Random recollections of the Belvoir Hunt

Charles Cecil John, Sixth Duke of Rutland.

RANDOM RECOLLECTIONS

OF THE

BELVOIR HUNT.

BY

A SPORTSMAN.

London :

SiMPKiN Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Limited.

Paternoster Row.

Grantham
Lyne & Son,. Printers. 8, Westgate

PREFACE.

It must be borne in mind that this work
lays no claim to an 3^ high standard of literary
merit.

It is simply the outcome of many seasons'
enjoyments — kindled b}^ the generosity of the
noble Masters — with quaint old customs, in-
cidents, and anecdotes chiefl}^ associated with
the celebrated Belvoir Hounds, culled at random ;
including a number of interesting runs, many
of which have either been participated in by
the writer, or communicated upon high
authority, and are founded on fact.

I would crave the indulgence of those who
may do me the honour of skimming over
these pages, and remind them that as the
frail barque sometimes fares better upon the
turbulent billows than the stately vessel, so,
I trust, ni}^ unpretending work may escape
shipwreck on the rugged and inhospitable
coasts of criticism.

An-giisf u^gy.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

No. P^^^

I. Charles Cecil John, Sixth Duke of Rutland

Frontispiece

2.— Kennel Yard, Bel voir - - - —

3. — Run to Ground - - - - 5

^ —Peering through the Darkness - - 30

5.— The Huntsmen's Cracking Whips in Chase 30

6. — A Narrow Escape - - - - 33

y _A Joint from the Butcher at Barrowby - 36

S^ — Grasped Cub by the Neck - - 3^

9.— Took my Vixen to turn down - - 42

10.— Followed Me like a Dog - - - 42

II.— "Crop" ----- 48

12.— Rode a Refuser Blindfold - - - 90

13.— Borrowed a Clergyman's Hat - - 115

14.— Killed with Five-and-a-Half Couples - 119

15.— Its a Certain Cure - - - ^39

INDEX.

CHAPTER,
I.
II.

in.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

First Impressions about Hunting.
Early Impressions continued.
Breeding of Hunters in the Belvoir

Country-. vSteeple Chasing.

Belvoir Sportsmen. Lord Forester,

Will Goodall,and other Celebrities.
Sport with Goodall.
Latter days of Will Goodall.
Promotion of James Cooper.
Accession of Frank Gillard.
Testimonial to the Duke of Rutland.
Hunting.

Hunting continued.
Habits of Fox^s.
Old Customs versus New.
Conclusion.

CHAPTER I.

First Impressions about Hunting.

ERRATUM.

P^ge 39. for council, read counsel

and so it turned out, and from my boyish
days the music of hounds has had a fascination
which will only be cancelled when the last
long journey has to be taken.

Receiving my hapteme de chasse at the
hands of old Goosey, I well remember riding
home with my face about the colour of the

CHAPTER I.

First Impressions about Hunting.

" There's only one cure for all maladies sure,
That pierceth the heart to its core,
'Tis the sound of the horn,
On a fine hunting morn,
And what is the heart wishing more ? "

Being descended from a line of ancestors
whose proclivities lay chiefly with the chase,
it is not singular that the venatorial blood
which conrsed through their veins should have
been transmitted to those of my humble self,
and so it turned out, and from my boyish
days the music of hounds has had a fascination
which will only be cancelled when the last
long journey has to be taken.

Receiving my bapteme de chasse at the
hands of old Goosey, I well remember riding
home with my face about the colour of the

2 Random Recollections of the

rising sun owing to the possession of the briish,
war paint, excitement, and perspiration. On
my arrival I was met by a worthy old domestic,
who stood aghast at my gory visage, express-
ing the greatest solicitude, and earnestly
inquiring how the sad accident had happened.
I heaved a long drawn sigh, on which she,
good soul, proposed sending for the doctor,
until I burst into a fit of laughter, when, after
staring with astonishment,she exclaimed : *' Oh,
it^s only your gillery," (which, being interpreted
from the vernacular, means guile), '' 3^ou're
making game of me, go and get your face
washed before the callers come."

My father was a lover of horses, and
generally kept a couple of brood mares, the
best he could lay his hands upon, and the
produce of these, after being bitted and
" gentled " at two years old, were broken and
ridden the two following summers. For this
purpose he had the services of a wiry man,
who lived a few miles away, and had been
brought up at Newmarket, but getting too
heavy for riding on the flat took up the
profession of breaking. He was a fine horse-
man, with beautiful hands, and made his

Belvoik Hunt.

charges as perfect as time would permit, and
as he generally had two on the go from our
stables at the same time, I was always anxious
to accompany him on one of the youngsters,
receiving valuable instruction and advice. Of
course I got occasionally " grassed," and his
injunction when a horse commenced plunging
was, " never take your eyes off his head, and
clip well from your knee downwards, but if
you look at where you think he's going he'll
chuck you down." There was another remedy
which often succeeded in stopping the colts
from bucking, which was by putting a narrow
strap round their necks, similar to that of an
ordinary martingale, and catching hold tight
with one hand as soon as they commenced,
which would nearly always have the effect of
cutting off inspiration, making them gurgle
and sob, and glad to give up the job. At four
years old the young ones were turned over to
me to give the best education with hounds of
which I was capable. In most cases I had a
fair amount of success, and, as I had bestowed
pains on their schooling by leading over the
bar and small places on the farm during the
summer, after the youngsters had taken a
few^ turns with hounds, they generally de-

4 Random Recollections of the

veloped an aptitude for fencing, and I nearly
always found young horses jump bigger and
bolder than their aged rivals — the former make
better efforts in case of a scramble, and do
not realise that hard ground shakes them.

Whilst on the subject of 3^oung ones, I well
recollect one morning during cubbing, whilst
exercising a three year old, I thought I heard
the music of hounds, and listened for a moment.
The atmosphere being hazy it was difficult to
discern objects at any distance. A wood lay
on a hill side about two miles on the left, and as
the fog somewhat lifted I descried hounds leav-
ing covert almost mute, as hard as they could
drive, nearly in single file. Losing no time in
galloping to the nearest point to cut in, I
succeeded in getting on terms as they crossed a
turnpike road at a terrific pace to the next wood.
In a few minutes they were streaming away
again in the direction of Belvoir, with most of
the riders tailed off, as reynard in sore straits
wheeled round leftward, with hounds coursing
him to ground in a turnip field, whence
he was without difficulty dislodged and given
to the pack, after affording one of the fastest
runs on record of thirty minutes. I believe

Belvoir Hunt. 5

the fox was found at Jericho. My young
one had acquitted himself pretty well, and,
with the advantage of jumping in when the
run was about half over, pulled up com-
paratively fresh.

We were on land in the occupation of a
country clergyman who prided himself upon
his breed of shorthorns, and, I believe, was a
successful competitor in London as well as
other places. But they were extraordinary^
kittle cattle, and on this occasion the hullabaloo
sent them flying over fences, with heads and
tails erect, careering all over the country.
Their extreme shyness — or being so ^' shan "
as the locals termed it — was said to be caused
by the cows and heifers bringing up their
calves in the fields, and scarcely ever seeing
anybody or being interfered with, as the old
gentleman would not allow even the herdsman
to do more than count their numbers over
the gate.

He had in his herd the very remarkable
production of a jumart, which was taken,
from a cart mare that afterwards died; the
extraordinary and almost isolated specimen,

6 Random Recollections of the

after surviving its birth but a short time,
being sent to the British Museum, where it
is, I believe, to be found at the present time.

The parson was an eccentric character, and
it was related how during the harvest on
a Sunday, whilst his primitive choir were in
full blast over the Old Hundredth, he might
occasionally be seen casting up the measure-
ment of different patches of reaping which
his Irishmen had completed the night before.

After the reverend gentleman's death,
when the sale took place it was a caution
to those who sought to get their purchases
home. When they entered the fields to
claim their own away went the animals, both
ends up, to the four winds, more like the
wild herds of Chillingham than sober minded
milchers, many of them not being secured
for days after, until some quiet old cows had
been taken to look them up, and in a few
cases they had to be shot.

x\mongst other field sports coursing was
much in vogue with the well-to-do farmers,
several of them keeping a brace or two of
greyhounds. They frequently met together,

Bblvoir Hunt. 7

and although some of the elders did not ride
very straight, they taught their cobs to lead
over stiles and rails, so they were seldom far
away at the kill. And it was astonishing how
knowing the animals became ; they would
be on their hind legs in a moment, follow
their masters over, kick up their heels, and
seem to enjoy the fun.

An incident which impressed itself upon
my memory happened when we went to join
a worthy old yeoman who lived in a heath
country a few miles away. His help-meet
was a buxom dame of comely presence turn-
ing the scale at sixteen stones, who generally
accompanied us on foot to witness the sport ;
and on one occasion when we were to beat
some walled enclosures volunteered her ser-
vices at the gateways, whither hares were
wont to make the best of their way to escape.
We soon found, and puss at once made for
the exit in which the old lady had planted
her portly person, with the voluminous folds
of her garments spread out as a screen to
bar the way. The course was short, sharp,
and decisive, for the hare with an eye back
on her pursuers ran bang into the old lady^s

8 Random Recoli^ections of the

skirts, with dogs close after doing the same,
knocking her down in a confused heap of
hare, dogs, and petticoats, with the hare
getting the worst of the melee, and the good
lady joining heartily in the roars of laughter
which followed.

But I never had much sympathy with
coursing ; it makes such fools of your horses ;
for no sooner have you ridden over a fence than
you may have to pull up and jump back again
in consequence of puss having doubled round.

Belvoir Hunt.

CHAPTER II.

Early Impressions continued.

Belonging to a collateral branch of our
family was a hariini scarum, devil-may-care
sort of individual, in make and shape like a
pair of tongs — with long legs and short
bod}^ — who kept a pack of harriers, which he
used to hunt himself, and had for his whip
a man who was somewhat lame and crippled
b}^ one or two bad falls. The former was a hard
riding fellow, and hunted almost anything
he came across — fox, hare, deer, or what not
that might give him a run — and had the
impudence of a highwayman's horse. Amongst
a variety of escapades he would walk across
the floor of a fairly lofty room, and, spring-
ing from one leg, kick a hole in the ceiling
with the other, to the disgust of his enter-
tainer. He, however, is related to have shown
sport and had many followers, for he made

lo Random Recollections of the

no scruple about drawing anybody's coverts,
or crossing anybody's land, and as he was a
crack sbot witb pistols nobody cared to inter-
fere with him. The tax collector seldom got
his money the first time of asking, or ventured
to appear again, for if he had the temerity
to repeat the visit he would be requested to
stand still with his back to the wall whilst
the debtor showed how near he could send a
bullet past his ear Avithout touching him. (We
can't escape the duns so readily in these days.)
But they once scored the laugh against him
whilst out hunting, when he was riding a
big narrow horse with deep shoulders, short
back rib, and tucked up body. His buckles
being rather loose, and having no breastplate,
the horse in jumping a rough fence sprang
clean out of the girths, leaving the rider
sprawling on his saddle amongst the brambles.

One of his followers, a relative named John
Dorr, bought a fine looking four year old from
a neighbour who could not ride him, and used
to declare he never had such a d ... 1 in his
life, for nobody could either hold or steer
him. But in the hands of John, who was
a fine horseman, he soon became a tractable

BeIvVOir Hunt. ir

and generous animal with a fine turn of speed
and no fence too big for him, and was sold
to Mr. Lane Fox, of Bramham, for a large
sum, his new owner christening him under
the appropriate combination of ^' Jackdaw.'^
How difTerent from such pseudonyms as
'' Here I go with my eye Out," '' Shocking
Mamma," ^' Tommy-up-a-Pear-Tree," "Fiddle
and I," " The Tup," " Lamb's Fry," " Bread and
Butter," "To-morrow," "Tom Cat," "The
Moon," " No Thank You," " Sheep," and a host
of others equally senseless and stupid. Towards
the latter part of his time the then Lord
Huntingtower offended our amateur huntsman
by warning him off, and so the latter, by way
of retaliation, made a practice of paying his
compliments to Buckminster more frequently
than before. But he came to an untimely
end at last through the effects of a fall from
his horse, which broke his neck.

12 Random Rkcoi.i,kctions of the

CHAPTER III.

Breeding of Hunters in the Belvoir
Country. Steeple-chasing.

The breed of litinters was by no means
■neglected in these times, a number of the
large farmers generally having one or two
brood mares, which had frequently been
relegated from the studs of gentlemen on
account of accident, and for which their owners
had in the first instance paid high prices.
These were nearly always good looking, well
proportioned animals, mated with thorough-
bred horses, so that it was not surprising
that the produce should have been sought
after by noblemen, gentlemen, and dealers
both from town and country. There were
periodical shows for hunters held in the
historical paddocks at Croxton Park, liberally

Bklvoir Hunt. 13

patronised by the late and present Duke of
Rutland, Lord Forester, Lord Wilton, Mr. Val.
Maher, Mr. Sloane Stanley, Lord Rosslyn,
Col. Forester, Mr. Maxe, Sir James Musgrave,
Mr. Fletcher Norton, Air. Gilmour, Mr. Stirling
Crawfurd, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Gaskill, Sir Richard
Sutton, and the chief representatives of the
Belvoir and Melton Hunts. The Prizes were
valuable, and, if memory serves, amounted to
something like twenty-five pounds for the
premier four-year-old, fifteen for the best
three-year-old, and liberal recognition of those
in the next grade in each class, with stipula-
tions that the exhibits v/ere bred and owned
by tenant farmers. There were also sub-
stantial prizes for brood mares. As a
natural result the winners were frequently
disposed of to gentlemen of the hunts at
satisfactory prices, and, as these shows were
usually held during the winter, something
was generally found of good account in the
Farmers' Race at Croxton Park in the
following spring. The race v\^as then for
half-bred horses, run in heats, and created no
end of interest amongst the locals, who each
of course swore by, and had a bet on his
neighbour's horse. There was a cunning old

14 Random RkcolIvKCTions of the

fellow however, a small farmer and a bit of a
trainer, living near Oakham, who was too
much for the more unsophisticated tillers of
the soil, and frequently won the race. But
report said that his horses had the advantage
of blue blood, and couldn't claim a hair of
the tail as fulfilling the stipulations of
humbler parentage. They had to jump over
wattled hurdles, and accidents were numerous ;
one horse, I think belonging to Mr. Harrison,
of Garthorpe, when holding a long lead into
the straight, falling and breaking his neck,
the rider escaping with a shaking. Why the
wattle should have been more conducive to
accident than furze or whin of the present
time I am unable to account. There were
two days' racing, and on the second the
farmers' horses, that had been handicapped
by the stewards on the preceding evening,
were ridden by gentlemen members of different
clubs. The result was often repeated by the
same horse winning again, and Lord Wilton,
Mr. Osbaldeston, Mr. Erskine, Capt. White,
Capt. Percy Williams, Mr. H. S. Thompson,
Mr. Scobell, Mr. Sadler, and others would
handle their mounts in more artistic fashion
than their less experienced yeomen jockeys.

BeIvVoir Hunt. 15

In April, 1874, owing to some questionable
proceedings the year before, heats for the
Farmers' Race at Croxton Park were abolished,
and a Hurdle Race of two miles and a half
substituted. This was won by Mr. Allen's
^' Mayflower," a handsome brown mare, notice-
able in the hunting field for her agreeable
manners and good temper.

It was somewhat before this that Steeple-
chases were held on the Lincolnshire side
near Grantham. The first meeting I re-
collect comprised only one race, run parallel
with the old North-road at the foot of Gonerby
Hill. The competitors, about seven in
number, ran four miles, starting below
Foston, and were told to make the best of
their way up to Gonerby. The course was
flagged, a real stiff one, with rough wild
fences and two natural brooks, and demanded
bold and big jumpers. On this occasion
" Peter Simple," a grey gelding by " Arbutus,"
ridden by his owner, Tom Walker, made an
example of the field, winning by a quarter
of a mile. The horse was bred in Lincoln-
shire, but did little good till he came into

i6 Random Recollections of the

Walker^s hands, under whose fine horseman-
ship he placed a number of races to his
master's credit. At a subsequent meeting
there was again only one race, the competitors
starting below Barrowby Toll-bar, and running
on the right of the Nottingham turnpike
nearly to Sedgebrook, where, bearing round
to the left they crossed the road, and returned
in a parallel line of four miles journey, finish-
ing within a couple of fields of Barrowby
Church. This race was won by the well-
known Captain Skipworth, a North Lincoln-
shire man, who had a reputation in the
Spanish wars and died a few years ago. He
rode a grey mare called '' Diana," and
had a strong tussle with something else
up to the last fence. The last of this class
of race was again held below Barrowby, the
horses covering four miles, but running the
reverse way, leaving Casthorpe Covert to the
left on the outward journey, crossing the
turnpike near Sedgebrook, and jumping the
brook twice, finishing on the right as you
looked down from the Toll-bar. This was
carried off by a bay mare called '' Seaweed,"
by '' The Sea," who I think was hunted by
Lord Howth, from Melton. The winner be-

Belvoir Hunt. 17

longed to Mr. Smith, of Walcot, a sporting;
farmer, and was ridden by the late Tom
Garner, who had a hunting establishment
and occupied a farm on Willoughby Heath.
In this race was a random horse belonging
to Old Pattinson, of Grantham, who had been
manager of the stud to Lord Lonsdale, at
Cottesmore, for a number of years. Pattinson^
who was an elderly man, would have won had
his strength held out, for the horse was pulling
hard in front about a quarter of a mile from
home, but jumping big at a bullock fence pitched
his rider, who was quite exhausted, over his
head, breaking his collar bone. The value
of these stakes, as far as I can remember,,
seldom exceeded fifty pounds.

