152 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



much of the run on the 22nd, hounds had a brace in 

 front of them. During regular hunting forty-one foxes 

 were killed and twenty-three run to ground. 



The latter part of the season (1867-8) was marred 

 by a serious accident to the master. It took place on 

 the 20th March, 1868, when the hounds met at Colonel 

 Howard's for breakfast. The pack were drawing a 

 portion of Epping Forest when, on jumping a ditch, Mr. 

 Arkwright's horse made a mistake and threw him, planting 

 its hind feet on his chest. The master was much hurt, 

 and two or three hours elapsed before he was able to be 

 removed, first to Epping, and thence to his own house. 



The accident was a very bad one. The master did 

 not come out again that season ; and he was unable to 

 attend a dinner, given at the close of the season, by the 

 principal London supporters of the hunt to the farmers 

 over whose lands they most frequently rode ; and who 

 mustered at the Town Hall, Chelmsford, to the number 

 of over 200. Colonel Howard writes : " The dinner was 

 a great success ; and our friends, the farmers, enjoyed 

 themselves much ; though the absence of the master took 

 some of the gilt off the gingerbread. A good joke was 

 told of one of the company. Soon after starting for 

 home in his carriage it was evident that the coachman 



