126 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



became his custom on viewing a fox away, to blow a 

 whistle which he carried, and thus get the hounds to him. 

 He was not averse to slipping away with the pack, leaving 

 his huntsman and the field to wonder where they had gone. 

 When sure of a find in some good covert — Row Wood, for 

 example — he would have a bye day, announcing his inten- 

 tion only as he rode home the night before, so the news did 

 not travel very fast or far. The regular hunting days were 

 Mondays and Saturdays, with one or sometimes two days 

 in the middle of the week. 



For a pack hunting three or four days a week, eight 

 blank days, and no more than fourteen brace of foxes brought 

 to hand, is not suggestive of much sport, yet that summarises 

 what took place during Mr. Joseph Arkwright's first season. 



The second season showed a very little improvement 

 on its predecessor. Charles Barwick was still retained as 

 huntsman, but his alleged incapacity in the field was again 

 the theme of conversation, and was satirised in the following 

 letter in the Chelmsford Chronicle (of 26th November, 

 1858):- 



" Sir, — About two seasons back you were so obliging as 

 to insert a billet from me on a subject upon which I, above 

 all animals, am interested ; and now I take up my pen, 

 plucked from a goose, boned by your humble servant, to 



