/II>astec6 of tbe /ll>eatb 407 



and, after experiencing the joys of the Chase in Meath, 

 which he always maintained to be the finest hunting 

 country in the world, he settled down there in a com- 

 fortable hunting-box at Brownstown. For two years he 

 hunted there, and then, on the retirement of Mr Waller 

 in 1877, the Committee paid him the high honour of 

 asking him to undertake the duties of Master. 



They knew him to be a hard rider, with an excep- 

 tional knowledge both of hounds and horses. They 

 knew, too, that though a ' foreigner ' he was devoted 

 to the interests of the Hunt, and popular with all its 

 members. But they did not yet know, and perhaps 'Jock ' 

 himself hardly knew, that he possessed every quality of 

 an ideal Master of Hounds. 



It was with some reluctance that Mr Trotter accepted 

 the post. Having once, however, put his hand to the 

 plough he never looked back, but went straight on to the 

 discharge of his duties with an energy and zeal that won 

 general admiration. Where ' Jock ' Trotter was, there 

 could be no discord, for his unfailing good-temper and 

 perfect courtesy charmed all hearts, whilst his firmness, 

 always judiciously exercised, kept every one in his 

 place. His knowledge of men, his keen insight into 

 the nature and consideration for the feelings of the Irish 

 peasantry, enabled him to avoid many unpleasantnesses 

 and overcome many difficulties which would have 

 proved fatal to the rule of a less tactful and diplo- 

 matic ruler. His vigorous health and grand physique, 

 too, enabled him to bear without fatigue the exer- 

 tion of hunting that ' country of magnificent dis- 

 tances.' 



In 1879, the Meath hounds were honoured by the 

 first visit of the Empress of Austria, who was so delighted 



