1855] DEATH OF JOE LEEDHAM. 179 



obliged to retire from the run early, and got to the 

 village of Tean, from whence he was conveyed home in a 

 carriage, and many a gallant steed was only heard of for 

 some time after this day's work. 

 ** Hsec olim meminisse juvabit." 



"When Time, who steals our years away. 

 Shall steal our pleasures too, 

 The memory of the past shall stay 

 And half our joys renew." 



This was the last day of Joe Leedham's last season, 

 and a very good ending too, for the run was a good 

 thirteen miles from point to point, and nearer twenty as 

 hounds ran. Those who have seen Joe Leedham in the 

 field speak of him as a competent huntsman, but for 

 the last season or two he was not at his best, being given 

 to nicking along the roads, and not always casting up 

 when he was wanted, in which case Tom or Jack did duty 

 for him, as Tom evidently did in the run just described. 

 Joe died on April 3rd, 1856, at the comparatively early 

 age of fifty-nine, and was buried by the side of his father 

 a,t Yoxall. He was succeeded by his brother Thomas, a 

 nice light weight, with a neat figure on a horse, and, 

 perhaps, the best horseman of a family of good riders. 



The season of 1855 is very barren of records in the 

 public prints, and, unfortunately, there are only a few 

 private diaries extant of these earlier dates, while the 

 ones that do exist contain absolutely nothing of any 

 interest to any one but the writer. There is, however, an 

 account of a day in March in the Field, which, from this 

 date, is the leading paper for all hunting news. 



Field, March 24th, 1855 :— 



To the Editor of the Field. 



Sir, — On Saturday, March 10th, this gallant pack met at Aston Hall, 

 Derbyshire, the seat of E. A. Holden, Esq. When the "meet" is at Aston 

 the " field " is generally large (as it was on this occasion), the " find " pretty 

 ceiiain, and the sport good. So it proved on Saturday. Upon the hounds 

 being thrown into the covers, a fox was soon on his legs ; and, making for 



