A CURIOUS ACCIDENT 111 



Albrighton in 1823, by which time, through sales, ex- 

 changes, and drafting, few if any could have remained 

 of those with which he hunted the Atherstone ; but I 

 can well recollect they were celebrated for their great 

 power and substance. 



When Sir Bellingham Graham quitted this country 

 for the Quorn in December 1821, Lord Anson, now 

 Earl of Lichfield, became the baronet's successor; this 

 was not only his lordship's commencement as a master 

 of hounds but likewise as huntsman. He purchased a 

 lot of hounds to begin with from Mr. Mytton, and it 

 was a scratch pack to all intents and purposes. Sub- 

 sequently his lordship procured augmentations from the 

 late Sir Thomas Mostyn and Mr. Musters, which 

 enabled him in a short time to form an effective pack. 

 Considering the odds and ends he had to begin with, 

 the highest compliments are due to his lordship's talent 

 and energy, especially as a debutant. Many masters 

 of hounds, with a superior pack ready made to their 

 hands, have spoilt them in a very short period. It was 

 Lord Lichfield's task to make a good pack out of rough 

 materials, and most successful was the issue. In this 

 he was ably assisted by Robert Thurlow and Jesse, two 

 most effective whippers-in. 



These men had the misfortune to meet with a most 

 fearful accident on Lichfield race-course, when engaged 

 clearing the ground at the Anson Hunt Meeting in the 

 year 1823 or 1824. I was close by them, and witnessed 

 it. Riding towards each other, intent upon their duty, 

 and each of them going at three parts speed, they came 

 in furious contact, the consequence of which was most 

 dreadful contusions. By the force with which they 

 met, Jesse was hurled into the air; Thurlow 's leg was 

 fractured, and it is a miracle they were not both killed. 



The hounds purchased from Mr. M>i:ton, it must be 

 observed, were well bred ; many of them were from Sir 

 Richard Pulestone, others from the Bel voir and 

 Cheshire kennels ; but from the way in which they had 

 been managed they were wild and uncertain. The 



