258 THE WARWICKSHIRE HUNT. [1893 



Willoughby and Mr. Campbell Blair. — R. E.] Here there was a slight 

 check, but they soon regained the line, and, sinking the hill, took to the 

 Helidon Yale as if for Shuckburgh, and again came to fault close iinder the 

 shadow of the big hill. With great reluctance Lord Willoughby gave him 

 up. [He felt sure, I am told, that the fox had gone on into Shuckburgh, 

 and did not wish to disturb it, especially as the earths were most likely 

 open. — R. E.] What a spot to have chosen for yielding up his tired, 

 worn-out carcase ; the stately woods would have echoed with the requiem of 

 the relentless hounds, and the fimeral honours would have been enacted in 

 the presence of the elite of the chase, the tall trees nodding their branches. 

 A thousand pities that hoimds were denied their just reward. I was told 

 yesterday [But what a lot of stories one is told. — R. E.] that the occiipier of 

 the land near the point where we gave it up found him crawling up a ditch, 

 but could not bring himself to holloa. The day will long be remembered in 

 the annals of the Warwickshire Hunt — and its rich memories should never 

 fade from the minds of those present. All who have the felicity to follow 

 the fortunes of the county pack under the sceptre of Lord Willoughby de 

 Bi'oke are well aware — if the humble historian may be permitted to allude to 

 the subject — that foxhunting cannot l)e maintained in the uniformly thorough 

 style of the Warwickshire as now developed except at a great expense, which 

 cannot help causing grave anxiety to the noble and worthy master, already 

 burdened with the sacrifice of time and worry inseparable from his position 

 both as M.F.H. and as a large landowner. Under these circumstances might 

 I be allowed to respectfully suggest to any who are blessed with a fair share 

 of means, that they should remember that at the present time substantial 

 help to the Hunt funds woidd be a blessing and a boon, and be the best 

 invoice for securing a good start and a front seat whenever the pack repeat 

 their splendid performance of Thursday last." [Thank you, " Historicus."] 



THE RUN FROM LADBROKE GORSE. 



December 21st, 1893. 



On this calm afternoon at this famous old gorse, 

 The Warwickshire Hunt is assembled in force, 

 Arrayed in gay costume, befitting the chace, 

 The men lent tlieir courage, the ladies their grace. 

 Oh ! scarce had hounds whimpered in thicket so strong, 

 Than up jimiped three foxes, they drove one along. 

 That towards the right coi-ner like lightning did fly, 

 Wliere Jem's merry holloa soon rent the clear sky. 



Tumbling swift out of covert they proved a sure scent, 

 And their musical chimes soon showed them intent 

 On the line of their fox ; down the spinney they flew, 

 And straight towards Radbourue how keen they piirsue ; 

 It soon becomes clear that we're out of the hunt 

 Unless, my good friends, we push on to the front. 

 Those pastures so sombre soon glistened with life, 

 With the image of war, a guerilla of strife. 



