The Life of a Great Sportsman 



barouche was ordered to be in readiness and the black horses 

 harnessed. In these days of motor cars and splendid roads, a 

 journey of twenty-five miles or so is a mere nothing, but at 

 that period it was a solemn undertaking, and the black carriage 

 horses were only brought out on very special occasions. 



When I was a child we still drove a pair of black horses, 

 and I used to wonder how anybody could think of driving with 

 any other colour. With due solemnity, for the night had to 

 be spent from home, the shaped carriage trunks were adjusted 

 behind, and away went my great-great-uncle Richardson and 

 his wife on the errand which meant so much to all of us. 



There can be no doubt that our grandfather, John Richard- 

 son, had not the least idea what this state visit portended, 

 when his great-uncle, addressing him in solemn tones, but with, 

 no doubt, a twinkle in his kind grey eyes, enquired, "Which 

 is your naughtiest boy, John ? " Without hesitation, my grand- 

 father at once replied, " My eldest son William, of course ! " 

 " Good !" exclaimed the Squire. "Then I will adopt him, and 

 if you will have his things packed up, he can return with us 

 to-morrow." 



And thus it came about that our worthy father came to 

 Limber about the year 1820, and lived at the old house 

 with his adopted parents, remaining with them until the 

 Squire died in 1830, and afterwards until Dame Richardson's 

 demise in 1836. Eight years later, in 1844, he himself married, 

 and brought his wife to live at the old home. 



Another very vivid recollection of our childhood and its 

 sporting inheritance, was the silver Urn we used on those 

 special occasions when visitors either came to stay in the 

 house, or to a party. The arrival of the great silver Urn, 

 hissing gloriously, was hailed by us as a delightfully sportive 

 addition to our breakfast or tea-table, and still more so when 



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