. The weather was uncertain ; several degrees of frost had made its mark. However, the roads were the worst, and by noon the sun, shining brightly, made the going fairly good and shortly after it rapidly improved. His lordship, who had travelled through from the south of France, only reached Ret- ford station at 10.5, looking fit and well, and amongst a dis- tinguished gathering at the meet we noticed Mr. Charles Wright, the Duchess of Newcastle, Viscount Newark, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson (Markham Hall), Captain Sykes (of the Queen's Bays), Mr. Tom Wilson (the Master of the Burton) and Mrs. Wilson, Colonel and Miss Denison, Mr. Harry Whit worth and Mr. Darley (from the Fitzwilliam), Mr. George Peck, Mr. Edwin Smith, Mr. W. Gibbs, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Charles Stafford, Mrs. Peake (West Retford House), Mr.

io8 SPORT WITH

Charnler (Ossington), Mr. Norgate, 'Mr. W. Smith, Mr. Curtis, and many others. It was probably quite as well for hounds and horses that we did not find a fox very early, as it gave the ground a much better opportunity to soften, and it was at Laneham Cover where we first found. Hounds had scarcely entered the'cover than a brace of foxes were away, one pointing to Rampton the other to East Drayton. The latter was the one his lordship decided to follow, and getting his hounds together in a masterly manner, they were soon on the line. At the first, scent seemed a little doubtful, but quickly im- proved. Running over the grasses into East Drayton Village, the bitches streamed along, a pretty picture, too. At the back of Mr. Milnes' Farm we had a slight check ; our fox had evi- dently been round the sheds and yard. Crossing the road behind the Church, the line was soon hit off, and away hounds went, running beautifully over a good country towards Upton, but turning to the left, came down to the Upton and Dray- ton road, crossing which, and making towards Markham, they ran by the beck up to Darlton, through the village towards Dunham. When near Mr. Langley's he swung to the right, crossed the road and went over the hill and down to Darlton Beck, where, as usual, one or two hard riders came to grief, but nothing more serious than wet clothes occurred. Disdain- ing the shelter of Babbington Springs, our good fox pressed on, crossing the East to West Railway on the right of Fled- borough Station, down to Mr. John Marshall's cover at Marn- ham, where reynard was viewed, but he went straight through and on to Grassthorpe, nearly to Sutton-on-Trent, swinging to the right to Normanton, and over the Great Northern Railway near Weston, through the village towards Ossington, leaning to the right of the Park, and again to the left, he ran by Ossing- ton Park, where hounds were fast overhauling their quarry. Leaving Ossington and crossing the turnpike which leads to Norrell Woodhouse, this gallant fox struggled on to a spinney near Carlton Wood, where his bolt was shot, and hounds rolled him over. Time, one hour and forty-five minutes — as good a gallop as man could wish to see, over a lovely hunting country and plenty to do. His lordship hunted his hounds beautifully, and had seldom been seen to better advantage. After the fox was broken up and the brush was given to Mr. Charnler (Ossington Hall), whom hounds had almost brought home, and the mask to Mr. Whitworth, we made for home— twenty-two miles from Serlby Kennels. Horses and hounds had had a hard day, and the majority of the horses looked and must have been very tired.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 109

February i6th, 1899. — Met at Whitwell Village. Drew Romley blank and unluckily chopped a fox in the gorse by the railway. Found in Barlboro' Wood, ran through Coal Pit Wood to ground by Spink Hills, opposite Renishaw. Then found in Nittiker Hill, and ran by West Carrs to Cutbright and Thorpe Woods. On to Anston Stones, Divy- dale, by Cross Plantation, away to his right, by Red Quarries and by Throapham, on to the corner of King's Wood ; one hour and twenty minutes up to here. Away on for Laughton, then by Norwood to Hoot on Levett, down to Maltby Village, bore to his right to Roche Abbey. Here we had a brace of foxes before us, and I stopped the hounds from going into Maltby Wood. Every hound up and keener to go on than the horses were. A very fine run of two hours and twenty minutes altogether ; twelve-mile point. Dogs, 18 J couples.

February 20th, 1899. — Met at Osberton. Found in Scofton Wood and raced away, running into him in a field between Owday Wood and Gateford in twenty minutes. Found in Fifty Acres, ran by Wigthorpe, and lost beyond Wallingwells. Then killed a very old fox at Hodsock. Then to the Fifty Acres — a brace of foxes ; Abelard killed one single- handed in the open field between it and One Hundred Acres, and we ran the other fox away to beyond Gateford and lost. Dogs, iSh couples.

February 21st, 1899.— Met at Aston Hall. Drew all Aston blank, also Brampton Gorse.

no SPORT WITH

Found in Mrs. Lissiter's fields, raced away by Brampton, left Morthen on his right away to Wickersley Gorse and Quarries, on for Black Car, then all along by Darlton, over to his left nearly on to the Rotherham Racecourse, where the races were going on at the time. Bore to his left to opposite Messrs. J. Brown's Ironworks, and killed him at East Wood. A very good run of an hour and ten minutes. Bitches, i8 couples ; wind, east.

March 6th, 1899. — Met at Sutton Cross Roads. After trying several fields, a brace of foxes jumped out of a tree near Tilne, and we ran very nicely round Tilne BoUam Hall, all over the steeple-chase course, and killed him in the vicar's garden at Hayton ; forty-five minutes. No good with a fox from Linghurst, and stopped from a vixen at Danes Hill. Found in Barnby Low Covert, up to the high covert, round by Sutton, and lost by Ranskill. Dogs, 17J couples.

Finished hunting on April 4th.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS, iii

SEASON OF 1899-1900.

November i6th, 1899. — The hounds met at Dinnington. Found in Common Plantation. Ran up to the Tips, then raced away by Throap- ham to Wheat Wood, away to his right by Barton Wood, round to the Sticks, where to ground. Found five foxes in Brampton Gorse and ran hard, leaving UUey to our left up to Wickersley Gorse. On to Morthen Gorse and to Slack's Gorse. Here we stopped with the foxes for some time, but at last drove one out, and eventually had to stop the hounds at dark by Thurcroft. Dogs, 19 J couples.

December 4th, 1899. — Met at Osberton. Ran from Cascade Wood, to Thievesdale, Scofton Wood, through it to Kilt on, after which he was coursed by a dog, and we lost him. Drew One Hundred Acres and Fifty Acres blank. Found in Bilby Flash, ran to Blythlaw Hill, round them, away to Thieves- dale, Hatchett Flat, over the canal, and by Morton, Apley Head Wood, down Sharpes Hill, and killed him in the river at Normanton Bridge. A good hunt. Dogs, 20 J couples.

December 5th, 1899. — Met at Gateford Hill. Found in Owday Wood, ran by Gildingwells, and Barton Wood, to ground in Langold Park ; bolted

112 SPORT WITH

him, and ran to ground by Letwell. Found in Wallingwells Wood, ran by Carlton, Langold, on for Gildingwells ; ' got up to him in Wallingwells pleasure grounds, ran to Anston Stones, on to ground in a quarry by Throapham. A fog came on after Wallingwells, and I took the hounds home, the whips arriving at Serlby three-quarters of an hour after me. A good day. Bitches, 20 J couples.

December 7th, 1899. — The hounds met at Aston Hall. Found in Spring Wood and ran merrily, leaving Ulley on his left, to Wickersley, round back by Morthen Hall to Brampton ; a good hour and ten mintues. Here unluckily I got heel way of another fox. Found in Brampton Gorse and ran a ring by Morthen, then away to Heads Gorse, up to Laughton, Hooton Levett, and I had to stop the hounds at last by Lily Hall. One hour and thirty-five minutes. Dogs, 18J couples.

December 8th, 1899. — ^^^ at East Markham. Could do no good with an outlying fox. Found in Laneham, and ran merrily away by Stokeham, up the brook, and leaving Treswell Wood on his left, on for Grove, but he bore to his left by Headon Clump to Beverley Spring, thence across Grove Park to Welham, to the railway, but to his left to ground by the old kennels ; a good hour and five minutes. Drew Gamston Wood blank. A very good week's sport indeed. Bitches, 18 J couples.

December 22nd, 1899. — Met at Darlton. Snow- storm. Found in the Springs, away at the top end

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 113

to East Markham, on by Drayton Mill to Laneham Thorns and Rampton Village, to his left round by Hungry Hill and Stokeham, down to the Thorns. Thence away for Dunham, and up the brookside by Darlton, to ground in a stick heap at East Markham ; a very good two hours and five minutes. Killed one fox, two others bolted, and we ran one to ground near Askham. Bitches, i8| couples.

