46 MEMORIES OF THE SHIRES 



handsomely if his private purse had not been so 

 severely taxed at that moment, but as it was he 

 paid only the most pressing and thereby was subject 

 to some rather hard cricitism on leaving. My idea 

 is that he not only deserved our warm thanks for the 

 excellent sport he had shown, but that he should 

 have had our sympathy in his difficulties. He was 

 very keen and did all in his power to maintain the 

 glories of the Quorn, and, I feel sure, would never 

 have resigned had it not been for his financial 

 troubles, which almost to the last he hoped would 

 be overcome. Let it not be forgotten that he 

 brought Firr to the country, found a very moderate 

 pack in kennel, and left one that earned itself a 

 great reputation. 



My first introduction to hunting journalism 

 appeared in Bell's Life above the signature of " Corde 

 Chasse," and I always remember with some pride that 

 my earliest efforts came out beneath the sleepless 

 eye of that ancient sporting weekly. Being only a 

 beginner, I followed the lead of well-known corre- 

 spondents and always gave a full list of those 

 present at a meet — no doubt the fact that I was 

 paid for quantity made the addition of names a 

 consideration. 



It was on nth November 1882 that my maiden 

 article appeared in the above-mentioned paper, 

 and being a first attempt at literary composition of 

 any kind, the effusion probably cost me much 

 anxious labour. I was considerably indebted at 

 this period for assistance and encouragement I 

 received from " Brooksby," who was then, as now, 

 the king of hunting correspondents. 



In the list of names at Kirby Gate, 1882, I see 



