234 THE WAEWICKSHIRE HUNT. [1892 



Majesty across tlie Pytcliley country. He also performed 

 the same service in Ireland, in 1878 and 1879, and in 

 Cheshire in 1880. In addition to the Pytchley, he was 

 also very well known with the Quorn and the Cottesmore 

 Hunts. As a gentleman rider, he was never fortunate 

 enough to win any of the most important cross-country 

 contests, but his name generally figured well in the list of 

 winning mounts. His best year was in 1880, when he won 

 twenty-six races. In addition to being a first class horse- 

 man, he was a good cricketer, and occasionally assisted the 

 jockeys in their annual contests with the Press. Captain 

 Middleton was well known in Stratford-on-Avon. He had 

 been for many years one of the stewards of the Stratford 

 Hunt Steeplechases, and invariably rode every year. On 

 being communicated with, Mr. Couchman, the coroner for 

 South Warwickshire, decided that it was unnecessary to 

 hold an inquest on Captain Middleton. He received a 

 medical certificate as to the cause of death, and, with this 

 before him, he considered further investigation unnecessary. 

 The remains of Captain Middleton were removed from 

 Kineton House on Monday by rail to Kelmarsh, and 

 thence by road to Hazelbeach Church, Northamptonshire, 

 and placed in the chancel upon a catafalque, draped in violet 

 and white. The coffin, which was wrapped in an ensign 

 flag, remained there for the funeral, which took place 

 at 2.15 on Thursday. — Prom the Leamington Spa Courier. 



IN MEMORY OF THE MIDLAND SPORTSMEN'S 

 STEEPLECHASE. 



April 9th, 1892. 



Soft blows tlie breeze across tlie smiling vale, 

 Where horses gaily rode in quest of war, 

 Where Fancy sees them fleet the meadows o'er, 

 Glancing and flashing in their glitt'riug mail, 

 And hears the phantom trumpets blowing shrill, 

 So long since still. 



Again, a trampling throng ! again, once more, 

 Hot steeds press'd on ; hot blood in every vein, 

 Rider and horse speed swiftly o'er the plain, 



