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Past ana Present
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MEMBERS OF THE
BEAUFORT HUNT
PAST "3? PRESENT
CIRENCESTKH
STANDARD PRINTING WORKS
1914
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Since one fox on foot more diversion will bring
Than twice twenty thousand cock pheasants on wing,
The man we all honour, whate'er be his rank,
Whose heart heaves a sigh when iiis gorse is drawn blank,
Qu.'i situm ! Qu.i'situm ! fill up to the brim,
We'll drink, if we die for't, a bumper to him.
Egerton Warburton.
Preface.
It often occurred to me during the many years I acted as
Honorary Secretary to the Beaufort Hunt that there ia no record
of any sort of the past or present members of the Hunt. I am fully
aware that the list that follows is by no means complete ; still, I
have done the best I could with the materials I had to work from.
They consisted of two or three account books that had been kept
by the late Colonel C. W. Miles from 1861 to 1888, and since then
from books that I have kept myself.
I have added a few items culled from my scrap book and other
sources which I hope may prove of interest to my hunting friends.
In the compilation of the list of names I have to thank Her Grace
the Duchess of Beaufort for her help and for the great interest she
has taken in it.
For carefully arranging and making copies of extracts, etc.,
my thanks are due to Mr. E. P. Harmer.
Frank Henry.
Elmestree, Tetbury,
May, 1911.
flDembers of the Beaufort 1!3unt
Ipast anb present
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (H.M. King Edward VH.)
1867
His Grace The 7th Duke of Beaufort, K.G.
His Grace The 8th Duke of Beaufort, K.G.
Her Grace The 8th Duchess of Beaufort 1845
His Grace The 9th Duke of Beaufort, A.D.C.
Her Grace The 9th Duchess of Beaufort 1885
The Lady Geraldine Somerset 1854
The Lady Edith Somerset (Countess of Londesborough) 1854
The Lady Blanche Somerset 1903
The Lady Diana Somerset 1904
The Marquis of Worcester 1906
The Marquis of Waterford
The Marchioness of Waterford
The Lord Henry Somerset
The Lord Arthur Somerset
The Lord Edward Somerset
The Lady Edward Somerset
The Lord Fitzroy Somerset
Colonel Henry Somerset
Colonel Poulett Somerset 1855
Poulett Somerset, Mrs. 1858
Granville Somerset, Q.C.
Granville Somerset, Mrs.
H. Somers Somerset Reigate Priory
The Lady Katherine Somerset Reigate Priory
6 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Adam, Major and Mrs.
Coates
1902
Adams, F.
Bristol
1867
Addington, the Right Hon. Henry
Unwin
Estcourt
1836
Adey, Captain William
Wotton-under-Edge
1861
Allfrey, Captain Moubray
Greenways
1898
Allfrey, The Hon. Mrs.
Greenways
1898
Allfrey, Arthur
Greenways
1905
Ancaster, The Countess of
Drummond Castle, Crieff
1903
Angel, J. B.
1865
Annaly, The Lord
Holdenby House
Asquith, Mrs.
Easton Grey
1880
Atherley, Major Evelyn
late Royal Horse Guards
1884
Atherley, Mrs. Evelyn
Norton Grange
1888
Awdry, E. M.
Chippenham
1897
Awdry, P. Delme
Chippenham
1897
Awdry, R. W.
Lavington
1908
BE AV FORT HUNT :
Bailey, F. H. and Mrs.
Bailey, Captain F. and the Hon. Mi
Baillie, Lieut.-Colonel Hugh
Baillie, J. B.
Baker, T. B. Lloyd
Baker, Granville E. Lloyd
Baker, H. 0. Lloyd
Baker, Michael Lloyd
Baker, F. D.
Baker, W. Proctor and Mrs.
Baker, Hugh
Baker, R. L.
Baker, Miss
Baldwin, John
Baring, Captain Henry
Barker, Percy Raymond
Barker, Reginald Raymond
Barker, Hugh Raymond and Mrs.
Barnett, Philip
Barrington, The Lord
Bateson, Sir Thomas, M.P.
Bathurst, The Right Hon. the 5th
Earl
Bathurst, The Right Hon. the 6th
Earl
PAST AND PRESENT.
7
Chippenham
1912
•s. Sheldon Manor,
Chippenham
1913
Royal Horse Guards
1861
Chippenham
1870
Hardwicke Court
(or
before)
1861
Hardwicke
1862
Hardwicke Court
1862
Hardwicke
1913
1865
Brislington
1880
Chedglow
1903
Chedglow
1912
Chedglow
1913
Arthur's Club (or
before)
1861
late 17th Lancers
1863
Fairford Park
1866
Tetbury
1893
Foxley
1911
Cirencester
1901
Shrivenham
1867
Devizes
1863
1
Cirencester House
(or
before)
1846
1
Cirencester House
1861
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Bathurst, The Right Hon. the 7th
Earl
Bathurst, The Countess
Bathurst, Colonel the Hon. Ben.,
M.P.
Bathurst, The Lady Meriel
Bayly, John
Bayly, Robert
Beach, W. W. B.
Beauclerk, Captain F.
Bengough, J. C.
Benson, R. L.
Bentinck, Major The Lord and Lady
Charles
Beresford, General D. W.
Beresford, Admiral Lord Charles,
G.C.B., etc., etc.
Bernard, Charles
Bernard, Charles, jun.
Berners, J. A.
Biddulph, The Hon. Claud
Bill, Captain C. H.
Bishop, Major and Mrs. C. W.
Blagrave, J. Gratwicke
Blathwayt, Colonel
Blathwayt, Captain G. W.
Blathwayt, W. T.
Cirencester House
1882
Cirencester House
1893
Cirencester
1897
Cirencester House
1913
(or before)
1846
Bathwick (or
before)
1861
Oakley Hall
1861
Hilmarton
1880
The Ridge
1873
9th Lancers
1910
Lyegrove
1901
Cheltenham
1867
Badminton
1867
Broad Hinton (or
before)
1861
Broad Hinton
1872
Kingscote
1896
Rodmarton
1897
The Priory, Tetbury
1864
Barton Abbotts
1898
Calcot, Reading
1885
Dyrham Park
1845
Dyrham Park
1845
Dyrham Park
1845
BEAUFORT HUNT:
Blathwayt, R. V.
Blathwayt, C. P.
Blathwayt, Robert Wynter
Block, James, and Miss
Borrer, Hamlyn
Bourke, Colonel the Hon. J. J.
Bouverie, Seymour Pleydell
Bouverie, Mrs. Seymour
Bouverie, Walter
Boycott, Digby
Brand, Andrew
Bridges, Captain G. H.
Bridges, Captain Strachan
Brienen, Baron and Baroness de
Bright, Lieut.-Colonel Robert
Brinton, Major J. C.
Brown, Kenworthy
Browne, Colonel W. L.
Bruges, R. Ludlow
Bulkeley, Sir Richard Williams
Burdon, W. B. C.
Burges, Miss 0.
Burn, Major-General J. M.
Bush, G. de Lisle
PAST AND PRESENT. 9
Dyrham Park 1845
Dyrham Park 1845
Dyrham Park 1875
Charlton Cottage 1861
Dursley 1880
CUfton 1872
Crudwell 1889
Crudwell 1891
Lavington 1881
(or before) 1846
Easton Grey 1867
Clifton 1878
late R.H.A. 1878
The Priory, Tetbury 1880
Leigh Court 1865
late 2nd Life Guards 1912
Bath
Stouts Hill 1861
Seend 1866
Baron Hill, Beaumaris 1861
Chedglow 1907
The Ridge 1913
Alderley 1890
Eastington Park 1880
10
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT,
Butler, Lieut.-Colonel F. J. P. and
the Hon. Mrs.
Wick House
1901
Buxton, Gerard and Mrs.
Tockenham
1907
Byng, Colonel the Hon. Charles
late 1st Life Guards
1867
Byng, The Hon. Alfred
late 7th Hussars
1878
Byng, Major the Hon. Lionel
Avening House
1900
Byng, The Lady Eleanor
Avening House
1906
Caldwell, Captain Ralph W.
Callander, Miss Muriel (Mrs. W.
Baird)
Calley, Colonel and Mrs. T. P.
Calthorpe, The Hon. F.
Campbell, The Hon. A. F.
Campbell, The Hon. Mrs. A. F.
Cambridge, H.R.H. The Duke of
Candy, Captain Henry
Cantelupe, The Viscount
Cardwell, T. H.
Cardwell, Miss (Mrs. Wormald)
Lackham
1862
Deanscroft, Oakham 1880
Burderop 1878
Grosvenor Square 1861
Lasborough 1884
Lasborough 1884
(or before) 1846
late 9th Lancers 1867
(or before) 1846
Newnton House 1877
Newnton House 1895
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 11
Cardwell, Miss Mary (Mrs. Cooke) Newnton House 1897
Carrington, The Lord (Marquess of
Lincolnshire), K.G.
Cave, Sir Charles D., Bart.
Cave, Miss
Cave, Charles H.
Chaloner, Colonel R.
Chaplin, Eustache
Chaplin, Captain Percy and Mrs.
Chaplin, Drummond
Chaplin, Miss (Mrs. F. Godman)
Chaplin, The Right Hon. Henry
late Royal Horse Guards 1867
Clifton 1864
Stainbridge 1875
Rodway Hill House 1881
Gisboro
1878
Lasborough
1870
Chavenage
1870
Chavenage
1885
Chavenage
1888
6, Charles Street,
Berkeley Square 1895
Upton House 1905
Bristol 1861
Elberton 1865
Ingelburne Manor 1892
Eastcourt 1894
Rowde Ford 1906
Chaplin, Miss Sibell
Charlton, Colonel
Charleton, George B.
Charrington, C. E. N. and Mrs.
Charteris, R. B. and Mrs.
Charteris, Mrs. R. (Miss Tryon)
Chesterfield, The Earl of
Chester-Master, Colonel T. W.
Chester-Master, Andrew and Mrs. Lea, Malmesbury
Cholmondeley, The Marquess of Cholmondeley
Cholmondeley, The Lord George
Cholmondeley, The Lady Susan
Clifford, Henry J.
Knole Park
Cholmondeley
Cholmondeley
Frampton
(or before) 1846
1861
1903
1875
1908
1876
1866
12 BEAUFORT HUNT
Clitherow, Colonel Stracey
Close, Admiral
Clutterbuck, Edmund
Clutterbuck, Hugh
Clutterbuck, Edmund H.
Clutterbuck, Hugh F.
Clutterbuck, Captain E. R. Middlewick
Codrington, Sir William, Bart. Dodington
Codrington, The Lady Georgina Dodington
Codrington, Sir Gerald, Bart. Dodington
Codrington, Miss (Lady Vavasour) Dodington
Codrington, Miss Florance Dodington
Codrington, Miss Evelyn Dodington
Codrington, George T. G. C. Sands Court
Codrington, Lieut.-General Sir Alfred,
K.C.V.O., C.B.
PAST AND PRESENT.
Highgrove (or before) 1861
Fishponds 1879
Hardenhuish (or before) 1861
Monks, Corsham 1861
Hardenhuish 1870
Dicketts, Corsham 1882
Coleman, Walter
Coleman, Major W. T.
Coles, Henry Stratton
Collins, Major W.
CoUyer-Bristowe, A.
Colston, Edward
Colston, Colonel C. E.
Colston, Captain E. M., M.V.O.
Cookson, J. Blencowe and Mrs.
1904
(or before) 1846
(or before) 1846
1862
1865
1869
1874
1874
1881
1861
1880
Kington Langley
Langley Fitzurse
Corsham
late Scots Greys 1902
Draycot 1875
Roundway Park (or before) 1861
Roundway 1869
Grenadier Guards 1898
Meldon Park,
Northumberland 1869
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
13
Cooper, W.
Coote, Captain Richard
Cotes, Charles
Cotes, Major Arthur
Coventry, Captain Henry
Cowley, The 2nd Earl and Countess Draycot
Cowley, The 3rd Ear!
Cowley, Countess (Lady Violet Neville) Draycot
Cox, E. Richardson
Crawley-Boevey, Sir M.
Cresswell, C. R. E.
Cripps, Frederick
Croome, W. Fielder
Cross, F. Richardson
Cuadra, Mr. and Mrs. de
Currie, The Lord
Curzon, The Viscount
Curzon, The Hon. H.
Cust, The Hon. Miss
Cobham
(or before)
1861
Malmesbury
1867
Stanton Rectory
1864
Rowden Hill
1870
Charlton Park
1881
Draycot
1866
Draycot
1874
Draycot
1893
South Wraxall Manor
1902
Flaxley Abbey
1861
Pinkney Park
1870
Cirencester
1867
Cirencester
(or before)
1861
Clifton
1891
Malmesbury
1894
Estcourt
1875
(or before)
1846
Gopsall
(or before)
1861
Bath
1894
14 BEAUFORT HUNT :
Dalgety, A. G.
Dancer, Sir Thomas, Bart.
Dancer, Miss G.
Daniel, Thos.
Dansey, Colonel E. M.
Darell, Sir Lionel Edward, Bart.
Darell, Edward
Darling, Sir Charles
Denison, Lady Irene
Des Voeux, Henry
Dew§, W.
De Winton, Walter
De Winton, Captain W.
Donovan, Captain Thompson
Dorington, Sir John, Bart.
Dungarvan. The Viscount
Duntze, Sir John, Bart.
Dupplin, The Viscount
Dutton, The Hon. James
PAST AND PRESENT.
The Priory, Tetbury 1901
Yate 1870
Yate 1911
Huckridge (or before) 1861
late 1st Life Guards 1869
Fretherne 1865
Fretherne 1870
Pew Hill 1889
Blankney 1905
Chippenham 1863
Coates 1861
MaesUwch Castle 1855
late 1st Life Guards 1889
Malmesbury 1863
Lypiatt Park 1861
Turf Club 1892
The Priory, Burton Hill
(or before) 1861
Dupplin Castle 1861
Bibury (or before) 1861
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
15
Elwes, J. Henry
Colesborne
1861
Emmott, W. Rhodes
Horton
1888
Essex, The Earl of
Cassiobury Park
1895
Estcourt, T. G. Bucknall,
M.P.
Estcourt
1830
Estcourt, General James Bucknall
Estcourt
1850
Estcourt, The Right Hon.
Sotheron
T. H.
Estcourt
1850
Estcourt, Edward Dugdale Bucknall Estcourt
1850
Estcourt, The Lord
Estcourt
1860
Estcourt, The Lady
Estcourt
1870
Estcourt, Captain T. E.
Scots Greys
1905
Esterhazy, Count A.
(or before)
1846
Eustace, Major-General Sir Francis,
K.C.B.
1
Barton End
1909
Eustace, F. R.
Barton End
1909
Evans, Rev. A.
Little Somerford
1867
Evans, Charles
Corsham
1893
Ewart, Colonel W. Salisbury
and Mrs.
Petty France
1873
16 BE AVI OUT HVIST :
Fane, The Lady Enid
Farquhar, W.
Fenwick, Captain C. H.
Fernie, C. W. B.
Firth, C. H. Bramley
Fitzclarence, The Lord Adolphus
Fitzhardinge, The 2nd Lord
Fitzhardinge, The 3rd Lord
Fitzmaurice, The Lord and Lady
Charles
Folkestone, The Viscount (5th Earl
PAST AND PRESENT.
Spye Park
1912
Badminton
1865
Norton Manor
1896
Keythorpe
1876
Ashwiek
1901
(or
before)
1846
Berkeley Castle
1861
Berkeley Castle
1898
Bowood
1895
of Radnor)
Longford Castle
1867
Forestier-Walker, D.
P. and Mrs.
Hillesley
1905
Forestier-Walker, Major
Roland
and Mrs.
Newnton House
1908
Forrest, T. Forsyth
Cirencester
1888
Forster, R. Carnaby
Vasterne Manor
1906
Fowler, Sir R. N., Bart.,
M.P.
Gastards
1863
Fowler, Sir Thomas,
Bart
-
Gastards
1888
Fox, R. A.
Yate
1887
Francis, C. K.
7, Granville Place, W.
1886
Francis, Mrs. C. K.
(Miss Lovell)
7, Granville Place, W.
1872
Fry, Frank R.
Clifton
1878
Fry, A. M.
Clifton
1913
Fuller, John B.
Neston
1855
Fuller, George P.
Neston
1861
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 17
Fuller, Sir John Neston 1874
Fuller, Lady Neston 1898
Fuller, W. F. Cricklade 1875
Fuller, H. F. Grovefield, Bucks 1889
Fuller, E. F. Neston 1901
Fuller, R. F. Melksham 1901
Fuller, Mrs. R. F. Neston 1912
Furmidge, J. H. Lucknam 1907
Gardiner, Charles
Lympstone
1869
Garrett, Mrs. E. (Miss Walmsley)
Lucknam
1898
George, W.
