126 



LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



" Mickey " was Miss Maude Caldecott's favourite hunter, 

 and no wonder, for when this portrait was taken he had carried 

 her twelve seasons, and durino- that time had given her only five 

 falls. Equally at home in Leicestershire or Essex, Miss 

 Caldecott's lather made a g-ood purchase when he bought 

 "Mickey," at six, off from Mr. John Darby in '85, fresh imported 

 from Galway. It is only during the last few^ years, however, that 

 Miss Caldecott has hunted in Leicestershire, and, alas ! that I 

 should have to record it, on one of the days that I met her at 

 the covert side with the Pytchley Hounds, she confessed that 

 the g-rass countries pleased her most ; but I did not assent when 

 she hazarded the opinion that she dare not face the Roothing 

 ditches again, for I vividly recalled that there was no lady who, 

 in a quick burst or hunting run, could cross them better than 

 she did on her faxourite hunter " Mickey." 



rV'l 



A Meet at Copped Hall Lodge Gates 



The last day op the season, 1886, one of, if not tlie best on record, will 

 remain ei'een in the memories of those who partoolc of its pleasures when 

 other things have faded and withered away. Indeed, hunting is something 

 more than the sweet intoxication of the moment, and cold- blooded indeed 

 must be the man who cannot recall with vivid joy the runs in which he has 

 taken part when, with a good start and well mounted, hounds ran with a 

 scent breast high. But few of our joys are unalloyed, and in this case the 

 last day of the season that has just passed away will have its lustre dimmed 

 when we remember that it witnessed the termination of the mastership of 

 one who had endeared himself to all ; yes, Sir Henry will carry away the 

 heartfelt thanks and best wishes of all those — and their name is legion — 

 who have enjoyed sport under his iirm but gentle sway, and their sorrowing 

 regret at losing him. 



Among those who assembled at Copped Hall Lodge on Wednesday, 

 the 14th April, to see the curtain fall on the final scene of the season 1886 