Coming to later times brings us to meet-
ings held over the course east of Grantham.
It was here that '^ Berserker " began to
develop his qualities as a steeple-chaser. He
had been bought at Epsom, when three years
old, by Mr. Hardy, the banker of Grantham,
who sold him to Mr. Dawson, the dealer.
" Berserker " was a backward and dif&cult
colt to train, but won over this course, and
his career, as time went on, in the hands of

1 8 Random Recollections of the

Mr. W. R. Brockton was very successful, as
lie won sometHng like eighteen or twenty-
cross country races before going to the stud.
There was also Captain Handley, who had been
in the Scots Greys and served in the Crimea,
helping liberally at these meetings ; and he
had a smart wiry mare called '' Nigger Lass,"
who after winning here did him good service
on other occasions. Mr. Hardy won over this
course with a grand looking hunter called
'^ vSportsman," who had been purchased from a
farmer in the Cottesmore country, and was
ridden by Mr. Brockton. Mr. Frank Gordon
also was highly distinguished between the
flags about this time, and was one of the best
men of his day with the Belvoir and
Fitzwilliam packs.

Through apathy and want of support these
races were allowed to collapse for some years,
until revived as the Belvoir Hunt Steeple-
chases by that excellent sportsman and liberal
gentleman, Mr. Burdett Coutts, chiefly in the
interests of tenant farmers, and first held at
Ingoldsby about the year 1884. Since then
the Hunt Meetings have continued to flourish,
and are looked forward to with considerable

Bp:i.voir Hunt. 19

interest by the farmers and country folk, who
enjoy the outing immensely ; and although
pressing and liberal efforts have been made
towards restoring the races to Grantham, the
Ingoldsby course maintains its popularity
amongst hunting men, under the indefatigable
supervision of Mr. T. A. R. Heathcote, and
is as attractive and pleasant to ride over as
any in England, the only drawback being the
difficulty of access and want of accommodation
for horses in the vicinity. Whilst writing
of this neighbourhood I may mention the
name of an old gentleman who held the living
of Ingoldsby in by-gone times, the Rev. N.
C. Lane. He was a devoted admirer of the
thorough-bred, and report had it that whilst
an undergraduate at Cambridge of slender
means, he was the owner of thirteen brood mares,
without having a single acre of land, and
consequently obliged to joist them out with
farmers at the most convenient places he could
find. They were expensive luxuries, and left
him often short of coin, but his love for them
never abated, and he could not bear the idea
of parting. Mr. Lane was delighted to show
his youngsters to anyone who could appreciate
them, and I remember an ancestor of mine

20 Random Recoi^lections of the

whilst on a visit making him an offer for a
three year old filly by '^ Rector," which
was indignantly refused at the time, but
afterwards accepted. The mare was in due
time turned over to me for a hunter, and
proved a fine fencer, but met with an accident,
from the effects of which she never thoroughly
recovered, and was sold, for stud purposes,
into the hands of Mr. Tom Dawson, of
Middleham, for whom she did good service in
producing '^ Red Lion," '^ Lioness," and
" Wallace," all race horses of high class.

BeivVOir Hunt. 21

CHAPTER IV.

Bel VOIR Sportsmen.

Lord Forester, Will Goodall, and

OTHER Celebrities.

Amongst the welter weights who rode hard
to hounds were the late Duke of Rutland,
Lord Forester, General Hare Clarges,
Mr. Anthony Peacock, Mr. Gilmour,
Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Stirling Crawford, and
half-a-score others. The light brigade com-
prised Sir Thomas Whichcote, the Rev. H.
Housin, the Rev. Banks Wright, Mr. John
Earle Welby, the Rev. Thomas Heathcote,
Mr. Hardy, the Rev. C. D. Crofts, the Rev.
T. Bullen, all men who won for themselves
honour and glory in the hunting field.

There were some farmers early in the
century who held their own well and were

22 Random RecoIvI^ections of the

good sportsmen — JoHn Wing and Joe Ward,
of Sedgebrook, were both light men, the former
a neat, corky rider, took all the beating
the best conld give him, and was brother to
Doctor Wing, of Melton, whose game cocks
were known far and wide when cock fighting
was in its zenith. Mr. Hutchinson, of Foston,
Mr. Bland, of Flawboro', and the Bemroses, of
Caythorpe, were all good men to hounds.
Mr. Edward Burbidge, of Thorpe Arnold, and
his brother were both devoted to hunting,
the former being one of the best men on
the Melton side for many years. There was,
however, a wonderfully clever farmer over a
country, living at Wyville, Harry Sampey,
who, in the schooling of a young one or
treatment of a wayward beast, had few equals.
He frequently bought horses of the latter
class at a small figure, who had not been
brought up in the way they should go, for
some of them would exhibit hostility towards
any quarter the rider might desire, whilst
others would decline to move at all. Such
as these were soon brought into submission,
for they couldn't get rid of him, and he was
very patient and seldom had recourse to
punishment, so that a few months in his

Belvoir Hunt. 23

hands generally taught them that rebellion
was useless and good behaviour the best
policy. In the education of a novice
with hounds Sampey was an expert, seldom
or never following anyone over a fence, and
having a capital eye for country, he was sure
to be handy no matter whether a run was fast
or slow. Mr. Commissioner Fane was a
celebrity who enjoyed the sport immensely,
and became the subject of a humorous sketch
and poem depicting his draggled appearance
on emerging from the Coston Brook, and
subsequent restoration at the '' Peacock,"
Croxton, under a vigorous administration of
the rubbing remedy at the hands of the com-
passionate hostess, and copious libations of
hot bohea.

Sir Thomas Whichcote, however, held
primary honours about this time. Possessing
a magnificent stud, comprised mostly of
thorough-bred horses, when hounds settled
down at their best he soon secured a place
which superior speed and fine horsemanship
enabled him to maintain to the end, and
which few were able to dispute in any
part of the run.

24 Random RecoIvI^ections of the

This again reminds me of the superiority
of high pedigree in the case of one Belatti,
who was a jeweller at Grantham, with a
partiality for driving something a bit above
the common. He had a thorough-bred chesnut
mare, with white legs, standing about 15.3,
all pinwire, as the hibernian expression has
it — " from the top o' the bridle to the tip
o' the last shoe.'^ In the prosecution of his
business Belatti had occasion to make period-
ical visits to the metropolis, and instead of
taking the coach preferred to drive the mare
in a light gig, accomplishing the distance —
one hundred and ten miles — within the same
day. But this was not all, for after remaining
one day in town he constantly drove home
again on the third. It will be admitted this
was a smart performance, but the mare had
legs and feet of iron, and was never known
to be an 3^ worse for the journeys. I may
add that after the jeweller's death the
mare came into my possession ; but I don't
suppose she had been much ridden, and I
didn't like her in the saddle, added to which
she had a trick of popping down her head
when you were thinking about something
else, kicking, and whipping round like a

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 25

donkey with the view of freeing herself from
your society. Her trotting action in harness,
however, was surprising, for with the long
sweeping stride she would skim over the
ground twelve or fourteen miles an hour,
and you would not think you were going
more than nine.

Co-temporary with the worthies I have
named was an eccentric gentleman who
lived at Harmston Hall, and amongst the
diversities of his amusements horsed and drove
a coach, with varied experiences to his
passengers, for he sometimes had a team out
of which one or two had never before
been troubled with a collar. As might be
expected the escapes of his travellers were
curious and blood curdling to the timid, perhaps
the least risky that of being toppled over a
fence into an adjoining field when the ob-
streperous team went in a heap into the
roadside ditch. An anecdote, as related to me
by an old friend — since gathered to his
fathers — after visiting the coaching squire
may be worthy of record. It was on this wise :
On the morning after my friend's arrival, the
squire, who kept harriers, and had some

26 Random Rkcollections of the

capital snipe shooting as well, proposed that
they should have a day amongst the longbills,
and they started accordingly. After firing
about fifty shots apiece without effect, the
squire, upon whom the well-known ''scape"
seemed to act as the agitating ensign to a bull,
suggested that they should go home and take
the harriers out. This commended itself
equally to my friend, and the twain started, the
master nominally in command of the pack, and
his guest fancying he was going to do the
duties of M^hip. Hares were plentiful and
hounds soon in full cry, and the huntsman,
riding to a few couples and his amateur whip,
whom they had never seen in their lives before,
attempting to keep the scattered forces together,
confusion became worse confounded, and ended
in the pack getting squandered all over the
country. However, the squire was not a man
to be moved by trifles such as this, and
assuaged my friend's qualms of conscience
about the lost hounds by assuring him that
they would be sure to turn up sometime in the
night, ignoring the perils of unfortunate mem-
bers of bewildered flocks which the pangs of
hunger might lead them to appropriate. As
the sportsmen arrived near home, at dusk^

Belvoir Hunt. 27

the cry of hounds again saluted their ears, and
concluding that it came from the laggards fol-
lowing them home, their minds were easy and
they reckoned on all being secure for the night.
As the music came nearer the squire became
assured that it was not discoursed by his own
pack. No, the notes were surely those of the
Belvoir, who in a few minutes concluded a
brilliant run out of their own country by
killing the fox under the walls of Harmston.
Few men could boast of more varied experience
in the course of one day's march, and on being
asked which he enjoyed the most, my friend
would laughingly exclaim, '^ Oh, the last, only
there wasn't enough of it."

It was during the regime of Lord Forester
and Will Goodall that I enjoyed many happy
days and saw some rare sport in the hunting
field, as both were indefatigable sportsmen, and
didn't mind how late they drew or how far
they were from Belvoir at night. They had
no van then, and the distances hounds and the
hunt staff had to travel to the meet and home
after hunting were very considerable. The
kennels at Ropsley helped to ease work in the

28 Random Rkcoi.i.kctions of the

eastern district, as hounds were sent tliither on
the afternoon before hunting, returning there
when the day's work was over, excepting the
chase ended on the western side of Grantham,
when they were taken home. There was a
story told of Goodall one evening after hunting
when he had left the hounds at Ropsley, which
caused considerable amusement at the time : It
appeared that one cold night in December, as
Will and his whips set out for Belvoir, it came
on very dark, and on striking into the Bridge-
end road, near Ropsley Rise, they espied a
baker with lamps on his cart jogging along in
front. Thinking to make use of his lights,
they gave two or three sharp cracks with their
whips in order to crave companionship, upon
which the terrified driver, concluding that shots
had been fired by highwaymen secreted in the
wood which ran alongside the road, and that it
was a demand upon him to "bale up " with his
loaves and money, frantically applying his
whip drove as hard as the tit could lay legs to
the ground into Grantham and told his doleful
story to the police. Needless to say the un-
fortunate wight got unmercifully chaffed by
his companions of the craft, nobody enjo3ang
the nocturnal hunt more than Goodall himself.

Bel VOIR Hunt. 29

And I must here tender my obligations to
the lady by whose kindness I am enabled to
reproduce the following humorous lines and
illustrations : —
" December's air is keen and sharp,
December's nights are cold,
And dismal 'tis on moonless nights
To journey o'er the wold.

And very dismal was the night,

The mist was dank and chill.
When sallied forth a baker wight,

From Ropsley by the Mill.

For he was fain that night to gain
His home in Grantham town,

A well hred man ! he would maintain
Good name and fair renown.

The baker wight, whose bread was light,*

Far lighter than his heart !
Much fearing darkness, had a lamp

On each side of his cart.

He thought of foes so dark and grim,

Of woods with robbers rife.
And felt he had no staff with him,

Except the staff of life.

* Not sad.

30 Random Recollections of the

Illustration No. i.

The brusli was gained, the hounds were fed,
Two sportsmen homeward hied,

'Twas " Cheery Will," from Belvoir hill,
And Cooper (whip) by his side.

Heavy the road and dark the night,

A light ahead they spied.
They strive to reach that friendly light,

Their steeds through mire to guide.

Illustration No. 2.

The trembling baker heard the sound

Of horses' prancing feet.
And peering through the darkness round.

Two forms his glances meet.

Mistaking them for filching foes

That hang upon his rear.
The sound of " Cheery Will's " Yo ! Ho's !

Exaggerate his fear.

Illustration No. 3.

Urging his steed to utmost pace,

He looks behind in dread,
The Huntsmen's cracking whips in chase.

Seem pistols at his head.

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Bei.voir Hunt. 31

And in this fright and piteous case

He drove to Grantham town,
The thorough-breds enjoyed the chase,

And Baker gained renown.

To p'liceman '' 8 " he hied him straight,
And breathed his tale of strife.

Of robbers twain, who songht to gain
His money, loaves, and life.

And straight we see in papers three,

A wonderfnl narration.
Of dire attempt at robbery.

And marvellous preservation.

Meanwhile Will Goodall tells in mirth,

Of timorous muffin maker.
How many a fox he'd run to earth,

But ne'er before a baker."

32 Random RkcolIvBctions of the

CHAPTER V.

Sport with Goodall.

I remember in the earlier days of WilPs
control hounds finding a fox at Little Ponton
Wood, a grey, leary, old customer, who, after
stretching his legs by a short spin in covert,
went boldly away on the east. The pack
needed little notice from Will's horn, for they
were well on his line out of the wood, and
quickly reached the strong-hold of Boothby,
which detained them but a few minutes ere
they were speeding away over grass south of
the Hall. At a good pace they inclined towards
Bitchfield, and, leaving Ingoldsby Wood on the
left, went swiftly along past the village, and
over what is now the Steeple-chase course, with
the brook charged by Goodall and about half-
a-dozen others who were on the best terms
with hounds, nearly together — most of the field
being scattered a long way in the rear. All got
over excepting Mr. Hill, a gentleman who

BKI.VOIR Hunt. 33

rented Culverthorpe Hall, whose horse, after
scotching, jumped high and short, dropping
splash in the middle. In the meantime hounds
rattled along through Lenton Pasture without
a pause, making straight for Laughton, where
this tough old veteran was pulled down in the
middle of a seed field, after one of the finest
runs in Goodall's time, in an hour and ten
minutes. This part of the country reminds
me of a story that was told by an old sportsman
of the Belvoir, which, incredible as it may ap-
pear, was vouched for by no less an authority,
and of which he was an eye witness, to
the following effect : After a fast burst
from one of the neighbouring woods, hounds
ran their fox into a shallow drain near
Ingoldsby, and it was resolved to collar reynard
and give him to the pack. This proved easier
said than done, for the fox, after being got out^
held aloft amid triumphant shouting, and
thrown to the hounds, actually escaped. The
miraculous preservation was accounted for by
several hounds springing simultaneously in
the air to catch their intended victim before he
reached the ground, and knocking each other
over, whilst the fox, in the confusion and
struggling which ensued, darted under their

34 Random Recollections of the

bodies and slipped away scathless. Reynard
had earned the immnnity which his adroitness
secured, for, after hounds had recovered their
surprise at having missed their prey, they ran
smartly into Ingoldsby Wood, where the fox
gained a safer asylum, and was left to enjoy
the sweets of victory.

There was a lot of fun in Lord Forester's
time, and his lordship, who enjoyed a joke
immensely, was sure to be down upon anybody
who happened to over-talk himself, and on one
occasion scored quietly over a farmer whose
horse had frequently shewn a wayward temper.
On the animal appearing more subdued, and
Lord Forester remarking upon the improve-
ment, the farmer replied, ^' Oh yes, my lord, I
never ride him with spurs now." '' Humph,"
exclaimed his lordship, tapping his boot with his
hunting whip, '' What have you got on now? "
the spurs being there as usual, but the wearer
had overlooked that little fact. One day, in
Goodall's time, I don't recollect in what year,
hounds had met at Leadenham, and it came on
a regular deluge. We drew covert after covert
without finding, making in the direction of
Belvoir ; the atmosphere was black and

BeIvVOir Hunt. 35

forbidding and the prospects of a run
equally unpromising. Though the country
abounded with foxes we could not find them,
and it was surmised, probably with truth, that
the inclemency of the weather had driven them
to their earths. Murmurings of a blank day,
and rain coming down in torrents, drove most
of the field home drenched to the skin. How-
ever, when we got to Belton Gorse, which lay
in a hollow and afforded better shelter, a fox
was dislodged, who took a course for Belvoir,
but after passing Barrowby Thorns, scent was
very bad, and hounds got on the line of a hare.
Remarking to Goodall that I thought they
were running a hare, '^ Be quiet," cried Will, not
wishing to re-cheat them, '^ It's about time we
ran something." But we did little beyond saving
a blank day. A severe and protracted run took
place in the late Duke of Rutland's time from
Gotham Thorns, which is reported to have
occupied four hours. The fi)x at first went
away for the river Trent, and after covering an
immense district of country, was eventually
killed in Bennington Fen. It was nearly dark
at the time, and the duke and Goodall had a
tedious ride home on tired horses, not reaching
Belvoir till people in the villages through

36 Random RBCoiyLECTioNS of the

whicli they passed had long been in bed,
Goodall was well-known to most of the
labourers through the country, and on return-
ing from hunting was frequently accosted by
them as to the day's sport, each man having
something to relate as to his solicitude for a
litter of cubs, or the facilities he had afforded
by unchaining gates, or other services in the
good cause — of course, in view of the shilling
or half-a-crown, as the case might be, wherewith
to drink Will's health at '^ the public " in the
evening. They generally got something, and
declared to their comrades that " this 'untsman
was reckoned the best feller as had ever bin at
Bel voir." Will, like his master, loved a joke,
and one night as he was riding through one of
the villages on his way home from hunting after
dark, he happened to pass a butcher's shop, on
the window-board of which the knight of the
cleaver had exposed various appetising cuts.
The hungry pack no sooner winded the dainty
morsels, than, quick as thought, before the
whips could interfere, one of the foremost
made a grab at some tempting spareribs
that lay handiest. In less time than it takes
to write, these were consumed by the struggling
hounds, with Will, seeing it would be of little

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Belvoir Hunt. 37

use trying to save the meat, quietly allowing
them to finish the repast, as the butcher, who
was in a back room, rushed out furiously
brandishing his knife to the rescue, which, on
seeing the state of things, he wisely did not at-
tempt. His wife was a virago, and assailed Will
with a torrent of abuse, demanding exorbitant
and instant payment. Goodall, not coinciding
with her views regarding blackmail, sought a
truce, explaining that he didn't usually carry
much money in his pockets, and a fair claim
would be recognised. But he had a rough time of
it on the next and other occasions when the shop
lay in his way, for the woman had a sharp
tongue, and got almost bellicose in seeking to
enforce her demands. This went on for some-
time, Goodall liking the fun, and having
something good-natured and jocose in reply to
her insults, and remarking that the '^ account '^
was being duly considered. At the end of the
season liberal payment was tendered, and not
very graciously accepted, with a rebuke from
Will : '' What a pity such a good-looking
woman — we should say bitch of one of the
pack — should have such a riotous tongue."

