EDWARD T. MASHITER, M.F.H. 87 



the heavy ploughs of the Essex Union country, but 'tis of her 

 owner I would write. No man is better known in the annals 

 of the chase in the Essex Union or our country, for Mr. Helme 

 has always been a devotee of the sport, and held the arduous 

 post of Secretary to the Essex Union Hounds from 1877 to 

 1 89 1, during the Masterships of Mr. W. M. White and 

 Captain Carnegy, and part of the period when Commander 

 Kemble held the reins. The resignation of Mr. Mashiter, or 

 Mr. Helme, the name by which he was most familiar to us all, 

 was received with profound regret, his numerous friends pre- 

 senting him with a lovely silver candelabra in testimony of the 

 esteem in which they held him. Since that date, however, on 

 the resignation of Colonel Hornby of the Mastership of the 

 Essex Union Hounds at the end of the season '97-98, Mr. 

 Mashiter was unanimously chosen as Master, and how wise 

 was the choice was amply demonstrated in the grand season's 

 sport which the E.H. had in '98-99, Mr. Mashiter's first year of 

 office. It is an open secret that the interesting chapter devoted 

 to a brief survey of the Essex Union Hounds in Messrs. Ball 

 and Gilbey's book, "The Essex Foxhounds," was contributed 

 by Mr. Mashiter, who is as facile with his pen as he was ever 

 quick in getting to Hounds and sticking to them when they 

 meant business in a real ding-dong run. 



In bringinf^ to a conclusion my hunting notes for 1895-96, I have little 

 further to add to that which has been already stated. I would mention, 

 however, that, at the particular request of Col. Archer Houblon, our hounds 

 made a special journey into the Takeley Forest country on Wednesday, 

 March 25th, for the sole purpose of reducing the number of foxes that 

 abound in that part of the country. It could not have been termed a 

 brilliant scenting-day, nevertheless Bailey cleverly brought two dog-foxes to 

 hand, and very nearly accounted for one of another leash found in Hyde 

 Hall Springs. There should be room for some good and early cub-hunting 

 in that neighbourhood next season, and a show of foxes that it will pay to 

 bustle. 



Friday at Ashdon calls for no particular mention except (we hardly 

 expect to hear of another bye day) that it saw the finish of what may be 

 fairly said to have been a remarkable season ; it will probably stand out 

 clear and distinct from all others as the most open on record. That it has 

 been more prolific of good runs than any other cannot so confidently be 

 asserted ; but sport throughout has been of a good average character, and 

 on occasions, particularly in the Friday-country, some runs of extraordinary 

 brilliancy have taken place. It is very satisfactory to know that the season 

 has passed away without any serious accident in the field to any member of 

 the Hunt, for, with the exception of one collar bone, we have heard of no 

 splints being required. 



In taking leave of this season we may be permitted to look ahead to the 

 next, and to prophecy that the outlook is a happy one. No change of 

 mastership takes place, and with two of the largest landowners in this 



