154 CLEVELAND AND ESKDALE. 



a loss for an answer, replied by giving a long list 

 of the depreciations committed by the ''nightly 

 robber of the fold/' and made out a very good 

 case, showing that it was necessary to the well- 

 being of Society that reynard should be killed ; 

 and proving to his own satisfaction, at any rate, 

 that by foxhounds alone could this desirable end 

 be attained. His aunt's reply was to the point 

 and somewhat startlinof. She wanted to knoAV 

 why her hopeful nephew had turned off that fox 

 which he had in a bag some days ago, " 'T awd 

 woman had me there," Tommy used to say 

 when he told the tale. Tommy Page died at a 

 ripe old age some twenty-four or twenty-five 

 years ago. He had been blind for a considerable 

 period prior to his decease, but he used to get a 

 relative to accompany him to any meets that were 

 near his home that he might exchange a word 

 with his old friends, and hear the cheery music 

 he loved so well. 



In 1817 an influential meeting was held at the 

 Angel Inn, Loftus, to consider the situation and 

 take steps for the more effectual hunting of the 

 district. There had been a few harriers kept at 

 Stanghow by Mr. Kichard Scartli, but these had 

 been given up at his death, and it was now 

 necessary that some steps should be taken to 

 ensure the whole of ihe country being properly 

 hunted. It was determined to form a Hunt Club ; 

 that the hunt should be known as the lloxby and 



