306 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1872 



His career as huntsman terminated at the end of the 

 season of 1871-72. The following is a full account of 

 the proceedings. 



The Meynell Ingram Hunt. 



presentation of a testimonial to mr. thomas 

 leedham, the huntsman, 1872. 



The hunting season in this district was brought to a 

 close on Saturday last, March 23rd, the final meet being 

 at Sudbury village. As it was well known that this would 

 be the finishing up of the old " Meynell Ingram Hunt," 

 and that the opportunity would be taken to present Tom 

 Leedham, the ever popular huntsman, with a substantial 

 token of the esteem in which he is held by the gentlemen 

 of the hunt, there was a very large gathering from all 

 parts of Derbyshire and Staff"ordshire. Not that much 

 hunting was to be expected, for the ground was bound 

 like iron by frost and snow during the night, and there 

 seemed, when we left Derby, but few indications of favour- 

 able weather. Winter, indeed, had returned upon us with 

 a severity which promised to make up for the recent mild 

 weather, and heavy banks of clouds looming in the horizon 

 threatened a renewal of the blinding snowstorms which 

 had swept over the country on the previous day. At first 

 it appeared very probable that the company would be 

 more select than numerous, but towards ten o'clock the 

 sun began to overpower the frost, and Sudbury was soon 

 in the full bustle and activity of hunting arrivals. The 

 old inn has been smartened and revived (it has possibly 

 been improved), and in the large dining-room Mr. Sherwin 

 had set out a capital hunting breakfast, to which most 

 sensible people paid their respects before entering upon 

 the business of the day. About twelve o'clock the word 

 was given to move ofi" to the park, where it was arranged 

 the testimonial should be presented by Lord Vernon. A 

 most picturesque scene was here presented ; nearly two 