It was during the latter part of Goodall's time.

38 Random Rkcoli^ections of the

late in the spring^when hunting was nearly over,
that there was a meet at Belvoir in order to
disperse foxes from the woods in which they
abounded. On this occasion I not only had
the satisfaction of witnessing a lot of woodland
hunting but catching a fox myself, and con-
veying it home safe and sound in my pocket.
There was no romance about this,and I will relate
how it happened : After spending sometime in
the woods, hounds commenced baying round the
debris of some fallen trees, where, unfortunately
as it turned out, a vixen had laid up her cubs.
They were supposed to be all sacrificed before
the whips got into the thicket to interfere.
But, as I happened to be standing alone in one
of the rides close by, I espied an affrighted
youngster, who had had the good fortune to
escape the slaughter, rush across, and hide
itself a ditch, which was overgrown with grass
and brambles. Being determined to save a
vulpine life, in a moment I jumped off my
horse, and approaching cautiously, saw the
little creature almost hidden in the scrub, and
being armed with a stout pair of gloves, I
clasped the cub by the neck. There was a
lot of struggling and snarling, and every
moment was of consequence, as I expected to

lilliw

Grasped Cub by the Nec;

BeIvVOir Hunt. 39

be beset by the hounds. However, luck was
on my side, and I succeeded in bagging my
charge in the inner pocket of an old shooting
jacket. As I have said, the season had nearly
ended, days were hot, and people were dressed in
the easy go-as-you-please kind of style, so that
my well-worn garment proved most serviceable,
as the pockets were stout, and resisted the
struggles of my captive to escape from
the unwelcome restraint. Keeping my own
council, without saying anything to anybody,
as evening was advancing, I went home,
my prisoner settling down quietly and giving
me very little trouble. She — for it proved a
vixen — was put into a loose box and serv^ed
with a small measure of bread and milk for
supper, but, as might be expected, had no
appetite for the change of diet at so early a
stage of confinement. There was a lot of
yapping and restlessness for two or three days,
but, by degrees, the strange meals began to be
appreciated, and, together with chicken bones
and other scraps, my captive began to thrive,
and was not difficult to rear. Very soon the
natural shyness wore off, and when I entered
the stable, my little friend would come and
snatch food from my hands, jump on my back,

40 Random Recoi^lections of the

and off into the manger, and play all sorts of
pranks. As it grew older, a young lady from
school, who was spending her holidays at our
house, made a great pet of '' Topsy," for that
was the name we bestowed upon our vulpine
protege. With ^^Topsy" across her shoulder, the
girl would parade through the garden into the
house, and seat herself in an arm-chair, when, on
being released, the fox would watch its oppor-
tunity, and stealthily stealing underneath, give
a tug at her dress, and as she sought to retaliate
by making a clutch, ^' Topsy " would sprint to
the other side of the room with a cunning leer,
as much as to say ^^ not caught so.'' By-and-bye,
she discovered that her playmate was very
fond of sugar. This seemed so unnatural
that on first being told I could scarcely believe
it, until the young lady convinced me by offer-
ing some lumps in her hand, when the effect
was most ludicrous. The fox would take them
one by one, and half shutting its eyes, suck
them slowly with the greatest relish. Nor was
this all, for " Topsy " next found out where
the sweetmeats were kept, and would gnaw
and scratch at the side-board until the door
was opened, and then help herself. This must
have been a singular taste in a fox, but perhaps,

BeIvVOir Hxtnt. 41

like ourselves, they are the creatures of circum-
stances, and can easily change their habits ac-
cording to the manners and customs incidental to
the requirements of the life they have been com-
pelled to adopt. The offer of a hen's egg^ and
your friendship with " Topsy " appeared to be
secured for life. She would take it cautiously
in her mouth, and, retiring to some quiet nook,
carefully break a hole in the shell little bigger
than a shilling, scoop out the contents with
her tongue, until every particle had been con-
sumed, and appeared to relish the delicacy
with all the gusto of the greatest aldermanic
bon vivant that ever lapped turtle, whilst the
sly twinkle in her eye would have been enough
to provoke laughter in that worthy even when
the gout was having a look in. The games with
a foxhound puppy were highly amusing, and
occasionally ended in a squabble, in which
^' Topsy " generally succeeded in holding her
own. But woe betide any stray hen that
happened to cross the lawn. In an instant,
whatever fun might be going on was abandoned,
and the hapless victim caught up, to be made
a meal of under the nearest bush. In the course
of a year, '' Topsy " had grown into a fine
specimen of her race, and became very

42 Random Rkcoi.i.kctions of the

mischievous and troublesome, so I determined
to set her at liberty in a neighbouring wood.
Taking her under my arm, I released her
gently at the mouth of some earths, where,
I doubted not, she would meet with congenial
company. After sniffing for a moment she
crept cautiously into the cavernous recesses,
and was soon out of sight, and I listened quietly
for a few minutes, when all being silent, I
thought my object was accomplished and went
my way out of the wood. In this, however, I
was mistaken, for I had scarcely got more than
a hundred yards away before '' Topsy " was at
my heels, evidently dissatisfied with the lot I
had sought to impose upon her, and giving me
a look of reproach. The appeal was not in
vain, for she was again taken in my arms and
brought back to her old quarters, at which she
seemed highly delighted, and capered round
her box in the greatest glee. I eventually
passed " Topsy " over to an old gentleman in
our village, who had been an ardent fox hunter,
and was devoted to animals, who also made a
great pet of her, and under whose tender care
she ended her days. By the way, it has been
a matter of surprise to me that showmen,
animal trainers, and proprietors of ^' happy

'^oK, /^i \^/t^t; TO nif^f/ novffT-

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BeIvVOir Hunt. 43

families," have so seldom exercised their
abilities upon foxes, as I have little doubt
they would be found most apt pupils and
could be taught almost anything. I know-
mine could if time had been at disposal.

44 Random Recoi.lkctions of the

CHAPTER VI.

Latter days of Wii.Iv Goodall.

When Lord Forester used to propose drawing
late in the afternoon, a long way from home,
Goodall would acquiesce, with a side hint that
the horses were having a roughish time of it
and getting a bit stale. This was the truth,
particularly when the season had been open,
and the remark often had the effect of inducing
his lordship to re-consider his decision and
leave the coverts for another day, which was
just what Will wanted. Coston Covert was in
those days, as now, nearly always a sure find,
and much favoured by Lord Forester, who
would make it his first resort after meeting at
Croxton Park. Good runs were innumerable,
foxes frequently taking a course into the
Cottesmore country, and making a call upon
Woodwell Head during a journey which was

BeIvVOir Hunt. 45

nearly always prolonged far away from the
Bel voir domain. On these occasions there was
a sporting farmer from Market Overton, who
knew every inch of the ground, and used to
go well, but occasionally would turn up at
inopportune times, laying himself open to an
argument with Lord Forester and Goodall, on
the impropriety of confronting reynard at
inconvenient places. About this time there
came to live at Gonerby a noted breeder of
Leicester sheep, who, in addition to this, kept
a few brood mares, and was very fond of
hunting. His performances in the saddle were
not very artistic, for he would occasionally be
all over his horse, but had any amount of pluck.
One day, when a fox had been found at
Boothby Great Wood, and hounds checked a
short way from the village, our friend got a
little too forward, and Goodall called out to
him to come back. As he was doing so, in
attempting to open a bridle gate, his horse,
who was somewhat excited, put himself on his
hind-legs and jumped it at a stand, throwing
the rider over his head. There was no harm
done, and upon Will complimenting him on the
ability of his steed, the rejoinder was : '^ Oh, it^s
only a habit he's got into lately." On another

46 Random RecolIvECTions of the

occasion, after landing over a biggisii fence on
tlie same animal, there happened to be a
plongh left carelessly on the head-land, which
the horse dexterously avoided by jumping a
second time, so that it constituted an in and
outer. This also dislodged the rider, who was
none the worse, and seemed to make no more of
the routine of somersaults than a professional
acrobat. The same horse was a fine specimen of
a hunter, and afterwards won the Farmers'
Handicap at Croxton Park. The owner was a
clever, well-read man, an amusing companion,
and an eccentric character withal. He lived a
few miles from our residence, and, being a
capital shot, used to join us in some rough
shooting to a brace of pointers and the
appetiser of a hard day's walking. He was a
little late one morniug, and at last turned up
on horseback with a '' churchwarden " in his
mouth, white linen shirt, with only one button
in front, and a substantial coat, whose capacious
pockets were equal to holding his unstocked
gun, or the stowing away of a week's pro-
visions.

It was one day when hounds had been
drawing Harlaxton Wood, towards the latter

BKI.VOIR Hunt. 47

part of Will GoodalPs reign, that an unusual
occurrence was witnessed. Several foxes had
been found, and three or four made their
way into a patch of gorse sloping north.
People were dispersed, and unwittingly headed
one of two who sought to break, causing them
to run back into hounds' mouths. Lord
Forester got very irate and gave the trembling
sinners a terrible wigging, amongst the
rest Goodall himself coming in for a share of
the rating. Not long after we were chevying
about the terraces by the Manor, killing a fox
close to the house, when, as hounds were break-
ing him up, out rushed another from the ever-
greens, and in his bewilderment made straight
for the pack. In less than twenty yards away,
suddenly discovering his error, he squatted,
almost paralysed with fear, until one of
the whips got between the engaged pack
and the supposed victim, cracking him into the
thicket, where others of the tribe contributed
towards his making his escape.

There is dangerous ground about Harlaxton
Manor, towards the north, in the shape of a
ha-ha, with a road running some twelve feet
below the level, and very dijSicult to discern

48 Random Rkcoli^ections of thk

until you come close upon it, as the greensward
looks level and inviting to let your horse stride
along. One day, when hounds went away
sharp from the wood, Sir Thomas Whichcote,
who, as usual, meant to be in their wake,
whilst going very fast, suddenly found himself
within a few lengths of the chasm, and without
a moment's hesitation went for it, with a suc-
cessful result, for his gallant steed made a
grand effort, clearing the road, and landing all
right on the opposite bank. Not so fortunate
was the attempt of a groom from Melton on
another occasion, of which I was an eye-
witness. He also, like Sir Thomas, was
sending his horse along unaware of the danger
and obliged to make the best of it. Here,
again, the animal did his best and cleared the
dip, but pecked on landing, and after struggling
for two or three lengths, rolled completely over
his rider, on which I hastened to render
assistance, and it was satisfactory to find that,
beyond being a bit bruised, neither of them
appeared to be any the worse.

There was a wiry, clever, brown horse, with
cropped ears, that went by the nickname of
" Crop," that Goodall rode for several seasons,

BkIvVOir Hunt. 49

and upon whom lie greatly distinguished
himself. The partial loss of these gave the
horse a somewhat wicked and sullen appear-
ance, although he had a handsome and
intelligent head, and was supposed to be
thorough-bred. From what I recollect, the
reason of the horse's ears being rounded was
on account of one of them having been torn by
another horse whilst out at grass, but whether
the attack was delivered in play or savagely I
was unable to learn. After the jagged strips
of the lacerated ear had been trimmed off, it
gave the animal such a singular appearance ^
that it was determined to shape the other to
match. Notwithstanding this, you could not
fail to detect his high breeding, beautiful
quality, and light action, which, combined with
a great turn of speed, made him one of Goodall's
special favourites.

One of the most dreaded and spiteful enemies
that Goodall had to contend with was a mule,
which belonged to a gentleman over whose
land hounds frequently ran, and was used by
his shepherd. For crass stupidity and malig-
nant disposition, the animal could give stones
to any of the tribe and win in a canter. When

50 Random Recoi.i.kctions of the:

the fox unfortunately happened to cross the farm
where he was located, he was sure to turn up and
make his evil propensities manifest ; for, when
scent was cool and hounds had to pick it up,
with one ear cocked and the other laid back he
would chase them right and left, biting, strik-
ing, kicking, and sending his victims limping
and howling in all directions. Will and his
whips, of course, were sharp to the rescue,
aided by several of the field, who tried to
administer punishment and drive away the
intruder. But this was no easy matter, for so
quick and cunning was the brute that, as they
thought they were going for him on one side,
he would dodge and let fly as he shot past on
the other, and defy all attempts to catch him
a stinger. One day I happened to be an eye-
witness of this, when hounds took a line over
the owner's land, scent being weak and pace
slow, the fox running parallel with a line of
gates, some of which being open it was im-
possible to cut him off before he had enjoyed a
wicked innings. But as we passed a farmyard,
the doors of which had luckily been left open,
he turned in, and we quickly took care to close
them and leave the demon a prisoner. I
don't know that any of the hounds suffered

Belvoir Hunt. 51

permanent injury, tliougli several at different
times got maimed by him.

The man who had charge of the animal was
reported to have had a deal of trouble with
him, one of his rebellious tricks, on meeting a
team of horses, being to run amuck amongst
them, regardless of consequences, and in the
melee the rider had to jump off and save him-
self as best he could, leaving the delinquent to
run the gauntlet, which not unfrequently
ended in a scrimmage with the horses and
anathemas from the drivers. His vicious
propensities were not confined to escapades of
this kind, for when loose in the fields, he would
come up in a wheedling and innocent manner,
poking out his nose as if to claim friendship,
and when he got within measurable distance —
and he was an excellent judge — would whip
round, let drive with both heels, and follow
you up like lightning until he got home, and on
one occasion kicked a friend of his owner's
very severely, splitting his hand between the
fourth and little fingers, and causing excruciat-
ing pain, from which he fainted, but, help
being at hand, the brute was driven off before
he could renew the attack. Although the

52 Random Rkcoi^IvECTions of thk

injury was serious, and one of tliose sometimes
succeeded by lockjaw, the gentleman — wlio
was not nervous and had no misgivings —
had the satisfaction of finding the wound go
on well, and soon recovered, with only the
souvenir of a scar remaining. The labourers
on the farm to which the mule belonged were
said to arm themselves with long shafted hand
rakes when they were likely to be brought into
contact with him, these being found effectual
in defending the insidious attacks, and one
day, when the demon was found dead with a
swollen head, rumour said that a stout club
had ended his malevolent career.

It was in the month of May, 1856, three
years before his untimely end, that the Hunt
presented Will Goodall with a tribute of
respect and esteem, at the Town Hall,
Grantham. The ball-room was crowded with
sportsmen from all sides of the country, and
the greatest hilarity prevailed, several capital
songs being sung. But, alas, on the ist of
May, 1859, many who had attended those
festivities were grieved by the sad intelligence
that the light hearted and joyous spirit, which
had led them over hill and dale for seventeen

Belvoir Hunt. 53

seasons, had been called to another clime.
But the inexorable decree had gone forth, and
Goodall was severed from his friends in the
prime of life, deeply regretted by all who had
the pleasure of his acquaintance, both in public
and private life.

54 Random Rkcoi.i.ections of the

CHAPTER VII.

Promotion of James Cooper.

After the death of the lamented Will Goodall,
Jem Cooper, who had been filling the post of
second whip with much ability, was appointed
his successor, and being a fine horseman, and
light weight, his reputation was assured.
During Cooper's career there were memorable
runs, and on one occasion, after meeting at
Denton, in January, 1869, hounds found a fox
at the gorse, who took a round by Harston,
where there came a short check, and appeared
little scent. A judicious cast put matters
right, and hounds ran their fox back through
the gorse, with scent improving past the Hall
and away to Hungerton. From thence, across
Wyville Heath the line lay through Stoke
Pasture pointing for Buckminster, and bearing
west, they skirted Humberstone's Gorse, and

BEiyVOiR Hunt. 55

crossed the Croxton road to Hallam's Wood.
With hounds close after him the fox ran round
by Harston, and holding to the left, succeeded,
after many twists and turns in saving his life
by going to ground in the wood. This com-
pleted a circle, and was very severe for an hour.

It was about the beginning of the year 1870
that Cooper got a bad fall, which necessitated
his nursing up for some weeks, during which
frost set in, with other misfortunes to the staff,
as Morgan, the second whip, had a severe
accident, owing to his horse, whilst out at
exercise with hounds, having been thrown
down by the balling snow, and in the scramble,
Morgan's foot getting entangled in the stirrup,
he was dragged for some distance in that
position, his boot torn off, and his head
sustaining severe injuries. Morgan was carried
in an insensible condition to Branston Lodge,
but was shortly better and able to be conveyed
home.

On Saturday, the 12th March, there was a
piercing nor'wester, with fair sky, and predic-
tions about sport unfavourable. But the
prophets were wrong, in the early part of the

56 Random Recoi.i.kctions of th^

day especially. Tlie noble Duke's appearance
in the saddle, after being laid up for some
weeks, was welcomed by a large assemblage at
Three Queens, comprising most of the
celebrities from Melton, and several well-
mounted ladies.

