i8 HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS. 



in the van, he used to convey the hounds to the 

 fixture. Essex was considered one of the best 

 scenting plough countries, and I maintain that 

 we were better off when the land was kept in 

 a high state of cultivation, than as it is to-day 

 with a great deal more pasture, and straggling 

 fences. 



For nineteen years Mr. Scratton's reign 

 lasted and then, to the surprise and regret of 

 everyone, he sold the hounds. Yet more 

 was to follow — he parted with most of 

 his Essex property, bought an estate and 

 settled in Devonshire. His departure caused 

 a gap which has never been filled — but every 

 cloud has a silver lining, and so it is in this case, 

 and quite recently one of the clan has purchased 

 the Priory, and, better still, come to live there, 

 and I don't think I am far wrong in saying the 

 cloak of Daniel Robert has certainly fallen on 

 one member of the family. 



I am indebted to Commander Kemble for 

 many of the foregoing details. There is one 

 well known story that Mr. Scratton used to tell 

 against himself, and that was, when he went into 

 a shop to buy some horse rugs — the man took 

 him for the groom and offered him a commission- 

 which he quietly put in his pocket — his personal 

 appearance, as I remember him, might well lead 

 one into the mistake. 



I give the account of a run which took 

 place many years ago. For years past the 

 Lawn had been a favourite fixture, and the 

 foxes used to fly in all directions. I well 

 remember (says Mr. Jackson, to whom I am 



