60 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS [1812 



CHAPTER VI. 



AULD LANG SYNE. 



1812-1823. 



The preceding cliapters were written from what little 

 material could be collected, but subsequently, by the kind- 

 ness of the Hon. Mrs. Meynell Ingram, the writer has had 

 access to complete diaries kept by Mr. H. C. Meynell 

 Ingram, from 1812 to 1831, and continued by his son from 

 1859 to 1871. We have now done with tradition and can 

 deal with facts. These serve to dissipate some errors, for 

 in 1816 Mr. Meynell Ingram began to hunt in Derbyshire 

 as well as Staffordshire, though he did not actually meet 

 at Kedleston till April 14th, 1818. Where his open- 

 ing meet for the regular season was held is not clear. 

 The hounds came to Longford on Friday, November 1st, 

 1816, but they were at Hoar Cross on Monday, October 

 21st; Sudbury coppice on Wednesday, October 23rd; 

 Byrkley Lodge, October 26th ; and Wichnor, October 

 29th ; and again at Hoar Cross on Monday, November 

 4th, so which was actually the opening day must remain 

 doubtful. 



From these diaries the fact of the Hoar Cross Hounds 

 having been originally harriers is definitely settled. There 

 were nineteen couples in kennel on September 1st, 1812, 

 of which the following is a list : — 