Cherington
1861
George, Miss
Cherington
1898
George, Miss C.
Cherington
1898
Gibbs, Lieut.-Colonel George A.,
M.P.
Tyntesfield
1906
Gibson-Watt, Captain and Mrs.
Doldowlod, Radnor
1908
Gist, Major Frank
Kingscote Cottage
1875
Gist, Mrs. Frank
Kingscote Cottage
1876
Gist, Frank
Charlton, Tetbury
1896
18 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT,
Gladstone, J. E.
Goddard, F. Pleydell
Goddard, Mrs.
Goldney, Sir Gabriel, Bart., M.P.
Goldney, Sir G. Prior, Bart., C.V.O.,
C.B.
Goldney, F. H.
Goldney, The Hon. Sir John, Kt
Golightly, Miss A. (Mrs. C. Gippi
Golightly, Colonel R. E., D.S.O.
Goodrich, James
Gore, F. W. G.
Goidon, Captain W. A., C.M.G.
Gorst, Miss Eva
Gosling, Edward Lambert
Gouldsmith, John D.
Graham, Sir Reginald H., Bart.
Granville, The Earl
Greatorex, Thomas Price
Grey, The Earl
Griffiths, Edward
Grove, Sir Thomas Fraser, Bart.
Guilford, The 7th Earl of
Gwatkin, Miss (Mrs. Copeland
Griffiths)
Gwatkin, R. G.
Bowden Park
1877
Swindon
1895
Swindon
1887
Chippenham
1865
Derriads
1865
Corsham
1865
Monks Park
1865
Shipton Moyne
1877
Ashcroft
1883
Norton Court
1861
Tetbury
1882
Southend House, Wickwar 1914
Castle Combe
1910
Winslow
1902
Ashton Keynes
1893
Norton Conyers
1863
• 1867
1863
Westonbirt
1895
1867
Feme
1861
Waldershare Park
1880
Potterne
1910
Potterne
1885
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
19
Hale, Colonel John Blagden
Hale, Robert Blagden, M.P.
Hale, Colonel Mathew HoUord
Hale, Major-General Robert
Hale, General Edward Blagden
Haigh, G. H.
Hall, Colonel Spencer
Hamilton, Captain and Mrs. E. C.
Hamilton, Miss H.
Hanbury-Tracey, The Hon. Mrs.
(Miss Palmer)
Hankey, B. H. A.
Hankey, W. H. A.
Hankey, Captain C.
Harding, Charles
Harding, C. H.
Hardwicke, The Earl of
Harford, W. A.
Alderley
1840
Alderley
1840
Alderley
1855
late 7th Hussars
1855
Alderley (or before) 1861
Bath 1885
Malmesbury 1881
Great Somerford 1900
Great Somerford I9ii
Lackham
1902
Stanton Manor
1904
Notton
1909
Notton
1910
Upton Grove
1873
Upton Grove
1892
Draycot
1867
Petty France
1872
20
BE AV FORT HVI^T : PAST AND PRESENT.
Harford, Mrs. W A.
Harford, Francis
Harford, H. W. L.
Harford, Mrs. H. W. L.
Harford, J. C.
Harford, Miss C. L.
Harford, Miss Jessie
Harford, Miss Betty
Hargreaves, John
Harris, Herbert J. and Mrs.
Harris, Leslie H.
Harris, Miss
Petty France
Oldown
Horton
Horton
Lampeter
Blaise Castle
Petty France
Petty France
Leckhampton Court
Bowden Hill
Bowden Hill
Bowden Hill
Sutton Benger
Harrison, Cuthbert
Harrison, Miss (Mrs. J. Ballantyne) Sutton Benger
Harrison, Henry B. Sutton Benger
Hartley, W. H. Lye Grove
Hatzfeldt, T.S.H. Prince and Princess Draycot
Haydon, Colonel W.'H. Maidford
Helme, Colonel Sir George, K.C.B.,
G.M.G. Chippenham
Heneage, Michael Compton Bassett
Heneage, Major Walker, V.C. Compton Bassett
Heneage, Major G. C. Walker, M.V.O. late Grenadier Guards
Henry, Lieut.-Colonel Frank Elmestree
Henry, Mrs. Frank Elmestree
Henry, Captain G. F. Doughton House
1904
1877
1885
1904
1890
1898
1912
1913
1878
1886
1912
1913
1897
1899
1912
(or before) 1861
1896
1894
1886
1861
1864
1888
1867
1870
1883
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
21
Henry, Mrs. G. F.
Doughton House
1895
Henry, Edward
Charlton Court
1888
Henry, Mrs. Edward
Charlton Court,
1895
Henry, Lieut.-Colonel Vivian
Elmestree
1890
Henry, Miss Maud (Mrs. Morrison-
Bell)
Elmestree
1892
Heywood, H. D. Beresford
Wrentnall, Shropshire
1891
Hicks-Beach, Sir Michael (Viscounl
St. Aldwyn)
Williamstrip
1862
Hill, Thomas D.
Malmesbury (or
before)
1861
Hill, C. Gathorne and Mrs.
Yate
1887
Hill, Major and Mrs. E. T.
Winterbourne
1900
Hill, Maurice
Yate
1913
Hilton-Green, F.
Alderley
1907
Hoare, Charles
Cirencester
1875
Hoare, Arthur
Trull
1895
Hoare, Mrs. Arthur
Trull
1878
Hoare, Colonel Reginald
4th Hussars
1912
Hobson, Edward
Stoke Park (or
before)
1846
Holden, Henry
Cirencester
1880
Holford, R. S.
Westonbirt (or
before)
1846
Holford, J. Gwynne
Buckland
1867
Holford, Sir George L., K.C.V.O.,
CLE.
Westonbirt
'
1880
Holroyd, T.
(or
before)
1846
Hoole, Colonel
Chavenage
1892
Hopkinson, C. C.
Avening Court
1874
22
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Hornsby-Drake, Lieut.-Colonel and
Mrs.
Howard, The Hon. Henry, M.P.
Howard, Colonel Henry
Howard, The Hon. Cecil
Howard, The Hon. J. K.
Howard, Algar
Howard, The Lady Katherine
Howth, The Earl of
Humphries, Sidney
Hunt, Captain G. Warwick
Hurle, J. A. Cooke
Compton Bassett 1913
(or before) 1846
(or before) 1846
Charlton Park
1867
Charlton Cottage
1905
Thornbury
1912
Charlton Cottage
1910
Howth Castle
1865
Westbury-on-Trym
1909
Late 4th Hussars
1869
Brislington
1902
Ireland, J. Clayfield
Brislington
1861
Islington, The Lord
Hartham Park
1880
Islington, The Lady
Hartham Park
1897
BEAVFOBT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
23
Jacoby, C. and Mrs.
Lye Grove
1888
Jardine, Mrs. David
1880
Jarrett, Captain C. 6. and Mrs.
Charlton, Tetbury
1873
Jenkinson, Sir George, Bart.
Eastwood
1872
Jenkinson, Captain J. Banks
Rifle Brigade
1911
Jenner, Captain L. C. D.
late 60th Rifles
1911
Jersey, The Earl of
(or
before) 1846
Joicey, James
Poulton Priory
1898
Joicey, John G.
Poulton Priory
1898
Jones, Colonel Inigo
Kelston
1857
Jones, Major-General Inigo, C.V.O.,
C.B.
Kelston
1868
Jones, Major F. T.
Chippenham
1873
Jones, Miss A. Inigo
Kelston
1912
Jones, Miss M. Inigo
Kelston
1912
Jones, H. R. Inigo
Scots Guards
1913
24 BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Kearsley, Major R. W. late 5th Dragoon Guards 1879
Kerry, Major the Earl of, D.S.O.
King, Mervyn and Mrs.
King, T. P. and Miss
King, Percy
Kingscote, Colonel Thomas
Kingscote, Colonel Sir Nigel, K.C.B.
Kingscote, Colonel H. B.
Kingscote, The Lady Emily
Kingscote, Nigel R. F.
Kingscote, Miss (Mrs. A. Maitland
Wilson)
Kingscote, Miss Winifred (The
Countess of Cholmondeley) Kingscote Park 1875
Kingscote, Thomas A. F., M.V.O. Watermoor House 1867
Kingscote, The Hon. Mrs. Watermoor House 1882
Kington, Captain William M. W. late 5th Dragoon Guards 1863
Kinsky, Count (or before) 1846
Kirkland, Sir J. 1864
Bowood
1896
Clifton
1874
Newark
1879
Clifton
1882
Kingscote Park
1821
Kingscote Park
1856
8, Eaton Terrace, S.W.
1862
Kingscote Park
1863
Kingscote Park
1874
Kingscote Park
1875
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 25
LangtoD, W. F. Gore Padbury 1860
Lansdowne, The Marquis of, K.G. Bowood 1867
Law, G. 0. Christian Malford 1861
Law, Colonel Edwin Dauntsey 1895
Lee, Colonel A. H. Vaughan, M.V.O. late Royal Horse Guards 1893
Lindsay, David B.
Willesley
1886
Lindsay, Walter
Westonbirt
1899
Lister, Henry
1861
Lister, the Hon. T.
10th Hussars
1898
Little, General Sir Archibald,
G.C.B.
Upton House
1855
Little, Captain Lockhart
1855
Little, James
Upton House
1874
Little, Major Cosmo
Upton House
1874
Little, The Lady Guendolen
Upton House
1903
Little, Miss (Mrs. A. Brocklehurst)
Upton House
1874
Little, Colonel Malcolm, C.B
•
late 9th Lancers
1878
Little, Miss Agnes
Upton House
1886
Little, Miss Violet
Upton House
1887
Little, Archibald
Upton House
1888
Little, Miss Charlotte (Mrs. St,
, Clair)
Upton House
1908
Lockwood, Robert
Cottles, Melksham
1901
Lockwood, Miss (Mrs. W. Lysley)
Wotton
1899
Lockwood, Miss Rachel
Cottles, Melksham
1902
Lockwood, Miss C. (Mrs. C.
de
Paravicini)
Cottles, Melksham
1903
26 BEAUFORT HVNT : PAST AND PRESENT.
Londesborough,The Earl and Countess
(Lady Edith Somerset)
Londesborough, The Earl of
Londesborough, The Countess of
(Lady Grace Fane)
Londesborough Lodge
Blankney
Blankney
Londonderry, The Marquis of, K.G. Badminton
1867
1880
1876
1875
Long, Walter
Long, The Right Hon. Walter H.,
M.P.
Rood Ashton (or before) 1846
Rood Ashton
Rowden Hill
Rowden Hill
Long, Robert C. C.
Long, Mrs. Robert
Long, Miss Margaret (Mrs. Giffard) Rowden Hill
Long, Captain W. H. B. Rood Ashton
Long, Captain Walter, D.S.O., Scots Greys
Long, Eric Rood Ashton
Lonsdale, The Earl and Countess of Lowther Castle
Lopes, George
Lord, Herbert Owen
Lovell, John
Lovell, Francis
Lovell, P. Audley
Lovell, Captain P. Audley D.
Lowsley-Williams, George
Lowsley-Williams, Mrs.
Lowndes, E. C.
Ludlow, The Lord
Sandridge Park
Lilly Brook
Cole Park
1870
1882
1912
1910
1883
1884
1900
1878
1880
1899
(or before) 1846
late 1st Life Guards 1840
Cole Park (or before) 1846
late Coldstream Guards 1880
Chavenage 1891
Chavenage 1898
Castle Combe 1870
Heywood, Wilts 1888
BEAUFORT HUNT:
PAST AND PRESENT.
27
Luttrell, C. M. F.
Bath
1900
Lyon, Captain Wittit
late 2nd Life Guards
1861
Lyon, Captain Frederick
Royal Artillery
1861
Lysley, Captain G. L.
Pewsham
1897
Lysley, Miss (Mrs. Heigham)
Pewsham
1897
Lysley, W.
Notton
1897
Mackay, G. E. and Mrs.
Mackeson, Colonel W.
Mackirdy, Elliot and Mrs.
Manners, The Hon. Fitzallan
Marjoribanks, George J.
Markham, Wilfred
Martin, J. E. H. and Mrs.
Master, T. W. C.
Mathews, T. G.
Maudslay, Henry
Menzies, Keith
Menzies, Stewart
Kington Langley 1900
late 5th Dragoon Guards 1875
Abbey House, Malmesbury 1910
Langley 1898
Lees, Berwickshire 1887
Badminton 1912
Oaksey 1900
The Abbey, Cirencester 1836
Newport Towers, Berkeley 1893
Upton Grove 1875
Westonbirt 1912
Westonbirt 1912
28 BE AVI OUT HVA'T
Meredith-Brown, M.
Merewether, H. A.
PAST AND PRESENT.
Hullavington 1865
Bowden Hill (or before) 1861
Merewether, Captain H.
Bowden Hill
1865
Metcalfe, W.
Mangotsfield
1861
Metcalfe, Dawson
Mangotsfield
1861
Methuen, Field-Marshal Lord,
G.C.B., etc., etc.
Corsham Court
1863
Methuen, The Hon. C.
Corsham Court
1913
Methuen, The Hon. Paul
Corsham Court
1911
Methuen, The Hon. Miss K.
Corsham Court
1913
Meux, Sir Henry, Bart.
Dauntsey
1880
Mildmay, G. L. and Mrs.
Dockem House, Coates
1907
Miles, Colonel Sir William, Bart.
Leigh Court
1820
Miles, P. W. S.
Kingsweston
1836
Miles, J. W.
Kingsweston
1840
Miles, Colonel C. W.
Burton Hill
1842
Miles, Sir Philip J., Bart.
Leigh Court
1844
Miles, Edward P. W.
Dauntsey House
1850
Miles, W. H.
Leigh Court
1852
Miles, H. Cruger W.
Kingsweston
1855
Miles, Colonel C. Napier, C.B., M.V.O
. Ingelburne Manor
1861
Miles, Sir H. WilUam, Bart.
Leigh Court (or before)
1861
Miles, Audley C.
Burton Hill
1862
Miles, Vyvyan
Burton Hill
1864
Miles, Captain Tremayne
late 18th Hussars
1872
Miles, Major A. E.
Seagry
1873
BEAUFORT HUNT: F
AST AND PRESENT.
29
Miles, Mrs. A. E.
Seagry
1912
Miles, Miss Clarissa
Ingelburne Manor
1882
Miles, Miss 0. Tremayne
Didmarton
1905
Miles, Captain W.
1st Royal Dragoons
1914
Miller, Audley M.
Badminton
1902
Miller, T. Butt
Cricklade
1888
Miller, Mrs. Butt
Cricklade
1898
Mirehouse, G. T.
Cirencester
1890
Mitchell, A. C.
Highgrove
1881
Mitchell, Mrs. A. C.
Highgrove
1896
Mitchell, Miss
Highgrove
1903
Mitchell, J. Henry
Highgrove
1910
Mitchell, Frank
Highgrove
1910
Mitchell, David
Highgrove
1910
Montgeon, Miss de
Malmesbury
1894
Morgan, The Hon. Godfrey (The
Lord Tredegar)
Tredegar Castle
1861
Morgan, The Hon. Frederick
Ruperra Castle
1870
Morley, The 3rd Earl of
Saltram
1885
Morley, The Countess of
Saltram
1885
Mornington, The Earl of
Draycot (or before)
1 1861
Morrice, Major L. E.
The Priory, Malmesbury
1907
Morrison-Bell, Captain E. F., M.P.
Pitt House, Devon
1907
Morritt, Robert
Charlton
1861
Mostyn Pritchard, Mrs. (Miss
M. Mathews)
North Nibley
1898
30
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Myddelton, R. and Mrs. (Biddulph) Chirk Castle
Mynors, The Rev, A. Baskerville Ashley Rectory
1865
1883
Neeld, Sir John, Bart., M.P.
Grittleton
1834
Neeld, Sir Algernon, Bart.
Grittleton
1858
Neeld, Miss (Lady Willis)
Grittleton
1871
Neeld, Miss Evelyn (Mrs. P.
Wroughton)
Grittleton
1874
Neeld, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Audley,
Bart., C.B., M.V.O.
late 2nd Life Guards
1859
Neeld, Rear-Admiral R. R.
Twatley
1860
Neeld, Lieut.-Colonel M. G.
late 17th Lancers
1861
Neeld, Elliot
Grittleton
1862
Nell, H. and Mrs.
Chipping Sodbury
1907
Nelson, Rev.
Clack
1867
BEAUFORT HUNT :
Ogilby, R. J.
