378 mms of tbe HDunttna^fielb 



who has taken refuge in a drain, can possibly doubt his 

 enthusiasm in the noble science.' 



It was during the period of his first Mastership — in 

 1863 — that Lord Spencer was honoured with a visit from 

 His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was 

 pleased to seize an opportunity of showing that 

 England's future king could hold his own over the big 

 fences of the Pytchley country. That he was able to do 

 so was shown in an afternoon gallop from Vanderplanks 

 to Purser's Hills, when, in spite of a pace that was not 

 well adapted to a welter weight, H.R.H. occupied an 

 excellent place until choked off by the hill leading from 

 Blueberries up to Mr Pell's house at Hazelbeach Hill, 

 when he was fain to dismount, and, like any ordinary 

 mortal, led his horse up to the summit of the ascent. 

 The hounds at this point being out of sight, H.R.H. 

 seemed to think that next to being present at the kill, *a 

 drop o' good beer ' was the most desirable object at that 

 moment, so pulling up at Mr Pell's house, he quickly 

 slaked a ' hill-born ' thirst in a flagon of Burton ale. A 

 cigar about the size of a sausage-roll was quickly trans- 

 ferred to his lips, and the late formidable ascent soon 

 formed the downward path on his road back to Althorp. 



Thorough and conscientious in the discharge of every 

 duty he has ever undertaken. Lord Spencer gave himself 

 up, heart and soul, to the duties of Mastership, and worked 

 with such unflagging energy that his health, at that time 

 far from strong, broke down under the strain, and, to the 

 intense regret of every member of the Hunt, he was 

 compelled, in 1864, to resign his post to Colonel 

 Anstruther Thomson and seek recuperation in Egypt. 

 For the next three years he wintered abroad, and then, 

 in 1868, a new field for his energies was opened by his 