January 9th, 1900. — Met at Throapham. After drawing Dinnington blank, found in Swinston Hill, and after killing one fox, away with another to ground in Anston Stones ; a bad start with a fox from here, and lost by Gildingwells. Found in Linger Wood, and ran very hard to Dyce Carrs, across to Stubbins Wood, on to King's Wood, away for Throapham, round to Barton Wood, Langold Holt, Linger Wood ; an A.i. hour up to here. Hunted him on through Carlton Wood, by South Carlton to the Hundred Acres and Fifty Acres. Here a beaten fox was seen, but those of the field who were left did not render much help, so ran on to the Hundred Acres, Scofton Wood, and stopped the hounds at Rayton. A very good day, only wanting a kill for the hounds. Bitches, 18J couples.

January 26th, 1900. — The hounds met at Grove. Found in Hutchinson's Holt, and ran a merry twenty minutes to ground at Clarboro' Vil- lage. Then found by the railway at Caddow. Ran

114 SPORT WITH

hard to Castle Hill Wood, Wellham, Retford, down all over the steeple-chase course to Tilne and up to BoUam. Here got up to our fox, or a fresh one, and ran very hard to Hayton by Wheatley, round the Caddows, where I had to stop the hounds late from Gringley Wood. Mixed pack, 20 couples.

January 28th, 1900. — The squadron from the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry sailed for the war in South Africa, from Liverpool, in the Winifredian.

February 20th, 1900. — A curious accident hap- pened to one of my hounds. Hunting on Barnby Moor, Alice fell into a dry well in a hedgerow by Ranby Farm. On Tuesday, February 27th, a week afterwards, a ploughman, going to his work, thought he heard a whine. He looked down the well, saw the hound, and got her up alive. A week afterwards she was hunting as well as ever.

March 8th, 1900. — Met at Firbeck. Found in the pleasure ground, ran a ring by Park Hill and Folds Wood, then away by Lingodell and Lewell, Fords Wood, to ground under the road near Old- cotes. Bolted him and killed by Folds Farm. Then found in Pond Head, and ran away round by Tick- hill, and lost by Styrrup, where I think he got to ground. Dogs, 19 couples.

March 23rd, 1900. — Met at Marnham. Drew Grassthorpe Willows, Marnham, Fledbro' Gorse, Babbington Springs, and East Markham all blank. Bolted a fox out of the stick heap, away at a racing pace by Tuxford, where we were bothered by the

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 115

railway, and when we got to the hounds in Nicker Bush they had, I expect, run their fox to ground. Found in Gamston Wood and ran a fox away by Stokeham to ground. Bitches, 17J couples ; wind, east.

The hounds finished hunting on April 9th.

ii6 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1900-1901.

November 9th, 1900. — Met at Gringley. A badger in Gringley Gorse and ran him to ground at once. Drew Clay worth and Wheatley Woods blank ; also Saundby Park. Found in Freeman's Gorse, ran nicely to Gringley, away for Walker- ingham. Bore to his right round by Pear Tree Hill, by Wheatley Hill, left Freeman's Gorse to his right away to the canal side south of Clay worth. I saw him here about five fields away, ran on to Wiseton, over the canal and over the river by Mattersey Abbey, by Blako Hill, on to Linghurst. Here we got up to him, away for Tilne, but bore round to his left and pulled him down by Matter- sey Village. A very good hunt of one hour and forty-five minutes. Zetland, who was staying at Serlby, took away with him to Aske the three badgers which were dug out at Gringley this morning. Dogs, 19J couples.

November i6th, 1900. — Met at Dunham School House. Found in Fledbro' Gorse, and after running three rings, killed at Stafford's Farm. Then found in Laneham Thorns, and ran nicely by the village round Dunham School, back to ground in the

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 117

Thorns ; twenty-five minutes. After drawing Rampton and Cottam blank, found in South White's Willows, and ran very fast to ground by Norwood Farm. Dogs, 19J couples.

December 17th, 1900. — Met at Serlby. Found in the bracken, raced round by Bishopfield and Scrooby Hills, and killed by the kennels. Found in Mattersey Wood, away for Scaftworth, but all up the river-side, by Mattersey, then over, on by Otters Covert, over the canal by Hay ton, to his left, to Freeman's Gorse, Clayworth Wood, Saundby Park, up to Wheatley Wood. Here I was taken to a fresh fox, and hunted him away round by Beckingham, but no good — unlucky. Dogs, 21 couples.

January ist, 1901. — Met at Stainton. Found in Stainton Wood. Away to EdUngton Wood, through the two top quarters of this, away to Conisbro' Crags. He turned at the corner of the road, and away below Crookhill, past Chfton and Micklebring Gorses, on nearly to Wood's Gorse. Turned away to his right through Silver Wood, and the fox jumping the park wall in view, the hounds rolled him over fifty yards inside Thry burgh Park, near the keeper's lodge. A really fine run ; a fast hour and ten minutes. Let us hope a good begin- ning of the century ! Did no good in the after- noon with foxes in Maltby Wood. Dogs, 18 couples.

January 14th, 1901. — Met at Scaftworth. Lost our first fox from the hills in Everton Village.

ii8 SPORT WITH

Found in Mattersey, and ran round by Stone Hill,

through Scaftworth Hills, away over the river by

Newington to King's Wood end, then hunted him

away across Partridge Hill Farm to Finningley

Wood. Here we got up to him, and ran very hard

by Brancroft nearly to Misson, to his right, and

ran into him near Austerfield Village. A good

hunting hour and fifty minutes. Dogs, 17J couples.

February 22nd, 1901. — Met at Drakeholes

Found an outlying fox by the canal, ran about,

and lost at Pusto Hill, to ground. After drawing

Wiseton blank, found in Gringley Gorse, away for

Walkeringham, but he was headed, so round to

Clayworth Wood, on to Wiseton, over the river,

by Linghurst. Here a check, but I hit him off by

Smith's Willows, and ran on to BoUam Hills, then

on to Belmoor, for Sutton, and to Danes Hill,

round back over the river, and stopped the hounds

beyond Tilne. A good day. Bitches, 18 couples ;

wind, north-west.

February 26th, 1901. — Met at Lindrick Com- mon. (I saw half the second company of the Sher- wood Rangers for South Africa off by train from Retford before hunting.) Found in Anston Stones, ran very fast by Windmill Plantation, Brands Wood to Owday Wood, on to Carlton, Linger, Dyce Carrs, round to Wallingwells, then away to ground in Oldcotes Quarry. Then later found in Owday Wood, ran to Wigthorpe, where we ought to have killed, but he was let slip away, and hunted

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 119

him on to the Hundred Acres, etc., etc., and gave up. Hard day. Bitches, 17 couples.

March ist, 1901. — Met at Fledborough. After drawing the gorse blank, found in the Springs, over the brook at top end, to East Markham, to his right for Laneham. A check, but held on, and got a view near Laneham. Ran hard across Rampton Field to Treswell Village, to his left, and to ground in a stick heap near Mill Hill Clump. Bolted and killed in three fields. A very good hunt. Ran about Grove in afternoon, but it came on to rain, with high wind. Bitches, 15J couples.

March 25th, 1901. — Met at Hodsock Red Bridge. Found in Fifty Acres and away by Cow- lishaw, across to Wigthorpe, on by Wallingwells, Langold Holt, over to Firbeck, on by Stone, straight through King's Wood, and ran him to ground at Thurcroft. A good run of one hour and fifteen minutes. Ran another fox about King's Wood, etc., to ground by Roche Abbey. Then drew Malpas Hill, Hodsock Low Wood and Winks Wood blank. Dogs, 16 couples.

The hounds iinished hunting on April 9th.

120 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1901-1902.

October 31st, 1901. — Met at Serlby. Lady Galway gave an invitation hunt breakfast (about one hundred and seventy present) to commemo- rate my having been Master for twenty-five years. A very fine day. The breakfast was held in a tent between the two large cedar trees, and at the breakfast I presided, and the gathering included Viscountess Galway, the Hon. George Monckton, the Hon. Violet Monckton, the Duchess of New- castle, the Countess of Scarbrough, the Hon. Francis Johnstone, Miss Mary Egerton, Sir Frederick Milner, M.P., Mr. C. Alderson, the Rev. G. and Miss Athorpe, Mr. L. T. Baines, Mr. J., Mrs., and Miss Beevor, Mr. S. Berry, Mr. W. H. Berry, Mr. G. Broomhead, Mr. S. Booth, Mr. J. BuUivant, Mr. W. Bryan, Mr. B. Bosvile, Mr. T. Bingley, Mr. C. Butler, Mr. H. Bourdin, Mr. J. Cowing, Mr. and Mrs. Carnley, Mr. and Mrs. P. Cadman, Mr. E. Curtis, Mr. G. Clark, Miss Cross- ley, Mr. G. and Lady L Campbell, Mr. J. Cottam, Mr. T. Curtis, Mr. G. and Mrs. Cottam, Mr. G. Cadney, Colonel, Mrs., and Miss Denison, Mr. A. Dennett, Mr. C. C. Ellison, Mr. A. M. and Miss Eadon, Mr. C. W. Easterfield, Mr. J. Fowler, Mr.

