46 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. 



fellow-sportsmen, but there were some present wlio would not exactly come 

 under that designation. However, their system of sport was almost patriarchal, 

 and he happened now to be called the " Father of the Hunt," so that he supposed 

 all the members of the Hunt might be considered his children. (Laughter.) He 

 felt that he was standing in a very proud position in being spokesman that day, 

 but one of the reasons for it was that he had arrived at beyond the limit of three 

 score years and ten ; and though, in the hunting-field, one or another of them 

 was often willing to get before the others, he did not think any one was par- 

 ticularly willing to be before him in that respect. (Laughter.) Before he 

 proceeded to the business which had called them together, he might say that 

 he felt sure they were all very much obliged to Lord Vernon for his kindness iu 

 receiving them under his hospitable roof. (Applause.) And he could, perhaps, 

 inform some present of what they did not know — that Sudbuiy Hall was the 

 cradle of the Hunt, and that for many years it was carried on with great success 

 and gi-eat ardour at a time when the country went as far as Seal Wood, and 

 perhaps up to Haddon Hall, while the previous day he heard it might be supposed 

 to have also taken in a part of Leicestershire (hear, hear), so that it was something 

 like the Duke of Wellington's Army, it could go anywhere, and do anything. 

 He believed at that time they used to be up at six o'clock in the morning, 

 and got through their business very early. He must now proceed to the real 

 business of presenting the plate to Lord Waterpark, as a testimony of their good- 

 will towards him, and in recognition of his ability, and the services he had 

 rendered them for so many years. (Applause.) And, in connection with this 

 presentation, he could not help saying how much they were all indebted to Mr. 

 Clowes for the handsome way in which he conducted the hounds after the death 

 of Mr. Meynell. and gave everything such a good tone. (Applause.) As to the 

 plate itself, he would not say more than that it combined a sort of domesticity as 

 well as a memorial, and it would, he hoped, for many years be regarded as a 

 keepsake in remembrance of that day, and that it would also be an heirloom in 

 Lord Waterpark's family. (Applause.) 



In acknowledging the presentation. Lord Waterpark said, the first accents 

 they must hear from his lips were those of gratitude, deep and lasting, for the 

 honour so kindly paid to him. He begged to return his best thanks to that very 

 numerous and distinguished company, and also to Sir William FitzHerbert for 

 the kind way in which he had brought his name before them. He looked on 

 that meeting as the crowning honour of the support and kindness he had received 

 from them all during his nine years' Mastership of the Meynell Hunt. He was 

 only too conscious that anything he had done was amply repaid by the vote of 

 thanks accorded to him on a previous occasion, and he could assure them that 

 when he looked upon the plate in the next room he was quite at a loss how to 

 thank them sufficiently. He could not recall any service on his part which had 

 deserved such a substantial proof of their kindness and liberality. He saw that 

 the inscription on the salver said the plate was presented in appreciation of the 

 good sport he had shown them during his Mastership. He should like to show 

 them how little he individually could take credit for that good sport. They 

 found him a pack of hounds certainly second to none in the kingdom. (Hear, hear.) 

 All he had to do was to keep them up to their standard of excellence, and he 

 hoped he had not failed to do so. (Applause.) Then l)uildings were required, and. 

 they put up most magnificent buildings in the very centre of the country, and 

 left nothing to be desired in the way of accommodation for men, hounds, or 

 horses. Then the covert owners, landowners, farmers, and others, all gave him 

 hearty support in the preservation of foxes, and he was glad of that opportunity 



