1898] RESIGNATION OF MR. BASS. 249 



had their way, he would never have been allowed to retire. 

 The vote of thanks was seconded by Mr. Swinnerton, 

 supported by Lord Scarsdale, and enthusiastically adopted. 

 A vote of thanks to Colonel Levett for presiding was 

 passed at the close of the meeting." 



Never did chairman more honestly earn it. His tact 

 and good judgment acted as a lightning conductor, and 

 drew off the electricity, with which the meeting was 

 charged, without an explosion. And so ended a split in 

 the Hunt, which at one time looked serious. There was 

 much to be said on both sides, but there is an old proverb 

 which should always be held in reverence, " Least said, 

 soonest mended," and to this the present writer thinks it 

 better to adhere. 



The next event of importance was the presentation to 

 Charles Leedham on his resignation, of which a printed 

 account appeared at the time, as under : — 



April 4th, 1898. 



THE MEYNELL HUNT. 



Handsome Testimonial to the Late Huntsman. 



When Lord Burton justly remarked in his speech at 

 the large and influential gathering assembled at Sudbury 

 Hall on Saturday, that " the Meynell without a Leedham 

 as huntsman would never be quite the same thing," he was 

 unquestionably emphasizing the views of the majority, if 

 not of all connected with the Hunt. For upwards of a 

 hundred years the Meynell has boasted of a Leedham for 

 huntsman, and the recipient of the handsome testimonial 

 under notice, is the third of the name who has so honour- 

 ably fulfilled the onerous post. Moreover, prior to his 

 appointment as huntsman, he had for thirteen years acted 

 as chief whip. No sooner had it become known that 

 Charles Leedham had actually resigned, than an expression 

 of opinion was rife amongst the landowners, subscribers, 