The Earl of Scarborough and Lord Forester,
although precluded by infirmities from par-
ticipating in the sport as they were wont,
saw a lot of fun upon wheels, and could
relate incidents of which first flight men knew
nothing. The order for Tippings Gorse
having been given, Cooper had no sooner put
hounds into covert than a wide-awake fox was
off, straight across the heath to Saltby Church.
At a good pace, hounds slipped along past the
village, bearing to the right, as if for Sproxton
Thorns. Keeping along the hollow, they
passed Sproxton in the direction of Coston
Covert. The fox, however, held to the left,
and ran up to Buckminster, where he was
quite beaten, and being headed, dodged about
some small inclosures near the Park and got
to ground, after a capital burst of half-an-hour.

One of the most memorable runs of that
year occured on Saturday, the 21st of March,

BeivVOir Hunt. 57

when hounds met at Great Gonerby. This is
looked upon as the foot-people's meet, and
being market day at the neighbouring town of
Grantham, the attendance was limited. The
farmers, who had sought to transact their
business in good time and get a bit of hunting
afterwards, were doomed to disappointment on
learning that hounds had found at once and
gone right out of sight and hearing. The
morning was suggestive of spring, with a light
north wind as they moved off to Belton Gorse,
which was drawn blank. Cooper's reply to
querists, as to where we should go next, was
^' To Jericho " ; and although the answer
might sound perplexing in the ears of
strangers, the sequel explained that no joke was
intended. Hounds having been put into the
lower wood, found directly, and got away on
good terms with their fox through the fir
plantations towards Marston. Passing by
Hougham Mill, they turned up to the right,
and ran through the western outskirts of
Barkston Gorse. They then continued a
northern course past Carlton Ashes and
Gelston to Lovedon Hill, where a little delay
was caused by a fresh fox breaking away on the
west. The matter was soon righted, and

58 Random Recollections of the

hounds were in a few minutes streaming
along to the left of Hough, where they pointed
east, and crossed the road between Hough and
Frieston to the Grantham and Lincoln rail-
way near Norman ton, where the fox was
headed by some workmen. Turning short
back, he re-crossed the road by Frieston, and
went through Beighton's Gorse, then bore
slightly to the right for Col. Packe's, at
Caythorpe. Here a hooked nosed pedlar, over-
come by excitement, led them astray by frantic
gestures and vociferations, as though his brain
was reeling, or reynard had interchanged
compliments by making a snap at his calves,
but as it turned out he had only seen the fox
going ahead some distance away. Cooper,
however, Avithout according his blessings,
helped hounds to work again, and they beauti-
fully hit off the line through Reeve's Covert,
steadily hunting on below Fulbeck. The pace
increased as the pack led their followers, who
were becoming scattered abroad all over the
country, very fast across the strong enclosures
of Leadenham low fields in the direction of
Wellingore. The gallant fox was not beaten
yet, and bore down by Broughton to within a
short distance of the covert ; but the leading

Belvoir Hunt. 59

hounds were pressing him sorely as he turned
round again towards Leadenham, pulling him
down in the middle of a grass field about a
mile below Col. Reeve's. Had it not been for
the intervention of '' Lemalong " (?) Lane and
the Broughton road, few would have witnessed
the finish of one of the finest hunting runs on
record, lasting one hour and forty minutes.
At a rough estimate, the distance traversed by
hounds may be computed at about 15 miles ;
and although the pace sometimes was not fast,
there was a deal of hard work to be performed,
and glad enough were many riders when the
finale was sounded. Men and horses had had
enough, and Cooper being nearly twenty miles
from home, did not, of course, draw again. I
believe this run was conceded as best of the
season.

The late Duke of Rutland rode hard in both
Goodall's time and Cooper's. He liked pulling
horses, and when hounds ran, seldom cared to
look for the weaker places in the fences, but
went banging along, rough or smooth. This
entailed some severe falls, which laid him up for
a time, but did not deter him from keeping
company with hounds when he got out again.

6o Random Rkcoli^bctions of the

One of the worst of tliese took place near
Great Gonerby, I forget in what year, by his
horse striking a stiff fence and pitching the
Duke with great force to the ground. At first
it was feared his neck was broken, but on those
who rushed to his assistance finding that this
was happily not the case, he was conveyed in a
brougham to "The George," at Grantham, where
he remained under medical treatment for several
weeks before he could be removed to Belvoir.

Many of the Duke's horses were supplied by
the noted Tom Percival, of Wansford; and there
was a horse-dealing farmer named Hunter, liv-
ing at Thorpe Arnold, who contributed towards
replenishing the stud. Some good hunters
came from these gentlemen, but there was a
chestnut with white legs which, if memory
serves, was called " White Stockings," perhaps
one of the best the Duke ever rode. He was
a big well-bred animal of great pace, and used to
" lay hold " and gallop with his head down,
but he carried his noble master with safety
for many seasons and was a great favourite.

A tremendously hard day's sport followed
the meet at Scrimshaw's Mill, on Saturday,
the 5th of February, 1870. One of a batch of

BeIvVOir Hunt. 6r

foxes, disturbed at the Rectory Covert, went
away to Elton, and after running a ring^
returned to the thicket. He was forced out
again, and bore across the vale past Jericho,
and thence hounds crossed the Grantham canal
near Redmile, racing as hard as they could to
Barkston Wood, and killing their fox near
Stathern Point in fifty-five minutes. Con-
spicuous amongst the pioneers were Captain
Boyce, some officers of the Guards from
Melton, and Whitemore, the locum tenens in
Cooper's absence from a fall. Next drawing
Jericho, there was a severe run over a consider-
able portion of the vale, mostly lying to the
west, hounds finally losing their fox near
Whatton. So heavy was the ground that few
stayed till the finish, many of the horses being
completely pumped out and reduced to a walk.

Cooper possessed wonderfully fine hands
and never hurried his horses at their fences,
and it was marvellous what big places they
would cover, when you might have laid your
bottom dollar that the yawning ditch on the
far side would have been a halting place for
horse and rider. Particularly well do I re-
member two smallish brown mares who carried

62 Random Rkcoli^Kctions of the

liim famously, one of whicli, with upriglit
shoulders and nothing before you, would go
swishing her tail with a suspicion that she
meant to whip round. But no, in the hands
of so clever a horseman she seldom made a
mistake, and nearly always landed safely,
though perhaps few men would have been
clamorous for the mount. The huntsman
greatly distinguished himself on this mare on
the occasion of a famous run from Ropsley
Rise. Hounds had been sometime in the
wood, and we could hardly make out whether
there was a fox or no, when I came upon
Cooper in one of the rides apparently abstracted
or unwell, and not exactly in touch with the
pack. Addressing him as to what they were
doing, in a few minutes a fox broke covert on the
Ropsley side, and Cooper, pulling himself to-
gether, galloped along a muddy ride in the
direction the sound came from, and on emerg-
ing from the wood saw hounds streaming away
a mile in front. Taking in the situation at a
glance, he went straight as an arrow, and
succeeded in getting on terms as there was a
pause near Ha3^dor Southings. The run was
very severe past Dembleby and Osbournby to
Aswarby, were the fox was killed, Sir Thomas

Belvoir Hunt. 65

Whichcote and Cooper being the only two
anywhere near at the finish, Sir Thomas riding
a famous dark chestnut called I think, '' King
Charming," to such a tune that the ^' King "
did not hold sway again that season.

The influx of visitors to the Belvoir Hunt
during the week preceding Croxton Park races
is generally considerable ; and in April, 1870^
there was a distinguished gathering at the
Three Queens. The company included the
Prince of Teck, the Duke of Rutland, Lord
George Manners, the Earl of Wilton, Marquis
of Queensberry (Master of the Dumfriesshire
Hounds), Lord Forester, Lord Grey de Wilton ^
Earl of Scarborough, Hon. George and Mrs,
Fitzwilliam, Captain Boyce, Mr. James Hall
(Holderness), Captain Longstaffe, Sir J. H.
Thorold, Colonel Fane, Mr. I. W. L. Gilmour,,
the Hon. M. Willoughby, Mr. J. E. Welby,
Mr. Cecil Thorold, Captain and Mrs. Hall,
Mr. Westley Richards, Mr. and Mrs. Chas.
Wigram, Mr. Broke and Mrs. Turn or, the
Rev. C. D. Crofts, Captain Welby, Mr. J.
Coupland, Mr. and Mrs. James Hornsby,
Captain Cunliffe, Rev. J. Mirehouse, Mr. H,
Sherbrook, Col. Lowther, Mr. Fillinghamy

64 Random Rkcoi.i.kctions of the

Mr. H. Staunton, Mr. Mildmay Willson,
Mr. E. Chaplin, Rev. J. Ebsworth and
Mr. W. Wing.

Here is an array of names, heavy weights
and light, many of them hard to beat over
any country, but alas, no longer permitted
to remain participators in the sport they
loved so well.

BKiyVOiR Hunt. 65

CHAPTER VIII.

Accession of Frank Gillard.

For the campaign of 1870 we find the late
popular controller of the pack, Frank Gillard,
after an absence of four years with Mr. Musters,
re-entering the Duke's service, and succeeding
James Cooper as huntsman, with Will Goodall,
the late lamented leader of the Pytchley,
installed as first whip, and Jack Carter as
second. Cub hunting in September of that year
was marred by drought, fissures in the ground
being so mapped out that it was dangerous for
horses and hounds to travel over, and, I
believe, in some parts huntsmen and their
attendants went out into the woods on foot.
Rain, however, fell by November, when hunt-
ing was in full swing, with sport in the

66 Random Rkcoi^lkctions of the

ascendant, and the ranks swelling every day. In
the Croxton Park district scent had greatly
improved, and good runs were in evidence.
The field on Wednesday, November the 23rd,
contained some well-known faces, amongst
those who joined the Duke being Mr. and
Lady Alice Des Voeux, Messrs. Behrens,
Mr. George Drummond, Mr. Hardy, Major
Claggett, Capt. Coventry,Mr. H. Micklethwaite,
Mr. A. Brand, Mr. J. Hardy, Junr.,
Capt. Riddell, Capt. Singleton, Mr. Worsley,
Messrs. Hornsby, Mr. John Bland, Mr. W.
Pinder, Mr. Fisher, Mr. James Hutchinson,
Messrs. Burbidge, Messrs. T. and F. Vincent,
Mr. Brewster, Mr. Smith, Mr. W. Downing, &c.
Sport was enjoyed in a smart run over the
heath and through Croxton Park, with a ring
back in a fast gallop of thirty minutes, the fox
going to ground in Tipping's Gorse. On the
Saturday following, the hounds met at Croxton
Park, when Lord and Lady Grey de Wilton,
Lord Coventry, Colonels Forester, Reeve,
Markham, Captains Saville and King, with
many others, were amongst the party. The
trysting place was Sproxton Thorns, where
hounds soon notified to the phalanx of horse-
men at the south-west corner that their game

BkIvVOir Hunt. 67

was on foot. Reynard was not long in making
a dash in front of the field over some ploughed
soil on the south. A rush at the first fence levelled
several of the foremost, with spreading of eager
spirits as hounds rattled along to the right of
Coston, crossed the brook, and ran up-hill
pointing for Stapleford. The fox, a veteran
who had probably travelled that way many a
time before, was met by a countryman at the
fir plantation, and altered his tactics by chang-
ing direction to the right. At the brook,,
struggles and scrimmages began in earnest —
some got over, others in, with the noble Duke
amongst those enjoying a ducking. The field
was scattered far and wide in hot pursuit, with
"Gillard and a select party leading the van over
the hill between Garthorpe and Saxby. The
pace was maintained across grass towards
Freeby, an inclination westward bringing them
to the wood. Several of the unfortunates joined
issue here, but two foxes being disturbed did
not contribute to the continuance of what had
been a capital thing, as scent became colder,
and hounds could only trace a faint line past
Brentingby Spinney. Going down the hill
from the fir plantation. Lord Coventry came
to grief over a nasty fence, which, though

68 Random RkcolIvECTions of the

known to Melton men as practicable in places,
takes a lot of jumping indiscriminately. But
he soon re-mounted, and was witk the pack
as they crossed the turnpike towards Melton
Spinney, where all traces faded, after a very
fast gallop of fifty-five minutes, though detailed
proceedings carried them a quarter of an hour
longer. A short trot led to Thorpe Arnold,
where, at the request of the famous sportsman,
Mr. Edward Burbidge, a halt was called, and
that gentleman's hospitality dispensed to the
field. On nearing the covert planted and
cherished by that ardent lover of the chase,
sometime elapsed before Gillard allowed hounds
to enter, in the hope that the noble Master,
who had gone to Melton for a change of clothes
in lieu of those which had been saturated in
the brook, might be able to rejoin the field.
There were vixens, however, reported to have
nurseries at hand, so the place was left, and
Coston Covert furnished a fox who afforded
a good hunting run by Wymondham and
Stonesby and saved his brush.

On Saturday, March 20th, 1875, after meet-
ing at Goadby, they had a rattling run from

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 69

the gorse. Hounds had drawn nearly through
when a fox jumped up on the outskirts with
the pack flashing after him like lightning.
People had mostly congregated on the north,
and few were aware of the flight, but a rare
opportunity the sequel presented to those who
had kept a sharp look out and slipped away on
terms with the pack. As if tied to their fox
they flew along a south-easterly course to
Chadwell, thence passing to the right of it,
raced up the hill as if Melton Spinney would
be the next point, but turning to the left,
reynard was sent along at a terrific pace to
Freeby Wood. He crossed the Melton turnpike
by a plantation nearer Waltham, hounds still
running at their best pace till they got to
Stonesby Ashes, where the fox was viewed
dead beaten. Gillard held the pack round
the further side, and they took up the
running of what proved to be a fresh fox, who
was hunted slowly by Sproxton Thorns nearly
to Buckminster. The fortunes of war had
favoured the fugitive of the morning, as it
seeemed he had gone to ground in the ashes,
up to which no one had the least chance with
Captain Longstafle, Frank Gillard, Captain
Riddell, and Blakeboro (the first whip).

70 Random Recollections of the

A good day was notified on the Lincolnshire
side on Tuesday, i5tli February, 1876. The
meet was Fulbeck, and there were several
ladies present ; amongst them Mrs. Franklin^
Miss Crofts, Miss Willson, Mrs. James Hornsby,
and a good representation from the Blankney.
A trot of two miles took them to a withy bed
by the Brant, planted by Captain Willson a
few years before, a thriving comfortable habita-
tion. Reynard did not wait for ejectment, but
made off at once to a narrow plantation on the
banks of the river. There was a blazing scent,
hounds were through in a jiffy, running
eastward towards Reeve's Covert. The pace
and heavy ground began to tell a tale, and
men deprived of their horses, with sorrowful
countenances, might be seen plodding wearily
along handicapped by pounds of affectionate
clay. The fox was no trifler, onward he went
to right of Reeve's Covert, over deep soil,
which reduced the pace of sobbing horses, and
it was here that a lady who had been riding
in the first flight came to grief. However,
she wa3 soon up and going as well as ever.
Hounds had been running as hard as they
could, missing every covert till they came to
Beighton's Gorse, about four miles from the

Belvoir Hunt. 71

start, carrying on the line beautifully through,
the village of Caythorpe without pausing for
more than a minute or two, thence by the
Hall over the road south of Fulbeck. Presently
the advantage of lighter soil was welcomed by
those who had stuck to hounds, and horses
could stride along with more freedom and
satisfaction, as the fox showed no signs of
sinking, and there was a lot to be done before
the chapter ended. Sailing away to the
Lincoln and Grantham railway brings mis-
givings as to whether the white gates will be
available. But all is well, and hounds go
streaming along up-hill to the heath and
appear to be making towards Byard's Leap.
Inclining south they run like mad, and the
best men have to do all they know to keep on
anything like terms, whilst the land is sown
broadcast with stragglers miles in the rear.
After running over Caythorpe Heath it became
evident hounds were gaining on their fox
as he led them towards Sparrow Gorse,
leaving it on the left and passing by
Mr. Minta's house on Normanton hill top.
Keeping along the brow, when the pack
were almost within grasp of the prize they
so well deserved, reynard sought refuge

72 Random Rkcoi^lkctions of the:

in a rabbit burrow amongst a clump of
trees overlooking Carlton, from whicli all
efforts to dislodge Him were ineffectual.
This was an unfortunate coincidence, as
hounds bad run the distance, computed at
ten or eleven miles, almost without a check in
very quick time.

BejIvVOir Hunt. 73

CHAPTER IX.

Testimonial to the Duke of Rutland.

During the season of 1875 there were
whisperings of a strong desire on the part of
tenant farmers in the hunt to present the
Duke of Rutland with some token of their
esteem and appreciation of his grace^s courtesy
and kindness evinced by the princely liberality
with which he had hunted the country for
nineteen years, and as some recognition of the
honour and privilege they had long enjoyed
of hunting with his hounds. Active measures
were soon taken, and the first desire — that the
proposals should be confined to farmers — took
a wider basis. Stronger influences were brought
to bear on the advisability of extended co-
operation, as county gentlemen, as well as
others interested in the hunt, could not allow
a movement so popular to be limited to

74 Random RkcoIvLECTions of the

agriculturists only. This at first did not find
favour witli the latter, but on looking at the
matter in a broader light, they felt that
it would be a source of regret if the
scheme should be in any way restricted or
prevented from reaching its fullest magnitude,
that universal expressions of approval could
not be disregarded, and the point was conceded.
Whilst matters were in a preliminary stage
invitations were issued by Earl Brownlow to
gentlemen, farmers, and others interested in
the hunt, requesting their attendance at a
meeting to be held at Belton House, on
Tuesday, the 22nd February, 1876. This
invitation was eagerly responded to, and by
the time appointed for hounds meeting on the
lawn, the scene presented a gay and animated
.appearance.

