04 ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



of which lie was a distinguislied member, one of the wags startled his fellow- 

 members by saying, " Poor Johnny Okell dyed this morning. '"' 



Though in his young days a keen spoilsman, J. Okell gave up hunting 

 at an earlier period of life than is usual with those whose time and means 

 permit the enjo\ment of the sport. He, however, kept up his interest in 

 the R.R.l!., which he had assisted in starting, and always maintained his 

 friendbiiip with his old friends, the bea"lers. 



Bolton Xittlc^alc. 



" What an arm he lias ! He turned me about with liis finger and his thumb, 

 as one woiiid st.-t up a top." — Coyioianus, act iv, scciif 5. 



B. I.iltledale was one of the fnst members of the R.R.B.. and was the 

 best runner of his time with the hounds, leading even A. Walford and 

 the huntsman Jones. Our brother beagler, Fairrie, v.-ho knew him with the 

 R.R.D. in 1851, says that he was without doubt the best runner that ever 

 was out with the homids, and that he jumped at anything, no matter what 

 was at the other side. He always came out hunting wearing an old swallow-tail 

 dress coat, with any old trousers he had, never wearing the uniform of the 

 club. He does not appear in the records of the Hunt, except that he was 

 elected to the Committee in 1S49. ^^'hen he retired from business he 

 went to reside in Cheshire, hunting with the Cheshire hounds, with which 

 he had a great reputation as a hard and straight rider. He was a noted 

 preserver of foxes, and received the honour of the "green collar" of the 

 Tarporley Hunt. 



1Rot»ert Cbri^tic, 5un. 



" I am no orator, as Brutus is ; 

 But as you know me all, a plain blunt man ; 

 That love my friend ; and that they know full well 

 That gave me public leave to speak of him." 



'Julius Ciesnr, act Hi, scene 2. 



Robert Christie was a member of the R.R.T3. for the first four seasons. 

 He was the twelfth enrolled member, but did not take any active part in the 

 administration or management of the hounds. None of his exploits are 

 recorded in the annals of the club, but he was chiefly distinguished for his 

 kindly and genial manner, which rendered him a favourite with everybody. 

 He was particularly useful at the annual dinners to the fiirmers, when he 

 contributed more than liis share to the harmony of the evening, and was 

 always the life and soul of the party at the club dinners and other social 

 functions. His favourite song was " Slither down a Rainbow,' which title 

 opens up possibilities of a good song, and it is a pity that no copy of the 



