SIR RICHARD SUTTON, BART., M.F.H. Q 



As nothing of any particular significance calling for 

 special naention transpired during the next half-century, we 

 will just glance at the position a few years prior to Mr. 

 Tailby's advent. 



In 1847, Sir Richard Sutton (in succession to Henry 

 Greene, Esq., of Rolleston), took over the Quorn, and in 

 185 1 the Donington side becoming vacant, Sir Richard 

 (with the assent of all concerned) took that country also, 

 and in 1853 handed over the Billesdon country to his son. 

 In 1855 (November) Sir Richard Sutton died, and during 

 the remainder of that season these countries were hunted 

 (as a temporary arrangement) by his two sons, Mr. Richard 

 and Captain Frank Sutton, and Mr. Clowes. 



It is not, however, contended that the separation, 

 according to fox-hunting law, between the Quorn and the 

 Billesdon country occurred till 1856, when the Earl of 

 Stamford and Warrington (who had taken over the Quorn), 

 although strongly pressed to do so, distinctly refused to 

 hunt the Billesdon side, and left that country to its own 

 resources. 



Or by way of biblical illustration it may be said that 

 when Mr. Tailby subsequently assumed the mastership, 

 " the rib was not taken from Adam's side," it had already 

 been cheerfully surrendered. 



Notwithstanding, at a later period — upon Mr. Tailby's 

 resignation — a most unfortunate, not to say acrimonious, 

 dispute arose as to the exact circumstances, rights and 

 conditions existing at this period under which Mr. Tailby 

 had consented to hunt the Billesdon side, which unhappily 

 was carried to such lengths and occasioned such coolness as 

 to interfere with pleasant neighbourly relations, and even 

 to threaten the dislocation of life-long friendships. It is 

 not, however, necessary at this juncture to dwell upon so 

 unpleasant an episode, as the reader will find a full and 

 impartial account of the merits of the case in Part II., 

 dealing with the events at the period when they actually 

 occurred. 



