1808] 



MR. BOYCOTT. 35 



Sir Groy was nevev what is called a In-uisiiig- ridev, that is to say, he is 

 not oue of those who will go with a fall i-ather than not go at all ; but he may 

 be said to vide as he lives, quite like a gentleiuau, and is what is termed a 

 very pretty rider to hounds. Being a light weight, he has always ridden the 

 right sort of horse — well bred, near to the ground, and with sufficient sub- 

 stance. Sir Grey is a true friend to foxhunting, and just the kind of man 

 that should be found in every other parish throughout England, as nothing 

 can go wrong in a country where gentleiueu of liis weight and influence 

 reside. 



Mr. Boycott resides in Shropshire. It has been said of him that, as a 

 coachman he can drive, and as a horseman he can ride, anything, and I believe 

 it is truly said ; and had he been cast in the lot of those who are obliged to 

 work for their bread, he woxdd have made the best rough-rider in England. 

 As there are some who never have a goose on iheir pond, so Mr. Boycott 

 never had a bad horse in his stable, but I will do him the justice to say that 

 lie can do more with a bad horse than half the world can with a good one. 

 and a lesson or two from him will complete the education of a hunter. He is 

 also a first-rate judge of the animal, and was at oue time in the habit of 

 selling his horses for large ])rices. As a coachman, Mr. Boycott is well known 

 on the road, and when punishment is wanting he can administer it with effect. 

 If he takes hold of them, they must go, and he has been heard to say that 

 three legs are sufficient for a coach horse. At one time of his life he would 

 buy those which no oue else could drive, and generally got the better of them 

 at last. In early life Mr. Boycott was a soldier, haA'ing had a troop in Sir 

 Watkin Wynn's Fencible CaA'alry, which saw so much service in the Irish 

 Rebellion. Here he was shot in the body, and the ball was never extracted. 

 He suifered much for two years afterwards. Imt he has felt no inconvenience 

 from it since, excepting now and then, when he has been throivn out in a run. 

 l)ut his friends never remember it to haA'e affected him ichen lie could tcike 

 the lead and keep it. When he arrived in England after his wound, a brother 

 foxliunter facetiously obserA'ed that he was come over with a " buEet-in," but 

 many thought it was no subject for a joke, as he had a very narrow escape for 

 his life. Had he been killed we .should have lost a gallant sportsman, and his 

 friends would have missed numy a hearty laugh, for, though no oue can do 

 anything quite so well as himself, lie is a great promoter of mirth in society, 

 and a xn-y good fellow to boot. 



The rolloAving extracts from " Nimvod's Himtiiii;' 

 Tours " are too good and characteristic to be missed. — 



^y. Ft. V. 



On Saturday, the .5t]i of March, ]82.5, I met the Warwickshire at 

 Witchford (sic) Wood, five miles from Shipston, on the road to Stratford-on- 

 Avon. We did nothing with our first fox, but had a sharp thing with our 

 second, and lost him for want of the needful. We went at a quick pace up 

 one of those hills with which this part of the country abounds, and Avhen they 

 came to the top the hounds threw up, upon the line, from want of wind, and 

 the fox went on and beat them. Wood (the huntsman) accounted for it by 

 my pressing the hoimds u]) tlic hill. Init I account for it by his hounds 

 wanting condition. 



I saw where tliev sto])])cd. and sliowed him ihe place, and it was 



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