40 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



hound spoke. "Hark! again," said the Earl. "Puppy," said Mr. 

 C, softly. At last old Trojan challenged on him: "Trojan, by 

 Q — d ! " said Mr. Corbet ; "a fox for a hundred ! " when clapping 

 spurs to his horse, with one of his cheering halloos, he suddenly dis- 

 appeared in the covert, leaving the noble Earl not only enveloped in 

 astonishment, but covered with such an "explosion of mud," that 

 his situation could only be compared to that of Dr. Slop when 

 " beluted and transubstantiated " by Obadiah on the coach-horse. 



An excellent print of Mr. Corbet, by Mr. Weaver of Shrewsbury, 

 was published some years since by subscription, and is to be found 

 in almost every sportsman's house in Warwickshire, Shropshire, and 

 the adjoining counties. He is mounted on a favorite grey horse, 

 which he purchased of the Eev. Mr. Biggs ; and is represented in 

 the act of capping his hounds to a scent in a covert, having just 

 unkennelled their fox. He is accompanied by Will Barrow, also on 

 one of his favorite horses, and some hounds of the old Trojan sort ; 

 and the likenesses of all which — particularly of Mr. C. — are well 

 preserved. It is much to be lamented, that no able artist had taken 

 a sketch of him in one of his very happiest moments — in the midat 

 of Ms hounds, wkm u-orrijing their fox after a good run. He was 

 then seen to most advantage — 



" High waving the brush, with pleasure half mad ; 

 Roaring out, Hoicks, have at 'em, we've killed him, my lad ! 

 In a state of delight far exceeding all bounds — ■ 

 See the veteran Squire in the midst of his hounds." 



A picture, however, whatever may be its mei'its, must be a bad 

 substitute for such an original. Such a man never should have 

 died ! As an example to sportsmen — as an example to gentlemen — 

 as an example to all men — nature for once should have gone out of 

 her way: Jolm Corbet should have been immortal! Death should 

 have had no dominion over him — a whoo-whoop should never have 

 been heard over his grave ! 



In all hunting countries there is to be found what may be called 

 " a character," a constant attendant on the pack that hunts it ; one 

 who, in fox-hunting lingo, may be said to take a line of his own, 

 and who says to the rest of the world — "go you your way, and I 

 will go mine." Of this genus was the late Walter Stubbs, Esq., of 



