144 "^^^ EARTH STOPPERS TRIBUTE. 



era in a man's life to have made one true friend, but I cannot 

 look round this table without feelinc^, and knowing that I have 

 made many true friends, and of this I am very proud. (Applause) 

 My sphere of action will be very much limited next season, 

 though, thanks to the generosit}'^ and exertions of my friends, 

 we shall have three new coverts, two in the Monday's, and one 

 in the Thursday's country ; and I am glad to take this oppor- 

 tunity of thanking all who have, by their exertions and means, 

 contributed to this very desirable increase of our little country. 

 (Applause). I say my sphere of action is limited, but all I can 

 promise you, is this, that as long as my health and strength are 

 vouchsafed to me, so long, no effort shall be wanting on my 

 part, to render our sport in the future as good as it has been 

 in the past.' (Loud Applause). Lord Rosslyn proposed the 

 health of the committee of management, which was responded 

 to by Mr. John Bennett. The remaining toasts were purely 

 local. 



The testimonial consists of a silver gilt Warwick vase on a 

 stand, a pair of silver gilt four light branches, a case containing 

 silver gilt Elizabethan pattern dessert knives, forks, spoons, 

 ice-spoons, serving spoons, and ladles, four silver Watteau 

 figure salt cellars, and a silver Cellini pattern claret jug and 

 goblet to match. The value of the whole testimonial is, we 

 understand, between 700 and 800 guineas. 



Sometime previously, Mr. Tailby had been the recipient 

 of a Silver Cup, presented to him by the keepers and 

 earthstoppers, bearing the following inscription : — 



SILVER CUP. 



Presented to 



William Ward Tailby, Esq**^ 



by the Earth Stoppers in the Billesdon Hunt 



in respect ftd and grate fid acknowledgement 



of his liberality and kindness 



during the time he has hunted the country. 



Billesdon. 



1870. 