Assembled in the library were most of the
leading gentry and farmers of the hunt, the
gay scarlet and sober black offering a by no
means unpleasing contrast.

A glance round the room revealed the
presence of veterans upon whom the impress
'Of winter sat lightly, and there were some of

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 75

the party who could have borne testimony to
the feats of Assheton Smith, the vagaries of
the Marquis of Waterford, the prowess of
Shaw — said to have been the greatest terror to
foxes the Belvoir ever had — and endorsed the
renown of old Goosey. Amongst the company
were Sir Thomas Whichcote, Sir John
Thorold, Mr. George Drummond, Colonel
Reeve, Captain Longstaffe, Colonel Fane,
Mr. Beaumont, Captain Thorold, Mr. J. E.
Welby, Captain Carpenter, Captain Willson,
Mr. J. Hardy, Mr. Broke Turnor, Major
Paynter, Colonel Walter Fane, Captain Gleed,
Mr. E. Fane, Captain de Burton, Mr. H. Praed,
Rev. C. D. Crofts, Rev. W. C. Newcome,
Rev. F. Staunton, Mr. George Gordon,
Mr W. Pinder, Mr. J. F. Burbidge, Mr. James
Hutchinson, Rev. J. B. Younge, Mr. Wm.
Downing, Mr. Richard Roberts, Mr. T.
Hutchinson, Mr. J. Wilders, Mr. J. Nichols,
Mr. W. Sills, Mr. Robert Wyles, Mr. J. H.
Fisher, Mr. W. Bedford, Mr. Wm. Parke,
Mr. J. E. Bright, Mr. T. Vincent, Mr. J. P.
Oliver, and many others.

The Earl Brownlow, in opening the proceed-
ings, said : — '' This meeting, over which I have

76 Random Rkcoi^lections of the

tlie Honour to preside to-day, has been called
under the following circumstances : I was
informed some time ago that there was
a widespread feeling amongst gentlemen
connected with the Duke of Rutland's
hunt that this would be a fitting time
to present the Duke with some acknow-
ledgment of the kind and generous manner
in which he has hunted the country
for us ; and I was also informed that this
feeling was eagerly shared by all who hunt
with his grace's hounds. I was further
requested to call a meeting at Belton, this
being considered the most convenient place.
I had very great pleasure in complying with
the request, and if I can in any way conduce
to the carrying out of this very desirable
object I shall feel much honour and pleasure
in doing so."

After a few remarks upon the difficulty of
deciding on the best form of testimonial to be
presented, his Lordship stated that he had
received several letters from gentlemen who
were unable to be present, including the
Hon. E. G. Finch-Hatton, the Rev. Thos.
Heathcote, Mr. Samuda, Captain Molyneux,

BeIvVOir Hunt. 77

Mr. Algernon Turnor, Mr. E. S. Burnabyy
and others.

Sir Thomas Whichcote next proposed that
a testimonial be presented to His Grace the
Duke of Rutland, as a slight acknowledge-
ment of the generous manner in which he had
hunted the country for nearly nineteen years..
Mr. E. M. Burbidge, of Thorpe Arnold, in
seconding the proposition said : — '' I hardly
expected to have been placed in this position
to-day, but don't regret it, inasmuch as the
way it has been taken up by the farmers
proves its popularity. This matter took its
rise amongst the tenant farmers who were
anxious to do something, but the feeling was,
I may as well tell you, that we could not raise
a great deal of money amongst ourselves. But
I was informed by a friend, who is present
to-day, that it would be much more desirable
to make this a county matter, and heartily
glad am I that it should be so, and, moreover,
that I have the honour of seconding the
proposition made by Sir Thomas Whichcote^
because it will show that the feeling is
universal, and that gentlemen and tenant
farmers go hand in hand, which I hope we
shall continue to do for years to come."

78 Random RecoIvLECTions of the

A Committee was next formed, and the
hankers at Melton, Grantham, and Sleaford,
desired to receive subscriptions.

After the proceedings had terminated the
•company were kindly reminded by the
Countess Brownlow that refreshments were
waiting in the banqueting room, and after due
attention had been devoted to them, a move
was made to the shrubberies close by, where
a fox, hunted by both hounds and foot people,
proved too cunning for the lot, and cut the
chase short by popping into a drain. Pedes-
trians were in high jinks as another of the ilk,
who must have been deaf to the ebullitions
which had been vented, was at home in a patch
of gorse higher up the park, slipping away
amid vehement tally-hoings through the plan-
tations towards Gipple. Bearing round to
Belmont, he was sharply pursued through the
coverts, and failing to make his point was soon
killed. There was a fair run in the afternoon
from Peascliff, the fox passing Gonerby and
thence crossing a stiff country over the moor
to Allington Junction. A short check, which
Gillard soon righted, and hounds ran hard

Belvoir Hunt. 79

across Barrowby Vale towards Casthorpe
Covert, killing their fox in iive-and-tHirty
minutes.

On Saturday, the 6th of January, 1877, after
meeting at Goadby, intelligence that a fox had
taken up his quarters in the Hall gardens led
to an invasion of the sanctuary, and a hurried
exit along the Bullimore in a race to Harby
Hills. Reynard went by Piper Hole Gorse to
Holwell Mouth, where, without delay, the field
had plenty of work to pound along with
hounds by Little Belvoir to Wartnaby stone
pits. The fox, after turning over the vale for
a short distance, ascended the hill to the
railway near Dalby Wood, but again changed
his course towards Over Broughton. After
running in that direction for a couple of miles
he crossed the railway and went over the hill^
leaving Little Dalby on his left, right away ta
Willoughby, the fugitive being just in front of
the pack as they drove him into the middle of
the village, killing him in a hovel in one hour
and thirty-five minutes. Excitement ran high
as the fox entered the precincts, which was
shared by a sporting pig, who broke from his
sty and joined the pack, and on the owner —

8o Random Recollections of the

an old woman — seeking to restrain his ardour,
piggy made a rush whicli capsized her and
broke her leg. A handful of silver, collected
on the spot, proved such a solatium that rumour
said the game old lady, when quiet was restored,
averred she should soon be better and ready
for 'em again. There was a large field out.
Lord Grey de Wilton, Lord Wolverton, Sir B.
and Lady Florence Dixie (who was presented
with the brush), Mr. J. Welby, Major Whyte
Melville, Mr. Allcard, Mr. E. Chaplin, Captain
Elmhirst, and Captain King witnessing the
leading features of this fine run.

However, Tuesday, the lotli of April, 1877,
will long be remembered as a red letter day in
the annals of the Belvoir Hunt, in commemora-
tion of the testimonial presented by over two
hundred gentlemen, farmers, and others whose
pleasure it had been to hunt with the hounds.
After the arrangements before mentioned at
Belton House had been matured, and sub-
scriptions to a considerable amount received, a
sub-committee, presided over by Earl Brownlow,
was appointed to receive designs for the manu-
facture of a suitable piece of plate. On its

Belvoir Hunt. 8i

completion announcements were made in tlie
newspapers that the presentation would take
place at Belvoir Castle on the loth of April,
with a request that all subscribers who could
make it convenient would attend. Shortly
before twelve groups of horsemen might be
seen approaching the towering heights from all
directions, whilst carriages were setting down
large arrivals of ladies and gentlemen in hunting
costume at the castle porch. On assembling
in the guard room the eye ran over nearly all
the members and landed gentry of the hunt,
besides outsiders who were prompted by
kindred feelings ; an immense assembly of
farmers, comprising those who hunted to a
man, and a considerable proportion of those
who didn't, but who expressed their satisfac-
tion, not only in having contributed towards
the testimonial, but in the preservation of
foxes on their lands. Amongst the company
were Sir Thomas Whichcote, Sir John Thorold,
Sir H. A. H. Cholmeley, Colonel Reeve, Captain
Longstaffe, Major Parker, Mr. J. E. Welby,
Captain de Burton, Captain Thorold, Messrs.
Geo. Norman, V. Drummond, J. Hardy,
Mr. and Mrs. B. Tumor, F. Stanley, A. Turnor,
C. Wigram, Wm. Manners, Frank Gillard (the

82 Random Recoi.i.kctions of the

huntsman), G. Gillett, Stanley Mott, J. C. L.
Calcraft, G. Gordon, G. Fillingham, the
Mayor of Grantham, Major Singleton, J. F.
Burbidge, James Hutchinson, John Green, Wm.
Pinder, I. Fisher, G. C. Downing, W. Sills,
F. Vincent, W. Fletcher, W. Downing, Jas.
Hornsby, J. Wilders, R. Hornsby, J. Wright,
Thos. Hutchinson, W. Bedford, R. Roberts,
J. Hand, W. Hind, C. Smith, B. Beeson,
W. Colman, J. Shipman, J. Nichols, J. Bailey,
and many others to the number of three
hundred, whose names did not transpire.

As the noble Duke entered the room,
accompanied by Lady A. Norman and other
members of the family, a magnificent
candelabra was unveiled. This consisted of
a large centre piece with branches containing
twenty-five lights, supported by four in-
dependent and smaller ones containing fifteen
lights each, of solid silver, surmounted by
figures of Diana, Robin Hood, and Nimrod,
but some trifling additions were contemplated
before the piece was completed. The subscrip-
tions amounted to ^2,500, contributed by 200
subscribers, whose names were registered on

BeIvVOir Hunt. 85

an ornamental scroll lying on the table. Sir
William Earle Welby, in the names of the
gentlemen, farmers, and other members of the
hunt, presented the testimonial, and appropri-
ately conveyed the sentiments of the subscribers
when he described the feelings of respect
and esteem with which the Duke of Rutland
as master of the magnificent pack of hounds
which had so long contributed to the enjoy-
ment of his friends was regarded, and added
the hearty wish that health and strength
might long enable him to enjoy the high
position which he so eminently filled. The
noble Duke, in an eloquent and powerful
speech, during which he was much affected,
alluded to the feelings which prompted the
testimonial as affording him greater gratifica-
tion than the intrinsic value of the magnificent
gift. He regarded the hunting field as
common ground, on which all are welcome
and meet as equals, from peer to the peasant ;
he attached high importance to the chase as
a national sport, and reminded his hearers
of the great commander who loved to get his
officers from the ranks of fox hunters. Amidst
loud cheers he observed that hounds had
been kept at Belvoir for one hundred and

.% Random RecoIvI^ections of the

fifty years — Himself at their head for the last
twenty — and that the high state of perfection
with which they were regarded was due in a
great measure to the scientific attainments,
as well in the kennel as the field, of the
huntsmen — of such men as Newman, Shaw,
Goosey, Goodall, Cooper and Gillard. He
expressed the gratification it afforded him to
provide sport for the community, and acknow-
ledged the liberality of non-hunting farmers
in preserving foxes, and caring nothing
about damages to crops or fences, and sat
down amidst tremendous cheering with the
<:ompany echoing his sentiments, that " Long
may hunting flourish, and the woods of Bel voir
resound with the music of fox hounds." The
formal part of the proceedings over, the
company sat down to a sumptuous luncheon
provided for over three hundred, to which, as
many had had a twenty miles ride, it will
be rightly inferred that ample justice was
accorded.

By two o'clock Frank Gillard, the huntsman,
mounted on a grey steeplechase horse, " The
Sluggard," surrounded by the hounds and his

Belvoir Hunt. 85

whips, drew up on the western slopes below
the castle, the field assembling by the stables,
the whole offering a picture not to be found
in any country but our own. Many ladies
joined the hunt, including Mrs. Broke
Tumor, Miss Willson, Mrs. James Hornsby,
Mrs. Wigram, Mrs. Hall, Miss Turnor, etc.
A heavy rain had fallen during the preceding
night, but the clouds lifted, and it was fair
by ten o'clock, so that those who attended were
not inconvenienced by wet clothes. But the
land was in many places under water, and
a learned gentleman from the Vale was heard
to remark that the ditches had overflowed to
such an extent that attempting to ride to
hounds would be about as risky as the fate of
those who had the hardihood to patronise
gentlemen of the profession which he followed,
for he appeared to be either a solicitor, an
attorney, or a lawyer, and I suppose the
difference would be in similar ratio to that
between Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-de. In a
short time the cavalcade moved off to Barkston
Wood, where hounds disturbed a brace of
foxes, and had a short gallop towards Plungar,
thence bearing away to Stathern, where
reynard got the best of it. Afterwards a

86 Random Rkcoli^Kctions of the

fox was found at Salt Becks, who seemed
to have understood and was desirous of con-
tributing his share towards the day's rejoicing,
for he went boldly away to the castle walls
with the pack close to his brush, and they
bustled him along at such a pace that he
sought safety in an earth near Knipton.

BEiyVOiR Hunt. 87

CHAPTER X.

Hunting.

It was during tlie latter part of 1877 that
death removed, at the ripe age of eighty, a
sportsman who formed a connecting link
between the past and present generations —
Michael Ashwell, a farmer and land owner of
Barrowby. In the days when Goosey had con-
trol of the Belvoir pack Mr. Ashwell used to ride
a gigantic black horse, who, it was said, would
top a gate or walk over a hurdle with equal
facility, and he had many a tussle with the
renowned Assheton Smith, to the disgust of
the latter, whose over-bearing jealousy at that
time could scarcely brook any man in the
same field with him. Mr. Ashwell was at one
time associated with Tom Walker, when
'' Peter Simple " and '' The Kicker " were in

88 Random Recoi^lkctions of the

their glory. The latter was a good-looking-
horse, and said to be Peter's superior when he
would go, which was not very often. He had
not his name for nothing, and it was told how
Walker was never backward in offering to
mount a friend, the unsuspecting victim being
now and again deposited on his back before he
got out of the stable yard.

On Wednesday, the 14th March, in the
same year, there was a meet at Croxton Park,
at which, amongst the notabilites who joined
the Duke, were Earl Granville, Sir Francis
Grant, Major Whyte Melville, Col. and Miss
Markham, Lord Dupplin, Capt. Turner Farley,
Mr. H. Behrens. They went to Newman's
Gorse, but there were vixens in the neighbour-
hood and not much sport.

Sometime about the commencement of the
regular season of the same year, I think it
was, Mr. Micklethwaite, a gentleman who had
been in the navy, took up his quarters at
Grantham. He was a wonderfully hard man
and never missed a day's hunting — rain, hail,
blow, or snow — no matter what as long as
frost kept off". Mr. Micklethwaite rode fast at

BKI.VOIR Hunt. 89

his fences, and had a great partiality for
timber, over which he had some fearful falls,
and often when people thought he must have
been well-nigh killed would scramble up,
stagger about a bit, straighten out a con-
certina'd hat, and look for his horse, who was
probably careering some distance away by
himself. A bold and somewhat reckless rider,
Mr. Micklethwaite seldom altered his course
when hounds ran, but rattled along as hard as
he could, caring little for the hunting part of
the business, but rather for the helter-skelter
scrimmage which a sharp burst affords.
In the catalogue of tumbles he seldom
sustained much damage, an iron frame, with
wonderful nerves and constitution, enabling
him to set at defiance the vicissitudes of
weather, bruised limbs, and other contingencies
which beset the career of a determined and
ardent sportsman.

The Marquis of Queensberry was hunting
from Barrowby Rectory about this time. He
not only rode close to hounds but enjoyed
slipping on silk, either on the flat or across
country, and educated most of his own horses.
It was told of him upon one occasion when he

90 Random Recollections of the

liad an obstinate pupil, who declined on any
terms to jump at water, how he blindfolded the
animal, and with a short canter charged a
brooklet, with the natural result that the horse
went bang in ; whereupon some labourers who
had been watching the fun rushed promptly
to the rescue, and extricated both horse and
rider from a somewhat perilous position. It
never transpired what effect a leap in the dark
had upon the obdurate animal ; but the
rescuers got rewarded with a golden coin where-
with his lordship's health would be received
with acclamation at the village " Pub " in the
evening. The noble Marquis was very
popular in the district for many acts of kind-
ness, consideration, and liberality in providing
entertainments for the working classes.

Mr. George Drummond hunted from
Grantham with a magnificent stud of sixteen
to eighteen powerful well-bred horses. He rode
over big fences, and was nearly always near to
hounds. Being frequently away the fortunes of
his hunters were entrusted to the hands of
Capt. Longstaffe, who had some famous mounts
and did ample justice to his charges, for it
was seldom that the gallant Captain was not

BeIvVOir Hunt.

9^

amongst the chief pilots, no matter whether
pitted against the flower of Melton or the
sturdy men of Lincoln.

There was a good deal of frost during the
months of January and February, 1880, and
a curious coincidence showing the pluck of
reynard was related. It appeared that as an
owner of greyhounds, accompanied by two of
them, was crossing a turnip field, up jumped
a large fox and made off, with one of the dogs,
which his master could not restrain, giving
chase. The fox went over a low wall into the
next field, and had not gone many yards before
the dog caught him, and was immediately
seized in his turn by the throat and pinned
with a firm grip. All the dog's efforts to
shake off his pugnacious opponent were use-
less, and in a few minutes the dog, after giving
two or three convulsive gasps, lay stone dead,
and on his astonished master getting up
reynard jumped on the wall, and with a
triumphant whisk of his brush and look of
defiance bade him adieu.

