SHROPSHIRE 217 



Of the crack man among the Shropshire riders, Mr. Lyster of 

 Eowton Castle, I have ah-eady spoken, and his brother John is hard 

 and determined, but not so much at ease on his horse, or so quick. 

 I do not inchide Mr. George Forester among the Shropshire sports- 

 men, or of course he would have a front place ; but he is at w^ork in 

 better countries ; as also is Mr. Biddulf of Chirk Castle, a very good 

 young one, who hunts with Lord Anson. Mr. Henry Fielding 

 likewise can only be called a visitor ; but, when out, he goes well. 

 Mr. Lloyd of Aston is very difficult to beat over Shropshire. He 

 knows the country perfectly, and goes at a good pace over it. Mr. 

 Henry Montague, of the Guards, was on a visit to Mr. Lloyd of 

 Dongey when I was in the country, and having heard a good deal of 

 him as a workman, I was pleased with the opportunity of seeing 

 him. He is a powerful horseman, with fine hand and nerve, and I 

 know no man whom I would sooner mount upon a young horse — 

 that is to say, if he were a pretty good one ; if not, he would be in 

 but bad hands, as his pace is quick. Mr. Henry Lloyd, brother to 

 Mr. Lloyd of Dongey, is a very fair performer. He puts his horses 

 well at their fences, and is by no means afraid of them. There are 

 two professional gentlemen in Shrewsbury, who will charge as large 

 a fence as most people. One is Counsellor Slaney, and the other 

 Mr. Wynne, a surgeon in great practice. These are two useful men 

 in the field ; for in case of an accident, if the Doctor cannot save 

 you, the lawyer may make your will. Mr. Wynne is esteemed an 

 excellent judge of horses, and has bred and sold some good ones. 

 He rides hard and heavy, therefore the secret — good or bad — soon 

 comes out. He is, however, a great lover of hunting, and for that 

 and other reasons very much respected in Shropshire. Mr. Smythe 

 Owen is a pretty, gentlemanlike rider, and his horses are of a good 

 stamp, and generally fit to go. 



Among the young ones, Mr. John Hill (brother to Sir Eowland) 

 stands first and first ; and, if he had a good stable of horses, would 

 shew most of them the trick. He is, however, well bred to ride. 

 His father could ride well, and was as good a sportsman as ever got 

 upon a horse — add to which, he is a grandson of the old Sir John, 

 who was game to the backbone. Mr. Eock I have before spoken of 

 as a thrusting young one ; and the heir-apparent to Woodhouse 



