112 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1827 



CHAPTER X. 



MR. MEYNELl's diary. 



1827-1832. 



Cub-hunting began on August l7tli in the Brakenhurst, 

 and was much more satisfactory than the year before, for 

 they killed nine brace of cubs, ran seven brace to ground, 

 and only failed to account for three brace. 



The first day of regular hunting was October 22nd, at 

 Sudbury. November 1st was an interesting day in the 

 annals of the Meynell, for they met at Bretby on that day, 

 Thursday (though they had been there on the Monday), 

 for the Duke of Wellington, who was a guest of Lord 

 Chesterfield's, to have a day with the hounds. There was 

 an immense field out in honour of the " Iron Duke," but, 

 as usually happens on these show occasions, there was not 

 much sport. On December 3rd they had a good run from 

 the Birch Wood, Hoar Cross, and killed at Durstall after 

 an hour and five minutes. But the interest of the day is 

 in the postscript, as they say of a lady's letter, which is : 

 ** Little H. greatly distinguished himself." This is the 

 first mention of the future Master. 



Sport was not so good this year up to Christmas ; in 

 fact, the best day was on December 22nd, from Wichnor, 

 when hounds divided in the Forest. One lot, with most 

 of the field with them, ran by Yoxall Lodge, and Byrkley 

 Lodge, where they ran clear away from their followers, 

 who never saw them again till they had killed their fox 

 by Stone's Gorse, at Needwood. Meanwhile, Tom, with 



