98 THE WARWICKSHIRE HUNT. [1830 



Mr. Russell entered upon his duties as master with 

 much in his favour. He was a capital sportsman, 

 and his character stood high in both public and social 

 life. The anticipations of good sport raised by his excel- 

 lent arrangements for hunting the country were fully 

 realised. 



At a meeting held at the Royal Hotel, Leamington, in 

 1880, Mr. Russell undertook to hunt the Woodlands two 

 days a week, and it was agreed that a kennel, stables, &c., 

 should be built near to the town for the better accommoda- 

 tion of those sfentlemen who resided at the Sna and in its 

 vicinity, and made it their headquarters during the hunting 

 season. The inhabitants subscribed liberally in order to 

 carry into effect the resolutions passed at the meeting, and 

 Mr. Robbins agreed to complete the whole by the following 

 September, and the buildings were erected at Lillington, 

 about a mile north of the town, and gave entire satis- 

 faction. Leamington, from this time, greatly rose in 

 popularity as a hunting resort. 



"J. R." gives, unfortunately, a very vague account of 

 the first fine run in Mr. Russell's time, early in the season. 

 The hounds found at Idlicote, and after running for some 

 time round the coverts, forced the fox into the open ; they 

 ran without a check down the Vale and over Edge Hill, 

 where the pace became slower, and the fox was killed in a 

 turnip field between there and Banbury, after a run 

 sufficiently severe for the huntsman to tire out three 

 horses ; and Mr. Greaves, on his favourite and famous old 

 mare, jumped the last fence first, and took the fox from 

 the hounds. 



"J. R." again, without giving particulars, tell us that on 

 Monday, Nov. 29th, the hounds had a splendid run from 



and cleanly, a good groom and an excellent horseman ; his voice should he strong and 

 clear, with an eye so quick as to perceive which of his hounds carry the scent when all 

 are running, and where they throw up as well ; an ear so excellent as always to distin- 

 guish the leading hounds when he does not see them. Such are the qualities that 

 constitute perfection in a huntsman. He should not, however, be too fond of displaying 

 them till called forth by necessity, it being a peculiar and distinguishing trait in his 

 province to let his hounds alone when they can hunt, and strenuously to assist them 

 when they cannot." 



