94 



LEAVES FROM A IIUNTINC DIARY 



they always have a good run when you do, but I have only learnt very 

 scanty particulars of it. Found at once at Sir Charles Smith's Osiers— what 

 runs tliese osiers afford, may tliey never be cut down ! — went away as if 

 glued to their fox, over Albyns, right through the top of Curtis Mill Green 

 to ground just behind Knowles Hill Farm ; a very pretty hunt, I am told. 

 N.B. — Mr. R. Lockwood in his diary writes : 



"A most capital day, the best I have seen for many days rom these coverts.' 



Boycott" (held by his owner, R. C. Ball) 



This photograph was taken by Mr. Alfred Money Wigrani 

 about the end of March, 1889, at which time this well-known 

 horse was about sixteen years old. The first season Mr. Ball 

 rode him in Essex he made his mark as a hunter, and won 

 his owner the coveted distinction of having the hunt button 

 presented to him by the Master, Sir Henry Selwin Ibbetson, 

 in the great run of March 12th, 1881, described in Messrs. 

 Ball & Gilbey's book, " The Essex Foxhounds." (For in those 

 days the Hunt Club had not been established, and the hunt 

 button was only obtainable at the hands of the Master.) It was 

 to the undoubted staying powers " Boycott " possessed that Mr. 

 Ball owed this triumph, for he was a rare horse for a long day. 