Oliphant, Philip Blair
Orde, Charles
Ormathwaite, The Lord
Orred, John
Osborne, Jere
Otway, Major
Owen, Hugh
Owen, Captain Roderick
PAST AND PRESENT. 31
Dauntsey House 1914
Datchet 1863
Newcastle (or before) 1861
late 1st Life Guards 1861
Ashwick 1861
Bristol 1875
Cheltenham 1875
Cheltenham 1875
Cheltenham 1892
Paget, The Lord Alfred (or before) 1846
Paget, Gerald 1900
Palairet, Captain Charles H. late 9th Lancers 1880
Palk, The Hon. L. H. (Lord Haldon) 1870
Palk, Colonel the Hon. E. A. Twatley 1884
Palmer, Lieut.-Colonel G. Llewellyn Lackham 1880
Palmer, Captain W. L. 10th Hussars 1899
Palmer, Michael Lackham 1908
Palmer, Captain Allen late 14th Hussars 1899
32 BEAUFORT HUNT :
Palmer, Major A. J.
Pattenson, W. B. Tyllden
Paul, W. J.
Paul, W. M.
Peel, Captain Edmund
Phelps, W. J.
Pierepoint, Henry
Pitman, Ernest and Mrs.
Playne, Arthur T.
Playne, Lieut.-Colonel
Playne, Mrs. W. H.
Plunkett, The Hon. R. E. S., M.P.
Pole, H. Van Notten
Pole, Sir Pery Van Notten, Bart.
Pollen, Sir R. Hungerford, Bart.
Pollen, C. Hungerford
Pollen, R. Hungerford
Pollen, Miss Hungerford
Pollock, Mrs. Erskine
Pollock, Captain F. R.
Pope, Captain M. E. W.
Porteous, D. S.
Porteous, Mrs. D. S^
Powell, Walter, M.P.
Powell, Miss (Mrs. Lawrence)
PAST AND PRESENT.
Fairford Park 1910
Christian Malford 1893
Highgrove (or before) 1846
Teignmouth (or before) 1861
Boxwell 1874
Chavenage (or before) 1 846
Seagry House (or before) 1861
Bath 1905
Longfords 1864
Avening 1886
Avening 1898
Woodway 1867
Watermoor House 1861
Todenham 1896
Rodbourne 1860
Rodbourne 1877
Rodbourne 1888
Rodbourne 1906
Avening Court 1882
Avening Court 1905
Ashwick 1908
Upton Grove 1880
Upton Grove 1880
Dauntsey House 1866
Manor House, Coates 1866
BEAUFORT HUNT :
PAST AND PRESENT.
33
Powell, Godfrey
Dauntsey House
1880
Poynder, W. H.
Pew Hill
1861
Foynter, Major A. V.
Didmarton
1912
Preston, Walter R.
Seend Park
1914
Prodgers, Herbert
Kington St. Michael
1863
Prodgers, Cecil Herbert
Kington St. Michael
1870
Prodgers, G. J.
Kington St. Michael
1908
Purnell, P. Bransby
Stancombe
1861
Puxley, Mrs. (Miss Wroughton)
Westonbirt Rectory
1901
Raglan, The Lord
Randolph, Beverley
Ribblesdale, The Lord
Ricardo, Henry
Ricardo, Major H. G.
Ricardo, Miss (Mrs. Gibson Watt)
Ridley, The Viscount
Ritchie, Captain B.
Cefn Tilla Court, Mon.
(or before) 1861
Yate (or before) 1861
Gisburne, Yorks 1888
Gatcombe (or before) 1861
Gatcombe
1881
Gatcombe
1908
Blagdon
1910
15th Hussars
1909
34 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Robinson, Captain John Dyrham (or before) 1861
Robinson, Sir William Fleming, Bart. Hillesley 1862
Rolt, John Ozleworth 1861
Rolt, J. W. Ozleworth 1880
Rolt, Mrs. J. W. Ozleworth 1886
Rooke, A. B. Chippenham 1850
Rooke, Ernest W. Bath 1884
Rooke, Mortimer Chippenham 1884
Rossmore, The Lord late 1st Life Guards 1867
Savernake, The Lord
Christian Malford
1886
Savile, A. B.
Clifton
1861
Schomberg, E. C.
Seend
1833
Scobell, Henry
Chippenham
1861
Scobell, General Sir Henry, K.C.B.
late Scots Greys
1893
Scott, Major and Mrs. R. A.
Lasborough
1902
Searancke, F. J.
The Ranges, Dursley
1865
Shannon, The 6th Earl of
Cirencester
1880
Shelburne, The Earl of
Bowood (or
before)
1846
BE AV FORT HUNT
Shelley, John
PAST AND PRESENT. 35
(or before) 1846
Smith, T. Graham
Easton Grey
1861
Smith, T. Graham
Easton Grey
1876
Smith, Mrs. T. Graham
Easton Grey
1880
Smith, Rev. Oswald
Crudwell
1880
Smith, H. Herbert
Buckhill
1881
Smith, C. Herbert
Buckhill
1896
Smith, Mrs. Marriott
Buckhill
1902
Smith, Miss V. (Mrs. Ronald
Carrington)
Buckhill
1902
Speke, William
Jordans, Somerset
1861
Speke, Charles
Wormwood
1899
Speke, Herbert
Wormwood
1899
Spencer, Edwards
Cherington Park
1906
Spencer, Herbert
Langley
1899
Spicer, Major John W. G.
Spye Park
1863
Spicer, Miss Louisa
Spye Park
1880
Spicer, Captain Julian
late Royal Horse Guards
1869
Spicer, Captain John
late 1st Life Guards
1865
Spicer, The Lady Margaret
Spye Park
1888
Spicer, John F. F.
Spye Park
1890
Spicer, Anthony N. F.
Spye Park
1912
Spicer, Frank F. F.
Spye Park
1912
Spicer, Simon Ralph F.
Spye Park
1912
Spicer, Miss Joan F.
Spye Park
1912
36 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Stancombe, J. F. Shaw Hill 1880
Stancombe, W., jun. Potterne 1880
Stanley, John (or before) 1846
Starkey, J. Baytun Spye Park (or before) 1861
Stephens, the Rev. Townsend (or before) 1846
Stewart Richardson, Captain R. M. 11th Hussars 1911
Stirling, Major Gilbert late Royal Horse Guards 1866
Stopford, Major-General the Hon.
Sir F. W., K.C.M.G., C.B. The Limes, Tetbury 1909
Stoughton, T. A. Owlpen 1861
Sturt, H. Gerard (Lord Alington) Crichel 1861
Suffolk and Berkshire, The 17th
Earl of Charlton Park (or before) 1846
Suffolk and Berkshire,
Earl of
The
18th
Charlton Park
1861
Suffolk and Berkshire,
Earl of
The
19th
Charlton Park
1884
Suffolk and Berkshire, The Countess
of
Charlton Park
1904
Sumner, Arthur Holme
Guildford
1862
Sutton, H. G.
Compton Bassett
1861
Sutton, A. G.
Christian Malford
1888
Sutton, H. C.
Blunsdon
1890
Sutton, F. R.
Blunsdon
Sutton, Captain Frank
Andover
Symonds, Dr. F.
Oxford
1867
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT,
37
Taylor, John
The Rocks
1876
Taylor, Darcy E.
The Rocks
1881
Taylor, G. Watson
Erlestoke
1885
Taylor, Colonel Pierce
Newnton Priory
1895
Taylor, L. H. and Mrs.
Great House, Chipping
Sodbury
1896
Taylor, J. E.
Biddeston
1898
Taylor, W. F.
Kingscote
1893
Thompson, Captain and Mrs.
G. F.
Christian Malford
1911
Throckmorton, Sir William, :
Bart.
Buckland
1873
Thynne, The Lord Henry
Maiden Bradley
1861
Thynne, The Lord Alexander,
, M.P.
15, Manchester Square, W.
1905
Tidswell, R. I.
Haresfield Court
1894
Tilney, Captain H. J.
late Hth Hussars
1905
Townshend, Stephen H.
Thornbury
1861
Trafalgar, The Viscount
The Priory, Tetbury
1884
Trafalgar, The Viscountess
the Priory, Tetbury
1884
Turner, C. E.
Oldown, Tockington
1912
38 BEAUFORT
HUNT:
PAST AND PRESENT.
Turner, Colonel W. Wyatt
Pinkney Park
1886
Turner, Mrs. Wyatt
Pinkney Park
1886
Turner, Algernon
Royal Horse Guards
1906
Tuyll, Baron Carlo de
Herton
1882
Tuyll, Baron Max de
Horton
1883
Tuyll, Baroness de (9th Duchess
of Beaufort)
Horton
1885
Tuyll, Baroness Nora de (Countess
LUtzow)
The Priory, Tetbury
1886
Tuyll,
Baron F. de
Badminton
1895
Tuyll,
Captain Maurice de
10th Hussars
1895
Tyler,
Roper K.
Barton House, Tetbury
1886
Vachell, L. W. T.
Bath
1895
Valletort, The Viscountess
Edith VilUers)
(Lady
Badminton
1905
Vassall, R.
Frenchay
1883
Vivian, The 2nd Lord
Upton House
1863
Vivian, The Lady
Upton House
1866
Vivian, The Hon. Crespigny (3rd
Lord Vivian)
Upton House
1865
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
39
Wait, W. K.
Wait, H. W. K.
Wallington, Edward
Wallington, John
Wallington, Colonel Sir J., K.G.B.
Wallington, J. A. B.
Wallington, Colonel Charles
Wallington, Miss G.
Wallington, Miss
Wallington, Miss Alice
Wallington, Edward William,
C.V.O., C.M.G.
Walmsley, J.
Walmsley, J.
Ward, Major M. S.
Ward, The Hon. and Mrs. Cyril
Ward Soames, E. and Mrs.
Wasborough, C. W.
Wasborough, Miss
Clifton
1878
Brimpsfield
1889
Dursley
1800
Dursley
1825
Keevil Manor
1844
Keevil Manor
1873
The Priory, Chippenham 1883
Hilperton 1886
Hilperton 1886
Hilperton 1886
Hilperton
1904
Lucknam
1876
Lucknam
1886
Calne
1863
Sopworth
1906
Rood Ashton
1904
Bristol
1895
Bristol
1905
40 BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Wellesley, Captain Henry (3rd Duke
of Wellington)
Draycot
1867
Wellesley, Lord and Lady Richard
Lye Grove
1912
Wemyss, Randolph
Wemyss Castle
1896
Wemyss, Lady Eva (Wellesley)
Draycot
1880
Westmorland, The Earl of
Apethorpe
1861
Westmorland, The Countess of
Apethorpe
1864
Westmorland, The Earl of, A.D.C.
Apethorpe
1880
Whyte-Melville, G. J.
Tetbury
1870
Wightwick, Henry
Calne
1888
Williamson, Captain C. H.
Box
1890
Williamson, H. N. H.
Royal Roise Artillery
1910
Wilson, Sir M. Wharton, Bart.
Cirencester
1865
Wilson, Arthur Maitland
Didmarton
1880
Wilson, Captain H. M.
Rifle Brigade
1906
Wilson, Nigel M.
Didmarton
Wilson, Reginald M.
Didmarton
Wilson, Miss
Norton
1913
Wilson, Noel
Norton
1913
Wingfield, Digby
late Royal Horse Guards
1867
Winthrop, Captain Ben
late 15th Hussars
1863
Wrangham, W. T.
The Rocks
1862
Wroughton, Philip, M.P.
Woolley Park
1888
Wyndham-Quin, Colonel and Lady
Eva
Lasborough
1898
Wyndham, Charles
Wans
1861
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 41
Yarde-BuUer, Colonel John Chavenage (or before) 1861
Yarde-BuUer, John (Lord Churston) Chavenage 1864
Yatman, W. Hamilton Highgrove 1865
Yatman, Captain F. H. Highgrove 1870
Yockney, A. Pockeridge 1884
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 43
Appendix.
Compiler's Notes.
My first season with the Duke of Beaufort's Hounds was
1866 — 67, when Tom Clark was huntsman, Jack West first whip,
and Heber Long second whip. I had two seasons with Tom Clark,
and in March, 1868, the Marquis of Worcester, the present Duke of
Beaufort, commenced his long career as huntsman. Colonel Peter
Miles was Honorary Secretary of the Hunt previous to my taking
over the duties in 1888, and he had held the office for many years.
In those days, the subscription was £5 to the "' Poultry Fund," and
this only from members of the Hunt, i.e., those to whom the Duke
of Beaufort had given " the Button," always a purely personal
matter, as it is now, between His Grace and the recipient. In 1888
a subscription, was started, and increased from time to time until
the arrangement now existing came into force. Two seasons ago,
i.e., 1911, the system of " capping " was adopted, and Mr. Audley
Miller, who was subsequently appointed Secretary upon my retire-
ment, undertook to act as collector. The Hunt Committee regretted
the necessity of having to " cap," but they came to the conclusion
that it was unavoidable.
In my early days, the country hunted from Badminton included
what is now known as the Avon Vale Hunt, which owes its origin to
the 8th Duke of Beaufort lending the south-eastern portion of his
country to Captain Spicer, who hunted it at his own expense until
1895, in which year Colonel G. L. Palmer succeeded Captain Spicer,
and hunted the country with his own pack as the Avon Vale. In
1899 the Marquis of Worcester, who became sole master in 1894,
again took over the whole country, and hunted four days a week
himself, and Will Dale (who came into the country in 1896, when
for one season Mr. Randolph Wemyss assisted the Marquis as joint
master) two days a week. In 1912, the Avon Vale Hunt was again
resuscitated, Mr. John Fullerton, late of the York and Ainsty, was
appointed Master, hunting the country two days a week with
his own hounds. In the previous year George Walters, who came
from the Tynedale, was appointed huntsman to the Beaufort Hunt,
and the country is now hunted as before, six days a week.
If I was asked to say off hand what were the two best runs I
took part in during the 47 seasons I have hunted with the Duke of
Beaufort's Hounds, I sliould say, in my early days the run on the
44 BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
26tli December, 1871, and, in my later days the one on January 8tli,
1903. I remember them both very well. On the former day we
found our first fox, an outlier, near Great Wood, had a quick gallop
with him, and he was eventually lost near Dauntsey. Found our
second fox in Great Wood at two o'clock, and ran hard in cover for
30 minutes. I was lucky enough to get a start, along with Captain
Ben Wlnthrop, for I have a vivid recollection that as we were going
best pace towards Miles' Gorse, over the grass and nice jumpable
fences, his shouting to me " By G , Sir, this is worth a guinea a
minute! " and so it was. We passed the Gorse, crossing the brook
over the hunting bridge, thence to Brinkworth, by Moodie's Gorse,
Woodbridge Coppice, Eastcourt, Crudwell, Culkerdown, and whipped
off as it was getting dark at Haresdown Barn, very near Eodmarton.
I remember finding my chestnut mare, Cinderella (she won the
Beaufort Hunt Cup a few months later, ridden by Sir Thomas Dancer),
just about done, so I had to put in at Trull, where the late WilUam
Kilminster soon refreshed me and her, and she trotted home with
me and was none the worse. Eleven mile point ; time, over two
hours.
Then on January 8th, 1903, we found in a clump in Badminton
Park, and came out near Worcester Lodge. Hounds ran from there
to ground in Avening Wood without any perceptible check, in 55
minutes ; nine mile points. I remember that run well, and a very
fine run it was, the fox making his point without entering a single
covert ; passing Park Wood, Bowldown, Beverston Brake, etc.,
as if they did not exist. I was not quite quick enough at starting,
but I could see the leaders going, and had all I could do to keep them
in sight. They were Mr. and Mrs. Bill Harford, Hugh Barker, Will
Dale, and my son Edward on a one-eyed horse. Luckily for him the
remaining eye was a good one.
There have been, of course, scores of good runs during my time,
and good hunts, too, some on the days I have been out, and many
more, especially in the Wiltshire side of the country, when I have
not been out.
Mr. Herbert Nell's help in hunting the country from 1905 to
March 5th, 1910, must not be forgotten, for no one worked harder,
I might say as hard as he did, to show sport. He tells me that when
hunting the Avon Vale country from near Chipping Sodbury he had
to leave home very early, and was frequently not back till ten or
twelve at night, and once not till two o'clock on a Sunday morning.
His best season was 1908-9. He had 27| couple of hounds, started
hunting on August 27th, and finished on the 1st of May, killed 26|
brace, and ran 10 brace to ground. He says : "I finished the day
I hurt my eye, viz., March 5th, 1910, which was a capital day (except
the eye part of it). We had killed a fox in the big woods at Rood
Ashton, and then went away with another, and ran him for two
hours five minutes, and killed him." He adds : " It is wonderful
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 45
what pain one can go through when hounds are really running hard
for their fox. Anything is worth a good hunt, I think ? '' In
February, 1911, Mr. Nell was presented witli a silver model of his
favourite hound, " Treasure." Mr. T. P. King made the presentation.
