64 



ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



Colonel King remained a true and hearty supporter of Mr. Laird during 

 the three following elections, and after the letter's death in 1874, this su[)port 

 was continued to Mr. David Mac Iver. He also took an active i)art in the 

 election of Mr. Henry Tollemache for West Cheshire in 1881, having himself 

 declined an invitation to stand for the constituency. 



THE FINE OLD FOSSIL TORY. 



Come, gather romid, my lads, awhile, 



And listen to the story 

 Of one without a taint of guile, 



The fine old fossil Tory. 



What though his hair is passing grey, 

 His step is light and youthful ; 



His eye is bright ; his voice is clear; 

 His face — ah ! that is truthful. 



He loves his countr\', loves his Queen, 

 He loves his fellow-men — 



Except the " Rads," he thinks them 

 mean, 

 But still he loves the men. 



No boaster he, no quarreller ; 



Not quick to take offence ; 

 Not skilful in immoral or 



Diplomatic fence ; 



But bluff and hearty, leal and true. 

 He asks the same of others, 



And, out of party, takes the view 

 That all good men are brothers. 



Go, see him in his English home. 

 That English oaks environ, 



Where oaken panels bind the walls 

 As firm as English iron ; 



While English fare smokes on the 

 board 



With hospitable glowing. 

 And " Pass the tankard " is the word. 



While English ale is flowing. 



Then see him as he dwells in camp. 



Amidst his Volunteers — 

 Their loved commander. Hark, that 

 tramp ! 



And hark, those ringing cheers ! 



As, marching in their silver grey, 

 The county " First " go by 



The Roodee, with its proud arraj- ; 

 ■' A King ! " "A King ! " the cry. 



They say the age has passed him ; well, 

 The past age was his glory ; 



And Heaven preserve to England still 

 The tine old fossil Tory. 



B.W.S.H. 



As a magistrate, V. A. King was indefatigable in his attention to the 

 duties of the office, and was noted for the manner in wliich he tempered 

 justice with mercy. It was almost a pleasure to an offender to be sentenced 

 by him. He was created a county magistrate in 1869, for Cheshire, and a 

 borough magistrate for Birkenhead in 1878. 



In his seven; y-third year, Colonel King, sportsman to the .'ast, caught 

 a chill when out otter hunting in the neighbourhood cf Carlisle, and being 

 ordered by his doctor to take a sea voyage, he paid a visit to the United 

 States. The voyage did not do him much good, and on his return to 

 this country, at the end of September, he became unwell, and after less 

 than a week's illness, died on the afternoon of Sunday, 1st October, 1882. 

 His funeral was the occasion of a great public demonstration of respect. 

 It was estimated that not less than five thousand persons were present. 

 The cofifin was carried from Oxton to Woodchurch l)y relays of volunteers, 



