174 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



especially worthy of notice ; it took plaee on the 16th 

 of November, 1849. The place of meeting was the 

 fifth mile stone on the Baschurch road. The hounds 

 were scarcely in the covert at Merrington, on Mr. 

 Slaney's estate, one of the Members for Shrewsbury, 

 and a most zealous sportsman, when a fox was viewed 

 away by Pearce, the head whip. After taking a ring 

 round the covert, he made a point for Leaton Shelf, 

 best pace ; without a moment's hesitation he ran 

 through the covert, straight as possible to Preston 

 Gobalds, and away to Pimhill, Harmer Hill, and 

 Middle Park nearly to Baschurch, when bearing to the 

 right he gained the covert in which he was found at 

 Merrington; through it and again to Leaton Shelf. He 

 then crossed the River Severn, which, although bank 

 full, Mr. Webster of Preen, one of Shropshire's gallant 

 heroes of the chase, plunged into, leaving the whole of 

 the field behind him. This however, was an unprofit- 

 able daring; for having tried a refuge in Bickley Cop- 

 pice the fox re-crossed the Severn near Montford 

 Bridge, which afforded Mr. Webster another oppor- 

 tunity for exercising his amphibious qualities. From 

 this point the fox went to Forton, and nearly to 

 Nesscliffe, where he turned to the right by Fitz, with 

 the pack close at his brush ; through the gardens at 

 Grafton, when he once more tried the earths at Leaton 

 Shelf, and after a terrific run of nearly four hours' 

 duration, was pulled down near Leaton Knoll, the 

 residence of J. A. Lloyd, Esq., a small portion of the 

 field only being up to witness the termination. Among 

 the select few were Mr. Baker the present, and Mr. 

 Eyton the late, master of the hounds, Mr. Webster and 

 Mr. Harnage. All the horses were completely beaten, 

 and had it not been for some friendly roads which 

 occasionally intervened, it appears impossible that any 

 could have gone half the distance, which is computed 

 at upwards of thirty miles. 



Not finding the subscription adequate to the expenses 

 Mr. Baker resigned the Shropshire district to Mr. 