A red letter day was notified on Saturday,
19th February, 1881. The meet at Piper Hole

92 Random RecolIvECTions of the

was a notable one, including the Duke of
Rutland, the Duke of Portland, Lord John
Manners, Sir H. Des Voeux, Lord Cloncurry,
Mr. J. W. L. Gilmour, Mrs. Sloane Stanley,
Major Longstaffe, Hon. Captain and Mrs.
Molyneux, Mr. H. MickletHwaite, Mr. F.
Stanley, Captain Tennant, Mr. and Mrs. Adair,
Mr. Younger, Captain Smith, Mr. A. Cross,
and the veteran Parson BuUen, of Eastwell,
looking as much like going as he did twenty
years before, though the united ages of himself
and horse represented the mellow total of one
hundred and three years. Old Hills was the
first draw, and a fox away in a twink up the
opposite hill, paying no heed to indiscreet
horsemen moving about in front. After going
a mile men's minds were exercised about an
awkward place in a hollow, which provoked
strong language as they swerved right and left ;
several scrambled over and others got in, whilst
reynard favored the field by a two miles' circuit
back to covert. As people came galloping up
a glance revealed a gentleman of high degree
to have sustained an imperial crowner, and a
brave soldier exhibits signs of a sanguinary
struggle. Hounds snapped up their fox in
covert, and got away quickly in the wake of

Belvoir Hunt. 93

another, going beautifully along by a planta-
tion on the south nearly to Melton Spinney.
Approaching the railway the fox was headed and
passed the outskirts of Melton, with brilliant
running over a long stretch of grass on the
left of Holwell to Kettleby, where was a short
check, but they were soon away past Wartnaby
and Cant's Thorns straight into Griniston
Gorse, where the fox went to ground. A hardy
terrier ejected him, but he found a safer
asylum near a farm house and had to be left.
Amongst the half-score who had the best of
this superlative run of an hour and thirty-five
minutes, was a lady on a brown horse, who
rode admirably, the most awkward fences
being negotiated without the slightest mistake.
There was a good deal more to be done yet, for
in the afternoon they found a tough old
customer at Clawson Thorns. After breaking
away by Holwell Mouth and Little Belvoir, he
led them a merry dance past Cant's Thorns to
Welby Church, turning by Pen Hill to
AVartnaby Stone Pits. Here the fox made up
his mind for the Vale, hounds rattling along
past Nether Broughton and Dalby Grange,
and catching him up beautifully on the hillside
a few fields from Dalby Wood. This also was

94 Random Rkcoi,i.ections of the

a fine sporting run of one hour and thirty
minutes, with hounds working admirably, and
out of a large field Lord Cloncurry, Captain
Smith, Mr. George Drummond, Captain Boyce,
Mr. Praed, and Mr. W. Chaplin were the only
representatives to witness the end of a magnifi-
cent day^s sport.

During the summer of 1883 two well-known
followers of the Belvoir hounds passed away —
The Rev. T. Heathcote, of Lenton, and
Mr. Hardy, of Grantham. Mr. Heathcote,
during the time his cousin Arthur had the
Surrey Stag hounds, frequently hunted with
him from the Durdans at Epsom. He used to
ride uncommonly hard, and it was related that
a terrible cropper, whilst staying there, over a
hog-backed stile one frosty morning, would
have killed nine men out of ten, though he for-
tunately escaped with cuts and bruises. A covert
planted by him near Folkingham has afforded
some fine runs on the borders of the Fens.
Mr. Hardy was a constant attendant at the
covert side for many years, no distance being
too far or day too long. He had many tussles
with Sir Thomas Whichcote, the pair fre-
quently cutting out the work, especially in the

Beta'oir Hunt. 95

woodlands and over the Lincolnshire district.
Possessing fine hands, clever horses, and an
accurate knowledge of the country, when hounds
ran Mr. Hardy was sure to be near, and being
a shrewd observer and keen critic, few men
were able to relate incidents of the chase more
sententiously than he.

On the 2nd March, 1887, interest was
manifested in the assembly at Buckminster,
the seat of Earl Dysart, and a new meet.
The Duke of Rutland, the Duke of Portland,
Earl and Countess Brownlow, the Countess of
Wilton and Mr. Pryor, Col. Willson, Major
and Mrs. Amcotts, Col. Forester, Major
Longstaffe, Mr. Chaplin, Sir H. Cholmeley,
and many others present. When the cavalcade
moved out of the court yard the sight was as
enlivening as varied, for you saw a large
contingent of the best men in England, on the
finest specimens of hunters that money could
procure, in contradistinction to the nondescript
rider, who, on a half cart horse, enjoys his
outing with the biggest of them, if you may
judge by the way his hob-nailed boots punch
the sides of the impassive animal he bestrides.
The trap tit, too, steps gaily along in front of

g6 Random Recollections of the

the caparisoned pair in the stylish wagonette,
jarvey, with pipe topsy-turvy on one side of his
mouth, utterly ignoring jolts and jars over rough
ground which threaten to deposit him and his
beery companions upon mother earth. A fox
broke from Coston Covert across dry soil on the
east, and there wasn't much scent. But when
hounds had crossed Sewstern lane and got upon
grass they ran along nicely to the village.
^' Look out ! Ware wire," is the cry, as a
veteran frantically gesticulates. Too late the
warning, the horse of a hard riding farmer is
hung in its clutches. With a struggle and
scramble the victim regains his legs, the rider
none the worse, but it was a marvel his horse
escaped so leniently. By slow degrees the
fox was hunted past Stainby to Skillington
where he went to ground. The best part of
the run was in its early stages, with work
cleverly performed b}^ hounds for upwards of
an hour. A patch of gorse adjoining the park at
Buckminster was the abode of a fox who bustled
away as soon as he heard the noise, with a batch
of hard riders hurrying down to the drain that
runs below, and the usual boggling at water
which is sure to make some victims. Mr. T.
Heathcote slipped over in exceptionless style,

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 97

holding a lead as hounds ran along the
plantations, whilst a gentleman following got
a nasty fall at the next fence, being dragged
in the stirrup for some distance. The day
ended with a fast burst from Lawn Hollow
across the Melton road, whence bearing north
hounds ran the fox to the village of Denton,
where, as daylight was waning, Gillard had to
give up a prolonged and enjoyable day's
hunting.

There was a capital run from Hough Gorse
on Tuesday, the 25th February, 1890. The
meet, at Barks ton-le-Willows, was attended by
several gentlemen from the sporting metropolis,
who brought their horses by train to Grantham,
including Count Zbrowsky, Capt. Hill Trevor,
Mr. Wallace, Mr. De Winton, Mr. Akers,
Mr. Morris, and also contained representatives
of the Blankney Hunt. The first fox from
Barks ton Gorse got headed near the railway,
and twisted along the banks of the river
Witham, whence little could be done with him.
White Hills had been tried a fortnight before
and a rattling burst ensued, though on this
occasion it was void. But there was the right

'98 Random Recollkctions of the

ring at Hough Gorse, the pack disturbing a
fox who did not mean to be caught napping.
He stole stealthily out on the south, close by a
band of sportsmen drawn up in shelter from
a stinging north easter. Not a word was
breathed, and the conduct of this section
merited kudos. Reynard appreciated this
as he calmly surveyed the party, but his
mind was not quite made up. Presently he
goes bravely away on the east. There is no
delay as hounds indicate a comfortable scent
as they cross ploughed land and incline to-
wards the Brandon road. Most of the horsemen
steer for Macadam — inestimable boon to so
many — but a gentleman in black spurns the
idea and rides close to the pack. Highway-
men discover their error as hounds turn
away across large pastures west of the village
of Hough. The pace waxes hot, with no signs
of slackening, there is a long tail and those
cutting out the work in no danger of having
their wings clipped. Without semblance of a
check hounds cross the road between Hough
and Gelston and go tearing away to Carlton
Ashes. Onward they sweep to Honington
beck, in proximity with a crossing of the
Lincoln and Grantham railway near Barkston.

Belvoir Hunt. 99

Frank Gillard and two or three others got well
over the stream, but there were panting steeds
shuddering at its gurgling waters, their riders
seeking to condone the offence by the com-
promise of riding in and out. In this they
are disappointed, for the treacherous banks
refuse foot-hold, and they slide calmly down
into the cooling element. Whilst this was
going on hounds were racing for their fox,
who just saved his life by gaining refuge in a
sand earth about a mile north of Honington
Station, after a headlong stampede without a
check for twenty-five minutes. The pace from
first to last was tremendous, combining the
characteristics of a steeple-chase. Frank
Gillard, who was riding an exceptionally fast
horse, held the lead most of the way, with
Major Longstaffe, Mr. C. Clarke (junior),
Mr. Fisher, and a few others in the best places.

A splitting run took place from Mr. Welby's
plantations at Allington early in November,
1 89 1. Hounds met at Bel voir ; the noble Duke,
Lad}^ Victoria Manners, and a large field being
present. Not much was done round the castle in
the morning ; but later on a fox from Allington

loo Random Recoi.i.ections of the

went away with hounds in his wake, and it
was evident there was a much improved scent
as they passed within hail of Debdale,
with Frank Gillard and Mr. James Hutchinson
nearest the pack. Mr. Hemery, Mr. Lubbock,
and Major Amcotts electing a lower line of
country, rode to the musical strains in front of
them over Sewston lane, scarcely able to
discern the spotted beauties on the other
side of blackthorn enclosures in the
glittering sheen of a setting sun. When the
lane was crossed hounds swung to the right,
and the three gentlemen so favoured had the
best of it, the huntsman and Mr. Hutchinson
having sharp work to get near them pointing
for Normanton Covert. This lay on the right,
the pack running west to the river Devon,
with odds on their crossing the Newark and
Bottesford Railway. But as an expert is
exercising his skill as a locksmith with a
stirrup iron upon the crossing gates, Mr.
Hemery detects the pack bearing towards
Staunton, and the little band race over grass
in that direction, with fences big enough to
baffle a bull and equally blind. They reached
Staunton in twenty-six minutes, and unfor-
tunately getting on the line of a fresh fox as

Belvoir Hunt. ror

the shades of night were falling Gillard had to
stop them, otherwise the fugitive could hardly
have escaped.

Much regret was manifested at the death of
that fine sportsmen Sir Thomas Whichcote, of
Aswarby Park, which took place at Bourne-
mouth, on the 1 8th of January, 1892, after a
long and painful illness. The deceased, as
has been before alluded to, was for many years
a prominent leader with the Belvoir hounds,
and possessing a famous stud, mostl}^ thorough-
bred horses, it was seldom that he found an
equal in the hardest of runs. When failing
health compelled his retirement from the field,
his interest in the chase remained unabated,
his coverts a sanctuary for foxes, with a hearty
welcome to all who attended the Aswarby
meets, or the vicissitudes of the chase might
bring within hail of his hospitable mansion.
Sir Thomas was an excellent landlord, possess-
ing the esteem and affection of a long line of
tenantry, who were sure of advice and assistance
in the hour of need, and died regretted and
honoured by all who knew him.

It was during a run from Coston Covert the
same season that Mr. Pidcock, a gentleman

I02 Random RecolIvECTions of the

hunting from Grantham, got an awkward fall
near Sewstern. His horse, making a mistake at
a fence, fell into the ditch, where the rider was
in imminent danger of having his head
battered in by the horse's kicks, when that
excellent sportsman, Lord Lonsdale, taking
the situation in at a glance, immediately^ jumped
from his own horse and pulled off the saddle,
placing it as a shield round the hatless gentle-
man, and probably saved him from being
killed. This was a novel expedient, and one
which few of the experienced would have
dreamt of, and hunting men owe a debt of
gratitude to the noble earl for the useful lesson
which he taught.

The}^ hunted late in the spring of 1892, and
on the 14th April, we find the field entertained
to a recherche luncheon by Earl and Countess
Brownlow, at Belton House. A glance at the
company included Sir George and Lady Dallas,
Mr. H. Cust, M.P., Lady Augusta Fane, Major
Longstaffe, Lady Hylda MacNeil, Hon. Mr.
Petre, Mr. E. Lubbock, Sir John and Miss
Thorold, Capt. Rennie, Major Hutchinson,
Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Montague and Mrs.
Thorold, the Misses Heathcote, Mr. C. Bradley,

BeIvVOir Hunt. 103

Col. Fane, M. Roy, &c. There was not much
sport during the day, hounds finding a brace
of foxes at Haydor Southings, and getting
divided in a short run by Oasby Mill to
Abney Wood. Towards evening Gillard went
to Harrowby Gorse, and tried to make out the
line of a fox who had decamped early, when,
as night came on, the inky clouds over
head began to discharge their contents in
a blinding fall of snow, sending the field home
more like a band of millers than members of
the chase.

By the death of another well-known figure
in the Belvoir country. Col. Francis A. Fane,
of Fulbeck Hall, which took place at Malta,
on the 31st January, 1893, followers of the
Belvoir and Blankney packs were deprived of
the fellowship of a genial sportsman and
country gentleman, whose welcome when
hounds met at his residence was most cordial.
The gallant officer, until illness prevented,
was a frequent attendant with those packs,
and especially respected by the farmers and
members of the hunt. He took great interest
in agricultural pursuits and the breeding of
hunters, and was chosen as one of the British

I04 Random RkcolIvKctions of the

delegates to visit Canada, and report upon
its suitability as a field of emigration ;
and the reports of those gentlemen were
of great value and interest. Col. Fane in early
life had a distinguished military career, having
raised and commanded the Peshawur Light
Horse during the Indian Mutiny. He also
commanded the 25th regiment, and saw con-
siderable service in Canada in connection with
the Red River Expedition. The deceased,
who was in his 68tli year, was one of a
younger branch of the Fanes, Earls of
Westmorland.

About the beginning of the next month —
February — there was a meet at Newton Bar
one terribly rough morning, when nobody
thought hounds could run a yard. In the
afternoon, however, they found a fox at
Boothby Little Wood, and going away down
wind close to his brush, raced at a terrific pace
across a beautiful stretch of grass to within a
few fields of Lenton, with Mr. Jas. Hutchinson
leading the field all the way. The burst, al-
though lasting only about sixteen minutes,
was a brilliant affair, and the pack would
assuredly have ended the career of their fox

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 105

had he not baulked them by going to earth in
a pit. So strong was the gale that the time of
many was employed in the undignified em-
ployment of hat hunting, the conventional
chimney-pot performing fantastic evolutions
before coming to anchor in the nearest ditch.
This reminds me of a novel remedy adopted
by the Marquis of Tweeddale, who used
to hunt with the Belvoir hounds some
years ago, and was a very resolute man
across country. He pursued the simple ex-
pedient of securing his head-gear by strings of
broad ribbon tied in a bow under the chin,
somewhat after the style of elderly ladies of that
period when bonnets were of more capacious
dimensions than the bewitching excuses of the
present day. Of course this subjected him to
good natured badinage, for which he cared
not a jot.

io6 Random Rkcoi.i.ections of the

CHAPTER XL

Hunting Continued.

On Boxing Day, Tuesday, 26tli December,
1893, the town of Grantham was on the qui
vive in consequence of the Eield Master, Lord
Edward Manners, having arranged a meet at
the Guildhall, out of compliment to the Mayor,
Capt. Arthur Hutchinson, an excellent sports-
man and follower of hounds. As it was
said to have been over forty years since a
similar event took place — and that during the
regime of Lord Forester, when Will Goodall
had command of the pack — great excitement
was manifested, a large and orderly crowd,
numbering from five to six thousand, filling
the approaches to the hall as the hour of
meeting drew nigh. Capt. Hutchinson had
issued invitations to the hunt, and especially
farmers, to partake of a recherche breakfast in

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 107

tHe Reading Room, which was responded to by
numbers of ladies and gentlemen who gathered
in honour of the occasion, Mrs. Hutchinson
and her friends offering a hearty greeting to
the guests on the steps of the official mansion.
Amongst such a crowd it would be difficult to
enumerate the component parts, but the follow-
ing may be mentioned : Lord Edward Manners-
(the Field Master), Lady Victoria Manners ^
Lord Robert Manners, Sir John and Miss
Thorold, Mr. F. S. Stanley, Major Longstaffe,
Col. Theobald, Mr. V. Hemery, Major Sandys,
Mr. E. Lubbock, Mr. Marsland, Col. Willson,
Mr. and Mrs. Montague Thorold, Major James
Hutchinson, Mr. Walter Willson, Mr. Peacock,
Col., Mrs. and Miss Parker, Mr. Couturie,
Major Downing, Mr. H. Smith, the Misses
Heathcote, Mr. C. Bradley, Mr. W. Pinder,
and Messrs. Joseph Wilders, J. Hinde,
Jos. Hutchinson, J. Brewster, J. Tomlinson,
Thomas Hutchinson, Mr. and Mrs. Earl,
R. Burrows, R. Wyles, I. Hoyes, Rudkin,
Bellamy, Pick, J. A. Rudkin, Stockdale,
Grummitt, Dowse, Rastal, and a host of others.

The Master selected a capital place to '^ fling
off" at Harrowby Gorse, which lies on the

io8 Random Rkcoi^lkctions of the

slope of a commanding eminence east of the
town, and Frank Gillard no sooner signalled
the pack to " break bnlk " than mottled sterns
were popping np and down in an excited
manner, and whimpers confirmed suspicions
that a fox was on foot.

Without hesitation he sailed gallantly away
over the old race course towards Londonthorpe.
With such a motley crowd no wonder that the
fun began at once with some stiff rails which
a gentleman on a chestnut sought to compass.
Not of the same mind, the horse whips round,
to be charged by a reckless sportsman who
came tilting along and knocked both horse
and rider clean over the obstacle, tumbling
on the top of them in the next field. They
were a bit '' tousled " in the scrimmage, but
got righted in time to follow in the rear of
the company now getting scattered abroad.
Hounds went at a rattling pace as they
ascended the hill east, with loose horses in
wild career amongst riderless ponies, whose
youthful jockeys were plucky little chaps,
caring no more about turning somersaults
over '' Taffy's " head than tumbling from the
family rocking horse. The pace continued to

Belvoir Hunt. 109

tlie High-dyke, where was the first check of
any account, and as Gillard was assisting
hounds the country presented a spectacle of
rampaging steeds and discomfited riders, the
*^ shilling " men reaping a rich harvest, the
number of falls up to this point estimated on
good authority to have been over twenty.
Cooler hunting followed, with the line foiled
by hares as hounds kept working on past
Abney Wood to the precincts of Ropsley,
where the fox became more difficult to trace,
and eventually ran them out of scent. The first
part of the run was very fast, with slower hunt-
ing to the end of an hour, and a further addition
to the list of casualties, which, though the
country was not over stiff, must have been
reckoned at between thirty and forty, a number
appearing almost incredible, excepting it be
attributable to the varied characteristics of
the steeds that had been requisitioned for the
day, for there was scarcely any description of
the noble animal from three hundred guineas
to the ^5 screw that was not represented.