A very fine silver cup had previously been presented to Mr. Nell by
45 of the farmers in the Avon Vale.
P.S. — In January, 1914, Mr. Fullerton, sent in his resignation,
and Mr. W. R. Preston, of Seend Park, became Master of the Avon
Vale.
Frank Henry.
Farmers and Foxhunting.
Dear Frank Henry,
My recollections, all pleasant, of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire
farmers go back now for a good many years ; I think to the Season
of 1879. I have always considered that the farmers of a country
are half the country. I do not mean in the accepted and trite sense
that hunting could not go on at all, much less flourish, without the
support of the farming owners and occupiers of land ; but I mean
that it makes the whole difference to be out with a pack and in a
country where the farmers hunt themselves. In this respect — and
I am speaking from some experience — yours are second to none.
What is more, they set the tune, as it were, for a large zone of country.
Somehow or other, whether it be due to the soil, or to the climate,
or the forces of example, the Great Western Railway, say from
Slough to the Severn, serves a great extent of territory hunted, I
grant by different packs, but where the pleasure of sharing your fun
with those Mho get their living by the land is truly to be enjoyed.
Take Berkshire for instance. Mr. Garth's country and its farmers
were exposed to, and apparently welcomed, the operations of several
packs of hounds. It may be too much to say — though I am not so
sure that it is — that Badminton is the centre from which these more
extended influences have radiated ; but it is certainly not too much
to assign to the great hunting family of the Somersets and to their
long tradition and association with the land, those happy conditions
which attend upon and foster foxhunting in your parts.
Bad times had depressed and impoverished all who got their
living by the land — owners and occupiers alike — when fiist I made
acquaintance with the Duke's country. All over England forced
sales of stock, arrears of rent, bankruptcies and compositions, farms
given up, bad to let again and ill to follow when let, bore testimony
to agricultural depression. But in Wiltsliiie and Gloucestershire
the country gentlemen stood by their tenants, and the tenant farmers
by their labourers, with the result that taking it all over I sliould
46 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
say that the Duke's country is better farmed now than it was say
from 1880 to 1890. Perhaps less labour is employed, but the tillage
lauds look to me cleaner, and a good deal has been laid down to
pasture with excellent effect ; witness the fine grass fields about
Easton Grey laid down by Graham-Smith with courage and foresight
in the height of the depression. In these hard days many neigh-
bourly things were done. I recollect hearing at the time of a young
farmer telling the present Duke out cub hunting that it was his last
day and that he was bound to sell a good young horse by " Birdhill "
to make up the rent. Lord Worcester asked him the price, bought
the horse, and begged him to ride it as his own for the rest of the
season. I believe the conversation and the arrangement took place
in Surrendel Wood.
When I come to the farmers themselves, all kinds of recollections
of fun we have had together flood in upon me, things going well,
hounds favouring you at every turn, falls, being left behind, being
pounded, or letting your horse go, all the ups and downs in short
which make fox hunting what it means to us in England. What
good talks, too, I have had with your folk riding on to cover in the
days when we all had to ride, and riding home, perhaps on lame or
stone cold horses. There was nothing like a Kich, a Kil minster, a
Garlick, or a Teagle (to mention only a few of the ancient farming
families) to get you over the long miles. Nor can I ever forget the
ready and unfailing kindnesses my children have received from the
farmers. Thanks to them the Duke of Beaufort's country is surely
a paradise for boys home for the holidays, or little schoolroom girla
on shifty ponies. I feel certain that my grateful experiences in this
respect are common to every parent and guardian from Wootton
Bassett to Bath, from Kingscote to the Plough Downs.
Then outside the actual agriculturists, my memory travels back-
wards to men like Frank Hiscock and Fred Godwin of Sodbury, and
Charlie Rich, who let out and dealt in hunters, or any sort of horse,
as well as farmed. There was a great deal to be learnt from these
men in many kinds of ways, and if now and again you bought j^our
experience, you bought it much cheaper and in a more amusing way
than you get it at a fashionable dealer's at Cheltenham or Market
Harborougli. One of the best horses I owned or rode I bought of
C. Rich on a very fine Sunday afternoon early in February. The
day was mild as milk, and Charlie's mood after a Sunday dinner in
gentle harmony with all around. After much conversation, and after
his son and heir, the Bill Rich of to-day, had been made to jump
the animal in and out of a narrow strip of orchard seriously encum-
bered by veteran apple trees, we dealt at £27. I rode Happy Jack
for vears, and he was much admired in the Royal Procession at Ascot,
or anvhow the Second Whip who rode him said so. Then there was
Mr. Henry Jones of the " King's Arm:^," and Mr. Joe Moore, still at
" The Bell," at Malmesbury, both prosperous in other lines of business.
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 47
but both farmers and versed in farming. Mr. Jones was ver}- fond of
a talk about anything, and at one time was eloquent about and almost
obsessed by the charm of Small Holdings. He was piicked with
the idea that the most was not being got out of the soil under the
existing conditions of our system of land tenure. Mr. Jones could
express himself remarkably well, but I imagine the views he so ably
advocated were largely conversational. Certainly no man would
have been more upset by any changes which would have interfered
with the proprietors of Estcourt or Charlton or Badminton. Two
or three of the hunting tenant farmers were businesslike and racy
speakers, and I remember especially a Fat Stock Show dinner at the
" King's Arms," when the speaking was quite capital. Whilst I
was Master of the Buckhounds several of my farmer friends from
your part of the world came out with me on two occasions. Who
runs may read. Cold print records their stirring exploits, especially
Jim Rich's, in " The Queen's Hounds." Their presence gave me the
greatest pleasure, and I often regret now the long railway miles which
intervene between your cheerful and serene hunting grounds and
my own in Craven. Distance alone has imposed a separation upon
many long standing and amusing friendships with the farmers of
the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt.
Believe me,
Yours sincerely,
RiBBLESDALE.
Gisburne, Yorkshire,
28th April, 1914.
By an Old Blue Coat.
Nothing could be more to my mind than to be asked to write a
very short appreciation of the 8tli Duke of Beaufort. It could be
done far better by another, but I have so grateful a recollection of
the man that I gladly offer such as I can. In the various duties
which fell to him to perform he was, in my view, a Duke of Dukes,
a Country Squire of Country Squires, a Neighbour of Neighbours,
a Friend of Friends, and moreover the grandest of sportsmen. He
had the great gift of a delightful personality, which was never away
from him, in business — political or other — or sport, and both the
older and the younger generations, to the latter of which I belonged,
when I had the good fortune first to go to live in his country, had
reason to revere him and consult him in everything, and never in
vain. As for his Duchess, need one say more than that she was a
high minded, charming lady. Everyone looked up to her, and with
reason. He reigned over our country for many a year, and we all
look back to him with gratitude.
48 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
It will be understood that a Master of Foxhounds such as the
8th Duke of Beaufort would be quite sure several times during hia
Mastership to be asked to accept from his friends some form of
thanks to him for his sporting kindness. One such instance was in
or about 1861, when a picture of the Duchess and himself, both
mounted, the Duke on " Sportsman,"' along with two couple of
hounds, was painted by Sir Francis Grant (President of the Royal
Academy), and after being exhibited in Chippenham, Tetbury, and
other towns, was presented to them, and is on the walls at Badminton
now.
Another instance, one moreover of great interest to the present
writer, for to him was permitted the honourable duty of making
the presentation, was in 1898. His Grace retired from the M.F.H-ship
and from residence at Badminton. His numerous friends could
not possibly be willing that he should leave them without some
fresh record of their regard for him, and of their appreciation of
all the sport he had shown them. A portrait of him was therefore
painted by Mr. Ellis Roberts, for which his many friends were
delighted to subscribe, and the presentation of this picture was made
at a meet of the hounds at Badminton House on Saturday, March
5th, 1898, in the presence of an enormous and enthusiastic assembly
of his friends and neighbours. No one was missing. All '" Beaufort-
shire " was there. His Hunting Country is best described this way,
for it lies in two different though adjacent counties, Gloucester and
Wilts, each equally eager to make him and his hounds welcome.
A capital day's sport, moreover, followed the ceremony, which will
be long remembered.
I will only add a word or two. I am old enough to remember
the fact of the Duke being for a time his own huntsman.
The post became rather suddenly vacant in 1855, and, promptly
deciding to hunt hounds himself, set his tailors to immediate work
to fit him out with green plush coats at one clear day's notice, that
the advertised appointment for the next day but one should be
duly kept. I was not present myself, for I was at the University,
but I know from a near relation, himself a real sportsman, that His
Grace was one of the cheeriest huntsmen he had known, and it was
a treat to hear him when hounds were drawing a covert. He hunted
hounds all the remainder of that season and all the following one,
when he engaged Tom Clark, from the Old Berkshire. Clark remained
■with him for a long time and was succeeded in the post of huntsman
by the present Duke.
Well do I remember the day, March 4th, 1868, on which I saw
young Lord Worcester in his first green plush coat and huntsman's
cap, riding with his hounds down the hill from the Monument to
Lower Woods, where he was to inaugurate his long and prosperous
career as huntsman. We had a good day's sport, too, and everybody
was pleased. He has indeed during all the years that have passed
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 49
since that day shown us capital sport, and wc earnestly hope he may
live for many a year to direct our sport and to continue the happy
hunting days which his beautiful pack of hounds is quite sure to
provide for us. We thank him heartily, and gratefully acknowledge
our good fortune in having had the 8th and 9th Dukes of Beaufort
to preside over our country and for all their generosity in their manner
of doing so.
Contributed by Colonel Napier Miles, C.B.
Dear Frank,
You ask me to give you reminiscences of my father, the late
Colonel Peter Miles. I must tell you he was always rather reticent
about his* exploits in the hunting field, though he occasionally
opened out with regard to his experiences during the seasons he
hunted in Leicestershire, when Sir Richard Sutton was Master of
the Quorn. He never quite liked the verses, flattering though
they were, written by Davenport Bromley about him in the " Lays
of the Belvoir Hunt," as he said they were not fair to Little Gilmour.*
When in the 17th Lancers, and quartered in Dublin, during the
forties, he used to buy all his horses from one Red Smith, who I
take it was the Captain Steeds of that day, and who knew every horse
hkely to make a hunter in the whole country round. Many a time
he took my father to out of the way places where they sometimes
would find a horse tied up in a sort of hovel surrounded by pigs !
Those were the days when every horse in Ireland had good blood
in him, and such an animal as a '' Hackney " had never been heard of.
In 1852 he had a black horse called the " Priest," a wonderful
wall jumper. One day the late Duke of Beaufort saw him
jump the wall at the bottom of Chavenage Park, which he thought
was out of the way big for one who rode 17 stone, and had it
measured ; it was found to be 5ft. 8in. This led to a bet being made
with the late Mr. Robert Chapman that the horse would clear a 6ft.
wall. The wall was built up for the purpose on the Westonbirt
estate, just off Bowldown Wood on the Boxwell side, and can be seen
now, it having always been kept up by the late Mr. Holford and his
son after him. It was a capital place to choose, the turf being
beautiful and springy, but unfortunately for my father he lost the
bet as at each attempt the horse knocked a stone off with his hind
toe. The horse was ridden by his second horseman, a light weight.
He told me of a curious thing once happening to him which
occurred not long after he had been in this country, when hunting
with the V.W H, in the Cricklade district. Hounds were running
* A copy of the verses referred to appeare at the end of the book
50 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
hard when he came to the Tadpole brook at an unjumpable phice.
When in the air, thinking it was all U P, and that he was bound to
go bang into the middle of it, he felt his horse give a sort of second
spring as if he had doubled off an imaginary island, and was landed
safe on the other side. I believe similar cases are not unknown.
Later on in the sixties he had a very good grey horse, " Blue Pill,"
bought out of a drove of Irish horses that came over here. His
portrait, with my father on him, is in Sir Reginald Graham's " Fox-
hunting Recollections." One day when riding him my father got
away with hounds from Great Wood a field in front of anyone else,
ran over the Brink worth brook into the V.W.H. country, through
Woodbridge to Braydon Pond plantation, without anybody over-
taking him, which says a good deal for " Blue Pill," considering
Tom Clark, George Fordham, and Custance, who I imagine were all
riding about half my father's weight, were amongst the competitors.
When I sent the photograph to Sir I^. Graham for his book I men-
tioned this anecdote, and in his reply he said " I remember Blue
Pill very well, and find in my diary the day which you mention,
March 22nd, 1864. Met at L)nieham Green, from Great Wood
fast to Woodbridge in V.W.H. country, and killed about 35 min.
All grass. I remember it was much talked about for a long time :
your father. Lord Vivian, Pincher Sutton, Fordham, and Clark
were the only ones anywhere near." Mr. Sam Ferris, of Bradford,
lately told me it was he who originally bought " Blue Pill " for £28 !
My father had wonderful hands, eye, and nerve. I recollect
him telling me that in his younger days during a run that the fences
were quite a secondary consideration to him, the only thing he
thought of was how with his weight he was going to get to the end
of it. The way this was accomplished is very well described by
Davenport Bromley in a book entitled " Sport," in which my father
is depicted as the hero, sailing over oxers and ridge and furrow in
Leicestershire.
Yours sincerely,
C. N. Miles.
February, 1914.
The Late Sir Nigel Kingscote, K.C.B.
Recollections of the Beaufort Hunt would not be complete without
reference being made to that best of good sportsmen, Sir Nigel Kings-
cote, of Kingscote, Colonel Henry has been fortunate enough to
have obtained some records of him from his brother, Mr. Thomas
Kint'scote, M.V.O., a few of which are appended, and will, it is
thought, prove of interest.
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 51
Colonel Sir Eobert Nigel Fitzharclinge Kingscote, G.C.V.O.,
K.C.B., -was born on February 28th, 1830, the eldest son of Colonel
Thomas Henry Kingscote, by his wife Lady Isabella Somerset, sixth
daughter of the sixth Duke of Beaufort. Educated at home and by
private tutors, he obtained a commission in the Scots Guards at the
age of 16, and he served throughout the Crimean War, being A.D.C.
to his great-uncle, Lord Raglan. He first mariied, in 1851, Caroline
Sophia, daughter of Colonel Wyndham, of Petworth, afterwards
created Lord Leconfield, but she died in 1852, and in 1856 he married
Lady Emily Curzon, daughter of the first Lord Howe, and sister of
the late Duchess of Beaufort and the late Lady Westmoreland, and
half-sister of the Duchess of Abercorn. By her he had as issue a
son and two daughters. The son, Mr. Nigel Richard Fitzhardinge
Kingscote, formerly held a commission in the Rifle Brigade, and
married, in 1912, Mrs. Aubrey Coventry, sister of Colonel Napier
Miles ; the elder daughter married Mr. Arthur Maitland Wilson, of
Stowlangtoft Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, and of Didmarton, and the
younger daughter married the Marquis of Cholmondelcy.
Although Sir Nigel had not been able to follow hounds for some
years previous to his death on September 22nd, 1908, he is well re-
membered by the older generation of hunting men in the Badminton,
the Y.W.H. (Cirencester), and Berkeley countries as an especially
straight rider, for his hunting career began when he w^as 16. He
could well remember Will Long when he was with the Badminton,
and during the late Duke of Beaufort's visit to Gibraltar Sir Nigel
had the management of the famous pack under Clark the huntsman.
An unpleasant experience of his was the breaking of a leg when
riding one of the late King's — then the Prince of Wales — horses when
the Prince was in Egypt ; he also broke ribs in the hunting field,
but nearly up to the last he was fond of riding, and rarely missed
that exercise before breakfast. In the grounds of Kingscote Park,
899 feet above the sea level, and on the main road between Tetbury
and Wotton-under-Edge, is one of the finest racecourses in England,
although it has not been used for that purpose since 1825, while in a
secluded dell in the Park a place is pointed out where many prize
fights were contested in the palmy days of the Ring. The shooting
on the Kingscote estate was kept up to a high standard, and the
open coursing meetings held there at one time were the best in
Gloucestershire. As a patron of all field sports Sir Nigel is greatly
missed, and no man in Gloucestershire was more revered and beloved,
these sentiments increasing to intensity the closer one got to his old
home.
Sir Nigel Kingscote was a clever, versatile man, who had seen
much of the world in Court, camp, and senate, while his personal
qualities made him very popular in the many different circles in
which he had links, and by his death Gloucestershire and the country
generally was deprived of a fine type of English gentleman, one
52 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
whose ever present sense of duty was illuminated by unfailing
sympathy and kindness of heart. In short, he was in the fullest
sense of the word a true English gentleman, who left the world all
the better for his long and honourable life, and his bright inspiring
example. To quote from a letter written by one of Sir Nigel's Glou-
cestershire neighbours — " In a short time we who knew him so
intimately will be gone, and cannot then speak of his splendid
qualities, and it is our duty to his memory and to our race that a
record should be left of him. I reverence the memory of the late
Sir Nigel ; there is no one like him left that I know — Gentleman,
Soldier, Statesman, Business man, Farmer, Sportsman, Friend — he
excelled in all."