OCTOBER 31st, 1 90 1.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 121

F. Foster, Dr. Fleming, Mr. J. Glover, Mr. E. Gos- ling, Mr. M. Gosling, Mr. W. Gibb, Mr. John Hew- son, Mr. J. Hall, Mr. S. Haigh, Mr. J. H. Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hodding, Mr. M. D. and Mrs. Holmes, Mr. M. Hunter, Mr. H. Huntsman, Mr. F. Huntsman, Miss Hurst, Mr. M. Hodson, Mr. J. Jackson, Mr. H. Jackson, Dr. Jones, Mr. S. and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. S. Jones, General and Mrs. Ruck-Keene, Mr. C. and Miss Lister-Kaye, Mr. C. Kayser, Captain J. F. Laycock, Mr. Batty Langley, M.P., Major and Mrs. Lombe, Mr. R. Feader, Mr. Claude Leatham, Mr. H. V. Machin, Mr. E. V. Machin, Mr. G. V. and Mrs. Machin, Mr. W. Mosey, Mr. Moore, Mr. W. Mason, Colonel Maberky, Mr.

G. and Mrs. Todd Naylor, Mr. A. Maltby, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Otter, Mr. F. T. Parkin, Mr. and Mrs. H. Peake, Mr. J. Park, Mr. F. Park, Mr. J. H. and Miss Riddell, Mr. S., Mrs., and Miss Roberts, Mr. Stafford, Miss Skipworth, Mr. G. Senior, Mr. S. Smith, Mr. W. A. Smith, Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Smith, Mr. R. Stockdale, Mr. G. and Mrs. Shiffner, Mr. S. and Miss Skinner, Mr. R. and Mrs. Sorby, Mr. Sydney Smith, Mr. R. J. and Miss Streatfield, Mr. O. and Mrs. Selby, Mr. Harrison Smith, Mr. Edwin Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Thorne, Mr. G. B. Tysack, Mr. R. Talbot, Mr. Warner Turner, Mr. H. and Mrs. Verelst, Mr. G. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Mr. J. Wilkinson, Mr. George Warrender, Mr. J. Walker, Mr. B. and Mrs. Whitaker, Captain and Mrs. Whitaker, Mr. F., Mrs., and Miss Willey,

122 SPORT WITH

Mr. G. K. and Mrs. Wilson, Mr. J. Wordsworth, Mr. E. Ward, Mr. W. Wood, Mr. J. Wilkinson, and Colonel Winder.

The Dukes of Portland and Newcastle, the Earl of Scarbrough, Earl Manvers, Lord Savile, Sir William Cooke, Sir R. Fitzherbert, Mr. E. Beckett Faber, M.P., Mr. Fullerton, M.F.H., and Mrs. Ful- lerton were among those who were unable to be present.

After the usual toasts, the company adjourned to the lawn, where photographs were taken, and a little time was afterwards spent in admiring the dog pack (20 J couples), which Sam Morgan, who enters upon his twenty-fifth year as kennel hunts- man, had brought out.

Shortly after noon hounds moved off to the Laurels, where they found, killed one, ran another across to Black Cat, but headed and, racing in view, killed him. Then found in Brecks Wood, killed one, away with another away over the fields, to his left to Ranskill Village ; then all up the low ground, and pulled him down before he got to Barnby Moor — thirty-five minutes. Then found in Mattersey Wood, ran about Mattersey Thorpe, etc., and lost. Dogs, 20 J couples.

November nth, 1901. — Met at Scaftworth. After drawing Scaftworth blank, found a brace in Pusto Hill, killed one directly, and ran the other round by Wiseton Hall, and by edge of Wiseton Gorse, to his left, over the canal by Drakeholes,

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 123

away, leaving Everton on his right to Scaftworth Hills, then down to the low ground, to his right below Pasture Farm, over the ditches to Drake- holes, Wiseton, and pulled him down at Gringley Village. A very good hour and fifty-five minutes. Dogs, iqJ couples.

December ist, 1901. — Met at North Carlton. Found in WalUngwells Wood. Ran to Linger Wood and back, then away by Carlton Village, to the left, over the open to Oldcotes, on to the Whitewaters ; saw him going over the hill by Styrrup, and ran into him in the open just before he got into the Serlby Ruins. A very good hour and ten minutes. Then found again in the Dyce Carrs and ran about, but foiled ground beat us at the last, and drew Owday Wood blank. Bitches, 21 J couples.

January 20th, 1902. — Met at Hodsock Red Bridge. Found in the Fifty Acres and ran about the Hundred Acres, Hodsock, etc., for over an hour, but he beat us. Then found in Allison's Gorse, ran to the Chequer Bottoms, away by Ranby Hall, Barnby Moor Village, over the rail- way by Sutton Station, to his left, and then racing away, they killed him in the Vicarage garden at Mattersey. A capital hour and fifteen minutes. Dogs, 19 couples.

February nth, 1902. — The thermometer at Serlby went down to zero.

February 27th, 1902. — Met at Rossington. Found in Holmescar, and ran hard to Hunster,

124 SPORT WITH

Whitemires, by Rossington Hall, nearly to Fin- ningley, to his left to Hurst Wood, headed him here, and away back across Partridge Hill Farm, over the railway by Whitemires to Martin, on to King's Wood, past Bawtry Hall, to his left, over the railway past Scrooby station, and pulled him down in a grass field opposite Scaftworth Hall. A very good hour and thirty minutes. Ran about Swinnow Wood, Martin Beck, and the Ruins, but weather had quite changed. Dogs, 19 couples.

March 3rd, 1902. — Met at Barnby Moor. Found in Dane's Hill Gorse, ran round to Sutton, then quite straight to the Mantles, Breckswood, Neale's Gorse, and over the river up to the Ruins. Only fifty minutes up to here. Here halloaed to a fresh fox and away by Tickhill Spital to Hunster and the low Rossington Woods ; one hour and thirty minutes. After a turn or two, away by Whitemires and lost our fox with two lines before us near Bawtry. Altogether two hours and ten minutes. Then found in the Ruins and ran very hard by Dumplin Castle, Eastfield, away for Stain- ton, nearly to Wilsick ; then he turned to his right, and they pulled him down in the small wood at the end of the Rossington Woods. One hour and fifteen minutes. A very fine day's sport. Dogs, 18 couples.

March 7th, 1902. — Met at East Markham. Found by East Markham, and ran very hard to the Springs, and on to Marnham, where he crossed the Trent, and I stopped the hounds, as we had no

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 125

way of getting over anywhere near ; thirty minutes. After drawing the Springs blank, found in Lane- ham, and ran very hard by Hungry Hill, on for Mill Hill, but to his left, by Drayton Mill, on to East Markham. A racing thirty minutes — quite A.I. ! Lost him in the gardens, but heard after- wards he had gone to ground in a large stick heap. Bitches, 16J couples.

March loth, 1902. — Met at Drakeholes. After drawing Wiseton blank, found in Pusto Hill, leaving Wiseton on his right to Clay worth, then to his left for Gringley, to Scotch Wood, over the canal, to his left, and killed him in the open below Everton ; fifty-eight minutes. Then found in Mattersey Wood, ran a ring to Ranskill, then away to Blako Hill and Linghurst, and killed in the open below Blako Hill. A good day's sport. Bitches, 15J couples.

March 17th, 1902. — Met in Retford Market Place. I was presented in the Town Hall by the Earl of Scarbrough, on behalf of 146 subscribers, to commemorate my having been Master and Huntsman for twenty-five years, with two large silver gilt Pilgrim bottles, which will be always treasured as heirlooms at Serlby. After the presen- tation and speeches, we were entertained by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Holmes) in the Council Chamber. A very large field out. Then trotted off and found in Castle Hill Wood, and ran across to Gamston Wood, away by Headon Manor as if for Treswell

126 SPORT WITH

Wood, but he was headed, and leaving Mill Hill Clump just on his right, away for Stokeham, and along the grasses to Drayton Mill, then he bore to the right, over the Markham brook, and the hounds ran into their fox in the middle of a fallow field before he could get to Askham Village. A very good hour and twenty-five minutes. Then found in Treswell Wood. Ran to Headon Norwood, by Mill Hill Clump down to Laneham, round the Thorns and stopped from Grove, having been run- ning for one hour and ten minutes. Bitches, 15 couples.