The presence of royalty at Belvoir on
Friday, the 3rd of March, attracted a brilliant
assembly under the battlements of the castle,

I ro Random RkcoIvI^kctions of the

several visitors from tlie Quom and Cottesmore
being present. The company included the
Empress Frederick of Germany, Prince and
Princess Henry of Battenburg, the Duke and
Duchess of Rutland, Lord Edward Manners,
Lady Victoria and Lord William Manners,
the Marchioness of Granby, Hon. H. and Lady
A. Scott, Sir H. Cholmeley, Mr. F. C. Stanley,
etc. By noon Lord Edward Manners gave
orders for the Salt Becks, where, almost as
soon as hounds entered, a holloa on the north
took them quickly away. No sooner had the
pack recognised the evidence than other foxes
attracted attention, and their pursuers divided
in a scrambling scamper by Muston and back
to Belvoir. The spectators who lined the
turreted walls enjoyed a capital view of the
chase, though the run had been short and
fencing not of much account. Trotting away
to Normanton Thorns a brace of foxes were
roused, hounds settling nicely on the line of
one who set his head straight for Long
Bennington. A blustering sheep dog appeared
on the scene, with the effect of turning reynard
back across the Normanton road. The inter-
ruption caused Gillard to recheat the hounds
and retrace his steps in a westerly course past

BeIvVOir Hunt. i i i

Staunton to the Newark Railway, parallel with
the river Devon to Staunton Grange, where
scent became cool, and the fences loomed black
and forbidding. A gentleman of the neigbour-
hood, with an eye to the future, slips off to the
right with half-a-dozen followers to secure first
passage over the Smite, to find that hounds
have not crossed and are pursuing an opposite
course from the speculative band. The
few who stuck to the pack had an excellent
pilot in a quiet looking gentleman in '^ bags,"
who showed the way over some frowning fences
back to Staunton, where the fox got the best
of it close by the village. Towards evening
evidence of a traveller near Bottesford was
carried on nearly to Debdale. Checking at a
mere road, hounds in a few minutes catch up
the line with renewed vigour, and rattle
smartly along a blind country pointing for
Bennington Grange. One of the leading
light-weights — Mr. Hemery — slips cleverly
over a trappy fence, and a few others reach
the opposite side by various degrees of
scrambling. Hounds race away across some
clover fields and appear to be enjoying a grate-
ful scent, but on stiifer soils it weakened, and
they worked slowly on to Sewstern lane,

112 Random RkcoIvIvKctions of thk

approacHing nigiit obliging Gillard to give
it up.

The season, ending April, 1893, closed with
a meet at Leadenham House, in honour of the
coming of age of Mr. John Sherrard Reeve,
son and heir of Lieut. Col. John Reeve. Under
a cloudless sky the young gentleman received
the congratulations of his friends, toasted in a
famous brew of nut-brown October of the same
age as himself. The assembly was graced
by the presence of several ladies, including
Mrs. Longstaffe, Mrs. Montague Thorold,
Miss Crofts, Miss L. Willson, Mrs. Long,
Mrs. Earl, etc. After killing an outlying fox
on Mr. EarPs farm, hounds found at Byard's
Leap, and ran, with dust flying, towards Lord
Bristol's plantation, but did not persevere with
a vixen. At the latter place there was a fox,
who went to ground in a shallow recess, which
the pack quickly demolished and appropriated
its contents. In the evening, from Sparrow
Gorse, hounds ran prettily past Sudbrook
House and Ancaster Station to the plantations
by Willoughby Hall, winding up a pretty five-
and-twenty minutes by rolling their fox over
in Capt Rennie's grounds.

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 113

On the 26ih of January, 1894, and during-
the week, the sporting metropolis was the
scene of a Hunt carnival. There had been an
aristocratic gathering at a Primrose Ball on
the evening before, the Earl of Londsdale
holding a meet of the Quorn hounds at
Egerton Lodge on the following morning. On
Saturday, numbers of people again assembled
at '' The House " to witness Lord Edward
Manners hold a levee with the Belvoir beauties.
Great was the excitement manifested as Frank
Gillard and his staff drove along the streets
with three horses in the van, the unboxing of
hounds exciting lively interest among the foot
folk, their comments upon the appearance of
the pack being pithy and amusing, showing-
many of them to be no mean judges of the
points of a fox-hound. There was a westerly
gale raging as Gillard moved off to Burbidge's
Covert, whence a fox went away to Burton
Lazars, but his heart failed and he slipped into
a drain. Returning to the covert, where
another fox had been left, he made off by the
railway, and horsemen gathered on the wrong-
side of the river were quickly spluttering and
splashing their way through the ford. They
were, however, sold, for reynard, not caring for

114 Random Recoli^ections of the

the congratulations of two hundred foot people,
turned sharply back. Re-crossing the stream
(how small you feel when this happens, par-
ticularly if there's about three feet of sludge
in the place) hounds held a shadowy line
towards Berry Gorse, when Gillard made a
capital cast and the pack pushed on vigorously
over the Leesthorpe road near Wild's Lodge,
where a forward rider got an ugly purler, but
was up in a trice and didn't loose much ground.
The pack ran at a good pace across the road
near Stapleford, and thence rattled along the
happy hunting grounds that lay in the way
to Whissendine. Before reaching the village
there was a check, a countryman with his hat
aloft on a hill, and those who knew the country
cried " Ranksboro', for a hundred." Their
prediction was verified, as hounds traced the
line into covert. In the thicket were other
foxes, eight couples of hounds getting away
with a fresh one and hunting him by Cold
Overton to Somerby. The second whip had a
hard task to get them in hand, for they were
right in the heart of the Cottesmore country,
and Gillard was in covert with the other
moiety. But stolen fruits are sweet, there
were riders who enjoyed the clandestine gallop

Belvoir Hunt. 115

and were sorry to go back. Many of the
Lincolnshire men had wandered from their
territory, and the locale of some friendly chief
where entertainment for man and beast might
be counted on was eagerly sought. But they
had no difficulty in finding the good Samaritan
in a capital sportsman, Mr. James Hornsby,
of Stapleford Park, whose hospitality was
liberally dispensed, and equally opportune and
acceptable. This was a real sporting day's
hunting, out of unpromising material, for
there was a tempest raging all day, and it was
wonderful how hounds could trace the wind-
ings of foxes. One gentleman who went well
cared not a pin for the loss of his hat, but
continued the chase in the absence of that
appendage, though rumour said he borrowed
one of clerical pattern to ride home to Melton
in at night.

Again, after a Croxton Park meet on the
14th February, with a large company, it was
elected to take Coston Covert. A few blasts
on the horn sent reynard away speedily, with
lamentations from victims who had taken their
stand on the north and never heard the
warning. They had compensation in catching

ii6 Random Recoi.i.kctions of the

the pack at Garthorpe, but a reverend gentle-
man who was one of the first away unfortunately
had a bad fall at starting, and was a good deal
shaken. Gillard got up to the fugitive at
Freeby Wood, but he made a faint effort before
being disposed of by the pack. Better sport
from Brentingby Spinney, whence hounds
drove a fox away as if for Waltham. He doubled
back by Freeby, then bore to the right past
Thorpe Arnold, and crossing the Melton road^
hounds ran charmingly over the valley towards
Melton Spinney, which reynard disdained to
enter. The pace was exceedingly good without
a check as leaving the covert on the left
hounds bore along the hollow to Scalford. The
ranks were destined to be weakened as some
of the leading horsemen approached a chasm
of the Melton brook, Mr. H emery on a steeple-
chaser clearing it in gallant style, Mr. Brewster
landing over with a scramble. Major Thorold
saving a fall by a clever piece of horsemanship,
and the rest seeking an easier transit. Still on
the pack went nearly to Waltham, where the fox
turned right-handed and completed a circle
back to the covert whence he had started, and
managed to save his brush, after affording a
brilliant burst of forty minutes.

BeIvVOir Hunt. 117

One Tuesday, towards the end of November^
1894, after meeting at the hospitable mansion
of Mr. and Mrs. Montague Thorold, Honington
Hall, there was interesting sport. A morning-
gallop from Carlton Osiers along the Sleaford
railway makes people hurry on with hearts in
their mouths, devoutly thankful when the fox
turned up hill and made for Sparrow Gorse..
He seemed to have squatted in some turnips,,
for hounds, after rushing about in a frantic
manner, raced sharp back to Willoughby, with
reynard saving his jacket by getting to ground.
A gentleman of the neighbourhood proposes
that some turnip fields should be attended to
near Honington, where up jumps a bewildered
fox, and has a narrow escape as two or three of
the pack make a simultaneous rush for him.
Like an arrow he skims through some rails
into the road, and there is an exciting chase
along the macadam. Slipping into some fields
on the left reynard was pursued at a rattling
pace through Carlton Ashes, whence a shrill
holloa took the pack joyously along past the
village of Gelston. Passing its precincts
hounds continued at a good pace below Hough-
on-the-Hill, and bore down west, with a slight
check on the Brandon road. There is heavy

ii8 Random Recoi.i.ections of the

country before reaching Shield's Gorse, and
from this there was clever hunting as hounds
pointed for Col. Willson's covert, which, how-
ever, turned out not to be the point the tod
was seeking. Leaving Brandon on the left,
scent became fickle and the fox got the best of
it at Stubton Plantations, after an exciting run
of forty-five minutes. But the hunt was not
confined to this, there was a duplicate going
on all the time : It turned out that Gillard
was leaving the turnip field at Honington with
the body of the pack at the same moment that
another fox jumped up, with five or six
couples close to his brush. A light-weight
in a cap appeared to be the only person handy,
or to have known of the brace of foxes, and as
this section set to work swiftly in an opposite
direction he couldn't resist the temptation, and,
being joined by another hard rider, the two,
without hesitation, gleefully assumed the
duties of huntsman and whip, sticking to their
little band bravely as they ran hard across to
the Grantham and Leadenham road. Soon
after doubling round by Carlton Ashes and
passing Mr. Cartwright's, these hounds picked
up their quarry in grand style, the amateur
huntsman and his assistant duly decapitating

Belvoir Hunt. 119

brushing and padding their prize before throw-
ing the merited morceaux to the gallant little
pack. Our amateurs, however, did not shirk the
responsibilities which the escapade entailed, for
in a short time they came jogging along with
their charges, and the trophies on their saddles,
to re-unite with the main body at Stubton.

With the advent of 1895 frost made its
unwelcome appearance, retaining a pertina-
cious grip for two months. But there was a
slight break about the 21st January, when
Lord Edward Manners appointed to meet at
Belvoir at 12 o'clock. Deciding upon a journey
into the vale it was agreeable, after late ex-
periences, to feel horses splashing through the
wet and the frost mostly gone. Gillard waves
his pack into the Rectory Covert, where
startled hares scuttle about in all directions,
and some say there's no fox. Wait a bit. In
a few minutes reynard goes sailing away in
face of a batch of horsemen on the north,
whose resolutions lead them oif in the wake
of hounds across flooded fields to the Bottesford
and Melton railway. Trains luckily happened
to be scarce at the time, and the line was
crossed without hindrance, the pack running

I20 Random RkcoIvIvKctions of the

j3Lt a great pace over the Redmile road to the
Nottingham canal. The half-score leaders
included some who always get away at the
right time, slip over two or three fences clear
of the crowd, and secure the advantages of an
open field and no favour. Of such are those
first over the road, and amongst them a young
lady on a smart four-year old, who skims over
the fences like a swallow, and enables his
mistress to hold her place with the best of
them. Now comes the canal. There is dismay —
no bridge, and if you prefer a cold bath it is
ready. Memories of a hard rider of the Vale,
who hunted with the Belvoir hounds some
years ago, crop up, when under similar circum-
stances he attemped to ride slantwise over
some rails on to the towing path, with the
result of the horse jumping bigger than he
-expected and landing bang in the middle. And
it was curious that one of the whips should
liave taken a header during the same run.
When the water was reached to-day, as hounds
splashed through, there was nothing better
than galloping round by Scrimshaw's Mill.
Those who went straight for the bridge at first
did best, for hounds were streaming away for
the heights of Belvoir. Pursuing their fox by

BEiyVOiR Hunt. 121

the Salt Becks they reached the castle in
fifteen minutes, and pushed on to Woolsthorpe,
where reynard dodged about the outskirts, and
was slowly hunted by Barrowby Stainwith to
Muston Gorse. Without dwelling hounds
worked on a weakening scent over the Redmile
road, as if for Stathern. The effect of an altered
course was for the worse, as the pack could
scarcely drag on below Barkston Woods, and
had to be content with deferring their hopes
till the next merry meeting. There had
been a capital spell of diversified hunting
for an hour and a half, the first part at
racing pace, succeeded by interesting hound
work to the finish.

Up to the setting in of frost the season
ending April, 1896, had been very successful,
capital sport having generally been obtained.
It was, however, disastrous to the hunt staff,
Frank Gillard having experienced four severe
falls, which necessitated his withdrawal from
the field for some time. In his absence
Harry Maiden, the first whip, fulfilled the
duties of his office with tact and ability. But
he, too, had some nasty falls ; whilst Fred.
South and Bob Knott did not escape misfortunes.

122 Random Recoi.i.kctions of thk

CHAPTER XII.

Habits of Foxes.

Whilst it is probable that mountain foxes,
or tbose bred in wild inaccessible regions, may
occasionally satisfy tbeir appetites by the
confiscation of isolated weaklings, it is seldom
that those brought up in more inland and
cultivated districts are minded to seek food
amongst our sheepfolds. Now and again it
may be that some wastrel, who has the mishap
to get capsized in a furrow, falls a victim, and
occasionally a lamb of tender age may be
appropriated for the benefit of a litter of cubs
as they become troublesome to the maternal
parent, but beyond this damage is seldom
committed. As far as foxes strolling about
amongst sheep is concerned, the latter are in
no way disconcerted and pay very little atten-
tion. Many a time have I witnessed cubs

^ Bel VOIR Hunt. 123

frolicing amongst sheep on a summer's eve-
ning, jumping on their backs when lying
down, and playing all sorts of pranks without
exciting the slightest alarm, or even causing
the sheep to get on their legs. This was
specially the case with some old rams, who
appeared to rather relish the tickling — probably
being a bit itchy — which the young vulps
treated them to in their gambols on and off
their broad backs. My experience is that foxes,
whilst very fond of rats, have a like partiality
for both fur and feather, and if they can gain ac-
cess to poultry yards in the breeding season may
be very destructive. One of the most effectual
ways of protection, when not secured by wire
runs, is to hang tin vessels either at the
corners of buildings, or any place where the
wind can make them jangle together. Foxes
don't know what to make of the discordant
concert, and generally think it the best policy
to sheer off. Flags stuck about the pens are
also useful. I have on different occasions, and
at certain places, found it pay to feed the cubs ;
always after a ratting excursion having the
^' bag " emptied about the vicinity of their
earths. Likewise on the demise of a sheep ;
it was quartered and a portion allowed them at

124 Random Rkcoi.lkctions of the

intervals. Each of tliese menus seemed to
be equally relished, and scarcely anything
remained of the meal the next day. So many
instances of the natural cunning of foxes have
been adduced that there seems to be hardly
any device they won^t resort to at a pinch.
One of the most artful that fell to my notice
happened some years ago, when a crippled fox
took up his abode on my land. He, or she, had
by some means lost part of a foreleg, by what
means I could not tell, but suspected the trap.
All that remained of the limb was a short
stump, and when suddenly roused the fox
would go off with a bad limp, so much so that
some Irishmen who worked on the farm, and
were familar with the cripple, would utter a
Donnybrook yell and give chase, and there did
not seem to be much difference in speed
between pursuers and pursued till Pat had
nearly got up, when the '' hipocrite," as they
called him, would put on steam and leave
them in the lurch. But one day as I was
quietly walking round my farm I disturbed a
fox in a stubble field, who, after turning round
to stare at me, went through a fence, and
running forty or fifty yards across a piece of
fallows, suddenly stopped and roused up

BkIvVoir Hunt. 125

another of the ilk, which, on looking over the
hedge, I discovered to be my old friend the
cripple, who went limping away, whilst the
first returned and stood looking defiantly at
me with the fence between us, and after a
short inspection of what I was like, appeared
satisfied that no harm was meant and trotted
leisurely away. Could it have been that this
fox had slipped into the fallows and given his
maimed friend a warning of danger ? I have
before alluded to the ability, cleverness, and
amusing tricks of ^^ Topsy."

Faddists go to great lengths in condemna-
tion of the chase, and Miss Taylor sought to
magnify the few evils connected with it in the
'' Fortnightly Review " ; I think it was some-
where about the year 1870. But the statements
were exaggerated, and the outcome of an over-
wrought imagination on the part of that lady^
who seemed to have little knowledge of the
subject. The quaint Christopher North quite
upsets Miss Taylor's theories when he says : —
^' Much evil is done the cause of humanity by
indiscriminate and illogical abuse of pursuits
and recreations totally dissimilar. I doubt if
any person can be really humane in heart

126 Random RKCoi.i.:ecTiONS of the

unless really sound in head. Is it cruel to
dogs to feed fifty or sixty o' them on crackers,
etc., in a kennel like a christian house, with a
clear burn flowing through it ? Is't cruel to
horses to buy a hundred of them, feed them
on five or six feeds of corn per diem, gie them
coats sleek as satin — to gallop them like devils
in a hurricane ? '^ But the fox ? He imagines
the delight of the fox when he escapes, getting
into an undigable earth just when the leading
hound was at his haunches ; — " Ae sic a
moment is enough to repay half-an-hour's
draggle through dirt, and he can lick himself
at his leisure, far away in the cranny of the
rocks, and come out all tosh and tidy by the
first dawn. Huntin' him prevents him fa'in
into ennui, and growing ower fat on how towdies
(fowls). He's no killed every time he's hunted."