Prolonged Connection with the Hunt.
The following is a copy of a letter received by Colonel Henry
from Sir John Wallington, K.C.B., who was for many years " Father
of the Hunt," in answer to an enquiry as to how long a period his
family had been connected with the Beaufort Hunt : —
Keevil Manor,
Trowbridge, Wilts,
13th Deer., 1905.
Dear Frank,
I had the Blue Coat in 1844, so up to the present date, 1905,
have worn it 61 years.
My father, John Wallington, wore the Coat 68 years, and my
grandfather, Edward Wallington, born 1760, died 1829, was also
a member of the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt.
Believe me.
Yours very sincerely,
John Wallington.
Contributed by Will Dale.
Fox Cottage, Didmarton,
February, 1914.
Dear Sir,
During my career as Huntsman I hunted and killed 4,000 foxes,
and assisted at killing a thousand more at Brocklesby and Bad-
minton. The greatest number of days I was out in one season was
186, at Badminton, and I was the only one of the firm who went
the whole lot. This was when His Grace took over the Avon Vale
side, and many a long trot and ride we had home, as there was no
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 53
motor then, and the foui-horse van conveyed the hounds. His
Grace invariably took me with him when lie drove to Sutton Benger
or elsewhere, and it took us much longer to come home when we
left off at Bynol or Bushton, and then had to come to Sutton. But
it was as pleasant as it could be, and if we had had an extra good day
we had time to discuss all the merits attending it. On Friday
Nov. 30th, 1900, when we met at Erlestoke, we had a long day and a
good one. We had a capital gallop in the morning, and killed the
first fox after running over the Steeple Ashton Vale, then later found
in Erlestoke Wood, and ran over a lot of country to Lavington,
and finally over the Downs ; some splendid hound work, which
included some rare work over a large tract of new plough. A good
bitch named Harriet stuck persistently to the fox, which I viewed
a good way ahead, and we finally killed him in the open at Tilshed
after a two hours' run, and we had to come to Melksham to the van,
then home to Badminton, altogether about 32 miles. This was when
we were hunting eight times a week by twice in the week having
two packs out a day. So that it required some thought and something
to do at home. But we always did it, and liked it. I made a practice
of being up in the morning early, which is always essential in a
big establishment.
The number of good runs would fill a volume themselves, were
I to relate them all. The foxes have not made the good points
over the Vale in Dauntsey District as they did before the new railway
came, but there are plenty of good foxes in the hunt. There is no
country like it. It is needless to relate how the pack has improved
since 1896. Having all the best pedigrees at my finger ends, and
knowing all the best working sorts, I set about them, and having
such a good hound authority as His Grace as Master, it is nothing
to be wondered that the Pack got to the present state of perfection.
By introducing the best of Brocklesby and the best old Belvoir
blood, combined with the old strains of Lord H. Bentinck, and
having seen and known all the best workers since the sixties (I myself
commencing my career as Huntsman under such a Master of the
science as Mr. Frank Foljambe), it need only be expected that such
good results in hound breeding would have happy results. Being
such a devoted lover of hounds and their work, the work and trouble
that has been taken has shown for itself.
Yours respectfully,
Will Dale.
54 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Presentations to the 8th Duke of Beaufort.
(From the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, January 23, 1864.)
The picture intended to be presented to His Grace, and which
has been exhibited at Chippenham and Tetbury, contains the portraits
of the Duke and Duchess. It was painted by Mr. F. Grant, K.A.
(afterwards Sir Francis Grant), and is considered by those who
Lave seen it to be one of the best of that celebrated artist's
works. It is full size, being 12 feet high, and about 8 feet wide. It
represents His Grace dressed in the blue and buff uniform of his
Hunt, seated on his favourite grey horse, " Speculation," in an
attitude of repose, looking back as if waiting for the huntsman to
come up with the pack, in obedience to the summons of the horn,
which the Di;ke is holding in his right hand. The Duchess is on a
grey barb, which she purchased when at Gibraltar two years ago.
She is dressed in a blue and buff riding habit and hat, and is looking
towards the Duke. In the foreground are two of the best hounds
of the Badminton pack, " Finder " and " Hector." The likenesses
are considered very good. The frame is neat and without much
ornament, and bears on a small tablet these words : " Presented to
Henry, 8th Duke of Beaufort, by the gentlemen and farmers of his
hunt, and other friends, January, 1864."
The testimonial originated in a desire expressed by several farmers,
as well as by the members of the hunt, to present to the Duke some
token of the respect felt towards him by every class of those who,
whether as owners or occupiers of land comprised within the hunt,
or merely as hunting with His Grace's hounds, appreciate the liberal
and sportsmanlike manner in which he has hunted the country
since his father's death, and desire to offer him an acknowledgment
of his courtesy and liberality. The number of subscribers exceeds,
we are told, 400 ; and His Grace and the Duchess will value the
compliment all the more from its being the joint present of persons
of every rank of life. The picture is to be engraved before it reaches
its final resting place at Badminton.
(From the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, June 18, 1864.)
The following correspondence has taken place on the occasion
of presenting to the Duke of Beaufort the picture containing the
Portraits of His Grace and the Duchess, painted by F. Grant, Esq.,
K.A. :—
" January, 1864.
" Dear Duke of Beaufort, — We send with this a list of the sub-
scribers to the picture by Mr. Grant, containing the portraits of
yourself and the Duchess, and on behalf of those whose names are
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 55
inscribed in that list we request your acceptance of the picture, as a
token of the respect felt towards you by every class of those who,
whether as members of the Beaufort Hunt, or as owners or occupiers
of land comprised within the hunt, or merely as visitors occasionally
hunting with your hounds, appreciate the liberal and sportsmanlike
manner in which you have hunted this country since your father's
death, and desire to offer you some acknowledgment of your courtesy
and liberality.
" It has been a great additional pleasure to the subscribers, since
the idea of presenting you with a portrait of yourself was first started,
to have been able to include in the same picture a portrait of the
Duchess, not only because the picture will thus, we feel sure, be more
highly prized by you, but also because it will thus bear witness to
the esteem which is so sincerely felt towards Her Grace personally
by all her neighbours.
" We hope that this picture will serve to remind future owners
of Badminton of the respect and affection with which their ancestors
were regarded by those amongst whom they lived.
" We are, dear Duke of Beaufort,
Yours very truly,
" Edw. D. Bucknall Estcourt,
" C. W. Miles.
" To His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, etc."
" Badminton, January, 1864.
" My dear Mr. Estcourt, — It is difficult to express sufficiently
all I feel on the subject of your and Colonel Miles's most kind and
flattering letter, conveying to me in the name of the subscribers
Mr. Grant's picture of the Duchess and myself. Independently of
the merits of the picture as a work of art, it is most valuable to me
as a proof of the good feeling and regard of my neighbours and friends,
feelings which, believe me, are warmly and gratefully returned by us
both. The ready assistance and willing co-operation which I in-
variably meet with from the members of my hunt, and the owners
and occupiers of the land, and the hearty and successful efforts to
preserve foxes, has added tenfold to the pleasures of the noble sport,
and has made the hunting field, as it always should be, a place of
cordial greeting and good fellowship, cemejiting together the ties
which always have bound, and I trust always will continue to bind
my family to this neighbourhood.
" I am particularly sensible .of the kindness of the subscribers
in wishing to add the portrait of the Duchess to the originally intended
picture — an addition which indeed doubles its value to me, and which
to her has been a most gratifying pioof of the esteem of those friends
and neighbours among whom she is always so happy to find luM'self.
" As you have written on behalf of the subscribers, I will ask
you to convey to them, from the Duchess as well as myself, our
56 BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
warmest thanks £(»• the great pleasure their kind and most handsome
present has conferred upon us.
" Believe me, my dear Mr. Estcourt and Colonel Miles,
" Very sincerely yours,
" Beaufort.
" To Edw. B. Estcourt, Esq., and Lieutenant-Colonel C. W. Miles."
The picture was exhibited at the Ro5'al Academy Exhibition of
1864.
In 1898, His Grace, the 8th Duke of Beaufort, who had four
years previously handed over the Hounds to the Marquis of Wor-
cester, and had taken up his residence at Stoke House, was presented
with a portrait of himself by Mr. Ellis Roberts. The presentation
was made on the occasion of a lawn meet at Badminton, on March
5th, 1898, and in making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers,
Lord Estcourt said " They felt in that country, in that fox-
hunting country, that they owed an enormous debt of gratitude to
the Duke of Beaufort. The Duke, on visiting Badminton again,
would like to hear one thing — they had first class sport under his
noble son, the Marquis of Worcester. They desired to express their
obligations for all the Duke of Beaufort had done in the interests of
sport. For very many years past they had had the very best of
sport under His Grace's rule. There never was in the history of
any presentation one which had met with such absolute concurrence,
and which was so full of good feeling from those from whom it came
as the present."
The Duke of Beaufort, in replying, said : " It is very difficult
for me to find words to express to you the gratification that I feel
at the too great kindness you have shown me. I am sure no man
has been more warmly, more heartily, supported in any country
in England than I have been all my life. It was the same with my
grandfather and my father before me, and I am happy also to feel
that that same kind feeling still pervades, and that you support my
son in the kind and generous way in which you have always supported
me. I assure you that it is a difficult matter to find words to express,
on behalf both of the Duchess and myself, what very great gratifica-
tion you have given to us in this mark of your kindness. I hope that
this picture will be handed down from son to son for many generations
to come ; and if such a thing is possible as fox-hunting in the future,
that the Master of Badminton will still be master of the hunt in this
country, and the hounds will continue to show the sport which you
are kind enough to say we have always shown you. As to Colonel
Estcourt and the Committee, the gentlemen who have taken all
the trouble about this matter, I am most grateful to them ; and I
must say — of course I am no judge myself of a likeness of myself —
that I have heard on all hands that no one could paint a more perfect
likeness than Mr. Ellis Roberts has just done. I beg to thank him
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 57
for the trouble he took about it, and I thank you ladies and gentlemen
all for very kindly coming here to-da}'^ to meet me, and I hope you
may live long to enjoy not only sport of the field, but licalth and
happiness."
Accompanying the picture was a handsomely bound volume of
names, containing the signatures of all the subscribers. On the
fly-leaf of the volume was the following preface : "" At a general
meeting of the subscribers of the Badminton Hunt, held at Malmes-
bury, on the 11th of February, 1897, it was unanimously decided
to ask His Grace the Duke of Beaufort to accept some small gift
from those who have been identified with and have enjoyed the
sport which he has provided for them for many years, and during
which time they have received from him as their M.F.H. so many
proofs of kindness."
His Grace the 8th Duke of Beaufort died in May of the following
year, to the great grief of everybody who had ever been associated
with him.
Presentations to the 9th Duke of Beaufort.
In 1891 the members of the Hunt presented Lord Worcester
with four pictures of the " Blue and Buff," as some acknowledgment
of their obligations to him during the twenty-two years he had then
hunted the hounds, and at the same time expressing their hearty
thanks for the excellent sport he had shown. The pictures contained
portraits of a number of friends whom His Lordship had been
accustomed to meet out hunting, and reminded him of many pleasant
years of sport.
Li 189G, Lord Worcester was presented with a wedding present
by gentlemen hunting with the Beaufort Hounds. The presentation
took the form of a portrait of himself by Professor Herkomer, R.A.,
and the following account of the event is taken from the Wilts and
Gloucestershire Standard of November 7th, 1896.
" On Monday, at the White Hart Hotel, Tetbury ('previous to
the opening meet for the season of the Badminton Hounds at Xewnton
Lodge), the wedding present subscribed for by members ami followers
of the hunt was presented to the Mar(]uis of Worcester. The gift
took the form of a splendid portrait of the recipient, painted by
Profes.sor Herkomer, R.A., the cost being 500 guineas. The portrait
is of three-(juarter length, and represents the noble marquis in luuiting
costume as Master of the Badminton Hounds. The likeness in
admirable, the expression of the marquis being very happily caught,
and the work altogether is worthy of the fame of the great artist
from whose brush it comes. The ))ictur(^ bears the artist's signature,
and to the frame is affi.xed the following inscription : — ' Presented
58 BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
to the Marquis of Worcester, on his marriage, by the members ot
the Beaufort Hunt and other friends hunting with the duke's hounds.
October 9th, 1895." Among those who gathered to meet the
Marquis at the Assembly-room of the White Hart Hotel were Colonel,
Mrs., and the Misses Henry, General Hale, General Burn, Mr. G.
Sotheron Estcourt, Mr. Erskine Pollock, Q.C., and Mrs. Pollock,
Colonel Gist, Colonel Hoole, Mr. Lowsley Williams, Mr. A. C. Mitchell,
Mr. T. H. Cardwell, Mr. D. Lindsay, Major Little, Mr. A. M. Wilson,
Mr. Darling, Mr. A. Playne, Mr. W. Playne, Mr. S. Playne, Mrs.
Raymond Barker, Messrs. Boustead, A. Dunsford, J. Garlick, C.
Eich, W. T. Drew, H. Fry, Clarke (Didmarton), C. Hamblm, etc.
General Eobert Hale, in making the presentation, said : Lord
Worcester, — I have been requested by Sir Nigel Kingscote to express
his great regret that he is unable to be present here to-day. The
short notice and his engagement in London make it quite impossible
for him to come down, otherwise I am sure Sir Nigel would have
been very pleased to have stood in my position to-day. The task
that has been entrusted to me is a very pleasant one, and I presume
that one of the reasons whj' I have been asked to undertake it is
the fact that it is now more than 40 years since I put on my first
blue and buff coat, and therefore I am able to testify from my own
personal experience to the sport that has been shown for so many
years in this county by the liberality of your noble father and by
yourself. (Cheers.) In asking you to accept as a wedding present
this admirable portrait of 3'ourself, which I hope may be considered
a good likeness, painted as it has been by one of the most eminent,
if not the most eminent portrait painter of the present day, Professor
Herkomer, I should wish, on behalf of the subscribers, who are
ladies and gentlemen in the habit of hunting with the Badminton
Hounds, to convey an assurance of the good will that they feel towards
you and towards your house — (cheers) — and to offer their sincere
congratulations on your marriage, and their heartfelt good wishes
that health, happiness, and prosperity may attend Lady Worcester
and your self through life. (Cheers.) We hope you may be long
spared to dwell among your neighbours, and to preserve those tra-
ditions which have made Beaufort and Worcester and Badminton
household words throughout the country. (Cheers.) You have, I
beheve, received a list of the names of the subscribers, and from that
you will see that the expression of good feeling which the gift repre-
sents is not confined to one section of the community, but that it
conveys a sentiment which is universal. (Cheers.) It now only
remains for me, in their names, to hand over this picture to your
keeping. (Cheers.)
Lord Worcester, in reply, said : General Hale, ladies and gentle-
men,— I can only say I am very much obliged to you for so kindly
giving me this picture, which I shall value very much, and I hope it
will be handed down for many years to hang at Badminton, and.
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 59
being the work of Professor Herkomer, I hope it will be regarded
as a work of art. Lady Worcester would have been very pleased
if she had been able to be present, but she is going to Hartham this
evening, and she thought the two journeys would be rather too
much for her. I cannot say how very much obliged I am for your
present, and for the kind expressions towards myself and my family.
(Applause.) I will not detain you any longer. You know perfectly
well I am not a good hand at speaking, and I will only thank you
once again, and remind you that we ought to be getting on for the
meet as soon as we can. (Cheers and laughter.)
The proceedings then closed, and the party mounted their horses
and rode to Newnton Lodge."
Presentation to Colonel F. Henry.
(From the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard of Nov. 9th, 1912.)