The hounds finished hunting on April 14th, having killed 50J brace of foxes, besides running 26 brace to ground, although they were stopped hunting on twenty-three advertised days.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 127

SEASON OF 1902-1903.

December 12th, 1902. — Met at Grove. We got a bad start with a fox from Gamston Wood, so trotted off soon, and finding in Castle Hill Wood, ran hard by the Plaster Pits down to Clarborough Village, away over the low ground and canal to Tilne ; then on over the river, and were run out of scent near Sutton Village. Found a fresh fox in Dane's Hill Gorse, and ran away to Mattersey Thorpe on by Stone Hill for Scrooby, to his left, and all along parallel with the railway nearly to Torworth, to his left down to the river and all alongside of it to Wildgoose Cottage, Mattersey Village, the north end of Mattersey Wood, and I reluctantly stopped the hounds at dusk by the railway. A hard good day, only wanting a kill. Bitches, 20 J couples ; wind, east.

December 19th, 1902. — Met at Darlton. Drew the Springs and East Markham blank. Found in Treswell Wood, round it, then away, leaving the Cadows on his left, over the tunnel to Sturton High House. Then we ran merrily down over the brook to Bole Field, on for Saundby Park, but he was headed, and turning to his right back to the railway opposite Cadow, then to his right to Mor- mon Wood. There he was viewed away, and racing

128 SPORT WITH

round by the Plaster Pits, killed him by Sturton High House. One hour and forty-five minutes. Bitches, 19 couples.

December 23rd, 1902. — Met at Gateford Hill. After drawing Tranka blank, found in Owday Wood, and ran fast to Gildingwells, to Langold, back to Wallingwells, away to Letwell, on by Park Hill to Wheat Wood and to ground by Holby Well. One hour and forty minutes. Then bolted a fox from the Sticks, and ran very hard round by Heads, to Swinston Hill, Dewydale, to Anston Stones, away to ground in the Tips. Forty-five minutes. Bitches, 20 couples.

December 26th, 1902. — Met at Gringley. Found in the gorse and ran merrily down nearly to Horberry's Willows, then turned away to his left, and he crossed the Trent near Walkerith Ferry, and ran on for Blyton. Headed and turned back to the Trent side below Stockwith, where he laid down on the bank. He jumped up here, and the hounds raced away and pulled him down in a ploughed field beyond Blyton Car Wood. One hour and forty-five minutes. Several of us crossed in the ferry boat at Walkerith. We found a brace of foxes on Gringley Canal bank, but the scent quite failed in the afternoon. Dogs, i8| couples.

January 23rd, 1903. — Met at East Markham. After drawing the orchards and plantations blank, found in Eaton Wood, ran round by Headon and Upton, to Gamston Wood ; then away by Mill Hill

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 129

to Treswell Wood, skirted this, on to South Lever- ton, and pulled him down in the open just before he got to Cadow Gorse. A very satisfactory hour and twenty-five minutes. Found in Cadow and ran to Gringley Wood and Grove, but scent got hopeless. Bitches, 18J couples.

March 9th, 1903. — Met at Hodsock Red Bridge. Drew Forest Plantation, Allison's Gorse, Chequer Bottoms blank. Found in Scofton Wood, ran one round to ground and lost another at Hodsock. Found in Blythlaw Hill, ran very hard to AlHson's Gorse, headed, and back, then away by Ranby, Barnby High Covert, down to the railway, over and to his right, and pulled him down in the open by Hospital Farm. A capital fifty minutes. Dogs, 16 couples. All the spring was very stormy and changeable, so against good scent.

April 2nd, 1903. — On the last day of the season we met at Carburton Old Bar, and the hounds had just killed their second fox by Rough Brake, when we heard the sad news of a fatal accident to Mr. C. W. Alderson, of Killamarsh. He was galloping across the big field opposite Wood Barn when his horse fell, owing to a rabbit hole, and his neck was broken. He was aged fifty-three, and had hunted with these hounds all his life. Of course, we went home at once.

130 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1903-1904.

A very late harvest, and only began cub-hunt- ing on August 31st.

December 4th, 1903. — Met at Darlton. Found in a turnip field by Ragnall, ran up to Marnham, then back, ran two rings about Fledbro', on to Dunham ; here a long check, but hunted him on to Laneham Village, on for Rampton, and getting on better terms with him, killed him before he got to Rampton Thorns. Real good work of hounds for two hours and fifteen minutes. Then found in Treswell Wood, ran to Cadows, Clarbro' tunnel, Mormon Wood, etc., but scent had quite changed. Bitches, 20 couples.

December 14th, 1903. — Met at Gringley. Found in the gorse, ran below the village to the canal bank. Here the hounds divided, but I went on with one lot all over the low ground and gave up near Scaftworth. Having got all the hounds, we got up to a fox by Drakeholes, ran up to Gringley Village, to his left over the canal, along the low ground round by Drakeholes to Wiseton, then over the river, and killed him by Mattersey. Then killed a tired fox in Pusto Hill, and ran another to ground. Sidney Smith overhead in Mattersey Abbey Ford. Dogs, 19J couples.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 131

December 24th, 1903. — Met at Rossington. After drawing the low woods blank, found in Stancil, ran up the low ground for Dumpling Castle, to his right by Eastfield to Wadworth Village, on to Wadworth Wood, Cockhill Holts, then through Edlington Wood, away for Conisborough, but he was headed at the road, to his left, on to Crookhill, to ground in a big culvert — only four of us with them. Dogs, 17 J couples.

January 5th, 1904. — Met at Jockey House. Found in Eaton Brake, and ran very nicely by Cranfield's Farm, away by Elkesley, to Lawn Covert, here ought to have killed, but Charley let him slip, and ran on to ground in Patmore. Then found in Burns Hill, ran for Jockey House, round by Crooks Ford, Normanton Bridge, Apley Head, Silver Firs, Hardwick Wood, Clumber, to True- man's Lodge, and Olans Well. Here they divided, and I stopped one lot beyond Trueman's Brake, Sam the other lot by Carburton. A good hard day. Bitches, 2i| couples.

January nth, 1904. — Met at Gateford. Owday Wood blank, but found in WalHngwells Wood, and ran hard by Langold House, to Lingodell, King's Wood, Roche Abbey, nearly to Maltby Wood ; headed here, so back by Rough Park, to Roche Abbey, away to Hooton Levett, down by Lilly Hall, across to Greenland ; a check, but I hit him off outside the top of Maltby Wood, hunted him on down to Woolthwaite Bottoms, and killed him

132 SPORT WITH

dead beat. A good hunt of two hours and twenty minutes. Dogs, 19 couples.

February nth, 1904. — Met at Stainton. Ran from Stainton Wood to Braithwell, on by Maltby Crags, Hooton Levett, round to MaUby Wood, and to ground in the crag beyond Maltby Hall, and terriers pulled him out. After drawing Wool- thwaite blank, found in Malpas Hill, ran a ring for Styrrup and Oldootes, then to Woolthwaite, hunted him on slowly to Hell Wood, where we got up to him, and raced away by Lilly Hall, to ground in Slack's Gorse. Dogs, 18 couples.

Februar}^ 23rd, 1904. — Met at Rossington. Found in the Park Wood and ran merrily straight away to Wadworth and Edlington Woods, on to ground in Conisborough Crags. A very good fifty- eight minutes. Then found in Stainton Wood, away for Braithwell, round through Cockhill Holts, to ground by Wilsick. Unlucky ; could not find again, as a good scent. Bitches, 19-I couples.

March 4th, 1904. — Met at Rampton. After drawing Rampton blank, found in Laneham and ran nearly up to Fledborough, to his right back by Darlton Village and East Drayton Mill, nearly to Treswell Wood. A fox jumped up here in the open, and the hounds raced away straight to Babbington Springs. Here three foxes, on foot, one lot killed our run fox, while we went away with another fox to Fledbrough and stopped by Ragnall ; a very good hard day. Bitches, 17 couples.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 133

March 24th, 1904. — Met at Stainton. Found in Stainton Wood, ran for Braithwell, round by Cockhill and Wilsick, through Wadworth and Ed- lington Wood, to ground in a hedgerow. Stopped from a vixen in Maltby Wood, then found in Wool- thwaite Bottom, ran to Malpas Hill, on by Firbeck to King's Wood, away nearly to Barton Wood, to his left by Letwell, Park Hill, to King's Wood. Then away, and leaving Thurcroft close on his left, also Morthen Gorse and Morthen Hall, by Whiston to Canklow Wood. Here, as all earths were open, our fox no doubt got to ground, and fresh foxes on foot too. A fine day's sport. Dogs, 15.^ couples.

