xxxn LETTERS TO MARCO 217 



In the other part of the picture, which I have 

 not drawn, are the huntsmen and hounds, 

 with a view of Marsh Weir and the river in 

 the distance. Mr. Richard Fisher, the cele- 

 brated collector of old woodcuts and engrav- 

 ings, was a descendant of one of these old 

 squires ; as was also, I believe, John Con- 

 stable's friend Archdeacon Fisher. The 

 date of this picture is 1709. These two 

 gentlemen were jolly old hunting squires ; 

 and on one occasion they had a drag drawn 

 through Henley Town, and the hounds set 

 on the scent at twelve o'clock at night, 

 the whole hunt, with horns, etc., rushing 

 through the streets in the moonlight, caus- 

 ing great amazement amongst the sleeping 

 townspeople. From the look of their jolly 

 faces in the picture, I should say they were 

 just the men to have enjoyed doing this. 

 They are buried in Hambleden churchyard, 

 and Mr. Fisher has a cane and snuff-box 

 which belonged to one of them. 



G. D. L. 