The opening meet of the season of the Beaufort Hounds took
place on Monday morning last at Ehnestree, Tetbury, the residence
of Colonel Frank Henry, and the occasion was signalised by the
presentation to the gallant Colonel of a portrait of himself painted
by Mr. John Bacon, R.A., which had been subscribed for by past
and present followers of the Beaufort Hunt in recognition of the
services rendered by Colonel Henry as honorary secretary of the
Hunt during the last 24 years. The presentation was made by His
Grace the Duke of Beaufort. The presentation took place on the
lawn just outside the front entrance to Ehnestree. The meet of the
hounds was announced for eleven o'clock, and punctual, as usual,
His Grace the Duke of Beaufort arrived with the pack. The assembly
was a very large and distinguished one, the meet being peihaps the
biggest which has taken place in the history of the Badminton
Hounds, and the weather was everything that could be desired, both
on the part of those gathered for the purpose of witnessing the inter-
esting ceremony and those who combined therewith the intention
of taking part in the subsequent day's sport. There was just enough
sunshine to temper the nippiness of a November morning, and the
presence of so many hunting men in " blue and buff," together with
numerous ladies, and the extraordinary number of motor cars all
combined to make an exceedingly picturesque spectacle. Amongst
those present in addition to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and
Colonel and Mrs. Henry, were Colonel Sir Audley Neeld, Sir George
Holford, the Ladies Blanche and Diana Somerset, Mr. W. A. Harford,
Mr. F. de Tuyll, Mr. Arthur M. Wilson, Lord Richard Wellesley^
Lord Ludlow, Lady Sybil Codrington, Lord Andover and the Ladies
Howard, Lady Cholmondeley, Captain Morrison-B(!ll, M.P., and
Mrs. Morrison- Bell, Mrs. Prideaux-Brune, Colonel Allan Henry,
60 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Captain and Mrs. G. Henry, Captain and Mrs. E. Henry, Colonel
Napier Miles, Mr. and Mrs. G. Lowsley- Williams, Mr. Aiidley Miller
(secretary of the Beaufort Hnnt), Major and Mrs. Scott, Colonel and
Mrs. Pierce Taylor, Mrs. Graham Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hoare,
Colonel Forestier-Walker, Captain Truman, Mr. D. Lindsay, Mr.
Meredyth Brown, Mr. A. C. and Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Walmsley, Mr.
W. Playne, Mr. Hugh Baker, Captain J. Spicer, Major A. Cope,
Major-General Inigo Jones, Major A. E. Miles, Major Brinton, Mr.
C. Harding, Colonel Balfour, Major and Mrs. Bishop, Mr. Carnaby
Forster, Mr. G. de Lisle Bushe, Major Little, Dr. W. Wickham, Eev.
Dr. Thomson, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Kitcat, Major Playne, Major
Eicardo, Mr. F. Plavne, Mr. J. T. C. Masters, Mr. Will" Dale, Mr.
Roper Tvler, Mr. H.' Lisle Taylor, Mr. J. C. N. Hatherell, Mr. W.
Warner. Mr. E. Garlick, Mr. T.Knight, Mr. Rufus Holborow, Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Home, Mr. E. P. Fowler, Eev. A. Gabe Jones, Mr. G.
Fowles, Mr. A. Witchell, Mr. E. Fowler, Mr. M. Driver, Mr. and Mrs.
E. Deavin, Mr. A. Bozworth, Mr. H. Arkell, Mr. S. Keevil, the Hon.
Cvril Ward, Dr. Heaton, Mr. Algernon Turner, Mr. P. Barber, Mr. W.
Cave, Mr. W. Drew, Mr. W. Davis, Mr. S. Kilminster, Mr. C. Godwin,
Mr. J. Calcutt. Mi'. J. Pineger, Mr. G. Beaven, Mr. Ernest Pritchard,
and many otheis, the attendance being representative of nearly
every family residing within many miles of Tetbury, and including
nearly the whole of the farmers of the countryside and a great many
Tetbury people.
The company having gathered about the picture which had been
on view on the lawn.
The Duke of Beaufort said : Ladies and gentlemen, we are met
here to-day to present to Colonel Henry his portrait and this album
containing the names of the subscribers to the picture, as a slight
return for all he has done for the Hunt during the 24 years he has
acted as secretary. I suppose you are all aware how hard he has
worked, how well he has attended to every detail connected with
damage, loss of poultry, and all other matters connected with the
Hunt. Unfortunately, we don't get any younger as time goes on,
and Colonel Henry, alas ! found it impossible to ride and see what
was going on whilst out hunting, and he therefore determined to
resign. Luckily, that does not mean losing him from among us.
(Hear, hear.) He is still living in our midst, and I trust will do so
for many years to come. (Applause.) I hope when he looks at
this picture and this album containing the names of those who have
subscribed to the picture he will be reminded of many happy days
and many old friends. (Hear, hear.) I will say no more, but will
ask Colonel Henry to accept the picture as a token of our esteem and
affection, and wish him and Mrs. Henry long life and happiness.
(Applause.)
Colonel Sir Audley Neeld said : Ladies and gentlemen, I don't
intend to detain you long, and first of all I wish to endorse every word
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. Gl
that His Grace has said with regard to Colonel Henry to-day. I
have been asked, as chairman of the Beaufort Hunt Committee, to
say a few words to-day on this very interesting occasion, an occasion
I venture to say which is almost without precedent in the annals of
any hunt in England. Colonel Henry has for 24 years voluntarily
and without reward of any kind furthered the interests of the Beaufort
Hunt. In times of great changes, in times of almost unspeakable
difficulties, in times of severe agricultuial depression. Colonel Henry
has done what he could in the interests of sport, and ho has promoted
in this country a feeling with I'egard to that sport which shows our
country is indeed a very happy one. He has removed many diffi-
culties which might have been of sinister importance, by, to use the
words in the address, " his continual courtesy, his great tact, and
his genial and kind manner." (Hear, hear.) I venture to say I
voice the opinion not only of the Committee of the Hunt, but every-
body connected with this Hunt, when I say that we owe to Colonel
Henry a debt of great and unpayable gratitude. (Hear, hear.) On
behalf of everybody who has subscribed to this beautiful picture
and this lovely album I venture to endorse the words that the Duke
has already said, and wish Colonel and I\Irs. Henry good health,
prosperity, and happiness, and in the name of all for whom I am
speaking I trust that they may be spared for many years to enjoy
those greatest blessings life can possibly give. (Applause.)
Colonel Henry, in reply, said : My Lord Duke, Sir Audley Neeld,
ladies and gentlemen, I need hardly tell you I find it very difficult
to find words to express my gratitude for what you have all done
for me. I confess I was surprised when I heard such a thing was
intended, and more astonished when I heard of the number of people
who had been kind enough to subscribe, and who have come here
to-day to assist at the presentation. I am more particularly pleased
to find by looking at the list of subscribers that my friends amongst
the farmers have responded so well in supporting the presentation.
(Hear, hear.) I confess when I undertook the secretaryship of the
Hunt the first thing I thought of was the consideration that must be
shown to the farming interest in the country. Farmers and fox-
hunting go hand in hajid together, and good will must be shown on
both sides. (Applause.) I am sure in this country the example
shown by His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, and the good will he
shows to the farmers on every possible occasion, is well known to us
— (hear, hear) — and I can assure you that during my term of office
of 24 years, when I have consulted His Grace about the payment of
damage the advice His Grace has always given has been to act
generously in the matter of any serious damage. (Hear, hear.)
We are delighted to see His Grace here to-day. During the past 15
or 16 years of my term of office, in furthering the good will that
ought to exist between foxhunting and farmers, I was al)ly supported
by one whom we are also glad to see here to-day. I was aided and
62 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
abetted by my old friend, Will Dale. (Applause.) He was always
a favourite of everybody's here. (Hear, hear.) Now, I should not
like 3^ou to think that I wish to take all the credit to myself of having
managed the poultry fund of the Hunt ; not at all, for I was most
ably assisted by the gentlemen who have so kindly given up their
time and have loyally and efficiently helped me, and if I was to pick
out one, who lives furthest from me, and who has done his work with
discretion and tact, I should like to mention the name of Mr. Ernest
Pritchard. (Hear, hear.) The Hunt owes him more than they
think, and his system of accounts is the best I have come across.
Whilst on the topic of accounts I should like to add one more name.
When I undertook the management of the accounts of the Hunt it
was a simple matter ; I only had 91 subscribers, and the subscription
was something under £2,000. Lately, I have had 291 subscribers,
and the subscription has been nearer £5,000 than anything else.
(Hear, hear.) That is a serious matter, and I had to get assistance.
I have been ably assisted by Mr. Edwin Deavin, and I beg now to
thank Mr. Deavin for the trouble he has taken for the sake of the Hunt.
(Applause.) I think, gentlemen, I have only one thing more to say,
and that is I hope those who have loyally supported me will loyally
support my successor, not only for his own sake but for the sake of
foxhunting in Gloucestershire. (Applause.) Perchance my ex-
perience may be of some use to him, and he knows very well that if
at any time I can ever assist him I shall only be too proud and
pleased to do so. (Hear, hear.) I only wish now to say that the
day after to-morrow is, unluckily, my birthday. (Laughter and
applause.) You won't all be here then, but you are here now, and
if you feel inclined to go round the corner of the house and into my
dining room you will have an opportunity of drinking my health.
(Cheers.)
The company then dispersed, and the Colonel being taken at his
word his health was drunk most heartily.
Presentations to Will Dale.
At a meet of the Beaufort Hounds at Worcester Lodge on
November 9th, 1911, Will Dale, who had been their huntsman for
15 years, was presented with a handsome testimonial upon his retire-
ment. The presentation, which consisted of an annuity to Dale and
his wife, and a cheque for £200, was made by His Grace the Duke of
Beaufort. The full amount subscribed was £2,263, and the album
containing the names of the 1,132 subscribers was inscribed as
follows : —
" Presented to Will Dale on his retirement from active service
by his old friends and comrades in remembrance of the many days
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 63
of good sport enjoyed with him in the Beaufort and other countries,
and in appreciation of his unfailing keenness, courtesy, and kindness."
Will Dale suitably replied, and feelingly expressed his gratitude
to the committee and the subscribers, observing that the 15 years
he had spent among them had been extremely happy ones.
The earthstoppers and keepers of the Beaufort Hunt also pre-
sented Dale with a silver coffee service, which bore the following
inscription.
" Presented to Will Dale upon his retirement by the Earthstoppers
of the Beaufort Hunt as a small token of the good feeling which
existed between them during the 15 years he w-as Huntsman to the
Duke of Beaufort. August, 1911."
The presentation was made at Chippenham by Mr. N. Croker,
of Netheravon.
Key to the 1846 Lawn Meet Picture.
It may be of interest to reproduce the " Key " to the picture
representing the Lawn Meet at Badminton in 1846, by " Craven,"
after the original picture by Messrs. William and Henry Barraud.
" Until a very few years ago painting, in reference to sporting
subjects, was in almost as primitive a state in this country, as it is,
in its general character of one of the fine arts, at the present hour
among the Esquimaux. The great masters, both ancient and modern,
appear to have regarded it as beneath the dignity of the pencil —
unless, indeed, the Sneyders types of Tonbridge ware dogs and
horses are to be considered as tributes to the science and poetry of
pictorial woodcraft. Comparisons however are proverbially offensive
— let bye-gones, therefore, be bye-gones. Let us not inquire how
much that was excellent in the equestrian groups of the Parthenon
Seymour contrived to overlook, or how much that was execrable
BO many of his successors managed to manufacture out of their own
evil devices. This we will pass for a more grateful and a more grace-
ful office. Banishing, as memories of the nursery night mares, the
wooden cavalry common to the artists of our nursery days, let us
' look at this picture ' — a fitting accompaniment for those which we
owe to the genius of Francis Grant, and a few other worthies of his
school and era. The Beaufort Hunt is essentially characteristic
of the ' hour and the man ' it is designed to record. It sets before
us a noble representative of the hneage of the olden chivalry about
to take his pleasure in a manful and a popular pastime. All around
is brave, and boon, and national — a scene that both ' points the
moral and adorns the tale ' of the rural life of England.
" The scene of this goodly masque of ' the silver shafted Queen '
is laid in front of * Badminton Park,' the seat of His Grace the Duke
64 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
of Beaufort, K.G. Time — any fair forenoon sent forth from the
sweet South, between the feasts of All Saints and Easter. Dramatis
Persons — by the following distinguished Company : —
" No. 1. Count A. Esterhazy. When we find a foreign noble-
man, accustomed to very different amusements, enter into the chase
with the zeal, interest, and pleasure which the Count A. Esterhazy
shows for the sport of fox hunting, it is a strong proof of the influence
which the noble science is capable of exercising. In the costume of
the Beaufort Hunt, this accomplished young nobleman looks all
over a British Sportsman ; his presence at Badminton and in the
field is at all times hailed with pleasure, for a more affable and agree-
able man cannot exist. As a proof that the Count appreciates
hunting beyond the mere parade of being seen out with hounds, he
is in the habit frequently of visiting the kennel, and making enquiries
into the various minuti;e incident to the chase with anxious interest.
He rides fearlessly to hounds, and is an elegant horseman.
" No.. 2. John Stanley, Esq. The performances of this gentle-
man with hounds are better known in Cheshire and some of the
crack Midland Counties than with the Beaufort Hunt, as he is only
an occasional visitor ; but the specimen he has given is enough to
confirm the report, that he is very difficult to beat.
" No. 3. Lord Andover, as a sportsman, is gifted with the
happy combination which but few possess, the faculty of being
sufficiently forward to observe all the beautiful operations of the
pack, without a particle of that jealous feeling towards his compeers
which induces many to over ride hounds and destroy sport. His
Lordship is by no means a light weight, yet he is always in a good
place. As he resides within the limits of the Vale of White Horse
country, he hunts principally with the hounds of that district, and a
very clever pack of harriers of his own. During the intervals of sport
Lord Andover keeps his friends in spirits by the witty effusions
which flow from a source replete with anecdote and humour.
" No. 4. Lord Alfred Paget. In consequence of the appoint-
ments which this nobleman holds at Court, as Clerk Marshall and
Chief Equerry to the Queen, the full enjoyment of field sports, which
his taste and inclination would lead him to adopt, of necessity yields
to his official duties. Whenever opportunities offer, however, he
makes up for lost time ; he is a bold and fearless horseman, and
always in a good place. The Duke of Beaufort usually mounts
Lord Alfred Paget, and on the occasion, represented in the picture,
Jew's-eye, a favourite horse belonging to His Grace, is seen in readiness
for his noble guest. It may be said of this most popular scion of
the house of Paget, that there is scarce a national sport of this country
which he has not practised and promoted, and very surely that
' nihil quod teligit non ornavit.'
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 65
" No. 5. DiGBY Boycott, Esq. All who are acquainted with
this gentleman proclaim him to be one of the most agreeable of
companions in the field and in social hfe ; he is a heavy weight, but
remarkably fond of hunting.
" No. 6. John Shelley, Esq. Since Mr. Shelley has hunted
with the Beaufort Hounds (now about four or five seasons) he has
obtained the enviable distinction of being an excellent sportsman
and a capital rider. His stud generally consists of six or seven
hunters, which are quite first rate ; they are kept at the Cross Hands,
which saves them a vast deal of road work, as he resides himself with
his family at Bath. No distance appears too great for him to ride
to covert, and his ' turn out ' altogether is of the very first-rate
description. Mr. Shelley is said to be particularly fond of timber
jumping, a taste which he no doubt acquired in the land of his
noviciate ; early impressions and customs are apt to be strong. I
have known more than one hard rider, who on their first appearance
in the stone wall countries, has selected the gates to ride over in
preference to the walls, despite the timber being the higher of the
two, but in process of time they usually take to the walls.
" No. 7. Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence is introduced into the
noble sporting group more on account of his intimacy with the
Badminton circle than in consequence of his fondness for the chase.
As a visitor Lord Adolphus usually attends the hounds mounted on
one of the Duke of Beaufort's stud. Affability, kindness, and the
utmost good humour, are the prominent characteristics of this most
popular son of a most popular sire.
" No. 8. John Wallington, Esq. This gentleman resides at
Dursley, within the limits of Earl Fitzhardinge's Berkeley Country.
He is a light weight, and a very neat horseman, a most agreeable
companion, a good sportsman, and very regular attendant.
" No. 9. Francis Lovell, Esq. This gentleman is a brilliant
example of what may be done when the heart is in the right place.
A few years since, when attending a pigeon match at the Red House,
Battersea, incautiously resting on his gun, it went off accidentally
and shattered his arm so dreadfully as to render amputation indis-
pensable. With only one arm, however, he can do more with his
horse than the generality of men can do with the usual complement.
His seat is perfect, and his elegance on horseback is combined with
the most undeniable nerve. An example of his resolution is current
which must not be omitted. Riding at a very high quick-set hedge,
as tough as whalebone, out of a lane, his horse had not power to
penetrate it, and slipping from under him came back into the lane,
leaving Mr. Lovell Uke a spread eagle in the hedge. Recovering his
horse he made another effort, in which he succeeded, by getting
through the fence in company with his nag, a resolute and daring
attempt which many men would have declined.
66 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
" No. 10. Mr. French, Stud Groom. Previous to entering the
service of the Duke of Beaufort, French filled the situation of trainer
and gi'oom to Mr., now Sir William, Codrington, in whose service he
distinguished himself, for the care he took of the horses placed in
his charge, and his superior knowledge of the treatment of hunters.