The hounds finished hunting on April 8th, having killed 47 brace of foxes, besides running 24I brace to ground.

134 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1904-1905.

November 17th, 1904. — Met at Aston. Found in Nicker Wood, killed one, away with another at the top end, over the railway, back, then on to Kiveton Park, and hunted on to Wright's Old Gorse. Here he jumped up in view, and the hounds raced on to Clatticar Gorse, straight to Dewydale, on to Anston Stones, and pulled him down. A good hour and twenty minutes. Drew Brampton Gorse, Throapham, and Heads blank. Dogs, 20 couples.

January 12th, 1905. — Met at Barnby Moor. Found in the High Covert and ran by the railway to Torworth Village and lost. From what I heard afterwards he got to ground. Then found in Danes Hill Gorse and ran to Smith's Willows, then up the meadows to Tilne and lost — to ground. A good forty minutes. Then found in BoUam Broom and ran up to Smith's Willows. Here the fox waited for us, so the hounds raced away over the canal by Hayton, right across Wheatley Field, nearly to the railway, and stopped at dusk by

•VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 135

Bole Guide Post. A good hard day, only wanting a kill. Dogs, 17 couples ; wind, west.

February 6th, 1905. — Met at Clay worth. Found in a fallow field near Hayton, ran merrily down to Sturton, to his left across Bole Field to Saundby Park. Away again to his left to Wiseton, over the canal, along the old Eau side nearly to Tilne, to his left over the canal by Hayton Castle, across to Saundby Park, Beckingham Village, round to his left by the low edge of Gringley Gorse, on below the village, on to Wiseton, and racing back to Gringley Gorse, killed him. A very good day's sport. Bitches, i8| couples.

February 17th, 1905. — Met at Rampton. Found in Rampton Willows, ran by the Thorns to South Leverton, down to Littleborough, on to Burton Willows, away round by Sturton, then down to the Trent, which he crossed by Little- borough, so stopped the hounds. The fox was found dead next day on the opposite bank. A good hour and forty-five minutes. Found in some gorse bushes near Sturton High House, and ran very fast for twenty minutes, and killed by the Plaster pits. Bitches, i6i couples.

February 28th, 1905. — Met at Sandbeck. Found in Rough Park, and ran about Maltby Wood for an hour or so, but no good. Then found in Thornberry Hill, ran by Oldcotes, nearly to the Whitewaters, to his left by Styrrup to Tickhill, then away for Plumtree, but he turned to his left

136 SPORT WITH

and the hounds ran into him before he could get to Martin Beck. A good hour and ten minutes. Swinnow Wood blank. Bitches, i8 couples ; cold north wind.

March loth, 1905. — Met at Darlton. I came down from London for the day. Found in the Springs, and ran nicely as if for Ragnall, to his left, away to Laneham Thorns, on for Rampton Village, down to the Trent ; then turned away to his right, up the river, and killed him at Laneham Rectory. A good hour and ten minutes. Then drew Treswell Wood, Castle Hill, and Eaton Wood blank. Found in Gamston Wood and ran to Grove, Gringley Wood, etc., but scent failed. Bitches, 17 J couples.

March 13th, 1905. — Met at Serlby. Found in the Laurels, ran merrily over the Scrooby Hills, left Mattersey Wood just on his right across to Scaftworth, up to the road ; headed, so away to Pusto Hill, over the river to Mattersey Abbey, back, and killed in the river. Gave a man 2s. 6d., who stripped and brought the floating dead fox out. Then found in Blyth Wood, away by Toad- holes, Whitewater, by Oldcotes, to his left, to Pond Head, on by Green Wood, Wallingwells Lodge, Carlton Village, across by Winks Wood, to the Whitewaters — two lines here — over to the Laurels, and ran out of scent by Brecks Wood ; one hour and fifty-five minutes. Heard afterwards my tired fox went on by Nook-in-Flat to the Ruins. A very good day. Dogs, 151 couples.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 137

The hounds finished hunting on April 6th, having killed 55 J brace of foxes, besides running 19J to ground. The hounds were stopped by frost twenty-one days, but it was an unusually bad scenting November and December.

138 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1905-1906.

November 2nd, 1905. — Met at Serlby, first day of the season. Found in the bracken in the park, ran by Bishopfield, Ranskill, to Blyth Spital and to Blythlaw Hill, where I think he must have got to ground. Found in Danes Hill Gorse, and ran very fast straight to Blako Hill, down over the ditches, over the river by Mattersey Abbey on to the canal and by Scotch Wood to Gringley Gorse, where we marked him to ground. A very good 50 minutes up to Gringley Gorse. Dogs, 20 couples.

November 3rd, 1905. — Met at Beckingham. Found in the Gainsborough Willows, ran to Walkeringham Village, and after running back to Gainsborough Bridge and all round the Willows for an hour or so, we killed him. Then found in Walkeringham Thorns, ran over the canal to Cornley, to his left, right across the car, but at the big drain he turned to his right down to the river opposite Misson. Then along the river side for Bawtry, to his left through the end of Scaft- worth Hills on to Stone Hill, then up the grass meadows, and killed him in the river at Mattersey Bridge. A fine hour and thirty minutes. I gave

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 139

him the hounds and started off for home before any Hunt servants came up. Bitches, 21J couples.

November 13th, 1905. — Met at Sutton Cross Roads. After drawing Belmore and the Broom blank, found in Tilne, ran to Smith's Willows, headed back over the river to Belmore, and lost. Then found in Smith's Willows, and ran hard to Linghurst, away to Sutton Village, the Cross Roads, on nearly to Retford House, to his left, over the river by the Butts, away to Bollam Broom, on to Smith's Willows, and to ground in Wiseton Bank. A very good hunt. Dogs, 19 couples.

December 8th, 1905. — Met at Grove. Found in Castle Hill, and hunted a fox with a bad start through the Caddows over the Clarborough tunnel, and lost going for Clarborough. Then found in Treswell Wood, and raced away for Upton, to his left down to Laneham Thorns ; twenty minutes. Stopped here a bit, then ran very fast twenty-three minutes up to Babbington Springs. After some little time in the covert — drove him out for Tux- ford, and ran him to ground under the road by the railway bridge. Pushed him out with a stick and killed him, making a good run of it. Alto- gether, one hour and forty minutes. Bitches, 20 couples.

December 19th, 1905. — Met at Drakeholes. After drawing Wiseton blank, away at once from Grmgley Gorse, to Beckingham Mill, to his left, on, leaving Walkeringham on his right, to the canal.

140 SPORT WITH

up the side of it to opposite Gringley Gorse. Here he crossed it and straight over the carrs, which rode very well, to the river, along the bank to Haxey Bridge, round by Misterton, to Walker- ingham Thorns, where I think they killed him. The fox was seen to go into the covert. A good day. Bitches, i8 couples.

January 8th, 1906. — Met at Gringley. Away at once from Gringley Gorse to Clayworth Wood, to his left down to Beckingham, on over the rail- way, round to ground in Walkeringham Village. Got up to a tired fox in Gringley Gorse and killed him in the open above Gringley Village. Found in Wiseton Abbey gorse, ran round Drakeholes, back over the canal by Wiseton, to ground below Clayworth. A good day's sport. Dogs, 17J couples.

January 29th, 1906. — Met at Sutton Cross Roads. Found in Dane's Hill Gorse and away at once, running hard by Linghurst to Smith's Wil- lows up to the canal opposite Clayworth. Here he was viewed and ran hard over the grass up close to Tilne, then away over the river to Ling- hurst, back, and to Bollam Broom, Bollam Hills, over the river. A check by the North Road, but hunted up to him in some cabbages, where he had laid down, and ran into him between Sutton Cross Roads and Belmore Farm. The " old grey fox." A very good hour and thirty-five minutes. Found by Ranskill station, and ran about Mattersey, but scent had quite changed. Dogs, 17 couples.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 141

February 26th, 1906. — Met at Gringley. Away at once for the gorse, and ran nicely down to Walkeringham, to his right by Beckingham Mill, away between Saundby Park and Wheatley Wood, bore down to his left to Sturton station, then on up to Clarbrough tunnel, and to his right over the hill for Wheatley. Was brought back to a holloa by Sturton High House, and no more good. My fox having gone on to Wheatley Village — unlucky not killing him. A very good hour and five minutes up to Clarborough tunnel. Drew Freeman's Gorse and Wiseton blank. Then ran a vixen to ground in Mattersey Wood in five minutes. Dogs, 17J couples.

