82 ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



If, in fifty years, 500 members have joined the Hunt, we may take it 

 that the average number of vacancies each year will be ten, and as our num- 

 bers are Hmited to sixty, a generation of beaglers is comprised in six years. 

 All members of over six years' standing may therefore be called old beaglers. 

 A glance at the list for 1894 will show that exactly half of the members are 

 in this category. This seems ratlier a short life, if a merry one, and it will 

 be curious to enquire into the causes of the vacancies in this swiftly-changing 

 roll of members. 



Death during membership will not account for more than two per cent, 

 of the vacancies ; and resignation on account of ill-health is comparatively 

 unknown. Some few leave the club because they can come out with the 

 hounds so seldom that it is hardly worth while continuing their subscription ; 

 others resign to follow other sports, golf more particularly ; now and again 

 we have resignations on account of advancing years. There can be little 

 doubt, however, that the greatest number of vacancies are caused by mem- 

 bers leaving the neighbourhood. 



In the event of the death of any member of the Hunt, it is customary, 

 if the funeral is fixed for a hunting day, to cancel the hunt fixture, as a mark 

 of respect for the deceased beagler. The same thing is done in case of the 

 death of a member of the royal family, or of any particularly great and 

 distinguished public man. The old records of the Hunt contain precedents : 



October 6th, 1849. Woodchurch. No meet, in consequence of the much 

 lamented death of Mrs. King (wife of the rector). This is a kind sympathy 

 on the part of the members, which here I cannot refrain from gi^atefully 

 acknowledging. (Signed) V. A. King. 



i8th November, 1852. The fixture for the day. the kennels as published, 

 it was decided in committee should not take place, it being the day of the Duke 

 of Wellington's funeral. It was, however, decided a bye-day, for the conve- 

 nience of a few members, should take place at Thurstaston, the meet there the 

 previous week not having taken place. 



For this breach of etiquette surely they deserved a blank day. 



