Mjs. a. C. Wilkinson's Diaries. gg 



and kennel huntsman. He had his last day in this country on 

 May 3rd, 1837, and next season went to the York and Ainsty. 

 In 1853 the ill-fated Sir Charles Slingsby became Master of 

 the York pack, and, as he wished to hunt hounds himself, Will 

 retired with a testimonial. He could not settle down, however, 

 to a boundless, huntless life, and in 1855 became huntsman to 

 the Hurworth. There is an excellent oil painting of him in the 

 Yorkshire Club, at York, by I. W. Snow, bearing the date 18 15. 



After this introduction to Will Danby, the Hurworth 

 huntsman of the epoch under consideration, let us glance at the 

 sport he showed as recorded by our diarist. 



6 th November. — The kennels. P'ound at Burdon. 

 " Quaker," who was very fresh, pulled very hard over two or 

 three fields. Thomas scolded because I could not stop him. 



i6th November, Friday. — Went to see the Raby Hounds, 

 Mansfield. A very cold ride to cover, being white frost. 

 Herbert rode " Gannemede." Crossed a very awkward beck, 

 or gully, with high banks, several times. Poor sport. 



30th November. — Went to meet Durham County Hounds 

 at Newbiggin. Run 30 minutes, the fox lay down in a hedge 

 bottom and was killed close to Mr. Farrer's Whin. Rode 

 " Batchelor." Said afterwards fox was shot by a poacher, but 

 this was not known till months after. 



22nd March, 1856, Saturday. — Low Middleton. Found at 

 Mr. Farrer's Whin, three foxes in cover. Ran to Newsam 

 Banks. Hounds divided. Pack much bothered with a great 

 bloodhound that Mr. Strother's stupid son had brought out. 

 Back to Mr. Farrer's, blank. Found at Mr. Sutton's ; ran 

 towards Elton. Hounds dreadfully ridden over. Bad scent. 

 Goosepool blank. Rode chestnut. A number of ladies and 

 girls out, namely : Mrs. Maynard, Mrs. Waldy, Miss Hammond, 