March 12th, 1906. — Met at North Carlton. Ran a fox from Linger Wood to Langold, round to WaUingwells, away to Gildingwells, to his left fast to Owday Wood, on to Moses Seat, away to beyond Thorpe Salvin, and lost, but a few hounds had chopped a fox in Owday as we ran, so gave him the hounds here ; a nice hunt. Heavy snow- storms came on, and drew Anston Stones, Swin- ston Hill, all Langold, and Winks Wood blank. Dogs, 17 couples ; cold north-west wind.

The hounds finished hunting on April 9th, having killed 53 brace of foxes, besides running 23J brace to ground.

142 SPORT WITH

SEASON OF 1906-1907.

November ist, 1906. — Met at Serlby. I came down by the 7.15 a.m. from London, having had to stop for the Education Bill in the House of Lords. Found in the Laurels, ran about the Park, and killed a cub. Then found in Mattersey Thorp, away nearly to Danes Hill, to his left away to Highfield. Here he jumped up in a turnip field, ran hard up to the railway opposite Ranskill sta- tion, down to Mattersey Hill. A check ; found him in the garden and killed. Found in Linghurst, ran to Pusto Hill, away round below Everton, to his right over the canal to Wiseton, on to Clay- worth, over the canal and river, and stopped at dusk. A good hard day to begin the season. Dogs, 19J couples.

November 12th, 1906. — Met at Bollam Hall. Found in Tilne Holt and ran over the old Eau, to his left, then over the canal by Hayton Castle, nearly to Wheatley Hill, a check, but casting for- ward, he jumped up out of a fence near Freeman's Gorse, and they ran into him in a grass field close to the Wiseton Gardens. A good hour and ten minutes. No good, as a storm came on in after-

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 143

noon, from other foxes from Daneshill. I had to leave after the first run. Dogs, 19 couples.

November 23rd, 1906. — Met at Gringley. Ran hard with our first fox away to Walkeringham Village, on to Misterton with another fox, and lost. After drawing Gringley Gorse blank, found by Clayworth Wood, ran hard to Saundby, a check, but hit him off, and away back nearly to Wiseton, headed back down to Saundby and Bole Village, but eventually hunted up to him on Bole Field and ran into him in Beckingham Village. A good day's sport. Bitches, 2i| couples.

December 7th, 1906. — Met at Grove. Only got a bad start from Gamston Wood, and hunted all about the Grove Woods, but unable to get on terms with our fox, and had to give him up. Then bolted three foxes from the drain by the roadside near Upton, raced away for Stokeham, headed back, ran close up to Upton Village, turned to his left, thence straight, leaving East Markham Plantations just on his right, over the brook down to East Drayton Mill, then to his right nearly to Fledborough, and then to his right up to the Springs ; only fifty-five minutes — quite A.i. Away for Tuxford, headed short back, and had to stop at dark. Bitches, 18J couples.

January 8th, 1907. — Met at Rossington. After drawing the low woods, Hunster, and Whitemires blank, found in Martin Beck, ran Dumplin Castle across to Eastfield, then to his right straight across

144 SPORT WITH

to opposite Pheasant Bank ; away over the river to his left, up to Loversall. Then along by Wadworth Village to Wilsick and Cockhill Holts, and on to Maltby Wood. Here two foxes were seen to cross the drive together, and we ran on (of course, with the wrong fox) by Rough Park, across the park to Stone, Stubbins Wood, and had to give up beyond Lingodell. A very good run up to Maltby Wood, and a great pity we did not kill him. Bitches, i8 couples.

January 14th, 1907. — Met at Barnby Moor. Found in Danes Hill Gorse, and ran hard by Mattersey Hill to Pusto Hill. Then back over the river, along the long ground up to Bollam Broom ; got up to him here, away over the river for Sutton, to his right, across the highest bridge, over the old Eau, across the steeple-chase course, to ground in a big drain ; a good hour and thirty minutes. Found a fox in Bollam Broom ; away to Ling- hurst, on to Mattersey Wood, then to Daneshill, to Blako Hill, and stopped just below Linghurst, A good day's sport. Dogs, lyh couples.

January 22nd, 1907. — Met at Letwell. A fox in a yew tree in Firbeck Wood, and ran hard by Stone to Sandbeck Park, to his left to King's Wood and Grange Wood. Here the hounds divided, and I went away with my lot and only the second Whip and one other with me, for Hooton, up to the new railway they are making, straight to Throap- ham, by Dinnington Village to Swinston Hill. We

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 145

saw the fox here, and away by Windmill Planta- tion, Dinnington Hall, Common Plantation, to the new railway. A check here, but hit him off, and on by Wright's old gorse, up to Todwick Grange, on, and bearing to his right, they ran into him in Morthen Village. A very fine run. Unluckily in late afternoon chopped a fox in Brampton Gorse, and did no more. A very cold east wind. Bitches, 17J couples.

February 28th, 1907. — Met at Steetley. A white frost. Found in Whitwell Wood, after some turns ; away to Cutbright, to Thorpe Woods, Anston Stones, Swinston Hill, Dinnington, on as if for Laughton, and to his right. A check near Wheat Wood, so I stopped from King's Wood, and swinging the hounds on, hit him off over the valley into Grange Wood, where he had laid down dead beat, and killed him in five minutes. Only a moderate scent, the ground being dry and the hounds wanted a good deal of help, but they worked beautifully. It was a real good hunting run, with a very good point of nine miles, as the fox was never once seen all the way. Did no good in the afternoon with other foxes in King's Wood. Dogs, 16 couples.

March 4th, 1907. — Met at Barnby Moor. Bathurst (M.F.H. of the V.W.H.) out from Serlby. Ran several rings about the low ground, but only a moderate scent.

March i8th, 1907.— Met at Serlby. Exeter

146 SPORT WITH

(M.F.H.) out from Serlby. Found in afternoon in the Mattersey Hill New Plantations, and ran on merrily forty-five minutes, having Blako Hill on his right up to Tilne, over the old Eau, and back to ground near Wiseton. Dogs, 17 couples.

April 9th, 1907. — We met at Serlby, the last day of the season. A very large field out, and all my friends came into the house to see us. Also the Duchess of Newcastle at the meet presented Sam Morgan with an illuminated address and £350. Drew the Laurels, Ruins, and Mattersey Wood blank. Found in the young plantation and ran seven minutes to ground in Mattersey Wood — a vixen with cubs laid up. Then as we were going up the lane below Blako Hill, a fox came into it, so got a capital start, and ran nicely up to Ling- hurst, on by Lound Village, across nearly to Rans- kill station. Got up to him here, and ran back by Mattersey Hill to Mattersey Thorpe, and ran over to the river, leaving Pusto Hill on his right, down to Everton Village, over the hill down into the low ground and up to the river opposite Misson. From here slow hunting all the way up to opposite Baw- try, to his left up for Scaftworth, headed and killed him in the river opposite Newington. A very good hunting run of one hour and forty- five minutes, and a capital finish. The dear old dogs worked beautifully on this my last day, after all these years of hunting my own hounds. Dogs, i6| couples.

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 147

During the season the hounds have killed 43J brace of foxes, besides running 2o| brace to ground.

During my Mastership from August 12th, 1876, to April 9th, 1907, my hounds have killed 2,508 foxes, besides running 1,650 foxes to ground.

Thus ends my Mastership of 31 years, and a very happy time indeed it has been. I am very glad indeed to feel that the old pack, of which I have been so fond and proud, will be maintained intact for the country, as Fitzwilliam, to whom I have sold the entire pack, including this year's entry, for ;£4,ooo, has undertaken that, when he ceases to be Master of this country, the pack shall be given to the country to be in the hands of trustees. I hope, therefore, that for years and years to come the descendants of my old favourites may continue to have real good sport in the old country. It is worth recording, I think, that this pack, which was purchased by Mr. G. S. Foljambe in 1822, has had only three persons who managed

148 SPORT WITH

the breeding of the pack, viz., Mr. G. S. Foljambe, my father, and myself. Also from 1822 to 1907 (with the exception of one winter, when I was in India), the hounds have only been hunted by four persons, viz., Mr. G. S. Foljambe (till 1844), Will Merry, (till 1861), Jack Morgan, and myself.

At the end of the book will be found a list of all the Hunt servants who have been employed by me, but I wish to put on record a special notice about Sam Morgan. He was my first whipper-in for two years, while his father (Jack Morgan) was kennel huntsman, and afterwards he was for twenty-eight years my kennel huntsman. During all these years he was a most excellent servant, always having my hounds in capital condition, and well broken ; and also hunting the hounds when- ever I was not out quietly and well.

