284 The Bicester. 



manner. In course of time he became thoroughly 

 disabled, so he kept three pairs of fast harness- 

 horses and drove regularly, and saw a good deal 

 •of the sport. 



The Bicester. 



I first visited the Bicester Hounds in the year 

 1844, on a day when the fixture was at Trafford. 

 Mr. Thomas Tyrwhitt Drake had been Master for 

 some years, and had gained the goodwill of his 

 farmers and followers. He enjoyed the highest 

 reputation which a country gentleman could 

 possess, namely, that he was a good landlord, 

 and a fine sportsman. After being sufficiently 

 long at the head of affairs he had become the 

 owner of a fine pack of hounds. Everything was 

 of the best, the men were well mounted, clever, 

 intelligent, and civility itself. 



On this occasion Mrs. Drake was also out, and 

 Avhen I first caught sight of her was shaking hands 

 with a fine old yeoman named Greaves. 



No one could help being struck with the 

 gentlemen at the meet. There were Lord Jersey, 

 of Bay Middleton fame ; the Hon. P. S. 

 Pierrepont of Evenley ; Mr. Cox, and his son ; 

 Mr. Slater Harrison of Shelswell ; the Rev. 

 John Drake, brother of the Squire ; and many 