The conditions of hunting have undergone
man}' changes during the years that have been
skimmed over by the exigencies under which
w^e live. During the early part of this century
fewer labourers were engaged in the fields than
now, corn was mostly thrashed by hand in
field barns in the winter months — no steam

BejivVOir Hunt. 127

cultivating maciiines — and you might ride
miles after hounds of an afternoon in the depth
of winter without danger of the fox being
headed, or meeting with a soul, save and except
a solitary workman engaged in cutting a hedge
or scouring a ditch, who, from the nature of
that employment was seldom visible till you
were close upon him. Indeed, it has been
related how a fox, pursued by hounds, rushed
suddenly through a fence, sprang upon the
ditcher's back and off again, taking him for the
stump of an old tree. Certain it is that cattle
will chase a draggled fox, and I remember
Lord Forester (then Master of the Belvoir
pack) calling attention, during a good run, to
some bullocks scampering along a hill side.
" That's were he's gone," quoth he — and surely
enough in a few minutes hounds were pushing
along the line which the boves had taken up
in wild confusion to the end of the field. Then
again, foxes frequently get headed in turnip
fields by persons engaged in clamping or
cutting for the flocks. These considerations
were not so much attended to until com-
paratively recent times ; and the fewer people
employed on the land, and the wilder it was^
the better the sport of hunting and shooting.

128 Random RkcoIvLKCtions of the

In earlier days mange amongst foxes was
practically unknown, and when hounds hap-
pened to kill a diseased animal — which was
rarely — the disorder could, in nearly every
instance, be traced to a beaten fox in a heated
condition having taken refuge in a wet or foul
drain, which produced surfeit of the skin, and
was not true mange. How the increase of the
insidious malady of which many hunts com-
plain has been brought about is difficult to
explain. In cases where cubs have to be
imported, and are brought up in a semi-
domesticated state, it is probable that they can't
stand the weather, and occasionlly succumb to
adverse influences, whilst putrid flesh of any
description is sure to have baneful effects.
But why a transference of foxes from either
mountain or lowland to artificial coverts in
other districts should be the means of inducing
mange — as alleged by some — I am at a loss to
understand.

Perhaps the worst and most direful scourge
to fox hunting of the present day lies in the
adoption of wire. It cannot be denied by those
who observe signs of the times that twenty-five

BsiyVOiR Hunt. 129

years of increasing depression have altered the
views taken by farmers on the subject of
hunting. Though nineteen out of twenty of
them remain sportsmen at heart, and delight
in the music of hounds, bad prices, unfavour-
able seasons, local taxation, preferential rates,
and foreign competition have done incalculable
injury to the chief industry of our country ; and
it is no wonder that occupiers of land, many of
whom used to breed a few hunters, enjoy a bit of
sport in the education of their young ones, and
realise a little profit on the sale, should desire
compensation for injuries to fences and crops,
and the loss of poultry. But the introduction
of barbed wire is the greatest and most dan-
gerous evil of all. Though it may be a cheap
and useful barrier against cattle, so long as
they don't get entangled in it, the fearful
injuries which have been inflicted upon hounds,
horses, and men, upon which ^' The Field "
and other sporting newspapers have constantly
made valuable suggestions, lead to the
conclusion that arrangements will, in most
cases, have to be made with the occupiers of
land for its removal in the winter months and
re-erection after the season is over at the
expense of different hunts where this is desired.

130 Random RecolIvECTions of the

Before dismissing the unpalatable theme I
cannot refrain from comment on the generous
conduct of a gentleman, who, I believe, resides
at Waltham, and purchased six closes of land
at Stonesby about the year 1891, letting them
under the following conditions : — ^' The tenants
to use no wire in the fences, and all damage
done by hunters to be made good by the
owner.'' It is needless to add that, if it be true
that this gentleman neither hunts, except on
foot, nor patronizes shooting, this sterling and
generous consideration was highly appreciated
by members of the hunt.

BeivVOir Hunt. 131

CHAPTER XIII.

Old Customs versus New.

What changes many whose devoted craninms
are tinged with frost may have observed between
the fashionable assembly of to-day and that of
fifty years ago. Youthful progeny have
sprung into manhood, but one may recognise
the seat, hands, and bearing of many a sterling
man now gathered to his fathers, reproduced
in the promising young fellow who is destined
to do honour to public service or the associa-
tions connected with the life of a country
gentleman. Tempora mutantiir, etnos miitamur
in illis — the hunting field is no exception — the
slogging four hours' run has been superseded
by the brilliant five-and-thirty minutes' race.
Costumes have followed suit ; you look in vain
for the roomy mahogany top, wherein the
wearer could stick his stout crop whilst

132 Random Recollections of the

mtmcliing a substantial sandwicli. Where is
the aristocratic double-breasted swallow tail,
or the twice round bird's eye ? Modern artists
have wrought comfort, elegance, and utility in
the garments of the fair daughters of Diana ;
the navy blue, or olive green, stand aside for
russet and grey ; whilst shortened skirts,
infinitely more becoming than elongated folds
reaching nearly to the ground, immensely
lessen the danger of getting hung in the
saddle. The safety skirt, recently introduced
by one of the most accom;^lished devotees of
the chase, Mrs. Cuthbert Bradley, appears to
have given infinite satisfaction. The skirt is
short, comfortable, and becoming, whilst the
risk of accident is reduced to a minimum.
The wife of the talented gentleman who is
such an ardent lover of hounds, and whose
inimitable sketches bring home so forcibly the
escapades, pains, penalties, and vicissitudes
of which all who love the chase must
be daily witnesses, is eminently qualified
as an exponent of the art of safely and expedi-
tiously crossing the country. Mrs. Bradley
and her sisters have put the safety skirt to all
kinds of tests, those ladies going straight as
arrows to hounds

Belvoir Hunt. 133

What a difference there was half a century
ago in the mode of going to the meet. The
thorough-bred hack, after having been put
through the mill and found wanting in his
youthful days, bore his rider at a hand canter
ten or twelve miles comfortably within the
hour. The iron horse now conveys the man
from town little short of a mile in a minute to
liis destination. An elegant trap and hog-
maned cob, mostly driven by a lady scrupu-
lously attired for the chase, brings her sterner
companion, a marvel of the skill of his valet,
in the most spotless of garments, his faultless
leathers protected by an apron which can be
utilised on horseback in case of rain. This is
out of the pale of Doctor Johnson's ideas of
travelling, as he somewhere observes that one
of the finest things is to be rattled in a coach ;
and, without denying that the doctor's opinion,
as far as it went, might have been good in his
day, no one will deny that however useful in
its way, there is something stiff and formal in
the mode of progression, to say nothing about
the inconvenience of either being frozen to
death in the snow-bound vehicle, or compelled
to solicit food and shelter at the nearest farm
house, which might happen to be miles away.

134 Random Recoi.i,ections of the

But, after the break up of a frost, just throw
your leg over a generous horse, and I'll go
bail you'll feel a percolation through your
system of the most exhilarating kind ; a
counterpoise to the depression which hangs
about a man when he sees a lot of horses
jogging monotonously round the tan, with
mischievous shots which buoyant spirits lead
to excess. One ought not to grumble, how-
ever, at a jolly old-fashioned Christmas.
Morals of the people have changed. The old
village topers, whose creed was to get drunk
every Saturday night in harvest time, and
once or twice a week besides, have been re-
moved from our midst. Poor Pilgarlic of the
stocks— subject of gibes and jeers of jobbernowls
no better than himself — has been improved out
of existence. Amongst some curious old
village documents, relating to the sporting
proclivities of our predecessors one hundred
and fifty years ago, the following extracts, said
to have been taken from the constable's book
at one of the villages on the Cliffrow, in
Lincolnshire, may be interesting: — " 1745, To
William Nixon, of Nocton, with badger, 6d.
1748, Paid to a fox killing, is. 1749, Spent
when we dressed the bull's foot, is. 1749,

Belvoir Hunt. 135

Paid to a badger killing, 6d. 1750, Given to
Ed. Wollas for catcliing a badger, is. 1753,
Paid to a fox catcliing at Carlton, 6d. Paid to
a fox catcliing at Nocton, 6d. 1756, Paid to
Sam. Rollison for ale, spent by the fox hunters,
8s. 1757, Spent when ye mobb came to
Bassingham, los. 1762, Gave an otter killing,
6d. ; Gave to a man for killing a bitch fox and
seven cubs, 2s. 6d ; Spent at the death of the
fox, 5s. 1764, Paid to Elizabeth Marshall for
ale when we went a fox hunting, 5s. ; Paid for
two otters killing at Carlton, is. 6d. 1765,
Paid to Ion Kirk, to an old fox, is. 1766, Paid
to Tom Taylor for 2 quarts o' rum when we
were a fox hunting, 6s. 1768, Spent of the
window peeper, ^d. ; Paid for i dozen and 2
magpies, 8 ravens, 4 dozen and 3 crows, 6s. 9d.
1782, To ropes for tieing the bull's legs, is. 6d. ;
Spent when we cut the bull's eyes out, 2S. 6d."

The presentation of such bills nowadays
would make Parish Councils stare, and exer-
cise the mind of Mr. Colam ; and though fox-
hunters in a higher sphere of life have been
humorously depicted on the floor in a chimney
corner after dinner, the fox and badger catchers
must have regarded a carousal over the ale and

136 Random Recoi^IvECTions of the

rum as an indispensable recuperative after
their labours. But about the hapless bull?
There's no record as to what offence he had
committed.

The ancients had much to say about hard
drinking, and the dire effects of polyposium,
and the manner of preventing them. Pliny,
in particular, contributes to our information : —
" If colewort be taken fasting, it preventeth a
man from drunkennesse ; and eaten after
meate, when a man is drunken iudeede, it
riddeth away the fumosity of the brain, and
bringeth him to be sober. The soupe a I'oignon,
onions boiled in water and poured upon bred,
is reckoned in France as a specific against
headache and nausea which attend upon a
bibaster from the effects ah histerno vmoP
Again : '' Is a man disposed to drink freely
and sit square at it, let him before he beginne
take a draught of the decoction of rue leaves,
he shall bear his drinke well, and withstand
the fumes that might trouble his brains." But
Horns, King of Assyrians, seems to have
arrived at the acme of inebriate research when
he devised the following : — '' Mark this experi-
ment : A barbie drowned in wine, or the fish

BEI.VOIR Hunt. 137

called a rochet (roach), or, also two eels putri-
fied in wine {what a delicious potation it must
have been) do infuse this virtue into the
'foresaid wine, that whosoever drinketh of,
shall have no mind afterwards to any wine
besides, but fall into a loathing thereof." It
was wonderful, however, that with so many
preventives at command, the streets of Rome
should so often have been infested with
drunkards."

What pristine remedies the farriers must
have employed in former times. Here is the
'' account " of one of these ancient prac-
titioners : — ^' I present you with my bill for
horse-doctering and will particularize all my
trouble, I have had with them — with Blucher
I had much trouble in rowelling him in two
places gave him drinks, took his shoes off bled
him at Toe bled him in the inside of thigh ran
up and down the fields in getting herbs which
I boiled and made them into baths for to bath
him took him and led him to Brown Edge
near Mossley, after that I gave him many
bawls — the horse I have on hand at present to
cure I have had fifteen days and the drugs
which I use for him are in particular dear as

138 Random RkcoIvI^ections of the

the plaster on his leg at present cost me 8d. I
cured Bangups mouth ; theirs Joe's horse
which was Harry Lee's I took his shoe off
examined his foot and then set it on again, —
drew it in two places examined it and put a
poultice on it. To drugs and nails 15-0, To
loss of time and trouble i-o-o, Total ^i-15-o.
N.B. Gibson did not do so much for Jack
Ogden's horse for 10 pounds."

After the various services rendered, the
owner of the horses must have been a churl
indeed if he grumbled at the bill. Professional
gentlemen of the present day would scarcely
care to employ their talents for such moderate
remuneration.

It is in the recollection of elderly people how
farriers used to ride about the country with
their wallets, containing operative instruments
of primitive manufacture and a diversified
supply of nostrums. They would call upon
the farmers, and, according to their own
estimates, could cure all the disorders that
four-footed animals were troubled with. Nor
was this the limit of their abilities, for they
included the human subject as well, and would

Bklvoir Hunt. ' 139

draw teeth, cut corns, and perform a variety of
operations which would scarcely pass muster
in the present times.

Many years ago a farrier's bill was sent to
a friend of mine which, though the practitioner
had only attended two horses, showed that he
had not been by any means sparing of his
curatives. Amongst the items were one
hundred and twenty tonics, and gallons of
stimulating drinks, besides several bottles of
brandy, which, of course, were supplied by the
owner and mostly consumed by the pro-
fessional. I forget whether the horses survived
the treatment, but it was said the farrier used
to drive away from the premises with rubicund
phiz and rollicking gait, bearing token of good
fellowship with himself especially, his em-
ployers, and the world in general.

40 Random Rkcoli^ections of thk

CHAPTER XIV.

Presentation to Frank Gili^ard.
Conclusion.

It will be remembered that on the Duke of
Rutland's decision to discontinue hunting tbe
Belvoir country at the termination of the
season ending April, 1896, the announcement
that Frank Gillard would also tender his
resignation was received with much regret, as
it was thought by many that he would con-
tinue to hold office under a new regime, for a
few years at least, until the newly appointed
Master had had an opportunity of acquiring
topographical knowledge of the extensive
territory so long presided over by the noble
owners of the house of Belvoir. But such
arrangements were, however, not accomplished,
and Gillard severed his connection with the
pack.

Belvoir Hunt. 141

In 1870 we find Frank Gillard, after an
absence of four years with Mr. Musters, re-
entering the Duke of Rutland's service, and
succeeding James Cooper as huntsman, with
the late Will Goodall, of the Pytchley, as first
whip, and Jack Carter second. Gillard's ex-
perience as huntsman has been an exceptional
and varied one, as it is well-known that for
many years before his death the late Duke of
Rutland was in a precarious state of health,
and saw little of his hounds in the field, the
arduous and delicate duties of master and
huntsman being delegated to Gillard. Perhaps,
under similar circumstances, few men would
have fulfilled the trust with the ability, dis-
cretion, and success that were universally
accorded him. When it is borne in mind that
large Meltonian fields at the Wednesday's meets
on bad scenting da3^s are apt to run riot, and
be carried away by exuberance of spirits to the
extent of careering all over the country, the
difficulties of keeping these under control
when a check occurs are none of the lightest,
and require a large amount of tact, judgment,
and forbearance. And under such circum-
stances Frank Gillard, whose temper and
patience must often have been sorely exercised,

142 Random Recoi^IvKCTions of thk

by dexterous management of the pack and
quick grasping of the situation was nearly
sure to find his efforts crowned with success.

When the subject of presenting Gillard with
a testimonial was first mooted it met with such
ready acquiescence that Mr. James Hutchinson,
of Manthorpe Lodge, was induced to undertake
the responsibilities of honorary secretary, and
subscriptions came freely in, the sum total
showing how popular the movement was, and
with what hearty response that gentleman's
appeals had been supported. The presentation
was made by Sir William E. Welby Gregory
at luncheon in a tent on the ground of the
annual horse show, held at Grantham, on the
24th of September, 1896, a large company
being present, including Mr. William Hornsby
(chairman of the show), Sir Gilbert Grenall
(master of the Belvoir hounds). Major
Longstaffe, Sir J. H. Thorold, Mr. L. Trower,
Mr. and Mrs. Montague Thorold, Col. Parker,
Mr. James Hutchinson, Mr. E. Lubbock,
Hon. H. R. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Welby,
Mr. and Mrs. James Hornsby, Mr. Seabrook,
Mr. V. Hemery, Major Pearson, Mr. Stephens,

Bklvoir Hunt. 143

Mr. Knowles, Mr. Beasley, Mr. Wilders, and
many others.

The testimonial included a cheque for nearly
;^i,300, and also a handsome writing table,
raised by the subscriptions of three hundred
gentlemen members and others interested in
the hunt, and was presented to Frank Gillard
after an able and appropriate speech by
Sir William E. Welby Gregory, and feelingly
responded to by Gillard, who spoke of his con-
nection with the Belvoir hounds as a labour of
love, and the interest he should continue to
take in their welfare. But beyond this, Gillard,
on his retirement, was presented with a beau-
tiful massive silver inkstand, of the old
English style, by ladies hunting on the
Lincolnshire side, and was also the recipient
of many interesting souvenirs from ladies and
gentlemen residing in different parts of the
country.

The election of 1895 will remain memorable
in the annals of our constitution, and, without
wandering into the mazes of the political arena,
one could not help noticing the overthrow of
many enemies of field sports. Those gentlemen,

144 Random Recoi^lections of the

after having allowed their hobbies to run away
with them, found themselves off the line,
deserted by their packs, and constrained to
seek fresh woods and pastures new.

Surely it would be a bad day for Old England
that should help to bring about the disestab-
lishment of fox-hunting —

" Aye, perish the thought, tnay the day never come,
When the gorse is uprooted, the foxhou7id is dumb.''''

What would happen to the flower of our
youth ? We should lapse into lethargy and
obscurity, become an effete people, and a by-
word among the nations.