104 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1883 



considerably exceeded twenty miles, and this over the 

 cream of the country, nearly all grass, but very heavy 

 going after the recent rains. Everybody had enough ; in 

 fact, I never remember seeing horses so ' bottomed ' since 

 the famous four hours' run in February, 1868, when old 

 Tom Leedham's horse came to grief. There was once a 

 longer run than this with the lAIeynell, when they found, 

 I think, at Foston, ran through Duffield and Belper, and 

 killed at Ambergate, several miles north of the country, 

 and had to jog thirty miles home to the kennels at Hoar 

 Cross." 



The writer prefers mentioning no names, only stating 

 that " the Squire's nineteen stone was always in the front 

 rank. Charles, Jem, and Walter, the latter embellished 

 with about half a yard of diachylon plaster, closely 

 attended their beauties, but assistance was seldom needed, 

 as it is the rule, when at fault, to let the hounds spread 

 out and make their own effort before they are taken in 

 hand for a cast. Writing now, four days after our treat, 

 I hear of several horses which will require yet a full 

 week's rest before they will recover from the effects of the 

 run I have so imperfectly described, and which we all — 

 riders, horses, hounds, and, I may add, fox — so thoroughly 

 enjoyed. — Diallus." 



In January of the year 1882, Major F. W. Peacock 

 came to learn farming with ]\Ir. Clamp at Somersal 

 Herbert, and had three horses, on which he used to get six 

 days a week. These were the grey, St Patrick, as good- 

 looking a horse and as good a hunter as ever looked 

 through a bridle ; a roan, the Badger, which afterwards 

 carried Mrs. Peacock so well in a great gallop, when the 

 Squire gave her the brush, and a little hot brown mare. 

 Shamrock. 



In 1884, Mr. Peacock married Rose, fourth daughter 

 of Col. FitzHerbert, and they came to live at Vernon's 

 Oak, so famous for its hospitality on every Monday 

 in the hunting season. No matter where the hounds 



o 



may be, luncheon is on the table all day, in case 



