186 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



On the next day (Monday the 19th) I met the Warwickshh'e at 

 Stoneleigh Abbey, that princely seat of Mr. Chandos Leigh ; but the 

 day and our sport were both so bad that I have nothing to say. I 

 have one remark, however, to make respecting the country I was in. 

 Warwickshire is not — neither do I suppose it will ever be — -what 

 "Warwickshire was. Berricot Wood, the best part of this draw, is 

 now given to Lord Anson. Prankton Wood, the very best covert in 

 those woodlands, is now drawn by Lord Anson. Ditto, Dubdell, a 

 gorse on Sir Theophilus Biddulph's property, whence his Lordship 

 has had such fine sport these two last seasons. It may be said they 

 cannot be given to a better man — which I readily agree to ; but 

 what is become of the Meriden country — the finest woodland country 

 in the world — the country that, when Mr. Corbet hunted Warwick- 

 shire, produced such sport — such real sport to real lovers of fox- 

 hunting ? I answer, it is gone ! The Warwickshire woodlands are 

 now termed the " Kenilworth country," which may be said to be a 

 bad exchange. 



The following is the history of Mr. Hay, as far as I have any 

 right to inquire into it. His residence is Dunse Castle, in the 

 neighbourhood of Berwick-upon-Tweed ; and he commenced his 

 sporting career by hunting the Holderness country. He then took 

 to the Woore country (comprising part of Staffordshire, Cheshire, 

 and Shropshire) — formerly hunted by Sir Thomas Mostyn — where 

 he continued three seasons, and thence he came into Warwickshire. 

 That he is a sportsman no one can for a moment doubt. He rides 

 very well up to his hounds, and his language — particularly his cheer 

 in chase — is both enlivening and correct. 



In society, the manners of Mr. Hay are particularly mild and 

 agreeable, but his conduct with his hounds is firm. Having, at the 

 commencement of the season, lost the chance of some runs by the 

 over-eagerness of his field, he adopted the best method of preventing 

 a recurrence of the disappointment. He addressed his brother 

 sportsmen in a short but pithy speech, when on the point of finding 

 his fox, and begged to explain to them the literal acceptation of those 

 two little monosyllables, " hold hard ! " One word to the wise has 

 ever been esteemed sufficient ; and two in this instance had a most 

 happy effect ; for no field has been better kept than Warwickshire 

 since that hour, and much to its credit be it told. 



