240 THE WAEWICKSHIEE HUNT. [1858 



Hunting in Warwickshire. 



January 2nd, 1858. 

 To the Editor of the Courier, 



Sir, — Such a day's sport as that aiforded by the Warwickshire hoimds on 

 Thursday, December 24th, ought not to pass unnoticed. The meet was at 

 Compton Yeruey, the seat of Lord Winoug-hby, who, in the fine old style, 

 opened liis house to all and dispensed liospitality in a manner not to be 

 forgotten. Pool Fields Gorse was di-awn, and a fine old fox was soon 

 disturbed from his lair and went away at a rattling pace for Chadshunt, then 

 turning to the right for Kineton Holt, was headed, but made his point and 

 went over Edge Hill and back again into the Yale to Burton Church, where 

 he ran to earth, having given as fine and fast a run as any epicure of the 

 sport need look for. Watergall was the rendezvous, and scarcely had the 

 hounds been put into the covert before '" gone away " was the order, and a 

 second rim over tlie beautiful grass to Boddiugton ensued, "a regular clipper," 

 which brought many a good man and true to tlie gi'ound. Two such finds 

 and runs in one day hardly happen in several seasons. Tliat they may come 

 again, and soon, and be as well ridden to by the worthy master as they were 

 on the eve of the past Christmas, is the wish of an 



Old Sportsman. 



From, the Leainington Spa Courier : 



January 16th, 1858. — Hunt Ball. — This elegant assemljly of the nobUity 

 and gentry of the county took place at the Shire Hall, Warwick, on 

 Wednesday. The company numbered 520 ; great preparations had been made, 

 especially in regard to the decoration of the ballroom, always a subject of 

 great interest on this occasion. The approaching marriage of the Princess 

 Royal was not lost sight of amidst the decorations, the company being 

 reminded of that auspicious event by two splendid bouquets suspended from 

 the ceiling on each side of tlie large chandelier. One of them was surmounted 

 by the Crown of England, from which floated a small banner inscribed with 

 the words, '" All happiness to the Princess Royal of England." while on the 

 top of the other was a Prussian crown and a similar banuer in honour of the 

 affianced husband of Her Royal Highness. 



I remember at this time hearing that an M.F.H. in an 

 adjoining country was at the Hunt Ball, and when 

 waltzing with a lady with a long train they both fell. 

 When he had taken her to a seat, he was overheard to say, 

 " Nasty brute ; awkward fall." 



At the first mentioned ball a stranger of rather 

 doubtful appearance had gained admission. Shortly before 

 supper half his moustache, which had been put on, 

 dropped off on to the floor. It is needless to say that he 

 did not stop to pick it up, but made a precipitate retreat, 

 and had to go without his supper. — C. M. 



