1804] RADBURNE, 59 



At the end of the next season, 1804-5, there is this 

 entry : "Out this season fourteen days, killed four brace 

 of hares. The hounds were not up till very late, and 

 during the season regular hunting never was intended. 

 The winter was very cold, and the snow and frost con- 

 siderable. In February the hounds returned to quarters." 



In the summer they were billeted at different farms, a 

 list of which is given, and only came into kennel for the 

 hunting season. But space forbids more entries from this 

 fascinating diary, which ends with the sale of the hounds 

 to Mr. Nichols, in January, 1807, towards the end of the 

 seventeenth season, during which they showed extra- 

 ordinary sport, as may be gathered from the extracts 

 given above. But there are any quantity of runs as good 

 which have not been mentioned. 



RADBORNE HUNT. CHRISTMAS, 1802. 



Of the squire and his harriers the poet shall sing, 

 And the old woods of Radborne with echoes shall ring. 

 Here's a health to Squire Pole for the sport that he gives, 

 And may good health attend him as long as he lives. 



Men, horses, and dogs make a very fine show, 

 George shouts out "Tantara." Away we all go. 

 They're off with a view in a style so complete. 

 So matched you may cover the pack with a sheet. 



First Kedleston comes dashing on at a rate 



That might win him a handicap, sweepstakes, or plate. 



So freely he gallops, so lightly he moves, 



That his heels need no spurs, and his hands need no gloves. 



With garments spread out just like wings in the air, 

 He skims o'er the fallows as swift as a hare, 

 On Top-gallant mounted he shows them the way, 

 Tho' his Scanderbeg's faster, as some folk will say. 



Next Wilmot comes resolute, dashing along. 

 Behind him of natives he soon leaves a throng ; 

 His grey leaps so well, at no fence will he falter, 

 In his strength and his speed he's like old Gibraltar. 



