WARWICKSHIRE 39 



was said of a celebrated ancient, "that he was one of the best- 

 humored, best-natured, and the best-bred gentlemen in the world." 



I feel as though I have said enough of Mr. Corbet ; but, as the 

 Poet says. 



He who excels in what we prize 

 Appears a hero in our eyes — 



even trifles become interesting which relate to so sporting a 

 character. The two following anecdotes, therefore, whilst they may 

 amuse your readers, will shew how strong was " the ruling passion " 

 in the breast of this veteran sportsman : — 



At a short distance from Sundorn Castle is a hill called " Hamon 

 Hill," a beautiful feature in the country, and on the summit of 

 which are the ruins of an x\bbey and a tower, on which a flag was 

 kept flying when Mr. Corbet was at home. A party from Sundorn 

 were once viewing this Abbey, amongst whom was Mr. Bennet, the 

 Member for Shrewsbury ; and who was giving an interesting disser- 

 tation on the various architectural arches from the round Saxon to 

 the pointed Gothic. Mr. Corbet, whose poHteness induced him to 

 listen attentively — though perhaps impatiently — to all that had been 

 said, was just beginning to shew that Mr. Bennet's information had 

 not been lost upon him, by observing, "that peaked arch, did you 

 say, Mr. Bennet! " when, suddenly, two fox-hound puppies, which 

 were at walk in the neighbourhood, came gambolling across the 

 court, upon which he turned to Mr. Eobert Canning, who was 

 present, and pointing at the puppies — his face brightening with in- 

 creased animation — observed, "two clever young hounds, eh! Mr. 

 Canning ; something in oitr line ! " And thus ended his dissertation 

 on the beauties and orders of architecture. 



The other anecdote is equally characteristic, though of a more 

 ludicrous nature. The late Earl of Aylesford was no sportsman ; 

 but as a well-wisher to fox-hunting, and out of compliment to Mr. 

 Corbet, he would sometimes makes his appearance in the field when 

 the hounds were drawing his coverts at Packington. On one of 

 these occasions his Lordship had posted himself just behind Mr. 

 Corbet in a very dirty ride in a covert. A hound spoke. " Hark ! " 

 said Lord Aylesford. " A puppy, my Lord," said Mr. C. Another 



