58 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1802 



" A frost set in on tlie 29tli (November) and the hounds 

 were sold to Mr. Sitwell, of Renishawe, before it broke up 

 again. In January and February a few hares were killed 

 by some hounds out of Wales, and from Renishawe, but 

 no account was taken. One run, however, ought to be 

 noticed. The hare was found in Radburne near to Lees, 

 ran to Longford and was killed at Foston, near twelve 

 miles." 



It seems to have been the fashion to bring hounds to 

 perfection and then sell them, for Beckford says of his, 

 " When I had got them thus perfect, I did, as many 

 others do, I parted with them," or words to that effect. 



But the squire was not long without a pack, for, at 

 the beginning of next season, in September, he has 

 " several days at Radburne and Egginton with the young 

 hounds which consisted of many sorts and sizes." How- 

 ever, they did not do badly, hunting sixty days, and 

 killing twenty-eight brace of hares. There is an entry to 

 the eflect that " the Caulke Harriers came in exchange for 

 the small harriers from Wales. At first, from want of 

 exercise, they were the cause of bad sport, but improved 

 at the end of the season." They went fast enough the 

 next year, for on Wednesday, March 4th, we find, "A 

 bag'd fox at Radburn Parks, to Langley, to Wood, to 

 Mercaston, over Hulland AVood to Biggin, thirteen miles 

 in one hour, caught alive." 



"On March 12th, 1802, by the Derby Hunt, the 

 following places were given up to me : Nun's Field, 

 Grange Field, Osleston, Mr. Holland's Farm at Barton 

 Fields, south side of Brailsford, Culland, Burrows. The 

 road to Bradley and the Turnpike road to Brailsford 

 Bridge, with Bradley Brook, is not given up and includes 

 all belon^-ino; to the Derbv Hunt in Brailsford." 



In 1803, the writer tells us that, "From the engage- 

 ments in the cavalry, I was out but little this year, and 

 on that account the hounds were out fewer times than on 

 former seasons. Out this season forty-two days, killed 

 twenty-one brace and a half of hares." 



