gg ENGLAND'S OLDEST HUNT. 



wife to do his dairy work for him, ho used to milk his cows and give the 

 milk to the hounds at once to save further trouble with it." 



Perhaps like poor Dan Leno, the hound's bread was dry 

 one day and buttered on both sides the next. At any rate, 

 the Bilsdale Hounds in Bobbie's day were noted for their 

 voracity when away from home, and a story is told of the 

 veteran whip calling at the Fox and Hounds at Carlton-in- 

 Cleveland during Mr. Arnel Barnard's era, for a stirrup cup 

 after hunting. A feast had been prepared for some gentlemen 

 who had been shooting, and whilst Robert was discussing 

 in his own mind whether he was to pay for another " drop 

 o' gin " himself or whether any one would " stand him van," 

 hounds discovered the feast and rapidly feasted. On hearing 

 a shout inside the house, and on some one rushing out to tell 

 him what was happening, Bob clapped the only spur he had 

 on into the side of his old mare and galloped off for the 

 Carlton Bank as quickly as possible, blowing his horn the 

 while. It was some time ere he ventured to call at the Fox 

 and Hounds again 



This story he told me in all bona fide. Once when the 

 Smnington met at Duncombe Park, Bobbie " towed up." 

 He had been to Helmsley Market on the previous day, 

 and had had a drop or two of gin — his favourite medicine — 

 the result of which was he was somewhat thirsty on arriving 

 at the trysting place. The butler was instructed to give 

 the old man admission, and he was shown into a room where 

 were assembled several well-known hunting men, including 

 Viscount Castlereagh (now Marquess of Londonderry), and 

 the late Viscount Helmsley. " Good mornin', gentlemen all," 

 said Bob, " It's ta neea use this mornin' ; scent weean't 

 lay. Ah say, Lord Feversham, could ya send yan o' them 

 idle dayvells in t' hall fur a glass o' yall ? Ah's despert 

 dry." The ale was brought, and after he had despatched it, 

 Bobbie condescendingly said, " Noo, young gentlemen, Ah 

 deean't knaw ya, but Ah'll shak hands wi' ya all, and hoap 

 you're all good fox-hunters." 



If Dawson was famed as a hunting character — it was 

 more because of his quaintness, perhaps, than his prowess or 



