50 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



gives 1813 as the date of Dick's death, but the hounds were 

 probably given up at an eariier time, for the Sporting 

 Magazine of April of that year mentions the presence of 

 Tom Rounding at the " Epping Hunt," and describes him 

 as " the gallant leader of the once famous Essex Fox- 

 hounds." Tom afterwards kept staghounds, and lived to 

 a good old age. Under his management the " Horse and 

 Groom " became a Sunday resort of the sporting and 

 dramatic world. George Cruikshank was a frequent 

 visitor, and so was Tom Hood when he lived at Wan- 

 stead, and he described old Rounding in his poem, "The 

 Epping Hunt": — 



"A snow-white head, a merry eye, 

 A cheek of jolly blush ; 

 A claret tint laid on by health 

 With Master Reynard's brush. 



"A hearty frame, a courteous bow. 

 The prince he learn'd it from. 

 His age about three score and ten. 

 And there you have Old Tom." 



We now return to the "Essex Hounds," and young Mr. 

 Conyers, who took the pack in 1805. The new master, 

 who was born in February, 1782, had been entered to 

 foxhunting in the company of Mr. Smith (father of a 

 famous son), and other young sportsmen who were easily 



