138 ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



concluded by proposing the health of the chairman, which was drank with 

 three times three hearty cheers. 



The Chairman responded in an appropriate speech, in which he explained 

 that he had been placed in that chair in consequence of the illness of an 

 excellent neighbour of his, Colonel Glegg, who had promised to preside over the 

 meeting. He concluded by giving " Colonel Glegg," and better health to him : a 

 toast which was dranli with great heartiness. 



The next toast, the health of Sir William's brother, Mr. John Stanley, was 

 received with unbounded applause, and that geutleman acknowledged the com- 

 pliment in a neat speech, in which he said that foxes bid fair to be plentiful in 

 the ensuing season, and as they had some excellent dogs, he thought he could 

 promise them capital sport. 



The health of Mr. Charles Stanley, the respected uncle of Sr William, was 

 next drank with enthusiasm, and that gentleman's speech in reply was loudly 

 cheered. 



Mr. Daniel Neilson proposed the farmers of Wirral. (Loud applause.) 

 They were greatly obliged to the farmers for allowing them to sport over their 

 lands, particularly as the huntsmen did great damage in knocking down fences 

 and working up their furrows. (Applause.) With that toast he begged to 

 couple the name of Mr, Tinley Barton. (Loud applause.) 



Mr. T. Barton returned thanks. He was sure that the farmers felt it an 

 honour to have such a landlord as Sir William Stanley ride across their lands. 

 (Applause.) They were delighted to sec him on all occasions, and Mr. J. 

 Stanley as well. (Applause.) They had also to return thanks to Sir William 

 for allowing the Kock Beagles to run over his unpreserved lands. (Applause.) 



Mr. John Laird made some excellent remarks on the improvement visible 

 in the cultivation of the soil, and proposed the health of a gentleman celebrated 

 for the leading part he had taken in agricultural improvement — Mr. Robert 

 Neilson. (Great cheering.) 



Sir William Stanley proposed the health of the vice-presidents. Mr. Laird, 

 he was sorry to say, 'had not attended the hunting-field lately, as in days of 

 yore, but he had been engaged in other pursuits ; and where he (Sir William) 

 would have raised a gorse cover, Mr. Laird had founded a city. (Loud cheers.) 

 He was happy to say their other vice-president, Mr. Daniel Neilson. was a 

 constant attendant in the field. (Applause.) He was much surprised, however, 

 to hear Mr. Neilson, the prince of heavy weights— (applause) — make the remark 

 that hunting injured the farmer. To well-drained lands — and every man ought 

 to drain his land — riding over them did them no injury. On the contrary, fox- 

 hunters were the best friends the farmer had. Who purchased his straw and 

 his oats ? and if he had a young horse, who bought it but the fox-hunter ? 

 (Great cheering.) His friend had made a mistake, but nevertheless they would 

 drink his health in a bumper. (Applause.) He concluded by giving "The Vice- 

 presidents." (Renewed applause.) 



The following toasts were also given : — " Mr. E. Parry, Mr. John Shaw 

 Leigh, and the preservers of foxes in the Hundred of Wirral " ; " The Cheshire 

 Witches" (acknowledged by Mr. Robert Neilson in a poetically eloquent 

 speech) ; " Mr. White and the Cheshire Hounds," &c., &.c. ; and the conviviality 

 of the evening was kept up until midnight, when the company separated. A 

 special boat was engaged for the conveyance of gentlemen residing at Liver- 

 pool. 



Sir \Villiani Stanley was a good friend to the Royal Rock Beagles, and 

 took a cordial interest in their doings. The copy of a letter from C Rawson, 



