



UNKEXXELLIXG THE HOUNDS. 



Witli nostrils opeuiug" wide, o'er hill, o'er dale 

 The vig'roHS hounds pursue, with ev'ry breath 

 Inhale tlie grateful steam, quick ])leasures sting 

 Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks repay. 

 And in triumphant melody confess 

 T]w titillating joy. Thus on the air 

 Depend tlie hunter's hopes. — Soinerville. 



CHAPTER lY. 



MR. SHIRLEY, OF EATINGTON JACK WOOD — THE REV. JOHN 



LUCY THE DEBDALE RUN MR. COCKBILL. 



1821. 



Evelyn J. Shirley, Esq., of Eatington Park, who was 

 elected in 18'3() as a Conservative for South Warwickshire 

 succeeded Lord Middleton as master of the hounds in 1S.'21 , 

 and tlie first meet was on Wednesday, November 7th, at 

 Edge Hill. Mr. Shirley was popuhir, and very well known 

 as a county gentleman and a good sportsman, and his long- 

 residence in Warwickshire had made him well acquainted 

 with the country he had to ride over. It will be noticed 

 that Mr. Shirley got to the end of several severe runs 

 afterwards described, and he was a practised rider to 

 hounds. He had a celebrated chesnut horse called 

 IMannion, which he rode with more confidence than any 

 other of his hunters. Mr. Shirley mounted his men in 