Some of my favourite dog hounds who helped so much to kill their foxes for many seasons were Hermit (1873-1880), a blue dog, Reginald (1873- 1882, this dog's head is in my presentation pic- ture), Harlequin (1877-1882), Acrobat (1876-1884), Rummager (1885-1897), Harkaway (1885-1891), Warrior (1887-1895), Gimcrack (1888-1897), Da- mon (1892-1902), Abelard (1894-1904), Saladin (1896-1904), Anchorite (1897-1904), Pedlar (1898- 1907), Bluecap (1901), and he is still running hard, when I sold the hounds.

I always hunted the dogs and bitches in separate packs — a very level beautiful pack of both

VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HOUNDS. 149

I had — and among my favourite bitches were the following : — Fairmaid (1870-1880), Caroline (1874- 1882), Termagant (1876-1885), Ransom {1879- 1885), Captive (1881-1890), Alice (1884-1890), Hebe (1885-1892), Primrose (1888-1897), Abbess (1893-1902), Patience (1894-1901), Spinster (1896- 1904), Dashaway (1898-1904), Aspen (1900-1907), and Snowdrop (1901-1907).

Some of my best and favourite hunters on which I hunted the hounds were Stopgap (chest- nut, 1874-1883), Rajah (bay, 1875-1882), Bangles (black mare, 1878-1890), Nottingham (brown, 1878-1884), Bridegroom (bay, 1879-1887), Beacons- field (chestnut, 1881-1887), Cigar (brown, 1889- 1895), Stanley (brown, 1889-1899), Killard (chest- nut, 1895-1902), Oyster (bay, 1896-1907), A.D.C. (brown, 1897-1907), Oak Apple (bay mare, 1898- 1906), The King (brown, 1901-1907), and Dives (bay, 1903-1907).

I am glad to know that on giving up the country, it was better stocked with foxes than when I took it, and no Master has ever had greater support from tenant farmers all over the country than I have.

I should wish now to thank again all my true friends, land-owners and others (some of them non- hunting men) for the assistance and support they gave me during all these years, and I can only hope that all those who hunted, enjoyed the good runs we had together, as much as I did.

150

As I have not got any such particulars in my journals, it has been impossible for me to give the names of those who were out on the different days, so I must leave it to my readers to recognise any day's sport which they joined in. As, however, it is of interest to remember those who supported hunting at two different dates in my Mastership, I propose now to record the names of those who so kindly subscribed to the presentations to me in 1879 and 1901, presentations which will, I hope, always remain as heirlooms at Serlby : —

LIST OF THE SUBSCRIBERS TO THE

PORTRAIT OF VISCOUNT GALWAV, M.F.H.,

Presented to him on his Marriage by his Fox-hunting Friends, 1879.

The Earl of Scarbrough. Alderson, C. W., Killamarsh. Athoqje, J. C, Dinnington Hall. Athorpe, Rev. G. M., Dinnington

Rectory. Axe, J., Doucaster. Baker, R., Gamston. Baker, W., Retford. Bannister, F., Worksop. Bayly, T. H. D., Edwinstovve. Beard, J., Worksop. Beevor, H., Barnby Moor. Beevor, J. G., Worksop. Bentley, R. J., Rotherham. Berry, T., Worksop. Bingley, C, Langold. Billyard, C, Fledborough. Boaler, F. T., Collingthwaite. Boaler, G., Welbeck. Brookshank, Major, Middletou

HaU. Brooks, J., Worksop. Bryan, W., Mansfield. Buruaby, Major, Retford. Burchinal, R., Ossington. Camm, S., Beech Cliff. Chamberlain, F., Bawtry. Chappel, Miss, Tuxford. Chapman, W., Brook House. Chapman, W. W., Elksley.

Champion, H., Eaton Hall. Champion, J., Ranby House. CoUingwood, H. W. C, Clayworth. Cooke, C. E. S., St. Catherine's. Cookson, W. J., Worksop Manor. Dawson, R. H., Newton-on-Trent. Denison, W. B., M.P., Nunapple-

ton. Dickinson, J., Misson. East, N. R., Bonbusk. Easterfield, J., Carlton. Eddisou, B., Shireoaks. Eddison, G., BrancUffe Grange. Egerton, C. A., Edwinstowe Hall. Eyre, Colonel, Ramptou Manor. Fawcett, J. D., Sheffield. Firth, E., Ranskill. Fisher, F. W., Doncastcr. Foster, J., Newhall. Granger, T., South Carr. Green, E., Heath Old Hall. Goldsborough, T., Worksop. Hannam, T., Retford. Hannam, V. H., West Retford. Hall, M., Thorpe Salvin. Hewitt, T., Bawtrj'. Hewson, J., Hodsock. Hewitt, J. H., West Retford. Hirst, J. A. H., Moorgate Villa. Hodding, W. S., Harness Grove.

151

Hodgkinson, C. W., Osberton Grange.

Hodgkinson, E., Plumtree.

Hodgkinson, E. W., Rotherhain.

Hodgkinson, Miss E., Chequer House.

Hodgkinson, Miss L., Chequer House.

Homfray, Rev. W., West Retford Rectory.

Huntriss, W., Worksop.

Homfray, W., jun.. West Retford.

Hotham, J., Scaftworth.

Hunter, M. J., Greystones.

Hunt, F., Broom Hall.

Huntsman, B., West Retford Hall.

Jackson, H. W., Gringley.

J ebb, G., Barnby Moor House.

J ebb. Rev. H. G., Firbeck Hall.

Jeff cock, J. W., Shire House, Ecclesfield.

Jessop, W., Forest Hill.

Kaye, W. C. L., Scofton.

Kirke, Major, Markham Hall.

Lambert, W., Mapperley Hall.

Lay cock, R., Wiseton Hall.

Leather, F. J., The Friary, Tickhill.

Lowther, G. W., Swillington House.

Lumley, Viscount, 7th Hussars.

Machin, J. V., Gateford HaU.

Mappin, W., Sheffield.

Mason, W. H., I\Iorton Hall.

Marrion, T., jun., Thurcroft Hall.

Marris, T., Worksop.

Marshall, C. H., Retford.

Marshall, G., Retford.

Mellish, G., Hodsock Priory.

Mellish, H., Hodsock Priory.

Mellish, I\Irs., Bonbusk.

Miuta, J., Skegby.

Milns, W., Clipstone.

Naylor, G. T., Thrybergh.

Need, T., The Park, Nottingham.

Newark, Viscount, Grenadier Grds.

Newbold, S., Abbeyfield, Leaming- ton.

Newton, F. H., The Manor.Oldcotes

Newton, F. H., The Manor, Old- cotes.

Overend, W. O. C, West Retford.

Peck, G., Retford.

Pennington, S., Marnham.

PhilHps, G. G., Tickhill.

Pickin, J. C, Cromwell.

Raynes, F., Ba\vtr\-.

Redgate, W., Scarthiug Moor.

Savile, G., T.M.D., Retford.

Sharpe, J., Elksley.

Simpson, C. H., Ackworth.

vSimpson, H., Broombank House.

Simpson, E., Crofton Hall.

Simpson, Mrs. Bridgeman, Bab- worth Hall.

Simpson, Rev. W. B., Babworth Rector)'.

Simpson, T. H., Conisborough.

Smith, E., Gringle}-.

Smith, S., Burnt Leys.

Stancer, J. B., Sturton.

St. Leger, Colonel, Park Hill.

Streatfield, R. J., Rossington Hall.

Talbot, G. V. S., Tuxford.

Thorold, C, Welham Hall.

Thorold, Mrs., Welham Hall.

Verelst, H., Aston Hall.

Vernon, E. E. H., Grove Hall.

Wade, R., Skegby.

Wagstaff, T., Retford.

Walker, B., Masborough.

Walker, C, Highfield House.

W'alker, Horace, Osgathorpe, Sheffield.

Walker, J., Mattcrsey Hall.

Walker, W., Morton.

Watson, H. E., Shirecliffe Hall.

Watson, W. A., Shirecliffe Hall.

Warriner, W. J., Lincoln.

Warhurst, H., Sheffield.

Webster, W., Whitwell.

Welfitt, Colonel, Langwith Lodge.

White, Colonel, WallingAvells.

White, S., Leverton.

White, W. K., Leahurst, Tickhill.

Whitaker, B. I., Hesley Hall.

Wightman, J. R., Robin Hood's ^\-cll.

Williams, Mrs., Barnby Moor.

Wilson, J., Skegby.

Wilson, W., jun., Broom Bank.

Wright, C, Anston.

Wright, C. B. E., M.F.H., South Kirby.

Wright, e. T., Woodlands.

Wright, E. A., TickhUl Castle.

Wright, G., Park Lane.

White, Sir T. W., Bart., WaUing- wells.

152

LIST OF THE SUBSCRIBERS

TO THE

PRESENTATION OF TWO PILGRIM BOTTLES

TO

VISCOUNT GALWAY,

By the Members and Supporters of his Hunt, to mark the

Completion of Twenty-five Years as Master and Huntsman of

HIS OWN Hounds, i 876-1 901.

