290 HISTOKY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS AND ASCOT KACES. 



Sign Manual by which Colonel Negus was appointed Master 

 of the Buckhounds to George II. There is no doubt, however, 

 that he received this preferment almost immediately after the 

 King's accession. From non-official but reliable contemporary 

 evidence we ascertain that he kissed the King's hand upon 

 " his appointment of Master of the Buckhounds," and that he 

 set out to Harwich to contest the seat at the General Election 

 about this time. Having been appointed to this office prior 

 to that election he had not to vacate his seat and offer himself 

 for re-election through having accepted a " place of profit 

 under the Crown," otherwise the return of the writ would 

 have confirmed it more amply. At all events, the accounts of 

 the Treasurer of the Chamber distinctly show that he received 

 the emoluments of this office in full, commencing on June 11, 

 1727, "by virtue of an Establishment under His Majesty's 

 Sign Manual dated December 20, 1727." The stipend of his 

 office of Master of the Buckhounds, as we now find it re- 

 established, was 2,3-tl/. per annum "for his salary and in lieu 

 of all charges thereof" ; and he was paid at this rate down to 

 the Michaelmas quarter in the year 1732, " by virtue of a 

 warrant under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual, countersigned 

 by the Lord Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, dated 

 26th day of October, 1732." Then we come to the final payment 

 relating to this Master : "To Francis AVhit worth, Esq., with- 

 out account which is to be esteemed as part of the allowance 

 on the Establishment for His Majesty's Buckhounds (and 

 which was payable to Francis Negus, Esq., as Master thereof 

 since deceased), to be applied and paid over by him to clear 

 the expense on account of His Majesty's Buckhounds for three- 

 quarters of a year ended at Midsummer, 1733, by three 

 warrants under the Royal Sign Manual — 1,452/. Is. 6id" 



As may be gathered from the above chronicle of the runs 

 the name of this Master of the Buckhounds is rarely men- 

 tioned. Indeed, it is somewhat remarkable to observe, Sir 

 Robert Walpole figures much more prominently in connection 

 with this pack. The latter was a most enthusiastic follower 

 of hounds, and, of course, his position at the head (and tail) of 



