312 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



Mr. Hay (late of the Warwickshire) had it after Mr. Hill, and 

 hunted it a year and a half, declaring it was the best scenting 

 country in all England. Mr. Osbaldeston once had a turn at it, but 

 I believe for not more than half a season. Then came Mr. Hill 

 again, and to him Mr. Hodgson succeeded, this being his fourth 

 season. 



The amount of the subscription to Mr. Hodgson was not more 

 than £800 the first year, but increased afterwards to about £1,000. 

 That it will continue to increase, I cannot doubt ; for he has shewn 

 excellent sport ; and as far as himself is concerned, no man can be 

 more popular or more really deserving of encouragement. 



There is one characteristic of the Holderness country which must 

 be highly flattering to the gentleman who hunts it. The farmers 

 are, to a man, not only preservers of foxes, in the common 

 meaning of the phrase, but they go beyond that ; for they will 

 not have a fox killed, even with hounds, if they can any how save 

 his life. 



I must say a word in favour of Will Danby, Tom Hodgson's 

 first whipper-in. He is quite as much a devotee as his master, and 

 a most obliging, civil fellow ; a good and bold horseman ; and by no 

 means particular about a fall or two.''' He lives, like his master, 

 but a short distance from the kennel, and has, what is called "a 

 very tidy woman" for his wife, and a very pretty litter of cubs. 

 The following anecdote is much to his credit: — "Will," said his 

 master, " I hope next year to raise your wages." — " Lord, Sir," 

 replied Will, " 1 wants no more wages. / avi as happy as a man 

 can he ; only let me be with the hounds, and I wishes for nothing 

 more." Oh what a lesson does Will Danby give us! What a 

 compliment to Tom Hodgson and fox-hunting. 



In consequence of the long-extended drought of the summer 

 before last, the price of hay was exorbitantly high in many parts of 

 the North of England. Singular as it may appear, that consumed 

 by Mr. Hodgson's stud at Beverley was purchased in Smithfield 

 Market, London, and sent down by water to Hull. It was thence 



* He got one rattler when I was in the country. I asked him the next 

 day how he was. He replied, he was quite well, only he felt rather queer 

 about the head. 



