INTRODUCTION 



Chester for a Chine of Mutton by Obadiah Lane, 

 Clerck. 



" Ordered, that Mr. Coton have the thanks of 

 the Society for a set of Silver Bottle Tickets." 



The remainder of this book contains the proceed- 

 ings of the first forty-six meetings, the account of 

 subscriptions, and the list of forfeits down to Feb. 

 1785. The extracts I select will suffice to give 

 the reader an insight into the manners and customs 

 of that date, and will show likewise how completely 

 Fox-hunting, when once introduced, superseded the 

 sport for which the Club had been originally founded. 



" 1763. — Nov. ye 6th. Voted, that the metal 

 Buttons be changed for basket mohair ones. Voted, 

 that after supper but one collar glass is obliged to 

 be drunk. Voted, that every member provides him- 

 self a scarlet saddle cloth, bound with blue. 



" 1764. — Feb. ye 6th. Voted, that each President 

 provides two dozen Franks during his meeting for 

 the use of the Society. Voted, that each member, 

 when he marries, instead of providing Breeches for 

 every member of the Hunt, does pay into the hands 

 of the Secretary for the use of each member, the 

 sum of one guinea to be spent in leather breeches. 



" Nov. 5. Voted, that the number of members 

 of this Hunt be limited to twenty. Voted, that if 

 any member does not appear in the strict uniform of 

 this Hunt, he shall forfeit one guinea for every such 

 offence, viz. a plain blue frock, with cuff turn'd up 

 one button, with mohair buttons, and unbound ; and 

 scarlet velvet cape, with a dbuble-breasted scarlet 



XXX 



