156 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. 



was a rare judge of stock, besides winning at the Eoyal 

 and other shows with young hunters of his own breeding. 

 He it was, too, who was chosen, as being the most fitting- 

 person, to make the presentation to Mr. Chandos-Pole, 

 when he retired from the Mastership of the Meynell in 

 1888. After Mr. Tomlinson's death in March, 1901, 

 the following notice of him appeared in the Derbyshire 

 Advertiser : — 



By his death one of the best-known and highly esteemed agi-icultnrists in tlie 

 county has passed away, full of years and honours. Mr. Tomlinson belonged to 

 an old and respected Derbyshire familj', which had been settled at Sturston Hall, 

 near Ashborne, for upwards of three hundred years. The deceased gentleman fur 

 nearly fifty years occupied the large farm of Bradley Pastures, near Ashborne, having 

 succeeded his father in the year 1851. Unflagging industry, fine judgment, and 

 a minute knowledge of every branch of farming (to which may be added inflexible 

 integrity) made him not only a successful but a distinguished farmer, who 

 battled with difficulties and bad times on a large and highly-rented holding, as 

 few could have done. He was a keen sportsman, and rode well to hounds, being 

 often seen (up to the age of seventy-two) in the front rank with the Meynell Fox 

 Hounds, with which pack he hunted regularly for over fifty-five years. He was also 

 a large breeder of hunters, several of which lie himself rode, not only in the hunting 

 field, but at sundry local steeplechases and flat races, when be ran side by side, 

 and often to the winning post, against such veterans as the late Sir Matthew 

 Blakiston, Bart., and Mr. Lucien Mann, and other notable men of fifty years ago. 

 His services were in frequent request as a judge of hunters at the various shows, 

 where his keen discernment and long experience as a breeder made him quite at 

 home in tliis capacity. In politics he was an energetic Conservative, and in his 

 time did good service for his party in many a hard-fought election contest. In 

 private life he was a warm-hearted, genial character, ever showing marked zest 

 in the vast range of conversation (and public meetings) in which he took part. 

 He was a true friend and sympathetic adviser to all who referred to him and 

 came in contact with him. His hospitality was unbounded, and everybody Avas 

 made at home when they entered the house at Bradley Pastures. Loved, too, 

 he was by his servants, some of whom lived with him as much as forty years ; for 

 in him they ever found straightforward dealing and kindly consideration. His 

 life was happily participated in by a wife, who entered heart and soul into all the 

 events of the day. She gave a cheerful welcome to all visitors, and brightened 

 the ever lively home. By his death we have lost one who reminded us of days 

 that are gone. He was a devout Christian and a staunch Churchman. His wife 

 pre-deceased him only last year. She was the daughter of the late Eev. John 

 Hides, vicar of Greasley, Notts, and was the mother of six sons and three 

 daughters. 



The following letter, written a few years before his 

 death, which his sons — the Rev. F. Tomlinson, of Long 

 Eaton, and Mr. T. H. Tomlinson, of Willington — have 

 kindly placed at the writer's disposal, is interesting : — 



