52 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



old mare again after she had done her work, and sold two hunters 

 out of her, by Fyldener, to Colonel Berrington for 500 guineas. 



Although it was before my time that he hunted regularly in 

 Warwickshire, yet having seen him out in many other countries, I 

 cannot pass over Mr. Boycott. This gentleman resides in Shrop- 

 shire. It has been said of him, that as a coachman he can drive, 

 and as a horseman he can ride anything, and I beHeve it is truly 

 said ; and, had he been cast in the lot of those who are obliged to 

 work for their bread, he would have made the best rough-rider in 

 England. As there are some who never have a goose on their 

 pond, so Mr. Boycott never had a bad horse in his stable ; but I 

 will do him the justice to say, that he can do more with a bad horse 

 than half the world can with a good one ; and a lesson or two from 

 him will complete the education of a hunter. He is also a first-rate 

 judge of the animal, and was at one time in the habit of selling his 

 horses for large prices. 



As a coachman, Mr. Boycott is well known on the road, and when 

 punishment is wanting, he can administer it with effect. If he 

 takes hold of them, they must go ; and he has been heard to say 

 that three legs are sufficient for a coach horse. At one time of his 

 life he would buy those which no one else could drive, and generally 

 got the better of them at last. 



In early life Mr. Boycott was a soldier — -having had a troop in Sir 

 Watkin Wynn's Fencible Cavalry, which saw so much service in 

 the Irish Eebellion. Here he was shot in the body, and the ball 

 was never extracted. He suffered much for two years afterwards, 

 but he has felt no inconvenience from it since, excepting now and 

 then when he has been throion out in a run; but his friends never 

 remember it to have affected him ivhen he could take the lead and 

 keep it. When he arrived in England, after his wound, a brother 

 fox-hunter facetiously observed, that he was come over with a 

 hidlet-in ; but many thought it was no subject for a joke, as he had 

 a very narrow escape for his life. Had he been killed, we should 

 have lost a gallant sportsman, and his friends would have missed 

 many a hearty laugh ; for, though no one can do anything quite so 

 well as himself, he is a great promoter of mirth in society, and a 

 very good fellow to boot. 



