38 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



them alive, and sent them to distant parts for sale. By way of 

 putting a stop to this destructive traffic, Mr. Corbet entered into an 

 engagement with these men (three in number), to give them 

 £40 per annum on their promise to discontinue it ; and which sum 

 they received every Christmas Day during the remainder of the 

 period of his and also of Lord Middleton's hunting the country ; and 

 to the credit of the men it should be said they adhered to the faith of 

 their engagement. 



There was another way in which Mr. Corbet gave great satisfac- 

 tion, and that was by the very gentlemanlike attention he paid to 

 the country, by a wide and timely notice of his fixtures, which were 

 frequently made for three weeks in advance, and advertised in the 

 Birmingham and Warwick papers, which had a great circulation 

 through the country, besides being posted in the different inns in 

 the neighbourhood. In addition to this, he was most punctual to 

 his place and hoixr of meeting ; and, what is of more consequence 

 than may be immediately suspected, he always began his draw near 

 to the place he met at. Trotting away three or four miles to a 

 distant covert may be of no consequence to gentlemen who have 

 perhaps two horses out at one time, and half-a-dozen more in their 

 stables, but is thought much of by those whose stud is small and is 

 called upon often. As a further proof that he lost no opportunity 

 of contributing to the amusement of Warwickshire sportsmen, he 

 fought a main of cocks for several years at Stratford-on-Avon in the 

 month of March, which was attended by many of the first cockers 

 in England. 



In short, whatever could be achieved by one man, by the means 

 of a bountiful fortune, two capital packs of fox-hounds, conciliatory 

 manners, and truly gentlemanhke demeanour, in addition to an 

 enthusiastic devotion to the cause of fox-hunting, was hrought to 

 perfection by Mr. Corbet during the time he hunted Warwickshire, 

 and for which his name will ever be remembered with gratitude by 

 that large and respectable county. Indeed, this was amply testified 

 by the regret manifested on his rehnquishing it, as well as by the 

 very handsome complimentary tribute paid to him by the Warwick- 

 shire sportsmen. It will be long before his name will be forgotten 

 in the sporting world ; and in private life it may be said of him, as 