At the time when the half bred horse Conservative was in training,
it is astonishing the distances he travelled with him from race to
race, in short spaces of time (before vans or railways were in existence)
always bringing him fresh and well to the post, and by his great care
winning many races with him. In these forced marches his plan
was to" ride a hack and lead Conservative by his side, trotting him
along when the road was good, and thus performing a distance of
thirty miles in the day, several days in succession when circumstances
demanded it. Since the picture was taken French has left his place
at Badminton, and is no longer in the service of the Duke of Beaufort.
"No. 11. The Hon. Henry Howard, Member for Cricklade,
and brother to Lord Andover, is a most straight forward determined
rider to hounds, and highly respected in this hunt, as w^ell as in the
Vale of White Horse country, where he hunts principally.
" No. 12. The Duke of Beaufort. I should like to lay odds,
if it was referred to a committee of twelve gentlemen, having an
ordinarv knowledge of English society, to decide ' Who is the most
popular man in this country ? ' that every one of the dozen would
answer — ' the Duke of Beaufort.' In the character of a princely
supporter of a great national sport, His Grace not only follows where
his noble father led, but has taken a Hne of his own — a course worthy
one of the most distinguished of our aristocracy. They say the
Duke meditates giving up his hounds, should the railway nuisance
spread in his neighbourhood, as present symptoms would indicate
But my belief is, he is too thorough a sportsman to surrender hia
' country,' so long as there is a sod of it left to cry ' whoo, whoop,' on.
In the character of host his menage is perfect. A good judge of the
fashion of English hospitality, already spoken of in his place in these
brief biographies, was not long since taking his temporary leave,
* God bless you, Duke,' he said, in the sincerity of a heart mellowed
by good cheer, and a couple of hours at the horse-shoe table after
it — ' God bless you ! B is not a bad shop, but Badminton
is the best I ever was in.' If antiquity and excellence of descent
are to regulate the precedence of fox hounds, then none in the world
rank before the Beaufort. Their ' blood ' has long classed foremost
among the most renowned in the annals of the chase, and the star
by which it is marked in the Badminton kennel book, in the eyes
of the true fox hunter is as proud a distinction as any device that
ever sparkled on the breast of warrior or courtier.
" No. 13. R. B. Hale, Esq., Member for West Gloucestershire.
Although this gentleman does not hunt very regularly, he is a good
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 67
friend to foxhunting, and withal a most kind hearted man. The
coverts at Alderley, on his father's property, are well stocked with
foxes.
"■ No. 14. Sir W. C. Codrington, Bart., Member for East
Gloucestershire. There is no doubt that a knowledge of race-riding
is a considerable adva]\tage in riding to hounds ; it renders a man
alive to many little circumstances that are never thought of by
those who have not given racing their attention. Previous to Sir
William's alliance with Lady Georgina Somerset, he was very fond
of it, and had a few horses in training ; but since the death of his
father he seems to have declined the turf ; and also finding it
necessary to visit some estates in the West Indies during the winter
of 1844 and 1845, and last season not being in good health, he has
not been so constant an attendant in the field as formerly. Sir
William was never in the habit of keeping a very numerous stud,
but his horses were always of a good sort, well bred, and in first rate
condition. As a sportsman, and a staunch preserver of foxes, the
limit of the Beaufort Hunt does not contain one more zealously
devoted to the Noble Science.
" No. 14-|. T. HoLROYD, Esq., has not hunted much during the
last few seasons, but when he kept a regular stud he rode to hounds
in a very straight forward and workmanlike manner.
" No. 15. Count Kinsky. So little has this foreign nobleman
been in the habit of hunting with the Beaufort hounds, that no just
estimate can be formed of him in his appreciation of fox hunting,
or of his experience in riding in chase, but as he goes fast, another
visit to Badminton will probably afford him opportunities of dis-
tinguishing himself.
" No. 16. The Earl of Jersey. A long and successful career
on the turf has rendered the name of Jersey familiar with most
sporting classes of Her Majesty's liege subjects ; but losing his old
trainer, Edwards, and having accepted the appointment of Master
of the Horse, Lord Jersey gave up racing. The excellence of the
blood which he possessed will distinguish his name as a breeder of
racing stock in future generations, calling to remembrance the
superiority of his Derby and Oaks winners — Middleton, Mameluke,
Bay Middleton, Cobweb, and a long team of worthies descended
from the celebrated Prunella, and many of the best mares heralded
in the pages of turf genealogy. Lord Jersey's appearance in the
saddle declares him at a glance to be a horseman, and there is that
repose and self possession in his manner so characteristic of the
genuine old English Sportsman. His seat on a horse is graceful,
powerful and commanding, and I can bear testimony that he thinks
much less of a fall than many of his more juvenile companions. As
Lord ViUiers he was one of the ultra fast school ; its a stereotyped
68 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
anecdote, his declaring, tliat fox hunting would be perfect if in chase
' the hounds would only get from under your horses' feet.'
*' No. 17. The Earl Bathurst. Aware of the dislike which
this nobleman has to public notoriety, it would be uncourteous to
place him in a more prominent position than that which the artist
has assigned him, in the midst of the elite of this sporting coterie.
" No, 18. H. R. H. The Duke of Cambridge. Both on
account of his elevated rank and his taste for all that is English and
social in its relation, the royal duke was happily selected for the
centre and cynosure of this tableau. This prince has long enjoyed
golden opinions for the national bias of his habits, and the courtesy
of his manners.
" No. 19. The Duchess of Beaufort. This noble lady is
represented leaning on the arm of the Duke of Cambridge. I would
fain pay, in this place, that tribute of homage and admiration which
is the free will offering of all the circles in which the Duchess of
Beaufort is known ; but I am reluctantly withheld in the fear that,
while seeking to grace my subject, I might give umbrage to one that
delights to do good, but who might not desire ' to see it fame.'
" No. 20. Lord Cantilupe — I cannot speak of from my own
knowledge as a proselyte of Diana. He is always appointed as
becomes ' a very perfect gentle knight ' ; and this much I do know,
if he only manages to mount himself with hounds as cleverly as he
does in the park, he ought generally to be on good terms with them.
" No. 22. Lady Georgiana Codrington occasionally rides to
covert to see the hounds throw off, but never follow-s them after-
wards. Her Ladyship is a most elegant and accomplished horse-
woman, and is here mounted on a horse called ' Ivanhoe.'
" No. 23. R. S. HoLFORD, Esq. Silkwood, Bowldown, and
Charlton Plantations are celebrated coverts on this gentleman's
estates, and his anxious desire to preserve foxes in them is universally
acknowledged ; but whether his keepers carry out these good in-
tentions to the extent which those woods are capable of, is a question
which it is said admits of some doubt.*
" No. 24. Walter Paul, Esq., is a first-rate sportsman in the
fullest meaning oi the term, and an anxious, zealous preserver of
foxes ; but his woodlands are not very extensive.
* This was writtx;n in 1846. At the present time there are plenty of foxes
in these covers —
" Of this there is no manner of doubt,
No possililc probable shadow of doubt,
No possible doubt whatever." — F.H.
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 69
" No. 25. The Marquis of Worce.ster. If there is any founda-
tion for the apprehension which is expressed, that the good old
English taste for hunting is on the decline, the noble Marquis may
with great truth be looked up to as the champion who will throw
down the gauntlet for it. The lively interest which His Lordship
takes in every department of the Badminton hunting establishment,
must be a source of the utmost gratification to all well wishers of
fox hunting. In the field his attention is universally directed to the
operations of the pack. When large coverts afford the wily denizens
of the woods opportunities of slipping away unobserved, the Marquis
takes up a point where he is most likely to give notice of the intended
clandestine departure. If hounds in their ardour flash from the line
of chase, and require to be turned to the huntsman, in the absence
of a whip the Marquis instantly officiates ; he knows the name of
almost every hound, and can recognise the first challenge of an
unerring veteran with the accuracy of an old huntsman and ex-
perienced sportsman.
" As a proof of his taste for hunting, during the summer months
taking up his abode at Troy House or in the neighbourhood of the
silvery streams of Wales where the otter frequents, and rising ere
the sun has gladdened the mountain tops, he is indefatigable in his
labours, and enjoys the sport with an ardour never excelled. In
the field he is courteous to all (but resolute in preventing mischief),
and a very steady rider to hounds.
" No. 26. Lady Rose Somerset frequently rides to covert to
see the hounds throw off, and sometimes remains till a fox is found,
apparently enjoying the exciting scene with much pleasure. Her
ladyship is an elegant horsewoman, and the likeness of a favourite
mare, Camilla, is here correctly given.
" No. 27. Henry Howard, Esq. This gentleman, who is
nearly related to Lord Andover, being first cousin by birth and half
brother by marriage, is a very excellent sportsman and fine rider
to hounds.
" No. 28. Charles Long, second whip, is a nephew to William
Long, the huntsman, and was born, if I may be permitted to use
such a term, in the service of the late Duke of Beaufort. He has
been employed as whipper-in eleven years, previously to which he
was engaged in the kennel. As a horseman he is remarkably good ;
and under the very excellent tuition of his uncle, it is almost super-
fluous to add, that he understands his business in every department,
and is a most civil, obliging, and well conducted young man. He is
represented on a chestnut horse called ' Enchanter.'
" No. 29. Mr. Long, huntsman. This excellent servant and
very popular man first saw the light at Badminton ; when at the
age of fourteen he was a recognised member of the stable corps.
70 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT,
There bis love of all that appertained to sporting soon displayed
itself, and he presently became one of the whips to the late Duke's
fox hounds. In 1807 be was made first whip, and ten seasons after
he became huntsman. His appointment proved as satisfactory to
his noble master as to the country generally. In the kennel he has
long rated as a professor of all its difficult details ; and in the field,
you shall go farther than the country he lives in to find bis like.
His seat upon a horse is perfection ; bis frame muscular, bis habit
spare. His career has not passed unbonoured ; he has had public
testimonials of the most sterling sort offered to his worth ; and private
proofs innumerable of the consideration by which he is held by all
classes. Most excellent of Diana's disciples, we bid thee good speed.
' To you what trophies of the chase belong.
You won them well, and may you wear them Long ! '
" No. 30. John Lovell, Esq. The equestrian art appears to
be an inheritance of the Lovell family, and this gentleman possesses
it in the utmost perfection ; when hounds run he is sure to be with
them, and is always well mounted.
" No. 31, AuDLEY Lovell, Esq. Not so regular an attendant
as his two brothers, but like them he is equally gifted in the attributes
of a horseman.
" No. 32, NiMROD Long, The youngest son of WiUiam Long,
the huntsman ; a very promising lad, and mounted on his donkey
has contrived to follow the hounds through many hard days. It
has frequently been said to him by gentlemen in the field, that a
pony should be substituted for his long eared charger, and his reply
to one of them who made the remark was tolerably shrew and ap-
propriate— ' A great many of the gentlemen. Sir, have told me that
I ought to have a pony, but none of them have ever given me one.'
He was then rising eleven years of age,
" No. 33. William Stansby, first whip. This excellent servant
came from the Worcestershire hounds about ten years since. He
is a capital horseman, a nice weight, and particularly neat in his
appearance. His mare, Ida, is faithfully pourtrayed.
" No. 34. Second Horseman.
" No. 35. The Rev. Townsend Stephens is here introduced
merely as a friend of the Duke of Beaufort, As the Reverend gentle-
man does not keep a stud of hunters, the inference may be drawn
that he does not consider the chase orthodox in one of his cloth,
beyond an occasional attendance at the covert side,
" No. 36. Lord Curzon is but an occasional attendant on these
hoimds ; hunting principally with the Quorn, the Athorstone, and
the Warwickshire, with which packs he has distinguished himself
as a very hard rider. He has a particularly fine seat on his horse.
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 71
and looks like a workman from the top of his cap to the heel of his
boot. Horses mu t be of the right sort, and in first rate condition
to carry him, or the tale will soon be told.
" No. 37. The Earl of Shelburne, Member for Calne, an
excellent preserver of foxes, and an enthusiastic admirer of every-
thing appertaining to fox hunting. The artist has hit the mark
by placing Lord Shelburne in juxta-position with Lord Curzon, as
in conversation and in scrutinizing the merits of the splendid pack
before them. What has just been stated of Lord Curzon equally
applies to Lord Shelburne ; and when hounds are in cha.se
wherever any man will go his Lordship will go likewise.
" No. 38. Edward Hobson, Esq. Who can have hunted, in
Leicestershire some seven or eight years ago, and not remember the
kind, jocular, and merry countenance of Mr. Hobson ? If Momus
has selected a mortal on earth to diffuse his humours through the
coterie of the hunting field, surely this gentleman must be the one.
If hounds went as fast as Mr. Hobson's jokes do, who would be able
to live with them ; or if they went as fast throughout the day as he
usually rides to covert, how many second horses would be in requisi-
tion ?
" No. 39; John Bayly, Esq. The great experience this gentle-
man has had in riding to hounds, added to his thorough knowledge
of the art of race riding, insures his being always in the front flight
in a run. Experience in the latter branch of horsemanship is of great
value to any man who is ambitious of fame as a rider to hounds when
they go fast. It causes a man to exercise a due regard for pace, it
directs him in the selection of gi-ound over which to make the most
of his horse ; and it generally teaches him the necessity of holding
his nag together, though on this latter point some racing men when
in the hunting field appear to be singularly careless. Mr. John
Bayly is favoured by nature with gifts which do not often fall to
the share of one disciple of Diana ; he is a light weight, riding under
lOst. 101b., and he is sufficiently lengthy to po.ssess an unexception-
ally good seat on his horse, with good Jiands and plenty of nerve
to bring all these attributes into effect ; he ranks as one of the best
men in the Beaufort Hunt. His mare ' Daphne,' is celebrated for
her extraordinary cleverness at stone wall jumping.
" No. 40. The Earl of Chesterfield. Everything which this
nobleman undertakes is executed in a princely style ; but that is
not all, there is a kind affability in his manner which renders him
popular with all classes. When Master of the Royal Buckhounds,
Lord Chesterfield gave a prestige to that establishment which has
never been surpassed ; and during the period in which his Lordship
hunted the Pytchley country, the hounds, horses, and all the ap-
pointments were first class. Being a heavy weight, none but first
72 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
rate and valuable hunters can carry Lord Chesterfield, and first rate
they must be, to be permitted to occupy a place in his stud. In-
dependently of the Chase, the Turf and the Road have been assisted
most materially by Lord Chesterfield's patronage and taste. Among
an extensive assortment of race horses he has had many excellent
runners ; and although he has not yet had the fortune to win a Derby,
the St. Leger fell to his share through the assistance of Don John,
and in the Oaks he proved the old maxim — ' Industry must prosper.'
The taste displayed by Lord Chesterfield in the Carriage department
has certainly never been surpassed, and I believe I am correct in
stating that he was the first to introduce that splendid blue, a colour
which has been so much in fashion ever since. It is a treat to witness
the ' turn out ' of the ' Drag ' from Chesterfield House, when any
event is ' coming off down the road ' to induce his Lordship to make
up a load.
" No. 41. W. J. Phelps, Esq. Since this gentleman has taken
up his residence at Chavenage, he has been a very regular attendant
with the Duke of Beaufort's hounds ; he is fond of hunting, and a
good sportsman.
" No. 42. Walter Long, Jun., Esq. A most promising young
sportsman, whose heart and soul appear to be centred in everything
relating to fox hunting,
" No. 43. Phillip Miles, Esq., Member for Bristol. A good
sportsman, remarkably fond of hunting, and seldom missing an
opportunity of being present until parliamentary duties require his
attendance in London.
" No. 44. Second Horseman, with Wandering Boy, in attendance
on William Long. This man is remarkable for his peculiar neatness
and appropriate turn out.
" No. 45. Second Horseman.
" The portraits of the hounds introduced into the picture are
those of the leading worthies in the kennel at the time the work was
executed."
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 73
"The Blue and the Buff."
The late Major G. J. Whyte-Melville, the celebrated author,
who hunted from Tetbury, and who met with a fatal accident whilst
out hunting with the V.W.H. near Braydon Pond on December 5th,
1878, wrote and dedicated the following poem to His Grace the
Duke of Beaufort :
In coats of all colours we follow the pack,
There is green for the youthful and grey for the old ;
The Church out a-hunting rides forward in black,
And Royalty glistens in scarlet and gold :
But Badminton borrows her hues from the sky,
When it smiles in our faces, as upward we look.
And the slowest of s])ortsmen is tempted to fly
In the yellow and azure he dons for the Duke.
Then give me a cheer for the Blue and the Buff I
And one cheer more for the Buff and the Blue I
The man in the coat is undoubtedly tough.
But the heart in his waistcoat is tender and true.
The harvest is gather'd, the fallows are bare.
And something foretells we shall have it to-day :
There's a bloom on the gorse, there's a scent in the air,
And the little red rover is forward away !
He is view'd by his Grace on the crest of the hill,
But he whisks through the fence ere his brush can be seen.
And we know by the whistle, so piercing and shrill.
