THE DEACONS 



31 



of the Essex Hounds. Standing- i6-il, he possessed a o-ood 

 turn of speed ; and at the Rundells steeplechases won twice, 

 on each occasion being steered to victory by Mr. R. B. Colvin. 

 Miss Deacon, on an average, rode him twice a week with 

 hounds, and without over-riding them was always close up. 

 Just before she died she expressed a wish that " Stud Groom" 

 should be kept as a pet ; he was therefore turned into a 



J. Todhunter 



loose box for some time, but not thriving without exercise, 

 he was given to Mr. Walmsley. one of his late owner's 

 greatest friends, and at his death came back to Briggins. 

 One of his legs giving way, three years after this, he was 

 shot at Harlow kennels. 



It is a pity that we have no portrait of Mr. Deacon's 

 famous hunter "King Charming," by "Blood Royal," which 



