44 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



and northern portions of the country. The Duke of Grafton's 

 pack may also have been alluded to, for some east country 

 critics appear to have found fault with the establishment. 



Mr. Harding Newman's huntsman — the first he had so 

 far as we know — was Richard Fairbrother, who was born in 

 Essex in the year 1734. He was always fond of hunting; 

 and, after filling various situations, the nature of which we 

 are not told, he took service with Mr. William Russell, of 

 Slubbers, near Romford, "the fame of whose foxhounds," an 

 old historian tells us, " everyone must recollect," yet we may 

 search in vain for any notice of this, at one time, famous 

 kennel, nor can we learn anything of Mr. North Surridge, or 

 Mr. or Capt. Saich, who were likewise masters of hounds. 



Richard Fairbrother, however, after leaving Mr. 

 Russell, took service under Mr. Harding Newman, and 

 in 1794 he received the singular honour of having his 

 portrait in the pages of the Sporting Magazine {yoX. iii., p. 

 60) : he is represented mounted on his favourite horse. 

 Jolly Roger, who had carried him through some of his 

 best and longest runs. In the short notice accompanying 

 the portrait, Fairbrother is spoken of in terms of com- 

 mendation ; and Mr. Newman's hounds are referred to as 

 being regarded as the equal of any in England. 



Richard r'airbrother, however, like many another good 



