THE THIRTY GUINEA RULE. 203 



Mr. C. E. Green, Mr. Bevan and Mr. C. E. Ridley went 

 well in this run ; and all thoroughly enjoyed their Chri.stmas 

 dinner the ne.xt day." On March 9th, there was a first-rate 

 run from Tha.xted Lodoe Wood, after the Point-to-1'oint 

 Races at Tha.xted, to which we refer elsewhere. 



At the close of this season it had become evident that, 

 out of consideration for the Essex farmers in their stru"-orles 

 with the worst of bad times, stringent measures must be 

 taken to reduce the number of followers, and to prevent the 

 annoyance which every farmer feels when strangers ride over 

 his land. The Hunt Club had recommended as a remedy, 

 that the Secretary should ask all strangers hunting with the 

 hounds for a subscription of thirty guineas. This plan was 

 tried as an experiment during the season 1S87-8, and found 

 to work well, and to be well received by bcjth farmers and 

 landowners. 



Accordingly, at the Annual Hunt Meeting held on 

 .March 17th, 1S88, it was resolved: "That for the future 

 the subscription to the Essex Hounds would be thirty 

 guineas for all gentlemen not resident within the limits of 

 the Hunt, with the exception of those who belonged to the 

 Hunt Club, and officers of the army who are quartered in 

 the county." 



The latter part of this season was not propitious. 



