94 RADNOR REMINISCENCES 



Thursday, ist February, 1917 

 The tragedies of the hunting-field seem to occur in va- 

 rious ways, not only when actually in the field, but some- 

 times when apparently safe at home. Last night the stable 

 on the Providence Road near the Rose Tree Kennels, 

 rented by George Saportas, was completely destroyed by 

 fire, and with it his entire string of eight horses, also two of 

 Mr. Kerr's, "Hazy," the well-known cross-country horse 

 and "Mobell," and "Aunt Fanny," a bay mare belonging 

 to Miss Betty Sinnickson, and a very promising chestnut 

 colt, "Happy Creek," that I had only just delivered to 

 Saportas yesterday. 



George Donnon, his stud groom, an ex-whipper-in at 

 Radnor, was also burned to death. 



Fifteen horses in all and several cows were lost. 



Thursday, 22nd February, 1917 

 " Washington's Birthday" 



It's seldom we have a season at Radnor without a few 

 weeks of weather that puts a complete stop to hunting; 

 but it's also seldom that we cannot hunt up to the end of 

 March; but this year, owing to the soft going, rain and 

 snow, etc., the run on the above date was practically the 

 last of any moment. There were other days, but conditions 

 were such that the field was kept to the roads, and in fact at 

 times the country was so deep that hounds could hardly run. 

 The Master and Mrs. Chew gave their annual, delight- 

 ful breakfast at the kennels this morning at nine o'clock, 

 when about seventy-five foxhunting friends and farmers 

 were on hand, and also that good sporting farmer, Sam 

 Kirk, and his hounds; Mrs. Chew, as usual, being the ideal 

 hostess, and always making the somewhat awed farmer's 

 wife feel very much at home. 



