LORD MIDDLETON. 149 



MR. HAWKES. 



John Hawkes, Esq. resided for several years at 

 Snitterfield, near Warwick, and was well known by all the 

 Sportsmen of the Warwickshire Hunt ; he was considered 

 as the best gentleman rider in the country, and has often 

 rode in matches and sweepstakes, over Warwick race- 

 course. ' He was, (says Nimrod,) the model of a light 

 dragoon, and a famous jockey ; ' and not only clever in his 

 saddle, but right in his attics,' says Mr. Buckle. He rode 

 a steeple chase for George the 4th, when Prince Regent, 

 who asked him if those were the best spurs he had ? He 

 replied, ' Yes, your Highness.' ' Here then,' said the 

 Regent, ' take mine.' A person asked him one day how 

 he liked a particular horse ? ' I like, (said he,) very few 

 horses, very few women, and d — d few men.' Mr. Hawkes 

 died at Norton Hall, near Cannock, Staffordshire, on the 

 ] st of November, ] 834. He was the author of a book called 

 ' MeynelUan Science.' The spurs given him by the Prince 

 Regent hung up at Norton Hall, (as a respectful memorial 

 to the giver,) at the time of his death.' 



When he resided in Warwickshire, Mr. Hawkes had 

 a very good horse which he called The Printer, a fast 

 gallopper, that has kept his place in the run at the end of 

 many a tough and doubtful day. 



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