186 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1857 



yet reached their hunting quarters, and most of those who have done so were 

 not out on Tuesday. Of one of them, however, I think I may predict, in the 

 words of the poet, from liis style of going that day, that during this season — 



" What gallant runs the brave Meltonians share, 

 He ■will bo forward, or the foremost there." 



I allude to Lord Berkeley Paget, who goes as straight as a man can do. 



The name of a new writer appears in this year, who 

 gives a capital description of Bretby and of a day's sport 

 there, which seems worth preserving, as tending to show 

 the popularity then of what is rather an unfashionable 

 quarter now, though the capital run of this year (1901) 

 may change that. 



Field, January 10th, 1857 : — 



Sir, — ^Thursday, January 1st, 1857, was a red-letter day in the calendar of 

 sportsmen connected with Mr. Meynell Ingram's hunt. On that day the gallant 

 pack of that gallant sportsman met at Bretby Hall, the hospitable mansion of the 

 Earl of Chesterfield, where a splendid breakfast was provided. It so happened 

 that an illustrious circle of friends was staying at the Hall, and the " meet " on 

 the morning above-mentioned was one of the largest and most interesting that 

 ever graced the lawns or parks of the midland counties. 



The weather was all that could be wished. Although mid-winter, a glorious 

 sun gleamed on the old brown woods, and the fair maid Morn tripped forth with 

 as bright an eye, or as glowing a cheek, as when she revels amongst May flowers. 

 Even the very birds seemed to assume a more joyous manner, and some of them, 

 gladdened by the exhilarating character of the season, gushed into song. How 

 lovely looked the old park of Bretby on that occasion — an occasion long to be 

 remembered by those who are enamoured of sylvan scenery and who delight to 

 see the nobility and gentry of England devoted to the chase. Utilitarians may 

 say what they will ; but distant be the day when a love for the noble science of 

 fox-hunting shall wax less strong than it is now. At the appointed time let 

 " Sam " still bring out the old bay mare ; let me see the old squire trot quietly 

 to the cover side ; and, as long as age permits, join in the pleasures of the chase. 

 Still let the hunting-6eld be the nurse of high spirit, endurance, decision, and 

 self-reliance, foster the amenities of life, and cradle those mental and physical 

 qualities which shine so conspicuously upon England's battlefields. But my hobby 

 has got the bit between his teeth ; I must " hold hard." 



Well, it was a treat of no ordinary character to see the old park of Bretby on 

 the morning alluded to. Here and there lay patches of dark brown fern, between 

 which grazed the dappled deer, and beyond which lay noble woods apparently 

 waiting to echo back the sound of the hunter's horn. There stood in the morn- 

 ing sun the battlemented hall, having in its aspect a touch of feudal grandeur, 

 whilst on the lawn before it a noble and picturesque cedar added an appropriate 

 feature to the scene. Near the hall and about the stables loitered some of the 

 best blood of England, and the scene was rendered animated by fine horses, 

 scarlet coats, and, toward the period when the hounds departed, gay equipages 

 containing the fair daughters of nobility, all combining to make it a spectacle 

 which one might live half a lifetime to see. 



