THEIR PHILOSOPHY OF THE CHASE. 63 



at any time, although of course any exertion or excitement 

 would doubtless be a contributory cause. 



The writer was once present at a Point-to-Point race 

 meeting on the south coast, when two horses fell dead 

 immediately after passing the post. In this connection, 

 however, it may be remarked that no horse wanting 

 in condition, or that has not undergone the necessary 

 training, should be called upon to race four-and-a-half miles 

 over a stiff hunting country. 



On 24th June last the venerable Rector celebrated his 

 86th birthday, when, as may be imagined, he was the 

 recipient of many tokens of respect and hearty congratu- 

 lations. 



The Rev. John Morpot Piercy, Vicar of Slawston, 

 familiarly known by a play upon his second name as " Pot 

 Piercy " was a regular follower to hounds in the early days 

 of Mr. Tailby's mastership and was numbered with the 

 heavy brigade. Upon one occasion hounds had been trying 

 round Cranoe where that eminent scholar the Rev. Hill was 

 Rector, when suddenly from the direction of the rectory the 

 welkin rang with a loud view holloa ; which quickly brought 

 Mr. Tailby and the hounds upon the scene ; when, behold, 

 " Pot Piercy," greatly excited and gesticulating wildly, 

 whilst he declared that he had seen a fox enter the Rectory 

 garden, whereupon, hounds being admitted, out came " the 

 fox " in the shape of one of old Rippon the farmer's sheep- 

 dogs ! whereat the Master was exceedingly wrath, and 

 made use of certain exclamations, but fortunately no 

 reporters were present ! 



Mr. Courtenay Spencer Foster had not actually 

 taken Orders in the seventies when he resided in Leicester- 

 shire ; neither by reason of his age would he strictly come 

 into the category of Sporting Parsons of the Old School. 



