APPENDIX A. 



1870-71, 



The first paperchase was held some time in 1870. Riding men 

 alone knew of the proposed meeting. Such a thing had not been heard 

 of before, and few took the least interest in it. It was agreed to meet 

 outside one of the chummeries on the south side of Ballygunge, and a 

 meet there was. How different to those of the present day I A baker's 

 dozen was the num.ber, but they were all on riding intent. Crooke on 

 ^' Billycock " and Brancker on " Barwang " were to be the hares ; these 

 two gentlemen being in fact the originators of the hunt Cast your eyes 

 over the v. inners on the first two pages of the appendix to the Bally- 

 gunge Association Rules, and you will see the names of men and horses, 

 Crooke figuring as "Mr. Alipore.'' There was a glorious uncertainly 

 in this chase ; the destination was unknown, and thoughts were more 

 bent on the paper than on hard riding. 



But we are off up a lane along a foot-path into a field, where we 

 negotiate the first jump which was but a small ditch and bank. This 

 brings us into a garden ; a gateway is completely blocked, and it is 

 evident that the hares have jumped the fence into the lane. Readers 

 can mark the place now under a different aspect. It is just on the west 

 side of Milton & Co.'s school. Horses were then but little accustomed 

 to "lepping." Such refusals, such objurgations and smoky language I The 

 same fence would now be cleared by a dozen riders abreast, but all 

 things must end, 2i.x\di proh pudor I A man on a Burma pony is the first 

 to clear the obstacle. To him follow the late Captain G. Loch, then 

 A D. C. to the Lieutenant-Governor, and a man on an English horse. 

 A longish interval separates the rest. The chase then bears to the left, 

 comes through the Gurriah Hat Road over the Railway crossing and 

 into the open country to the right. All this time there is but little 

 jumping, such as it is being quite natural. In the open a succession of 

 banks and ditches is met with. This is considered high jinks, till 

 jumping into a brinjal garden the leaders are met by one of the high 

 fences that usually surround such gardens. Presently a voice from the 



