vi THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



He threw himself with avidity into all the hunting 

 pastimes and sports for which that country had so 

 great a reputation. He found the Quorn Hunt at 

 its zenith. He made innumerable friends, not only 

 in connection with this famous pack, but with almost 

 every pack of any note throughout the kingdom. 

 His acumen and sound judgment on all matters 

 relating to the chase made the name of " Nimrod " 

 almost a household word where foxhounds were 

 kept, or huntsmen met, either at the breakfast-table 

 or in the disused quarry, prior to the run. His 

 friendship was all embracing. It included the great 

 ducal families alike with the humble trainer and the 

 keeper. All that he looked for was honest merit. 

 He was ever open to learn from the lowest menial, 

 and his richly stored mind was at the disposal of 

 all who sought his advice on sporting matters. — He 

 was the uncompromising enemy of ignorance and 

 cant. 



On change of residence, his next home was at 

 Bittern Hall in Warwickshire, which also had formerly 

 been the place where Joseph Addison had lived. Mr 

 Apperley appears to have lost a considerable amount 

 of money in some farming experiments, in conse- 

 quence of which he turned his great talent to literary 

 work. 



After one or two changes of residence, we find him 

 in London. His first articles appeared in the Sporting 

 Magazine in 1822, on " Fox-hunting in Leicestershire." 

 The author was then about 44 years old. The name 

 of " Nimrod " very soon became celebrated through- 



