192 THE WARWICKSHIRE HUNT. 



[1890 



belong- to the latter class. There are several gentlemen present who belong to 

 the first two classes and who will be able on this occasion to sing the praises 

 of the Warwickshire hounds. There is, however, one remark I should like to 

 make on the subject before I sit down. Recently I liaA'e seen Warwickshire 

 referred to in the sporting papers, and heard it spoken of in conversation, as a 

 sort of hot-bed for disputes between foxhunters and farmers. (No.) Well, 

 gentlemen, having been oiit hunting witli these hounds a great many times 

 this season, and seeing so many jolly faces of farmers around me to-night, I 

 am bound to say that I don't see how anybody can truthfully assert that such 

 is the case. (Hear, hear.) That battle is waged, I think, only on paper — 

 (hear, hear) — and those who make such statements in the Press seem to know 

 a great deal more about the way in which we manage our aifairs than we do 

 ourselves. (Hear, hear.) I feel sure, gentlemen, that although we may 

 sometimes hear the time spoken of when foxhunting may be done away with 

 — which it never will be, of course — (hear, hear, and laughter) — it will fall by 

 nothing else but its own popularity, and I would only add that when it is done 

 away with elsewhere, if that time should ever come, there will always be a 

 pack of hounds to run with, and foxes to hunt, in Warwickshire. (Laughter 

 and cheers.) I must conclude by thanking you very much for the kind way 

 in which you have drmik my health, and for all the kind things which 

 Mr. Fairbrother has said about me, which I may point out are entirely in 

 anticipation. They are not, as usual in toasts of this kind, thanks for things 

 that have been done, but thanks for things which I ho])e some day to do. 

 Gentlemen, I otf er you my best thanks, and I beg to drink all your healths in 

 return for the hearty reception you have given to the toast. (Cheers.) 



Mr. BODDINGTON, of Cubbingtou, Avas next called upon. He remarked 

 that on looking romid upon the large assemblage gatliered on this occasion 

 he felt that the toast which had fallen to his lot reqiiired no conmient to 

 ensure its hearty receiition at their hands. They woidd readily infer what 

 it was, viz., " Prosperity to the Warwickshire Hunt." (Applause.) There 

 had l)een so much said upon the sulijeet already that very little further was 

 required. But he asked any of them just to try and imagine Warwickshire 

 without its Hunt. What would it be ? Wliy, they as farmers would never 

 o-et in toiicli with their great and good friends Lord Willoughby. Lord North, 

 and many other noblemen and gentlemen around them. (Hear, hear.) They 

 might now and then meet them on business, but they would know nothing 

 about their better feelings, neither would the noblemen and gentlemen know 

 any more about them. As it was, they all met together in the hunting field, 

 they had a jolly good rim, and were the best of friends. It was true that 

 now and then somebody crossed another, and then it was, oh, blank you ! 

 what d'ye -do tliat for ? (Laughter.) But in about five minutes it was all 

 over. It could not be helped, and nobody came to grief. If one of them did 

 come a hard tiiiuble — well, he would jump up again and be off, and think 

 nothing more of it. (Lau.ghter.) Hunting brought farmers and occupiers 

 of the laud, the noblemen of the district, and the gentlemen who came into 

 the coimty as strangers, into acquaintance with each other. They were 

 enaljled to show each other that they were Englishmen — (cheers) — and they 

 all knew that a true Englislunan had some downright good feelings for 

 others besides himself, and had a good deal of sympatliy for his poorer 

 brethren. The speaker went on to point out that hunting did good by the 

 employment of labour. If a man kept two or three horses for his enjoyment. 



