i'RKSENTATIOX OK IT.ATK. 99 



the topic which more immediately concerns us ; I would 

 remind you, gentlemen, that we are assembled to pay a 

 tribute of respect and esteem to Mr. Conyers, who, for 

 forty-eight years of his life, has been the Master of a 

 pack of foxhounds. We have heard of the father of the 

 Bar, and the father of the House — but here, gentlemen, 

 is the father of the chase. It is a proud thing to think 

 that the county should have come forward thus enthu- 

 siastically to testify their regard for one who has so long 

 and so earnestly contributed to its amusement. He does 

 not now ride as hardly as he once did, but he still sym- 

 pathises in the noble pastime which he for so many years 

 so actively enjoyed ; and even now, in our most eventful 

 runs, when the hounds are suddenly at fault, how often do 

 we hear the voice of my old friend just at that critical 

 moment when it is most required. We know not from 

 whence it comes, but we know that at that critical moment 

 when the voice, and instruction and intelligence of a Master 

 are most needed, there he is to befriend us, and to restore 

 the fallen fortunes of the chase. Mr. Conyers, I wish you 

 a long and happy life, and in the name of the committee 

 and of a most respectable list of subscribers of all ranks 

 and classes in the county, I have the honour to request 

 your acceptance of the piece of plate which stands in the 

 centre of this hall. 



