3l6 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



men. Mr. Joseph Mellish's mastership continued until his 

 tragic death in 1798. He had been hunting with his 

 friend Mr. Bosanquet, a banker, and another gentleman, 

 near Windsor, with the kinsf's stacfhounds. Returnino- to 

 London at nio^ht, when crossing Hounslow Heath in a 

 post-chaise, three highwaymen rode up to the chaise 

 window and fired two pistols into it, but with no ill effect ; 

 they demanded money, which was given. The men then 

 rode away ; shortly after, one of them returning, fired a 

 third shot in at the window ; the ball struck Mr. Mellish 

 in the centre of his forehead, and the man galloped off. 

 Mr. Mellish was taken to the Three Magpies Inn on the 

 heath, medical assistance was called in, but the case was 

 pronounced hopeless. He then called for writing materials, 

 made his will, and shortly after expired. The culprit 

 was never detected ; the murder was believed to be from 

 some cause other than mere plunder. After the death of 

 Mr. Joseph Mellish the hounds were kept by his nephew, 

 Mr. William Mellish, until the year 1806, when they 

 were sold to Lord Middleton. The Spoi-itiig Magazine 

 for February, 1806, contains an engraving of the kennels 

 in which these hounds were kept at Chingford Green. 

 At the time of the sale to Lord Middleton the pack 

 numbered thirty-two or more couples. They were taken 



