The Wynnstay Meet. 91 



On Saturday there were rival attractions, for the 

 devotees of hunting, who are now counting the few 

 remaining days on their fingers ; they could either go to 

 the Plough inn at Weston with the Albrighton, or to 

 Wynnstay and witness the interesting presentation to 

 Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Wynn of Sir Watkin's picture, as 

 a wedding gift from the members of the hunt. Incli- 

 nation for one other good day carried several waverers to 

 the Albrighton, while duty and public spirit demanded 

 the sacrifice, if such it could be called, of joining the 

 great hunting array that went up the avenue at Wynnstay 

 to add another token of gratitude to, and devotion for 

 the fine old Baronet, who has contributed through a 

 long career more to the pleasures of fox-hunters than any 

 living man on this side of the Border. This sounds tall 

 talking, but is perfectly true, and when we reflect, as 

 reflect we must occasionly, that all this has been done in 

 a princely way for love, and not money ; when we 

 remember that the luide stretching Wynnstay Country has 

 been ivell hunted from one extremity to the other fornearly 

 half a century by Sir Watkin at his own expense, where 

 can we look for his compeer in these degenerate days ? 

 No wonder that they came trooping, horse and foot, by 

 train and carriages, to add one more testimony of family 

 devotion, as well as to cheer the rising generation. 



The bright sunshine lent its aid to make the Park and 

 its surroundinsfs look their best, and when I sav that ai^e 

 and youth of both sexes was fully represented from. 

 Shropshire, Cheshire, Flintshire, Denbighshire, and 

 Mongomery shire, my readers will understand without 

 my adding a list of names that few well-known faces 

 were absent in the great entrance hall at the unveiling of 

 Herkomer's touching picture. Mr. Kenyon spoke quietly 

 and sensibly of the feeling tint had prompted the gift, 

 and Mr. Herbert Wynn made a short and manly reply on 

 behalf of his wife, the reci]>ient of this invaluable heirloom 

 of the future. Sir Watkiu bravely essayed to say a few 

 words in response, but the effort was beyond his powers 

 of speech, and but a faint echo of that usually strong 

 voice could be caught by the hundreds of eager listeners 

 that thronged around him. Indeed, Borderer could scarce 

 refrain from dropping a tear over the dear old sportsman's 

 effort to pour forth once more his gratitude to his friends, 

 and bespeak a helping hand in the future for those most 



