2/0 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



horn himself. During the two periods of Lord Petre's 

 mastership, the hounds were styled " Lord Petre's Fox- 

 hounds." As we have mentioned in our first chapter, Lord 

 Petre hunted the Blackmore High Woods and Thoby Wood 

 (both in the Essex country) and Moulsham Thrift (in the 

 Union country), as neutral coverts with IMr. Conyers. 

 Lord Petre hunted the country in princely style, was a 

 good judge of both horse and hound, and devotedly fond 

 of both. He purchased most of his animals from Anderson 

 in Piccadilly, a noted man in those days. He was par- 

 ticularly cheery, affable, and kind, seldom speaking harshly 

 to anyone. He was, moreover, the best and kindest of 

 masters. The following letter, written to a second whip, 

 shows the kind feeling that existed between him and his 

 servants : — " Bill, — I am so orieved at beino- oblioed to 

 tell you that the largeness of my family obliges me to give 

 up the hounds ; I am obliged to write this, for I cannot 

 speak it, as it cuts me deep. I shall be happy to assist 

 you in getting another place." A farmer who had got 

 into difficulties, and consequently was obliged to sell his 

 hunter, was very miserable at being unable to hunt. 

 Matters were arranged for his keeping on the farm. Lord 

 Petre sent for him, gave him a good horse, and sent him 

 some oats to finish the season with. Need we say the 



