SHROPSHIRE 205 



On the 12th of January Sir BelHngham and myself returned to 

 Kmgsland (Sir B.'s house), and the next day I arrived at home, 

 where I remained till " symptoms of a thaw and visions of coming 

 sport began to dance before my eyes." I then took my departure 

 for London on my return to Shropshire, arriving at Sir BelHngham' s 

 on the evening of the 25th. The Monday's fixture was Nescliffe, 

 half way between Shrewsbury and Oswestry on the great Irish road, 

 whither my host conveyed me in his drag. 



I must just turn out of the road for one minute here. In most 

 other countries, if a man wishes to anticipate his friend's performance 

 for the day, the question he would ask would be — what horse do you 

 ride? Not so, however, in Shropshire. There are two or three of 

 my friends in that sporting and most hospitable county, to whom 

 the most likely question whereby to elicit the truth would be — not, 

 what horse do you ride to-day ? — but, icliat have you had to drink ? 

 The fact is, the fences come very quick in Shropshire, and a little 

 jumping-powder is often found useful ; so, going into the public- 

 house at Nescliffe. by way of a beginning, I put the following 

 question to the landlord: " How much brandy has Mr. Mytton had 

 this morning?" — "None, Sir," was the reply. " I cannot swallow 

 that," said I. — "It is true, I assure you," said Boniface. "What 

 else has he had, then ? " I resumed. " Some egged ale, Sir." — " Ah ! " 

 said I, " some of your Shropshire Squires, like many others, want a 

 little egging on now and then." 



The following anecdote will shew what a poor chance some men 

 have when quite sober against others a little primed. I remember 

 Lord Forester, being on a visit at Wynnstay some years back, when 

 a friend of his was very much badgered by a certain Welch Squire — 

 now no more — to run him a race over the country for one hundred 

 guineas a side. Observing him always to decline the challenge, his 



Lordship thus addressed his friend: — " Why, B , I have seen 



you ride very decently across Leicestershire ; why don't you tackle 

 this Welch Squire ? The next time he offers it, take the bet, and 



I will stand half of it." B , who was a cautious one, thus 



replied: — " Why, if I could be sure he would come out sober, I 

 would take his bet to-morrow ; but d — n the fellow, he will come 

 out half drunk, and beat me." 



