SHROPSHIRE KENNELS 173 



been excelled. He was very ably assisted in the field 

 by William Staples and John Wigglesworth. After 

 having hunted the Atherstone, the Quorn, and the 

 Pytchley countries, it appeared a condescension to hunt 

 a provincial one ; but Sir Bellingham introduced every 

 requisite for the promotion of sport, and was most 

 successful in the results. 



On Sir Bellingham Graham's retirement in 1826, he 

 sold his hounds to the committee which was then 

 formed, of whom Sir Edward Smythe, Mr. Lloyd, and 

 Mr. Smythe Owen, were the principals. Staples was 

 appointed as huntsman, and Wigglesworth remained as 

 first whip. This continued till the conclusion of the 

 season 1833, when the country was divided into North 

 and South. Sir Rowland Hill, Baronet, of Hawke- 

 stone, took the former portion with Staples in his 

 former appointment; the kennels at Lee Bridge being 

 the domicile of the hounds. The southern district was 

 hunted by Mr. Smythe Owen, who promoted Wiggles- 

 worth; and kennels were provided at Coundover. Mr. 

 Hodson succeeded, kept the hounds two or three 

 seasons, but gave them up in 1841. Mr. T. C. Eyton 

 subsequently became the master of the southern 

 district, and Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Baronet, 

 added the northern to an extensive tract of country 

 around Wynnstay, which he now hunts in great style, 

 having the celebrated John Walker, who was for many 

 years with the Fife hounds, as huntsman. This 

 arrangement was entered into in 1849. Sir Watkin 

 Wynn's country is comprised in what may be called 

 the Old Shropshire, verging on the Cheshire and North 

 Staffordshire, with a part of the Garden district, and 

 that near Wynnstay. 



Mr. Baker undertook to hunt the country vacated by 

 Mr. Eyton, conjointly with the Wheatland; two days 

 in the week being devoted to the former, and one to 

 the latter district. This only continued for one year, 

 but with a very limited subscription he succeeded in 

 showing most extraordinary sport. One of the runs is 



