158 LIFE OF MYTTON. 



since more generally adopted in some parts, of treat- 

 ing his hunters to a quart or two of warm beer. 



Again ; he once rode at the Ellesmere canal, and 

 of course got a ducking. Finding himself very cold 

 on the road home, he exchanged his wet coat for a 

 flannel petticoat which he espied on a cottager's 

 garden hedge ; and slipping it over his head, travelled 

 on with his hounds, to the great amusement of the 

 villagers he encountered by the way. 



In speaking of Mr. Mytton as a horseman, I have 

 stated the singular fact of his never having so com- 

 pletely tired his horses in the field as to have 

 been obliged to walk home, which I in great part 

 attribute to his strength of hand in assistino- them in 

 their work. It is true he rode none but good ones ; 

 but he really appeared to have a sort of magic 

 influence over their tempers — at all events, it seemed 

 as if they sympathised with him in his frolics — for 

 they were always tranquil under him, and would do 

 almost anything he required of them. He would 

 ride them up the hall steps and down the steps, and 

 through the house, without their appearing to be in 

 the least disconcerted or alarmed. The Lord Water- 

 ford doings in this way had long been anticipated by 

 John Mytton, who would often ride round his billiard 