Aldersoii, C. W., Killamarsh.

Athorpe, Rev. G., Dinnington.

Athorpe, Colonel.

Bacon, R. C, Willingham.

Baines, L. T., Bawtry Hall.

Beckett, Messrs., Retford.

Beevor, Henry, Barnby Moor.

Beevor, J. G.

Beevor, J. T.

Berry, \V. H., Worksop.

Bosvile, T. B., Ravenfield.

Brooksbank, B., Tickhill vSpital.

Bromliead, G., Todwick.

Cadman, P., Forest Hill.

Campbell, J. G., Stonefield.

Cattle, Miss B., Gringley.

Colton Fox, J. S., Todwick.

Cottam, J. A., Heckingham.

Crossley, Miss M., Maltby.

Collingwood, H. W., Clayworth.

Cooke, Sir W., Wheatley Hall.

Cranfield, W., Morton Grange.

Chandler, Mrs., Gringley.

Cross, Mrs., Gringley.

Curtis, E., Eaton.

Curtis, J., Eaton.

Dawson, M. S.

Dawson, Mrs.

Dawson, Dr. R., Bole.

Denison, Colonel H., Eaton Hall.

Dennett, A., Retford.

Eadon, A. M., Morthen Hall.

Easterfield, W., Worksop.

Ellis, W., Rampton.

Eddison, G., Shireoaks.

Ellison, C. C, Monckton.

Ellison, Miss, Bracebridge.

Foljambe, Right Hon. F., Osberton.

Fowler, J., Sheffield.

Fletcher, W., Gamston.

Fleming, Dr. G., Worksop.

Fullerton, J. H., Thrybergh Park.

Gamble, B., Sheffield.

Goode, W., Tickhill.

Griffith, Rev. W., Treswell.

Hutton, H., Sheffield.

Hall, S. M., Thorpe Salvin.

Hewitt, J. H., Stowe-on-the-Wold.

Hirst, J. A., Retford.

Hirst, J. E., Retford.

Hodding, H. S., Harness Grove.

Hodding, Mrs.

Holmes, J. W., Retford.

Holmes, M. D., East Markham Hall.

Holmes, Mrs.

Hunter, M. J., Sheffield.

Huntsman, F., Retford Hall.

Huntsman, H., Retford Hall.

Hunt, H. W., Retford.

Haigh, S., Ordsall.

Hall, T. W., Sheffield.

Hodgson, G., Martin.

Huntriss, W., Highfield.

Hobson, W., Sheffield.

Hastings, Lady Noreen, Clumber.

Ingham, B. V., Wilsie.

Jackson, J. F., Bawtry.

J ebb, S. G., Firbeck Hall.

Jessop, W., Wallingwells.

Jones, Dr. West, Eckingtou.

Jones, S., Retford.

Keene, Gen. Ruck, Bishopfield.

Kayser, C. W., Sheffield.

Kaye, C. W. Lister, Osberton.

Laycock, J. F., Wiseton.

Langley, Batty, Sheffield.

Lombe, Major, Edwinstowe.

Lombe, Mrs., Edwinstowe.

153

Leader, R., Sheffield.

I<ister, G. S., Finninglev Park.

Machin, A. V., Gateford HiU.

Machin, G. V.

Machin, E. H.

Machin, H. V.

Mellish, H., Hodsock Priory.

Mason, W. H., Morton HaU.

Marriou, T., Thur croft.

Manvers, Earl, Thoresby.

Morgan, Sam, Serlby Kennels.

Moore, H., Worksop.

Naylor, G. Todd, Tickhill.

Newcastle, Duke of. Clumber.

Newcastle, Duchess of. Clumber.

Nicholson, C, Stain ton.

Otter, R. C.

Paterson, Lady Rowena, Clumber.

Portland, Duke of, Welbeck.

Peake, H., West Retford.

Park, J., Headon.

Parkin, F. T., Serlby.

Riddell, J. G., Hermiston Hall.

Riddell, Miss, Hermiston Hall.

Roberts, S., Sheffield.

Rossmore Dow, Lady, Rauby Hall.

Scarbrough, Earl of, Saudbeck.

Shiffner, G. B., Rossington.

Sorby, R. A., Thorpe Salvin.

Sorby, Mrs., Thorpe Salvin.

Stephenson, H. K., Sheffield.

Smith, Sidney, Holme House.

Smith, Harrison, Carlton Hall.

Smith, W. M., Maltby Hall.

Smith, Hon. Mrs., Maltby Hall.

Smith, Edwin, Gringley. Smith, Walter, Clayworth. Smith, T., Retford. Streatfield, R. J., Rossington Hall. Selby, O., Retford. Scott, R., Retford. Stafford, G. H., Marnham. Saunders, J. D., W^andside. Stockdale, R. H., Blyth. Thomas, Mrs. Brockholes, Scaft-

worth. Tyzack, G. B., Sheffield. Tufton, Hon. J., Mattersey Hall. Thorne, Dr. J. M., Retford. Verelst, H. W., Aston Hall. Verelst, Mrs., Aston Hall. Walker, G., Danes Hill. Walker, J., Bawtry. Ward, E., Sheffield. Ward, Mrs. Hatton, Ranby. Whitaker, B. J., Hesley Hall. Whitaker, Capt. A. E., Babworth

Hall. Willey, F., Blyth Hall. Wilson, G. K., Sheffield. Wordsworth, J., Ranskill. Wilson, T., Reepham. Wright, Charles, Anston. Wilkinson, F. C, Grantham. Wilkinson, T., Green Mile. Wilkinson, F. D., Cavendish Lodge. Westenra, Hon. P., Ranby Hall. Westenra, Hon. Mrs., Ranby Hall. Young, B. J., Handsworth.

154

LIST OF VISCOUNT GALWAY'S HUNT SERVANTS,

1876-1907.

	Date	Date		Highest Post
Name.	Came.	Left.	Situation.	Afterwards.
Jack Morgan	1861	1879	Huntsman K.H	DiedJsTov., 1879
George Sears ....	1876	1877	I St Whip....	I St Whip West Kent
Charles Jones . . .	1876	1882	2nd Whip . .	I St Whip, Quorn
Sam Morgan	1877	1907	I St Whip '80 K.H. '8o-'o7	Huntsman Earl Fitz- william
James Cockayne .	1882	1886	I St Whip....	Huntsman Puckeridge, N. Warwickshire
James Morgan . .	1882	1883	2nd Whip . .	I St Whip The Gogger- dan I St Whip Burton
R. Belding	1883	1885	2nd Whip . .
George Outram...	1885	1887	2nd Whip . .	I St Whip K.H.S. Dor- set Whip S. Oxfordshire
Fred Beck	1886	1887	I St Whip....
Jack Andrews . .	1887	1888	I St Whip....	ist Whip Shropshire
Sam Dickenson . .	1887	1889	2nd Whip . .	Huntsman Lord Port-
George Coxon . .	1888	1890	I St Whip.. . .	man K.H. Braes of Der- went
Tom McBride . . .	1889	1890	2nd Whip . .	istWhip N.Warwick- shire
W. Maiden	1890	1892	I St Whip....	K. Huntsman S. Dor- set I St Whip Quorn
H. Gabbetas	1890	1892	2nd Whip . .
Dan Reid	1892	1894	I St Whip....	K. Huntsman N. Cots- wold Huntsman H.H.
Jack Cooper	1892	1894	2nd Whip . .
Wii^L Davis	1894	1898	I St Whip....	K. Huntsman E.Essex
F. Huckvale	1894	1896	2nd Whip . .	I St Whip S. and W. W^ilts
Tom King	1896	1897	2nd Whip . .	Whip Old Surrey
G. Baker	1897	1899	2nd Whip . .	Huntsman Cambridge shire
F. Sheppakd	1898	1899	I St Whip....	Whip Sir W. Wynn
Wii,!, Thompson . .	1899	1902	I St Whip....	Huntsman W. Nor- folk and Lord Fitz- hardinge
Percy Firr	1899	1900	2nd Whip . .	2nd Whip E. Kent
F. Houand	1900	1902	2nd Whip . .	ist Whip Burstow
Joseph Josephs. . .	1902	1903	I St Whip....	1st Whip and K.H. Radnorshire
Charles Morley .	1902	1903	2nd Whip . .	Whip Old Surrey
Tom Vokins	1903	1907	istWhip ..	1st Whip Worcester- shire
Charles Taylor .	1903	1907	2nd Whip . .	ist Whip Norfolk

t

Sheffield :

Wilkinson & Sons, Printers, St. James Street.

1910.

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