We must hurry to follow the Marquis in Green.
Then give me a cheer, etc.
How they drive to the front — how they bustle and spread —
These badger-pyed beauties that open the ball 1
Ere we've gone for a mile they are furlongs ahead.
For they pour like a torrent o'er upland and wall.
There is raking of rowel and shaking of rein,
(Few hunters can live at the Badminton pace),
And the pride of the stable's extended in vain.
And the Blue and the Buff are all over the place I
Then give me a cheer, etc.
The tale is a long one — a tale to be told ;
Like the tail of a comet it streams to the rear ;
The dashing, the doubting, the crafty, the bold.
Are all of them coming, but few of them here ;
For some are defeated, and others are blown.
While half of the Field in a lane is comjiress'd.
Though a score of good fellows arc holding tlieir own.
And a score of good horses are doing their best.
Then give ine a cheer, etc.
I would call them by name were I nearer the front.
But you know them far better than me, I expect ;
And it's little disgrace to be out of a hunt,
When the pace is so good and the Field so select.
There's a parson, a peer, and a soldier, I think.
Of landlords a coujjle, of tenants a few ;
A dandy in leathers, a doctor in pink.
And a plentiful muster of comrades in blue.
Then give rac a cheer, etc.
74 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
And what of the ladies so killing and fair ?
In their Badminton colours how lovely they look !
When fun is the fastest, be sure they are there,
By pluck or man'Buvre, by hook or by crook :
While each, at a gallop, finds time, as she flies, ;
To deliver her shafts. Does she know how they hurt,
When shot by a pair of adorable eyes,
As bright as her buttons, as blue as her skirt ?
Then give me a cheer, etc.
'Tis done ! They have got him ! He dies on the grass,
In thirty-five minutes exact from the find ;
For a fox cannot hope to live longer, alas !
When a pack so determined are raging behind.
Untiring they race, undefeated they stoop.
And they finish with blood, I am proud to remark :
" Whoop ! tear him, good hounds ! " says Lord Worcester ; " Who-whoop
And we'll find you another before it gets dark ! "
Then give me a cheer, etc.
The Visitors' Day.
In the Badminton Country, January 23rd, 1889.
Dedicated to John Hargreaves, Esq., late M.F.H.
(By kind permission of Baily's Magazine.)
They come from the East, those gay sportsmen in pink,
Maiden Erlegh and Reading supplying their ranks,
As westward they travel, to see what they think
Of the Badminton ditches and Badminton banks ;
Seventeen was their number in gallant array.
At the Swalletts Grate meet, on the " Visitoi's' Day."
Like flowers of the garden while summer still lurks,
Their coats were resplendent in roseate hue ;
And the " locals " remark'd that the pinks of South Berks
Formed a sportsmanlike contrast to Badminton Blue
But like flowers of the garden when autumn's away
Were those coats at the end of the " Visitore' Day."
In Greatwood's broad rides there are oceans of dirt,
Our horses' legs stuck as if held by the stocks ;
Lord Worcester looked grave, and was heard to assert
That we must have got hold of a very load fox ;
But his countenance changed from the grave to the gay
Ere he came to the end of the " Visitors' Day."
So we hied us to Dauntsey, the cream of the vale ;
Two hundred and more to the withy-bed came ;
And those who thereafter might falter or fail
Had only themselves or their chargers to blame —
The whistle resounded — 'twas " Porrard away" —
And we all got a start on the " Visitors' Day."
First towards Wootton Bassett, then round on the right,
While Greatwood appears as the point he would make ;
But Greatwood we missed by a field in our flight.
O'er rail and canal-bank our journey we take ;
Said our fox, " They may catch me who can on the clay.
But I'll take no advantage on ' Visitors' Day.' "
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 75
Over Bushton's strong fences continued the game,
And grief was the lot of both Blues and outsiders.
As we ran past a covert, Black Dog is its name ;
(Not so black as the garments of some of the riders !)
Yet our guests, although here anel there prostrate they lay.
Did credit to Berks on the " Visitois' Day."
An ex-M.F.H., and his daughter so bold,
Helme, and thiee of " The Boyals " were there to the fore,
Sclater-Booth, with a hat prematurely made old.
Which its shape shall recover, ah ! never no more !
But he came up ejuite Learning, as one who should say,
" What's a hat more or less on the Visitoi-s' Day ? "
By the ladies from Draycot we all were impressed.
And the lady fioni C'oisham that i-ides the grey cob ;
And the lady from Birdrup was going hei' best
When most weie l.'eginning to sigh and to sob ;
While Wroughton's fair Queen, and of course Easton Grey,
Held their own in the run on the " Visitoi's' Day."
Clyffe Wood is behind us ; again does our fox
Treat the notion of rest with derision and laugh;
Biishton hangings are gained, and we look at our clocks;
By the points on the map seven miles and a half
In thirty-six minutes, deny it who may.
Though deep was the going on " Visitors' Day."
Still forward, past Stanmore, a field to his left.
Fresh foxes on foot, and diminished the pace ;
But our " gees " are well nigh of a struggle bereft.
As again to the valley our steps we retrace —
At the mouth of a drain the hounds clamour and bay —
Ninety minutes to ground on the " Visitors' Day."
Space forbids me to offer an accurate score
Of those who went best when the pace was " a hopper " ;
Owen, Wilson, t'otes, Donovan, Harford, and more
Went well, though they " took " an occasional " cropper" ;
While many men found that " Macadam " will pay
If used with discretion on " Visitoi-s' Day."
Nor must I omit the full merits to state
Of two Ncstors, oft mentioned in Badminton lays ;
For the Duke anel the Colonel were giving such weight
As woulel tax Major Egerton's brains to appraise —
You must bring out a nag that can gallop and stay
If you ride sixteen stone on the " Visitoi-s' Day."
And what shall be saiel of the Badminton pack.
Those " ladies " that raced from the moment they found ?
Those twenty-three couple that led the attack.
Each one of them there when they ran him to ground ?
Like leeches to blood they stuck to their prey.
The pride of Charles Ham))lin on " Visitors' Day."
But by no means the least, tho' it may be the last,
Comes he who inherits the ken of his race ;
Though for thirty-six minutes hounds never were cast.
Lord Worcester, the huntsman, was there in his place.
His motto is " Sport," and we all of us pray
That he'll show the same sport on next " Visitors' day."
Our guests are departing, " Farewell " they exclaim,
May never worse fortune South Berkshire betide
Than to visit a eountry whose timc-honour'd name
Me.ans a welcome to all who like sportsmen will ride,
A welcome alike from November to May,
Farewell to the Duke and the " Visitors' Day."
P. K. BLAm-OLiruANT.
76 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
A Legend of the Quorn Countrie.
When careful of his goods or spouse,
A strong naan armed doth keep his house ;
It may be termed for him a bore,
To find a stranger at his door,
Who binds the strong man at his ease.
Pockets his cash and all he sees ;
And tho' he does not take his life.
Is far from civil to his wife.
The ex-strong man looks on the while,
Without the least desire to smile ;
At least, I take it, such would be
The case, did such things chance with me.
There lived, I do not deal in dates,
A Champion of the heavy weights.
Who over Leicestershire had done
Great things in spite of sixteen stone ;
For many years laad been admired
For going when the rest were tired ;
Who feared no timber, liked a brook,
Could calmly at a bullfinch look ;
And thought himself in all his glory,
Just at the period of my story ;
But often when we feel most sure.
We're apt to be the least secure ;
And Gilmour, happy and content.
With long-established precedent.
By all men honoured and respected,
Was rivalled when he least expected.
'Twas in November's dreary sky.
Strange meteors were seen to fly ;
And rumor spread thi-oughout the land.
That some convulsion was at hand ;
And presently the fact was known.
That one who weighed near seventeen stone.
Light of hand and firm of seat,
Arrived at Quorn, was hard to beat.
Well ! all men deemed the fact absurd.
And Gilmour laughed at what he heard ;
And not until he saw the naan,
The sinking in his boots began.
When first he showed beside the gorse.
Colossal seemed his coal-black horse ;
His frowning brow and deep-set eye.
His heart's resolve did not belie ;
Not oft he smiled, but if a trace
Of mirth did flit across his face,
No joy, I ween, it did impart.
But chilled the shuddering gazer's heart ;
And Gilmour, at that harrowing look,
Down to his very small-clothes shook ;
When towards him with the lightning's speed,
The stranger spurred his fiery steed.
" My name, he said, is Peter Miles,
" And there is none like me
" Prom Land's End to Northumberland,
" And all the North Countrie.
" You Melton men, you Leicester knaves
" Come ride with me, say I,
" Five minutes over Skeftington,
*' And then lie down and die.
' I've heard of you Sir Gilemore,
BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 77
" I know you're all my eye,
" I'll cut you down, and hang you up,
" Aye ! hang you up to dry.
" Yes ! funking wretch ! I know you,
" How you shudder at a rail,
" How you shun the bristling bullfinch,
" And at a Brook turn tail."
But he who was not wont to brook
A hasty word or angry look,
Now, with a meek submissive face,
Yielded the trophies of the chase.
Without a blow resigned his sway,
And Miles, triumphant, leads the way ;
Thenceforth from gates and brooks he shrunk.
Thenceforth by all was called a funk ;
Such is the fate of human glory.
Such the sad sequel to my story.
I cannot tell the year of grace,
In which these things were taking place ;
But this I know, a portly Squire
Now bruises over Leicestershire ;
Whom Sutton loveth to commend.
His guide, philosopher, and friend ;
And none with him dispute the right
To lead the field from morn to night.
But though among the thrusting train,
You seek for Gilmour's face in vain ;
Wait till the second horsemen pass,
You see a form — 'tis his, alas !
The heavy-weight who funks the stiles,
And trembles at the name of Miles.
Such is the lot of mortal man.
Where (iilmom- ended. Miles began ;
And Miles in turn must yield his sway.
For every dog will have his day.
1852. W. H. Bromley.
The Great Wood Run.
The celebrated Great Wood Run with the Badminton Hounds
took place on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, 1871, and was thus
commemorated in verse by Mr. P. Kington Oliphant, who wrote
under the nom de plume of " Dannyman."
Come, pull off your boots — 'tis no time for a nap,
Let us measure the run on the Ordinance map ;
Much sport have we seen since {,\w frost, but this last day
Proves the joke that Ash-Wediu'sil.iy's a regular " Past " day.
Our meet Swallett's Gate, and .it (ireatwood the draw.
For the stoutest of foxes the Vale ever saw ;
In the corner we mov'd him, he's gone in a minute.
Here's a chance for the riders who mean to be in it ;
And, Heber, («) remember, you make our hearts glad
When you whistle, and we can como to you my lad.
Headed back near the brook, through Greatwood once more.
He returns to the cover that's called Ueservoir :
(a) Heber Long, whipper in.
78 BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT.
Just touching on Faston, he crosses the rail,
Right over t.o Brinkvvorth he threads thro' the Vale ;
The Brook, as you'll see, was full up to the brim,
Cis Howard (a) got across without losing a "Limb ; " (6)
While Candy (r) commenced a succession of i^lunges,
That rendered himself and his pal like two sponges ;
But brooks are like casks ('tis no figure of speech,)
They are full when a Bung (d) is inserted in each.
Now, those who lost start had both struggled and spurred,
When a check, after fifty-five minutes, occurred ;
And some of the horsemen,^ dispersed o'er the plain,
Took leave of us here, and ne'er saw us again ;
But Lord Worcester, our huntsman, soon hit off the scent,
And onward to Somerford Common we went !
Hard by, the Duke addressing.
Ruck, (e) the stout yeoman, stands ;
His hair was white.
His farm rode light,
Well cultured were his lands ;
And with a voice prophetic,
Thus to the Master spake —
" The fox I viewed
This side the Wood,
My oath I'll hereby take ;
He's earned a name.
He's just the same
(Mark well the words I speak.)
Tlu'ockmorton's (/) hounds
To Blunsdon's grounds
Hunted last Thursday week.
And when you stand
With fox in hand.
If such shall be your luck.
Then thank the powers.
That made him yours,
And think on Edmund Ruck."
He ceas'd — Red Lodge was past, and then the pack
By Gospel Oak pursued the onward track ;
In front old Sentinel and Sexton show'd.
Close to the bridge they cross' d the Minety Road ;
While, strangers to the country, on we pass,
Straight to the glories of the Tadpole grass.
But time had told its tale ; in dire despair,
The " swells " perceiv'd no change of mount was there 1
Said one, " The law which man from wife divorces
Should never part us from our second horses."
Alas ! no lagging groom can now avail
To succour Jonas {g) in the Tadpole Wale.
'Twas here, that, eating luncheon,
And stern as hardy Norseman,
A heavy-weight (h)
Sat on a gate.
And curs' d his second horseman.
To him another sportsman (<) spake,
(a) The Hon. Cecil Howard.
(6) The Hon. Greville Nugent.
(c) Captain Henry Candy, late 9th Lancers.
(d) Colonel the Hon. Charles Byng.
(e) A Braydon yeoman farmer.
(/) Sir William Throckmorton, the Master of the V.W.H.
(fir) Captain Jona.s Hunt, late 4th Hussai-s.
(h) Colonel Peter Miles.
(i) Mr. Canning, of Clifton.
BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 79
Of civic mien and figure,
(I hardly know which of the two
In scales would prove the bigger,)
" Oh ! Colonel, I am not the man
A run is wont to frighten,
But to my face
Declar'd His Grace,
This fox is going to Brighton I
If this be true,
'Tis time that you
Were off like flash from pistol ;
'Tis time that . I
Should homeward fly
Which is the road to Bristol ? "
But onwards still, and onwards.
This wondrous h\int proceeds,
Upon the right lay Purton Stoke,
We cross the Whitehall meads,
And leaving Cricklade on his left,
Seven Bridges on his right.
Straight to the Thames he crossed the road —
No bridge, no ford in sight !
And first and foremost, Worcester,
The hero of the day.
Plunged in the depths on Beckford,
The old flea-bitten grey
And after many a struggle,
They reached the further side,
The hounds were far before them,
They must for dear life ride.
And on to the canal bank
And back across the river,
It look'd as though this Greatwood run
Were going to last for ever.
On the right lay Castle Eaton,
And Kempsford on the left ;
The nags stood still,
Brave Beckford's beat.
Of all but life bereft.
Some viewed the run from villages.
On steeple's friendly roof.
Some left their steeds in farming stalls.
And tried to " pad the hoof ! "
So, on they speed past Hannington,
So, on past Crouch's Wood ;
One brook alone remained to jump.
There was but one who could ;
And when this gallant fox appear'd
E'en now amongst the slain.
On the Swindon side of Highworth,
He crept into a drain !
Three hours and thirty minutes
Those hounds and nags did go.
For them 'twas eight amd twenty miles,
And fifteen for the crow.
So, Hamblin, kennel huntsman.
Share the honours of the day.
For of all the Badminton dog pack
There were but two away.
Oh 1 for Whyte-Melville's pen, that I might tell
The varied fortunes which our field befell ;
For though the finish he iircsumes to treat on.
Your bard's last resting place was Castle Eaton,
Where, both for horse and man, he found good quarters.
80 BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT,
Thanks to the parson, and his charming daughters.
Of those who saw the end, I fain would fix on.
Three gallant Colonels, Ewart, Bourke, and Dickson.
The huntsman ; Heber, on his home-bred grey,
Luce, Chaplin, Barker, and, to end my say,
(Ye daring tbrusters, tell it not in Gath,)
Attired in pink a veteran from Bath, (a)
After such feats as this, I never can
PiUy the sorrows of a poor old man !
But first among the foremost in the race,
Jenkins, on Giffard, merited a place.
Well known on various courses is his fame.
Well known as " Mr. Merton " is his name ;
While Grace, (b) on Cootey's (c) mount, appeared to be
A brother worthy of great W. G.
And undeniable to please my fancy,
Are Charlie Bill, id) Jack Savile, (e) and Joe Dansey. (/)
We all can testify to Candy's pluck,
But can we estimate Byng's wondrous luck.
Who saw the run for some three hours or more,
And never hunted in this isle before 1
My task is done — one moral from the tale
Of beaten chargers toiling o'er the Vale,
I fain would draw. Experience endorses
The dogma that good hounds will beat good horses.
Strangers from Quorn, or Pytchley, if you doubt,
Bring down your " gee-gees," and let's see them out ;
Let's see them out, on such like day, and you
Will all admit my theory is true ;
For time and points, and country all attest
The finest run recorded in the West 1
Dannyman.
(a) Mr. Pitman.
(6) Dr. Alfred Grace.
(c) Captain Coote, late Carbineers.
Id) Captain Charles Bill, of The Priory, Tetbury.
(e) Late 7th Hussars.
(j) Colonel Dansey, late 1st Life Guards.
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