222 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



can go well over Cheshire can go well over almost every other 

 country. 



There are several good riders in the Cheshire Hunt ; but the 

 crack man of the field, and of whom most has been said, is Mr. 

 James Tomkinson. Mr. Tomkinson has not only beea, for many 

 years, a very first rate performer in Cheshire ; but, whenever he 

 attempted it, could always go the pace in Leicestershire, and has 

 ridden the best of horses. His brother, the Major, is said to be 

 equally good, though not so well horsed. 



There are several more fast men over a country in the Cheshire 

 hunt : mine host, Mr. Domville Poole, very good indeed ; as also 

 Sir Eichard Brooke, Colonel Brooke, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Ford, &c. Lord 

 Delamere also, not only as a sportsman, but as a first-flight man for 

 so many years in Leicestershire, must not be forgotten ; and I was 

 glad to see him once more in the field. Though his pace is not quite 

 what it was, he is, I am told, still always in a good place. 



There is one peculiarity attends the members of the Cheshire Hunt 

 — almost all of them ride in leather breeches. That they are well 

 adapted to the saddle, and for riding long distances on the road, no 

 one will doubt ; but in all other countries they are accounted dead 

 slow ill the field. Were any other man but Mr. William Coke 

 (who is alway clad in leather) to be seen in them in Leicestershire, 

 some remarks would be made; but as his fault is being too fast 

 for hounds, he gets off cheap. That they are the best protection 

 against thorns, every one must admit ; and I was told in Cheshire 

 that the general objection to them for hunting — that is, being cold 

 when IV et — is obviated by the use of flannel drawers. Fashion, 

 however, "bears sovereign sway " in all such important matters; 

 and, in most countries, "going the pace" in leather breeches is 

 considered an impossibility. If accompanied by a straight-cut coat, 

 the point is at once decided. 



On the two days I have been speaking of there was some sharp 

 riding with the Cheshire hounds. Mr. Mytton was on his Hit-or- 

 Miss mare, for the honour of Shropshire, and the esprit de corps was 

 all alive. With the first fox from Shavington, Major Tomkinson, on 

 his grey horse, had the best of the burst, with his brother " Jemmy," 

 as he is called, and Mr. Mytton hard at his brush. With the second 



