I50 CENTURY OF ENGLISH FOX-HUNTING 



most strenuous exertions to save from the flames, 

 and in which he was successful, was the picture of 

 himself and hounds presented to him by the Wynn- 

 stay Hunt. Fortunately, though the house was full 

 of guests and servants, there was no loss of life or 

 personal injury to anyone. A witness of the scene 

 describes it thus : " It was a fearful sight we saw 

 when we reached Wynnstay ; the whole neighbour- 

 hood seemed to be collected in front of the burning 

 ruins on the lake side of the house, labourers, colliers, 

 and friends huddled together in one confused mass, 

 the gale blowing the sparks of fire high up into the 

 air, and many engines playing on the ruins apparently 

 without the slightest effect." Sir Watkin and Lady 

 Williams Wynn bore their misfortunes with a bravery 

 that could not be excelled, but Sir Watkin, having 

 no residence from which he could hunt the country, 

 decided to go abroad, and on the 8th of May, being 

 the Saturday in Chester race week, his magnificent 

 stud of hunters came to the hammer, and realised 

 the record average of that period, though it must be 

 remembered that in those days the hunting public 

 were not educated to give sensational prices. 



But when the hunting season 1859-60 commenced, 

 Sir Watkin and his staff were once more at Wynn- 

 stay, and hunting was resumed as if there had been 

 no interregnum. Walker, commonly called " Merry " 

 John Walker, carried the horn, and showed capital 

 sport till 1865, when gout compelled him to relin- 

 quish the arduous and responsible duties of hunting 



