The Bicester. 285 



others, Including the young Squire, Mr Thomas 

 Tyrwhitt Drake, jun. ; the Rev. Mr. Bennett ; 

 also a number of hard-riding farmers — Messrs. 

 Cowper, Selby, Hitchcock, and his son George 

 Hitchcock, Ivens of Eydon, Horn of Trafford, 

 and many others. 



It happened to be the last day of the season. 

 We did not readily find, but at last Thenford 

 Gorse proved a success, and away we went over 

 some large fields and strong fences. The young 

 Squire was all on the go and, jumping a fence on 

 my left, down he fell, horse and all, heavily. I 

 caught the horse and took it back to him, asking 

 if he were hurt. He said, " No, he has not hurt 

 me, but I think he must have shaken himself ; 

 it generally happens the other way." That was 

 mv introduction to one of my most agreeable 

 acquaintances. 



\\'e had a real good thirty minutes, and ran the 

 fox to ground in the Grafton country, then hunted 

 by Lord Southampton Mr Drake said that he 

 would not put a dog in, and would leave it to me 

 to see that the fox might not be interfered with. 

 A more gentlemanly man in the field there could 

 not be ; everything went so pleasantly, and great 

 confidence was placed in the huntsman, Tom 

 Winfield. 



