THE THIRTY-GUINEA RULE. 179 



sympathy, trum the newly-lormed club. In 188}", a few 

 days before Mr. Foster's lamented death, Mr. Robert 

 Lockwood was elected Secretary and Treasurer in his 

 place ; and he, on leaving the country three years later, 

 was succeeded by Mr. Tyndale White, who is still (1895) 

 in office. 



The establishment of the club was followed by an in- 

 augural dinner at Down Hall, Lord Rookwood's residence, 

 and for a few- years afterwards an annual dinner was held. 

 Though these gatherings have been discontinued, the club 

 maintains its social importance, and membership is eagerly 

 sought after. In 1892, the club had the honour of enrolling 

 the present Countess ot Warwick amongst its members. 



It only remains to note that the first step towards the 

 "thirty-guinea rule" was taken by'the following resolution 

 of the club, passed on April 21st, 1887 : — "That in the 

 opinion of this meeting, the Hunt Secretary should be 

 empowered, for the luture, to ask all strangers hunting 

 with the Essex Hounds for a subscription of thirty 

 iJ"uineas." The matter c^me before the annual meetine 

 of the Hunt in the following year, and is referred to in 

 our account of that meeting. 



We resume Lord Rookwood's chronicle : — 



" 1882-3. — This year we began cubhunting on 



