314 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



■3 



and viewed the gardens and house, a very handsome 

 collation was gotten for him. Extreamely well pleased with 

 the treat (he) came toward London, and on the road met 

 the Earl of Dorset returning home from Rookholts. The 

 Earl alighted and comeinge to the coach side bemoaninge 

 his ill fortune that he should not be in the way to receaue 

 that great honour, and makeinge excuse that things were 

 not answerable to his desires, the King replyed, ' Make noe 

 excuses, it was exceedingfe well, and very handsome.' And 

 soe his Majestie came safe and well (to) London, and well 

 pleased with his sport. " 



In the early part of the eighteenth century the Royal 

 buckhounds hunted the Essex deer. At this time Sir 

 Francis Child, Alderman of the Ward of Farringdon 

 Without, was a thorough .sportsman. He principally 

 patronised the City Hunt, which gave grand sport during 

 the whole period it was led by Mr. Cuttenden, the 

 "Common Hunt," from the time of his appointment to 

 that office in September, 1723. Sir Francis Child came 

 out with the Royal buckhounds when the latter pack 

 hunted in Epping F"orest. On these occasions, at Sir 

 Francis Child's house at Brentwood, there usually assembled 

 a large number of hunting men who were regaled with a 

 sumptuous banquet ; but, sad to say. never a word trans- 

 pires relating to the runs. 



