THE WARWICKSHIRE 141 



as I could learn, the following were among the reasons given for the 

 refusal. It was about this time reported that Mr. Musters was likely 

 to give up Northamptonshire ; in which case Mr. Payne declared it 

 to be his intention to keep fox-hounds at Selby. He would therefore 

 only engage to hunt Warwickshire until his own country might 

 become vacant. 



Mr. Robert Fellowes, of Talton, (a very excellent sportsman,) 

 offered to take the Warwickshire country, with a subscription of 

 2400Z. per annum, 2000Z. of which was almost instantly subscribed ; 

 but here an objection arose. It was insisted upon by the subscribers, 

 that Mr. Fellowes should continue the use of the Butlers' Marson 

 kennel, which he positively refused to do. In the first place, it was 

 seven miles from his own house — a circumstance which would 

 render it impossible for him to do justice to the subscribers by 

 paying that attention to the hounds which it was his wish to do ; 

 and in the next, he knew from his own observation, and from what 

 Wood had told him, that it was in many respects a very bad 

 situation for hounds. 



Wood, I was informed, gave notice to quit as soon as he heard 

 Mr. Fellowes was not to have the management of the Warwickshire 

 hounds. It appears, however, that he is hired to Mr. Hay as kennel 

 huntsman — having, as report speaks, signified his intention of not 

 hunting hounds again. Although a beautiful horseman, with almost 

 the best hand on his horse I ever saw, he has had a great many 

 falls ; and, according to his old fellow-servant Waddington's account 

 of him, has broken a leg, a thigh, and his collar-bone in the service. 

 It is also reported that Wood has had some money left him, and 

 is in very comfortable circumstances, which all sportsmen will 

 rejoice at. 



From Mr. Lucy's I proceeded by invitation from Mr. Edmund 

 Peel to spend a day or two at his house, for the purpose of seeing 

 Lord Anson's hounds, which met the next morning at his door. 



Lord Anson's Atherstone country is very well known to me. I 

 hunted in it in Mr. Adderley's time ; I hunted in it in Lord Vernon's 

 time, as also with Sir Bellingham Graham ; and I now pronounce 

 it, with the acquisition which Lord Anson has received to it, to be — 

 barring the Duke of Rutland's and the Quorn — the best country I 



