THE WARWICKSHIRE HOUNDS. 



11 



shire at Clopton House, near Stratford-on-Avon. He 

 had kennels at Stratford, and also at Meriden for that 

 part of the country, and at the end of every season the 

 bounds were removed back to Sundorne. During the 

 whole of the time he hunted Warwickshire, the well- 

 known Will Barrow was bis huntsman, but of this 

 individual, more anon. 



The earliest run which we find recorded of Mr. 

 Corbet's, is one which is well worthy of a premier place. 

 The meet was at Wolford Heath on December 8tb, 

 1795. A fox found made a good start over Lemington 

 Heath, passed over Norton Common and Evenlode 

 Heath to Longborough Lees. His next point was 

 Donington, which he left for Scott's Brake, after which 

 fee took them to Eyford and Halford Holt and over the 

 Cold Aston Downs to within two miles of Farmington 

 Grove. Here he turned and went through Saperton 

 Grove and over the finest part of the Gloucestershire 

 hills to within four miles of Cheltenham and ten of 

 Gloucester, where he was rolled over, having proved 

 himself well worthy of the district from which he 

 hailed, and which, in the early days of '* the Warwick- 

 shire " was said to be always depended on to show 

 sport worth following. 



The first hour and a half was a complete burst 

 and was succeeded by the same time in cold 

 hunting. Then there was a brilliant fifty minutes 

 running, as hard as possible, out of scent 

 into view, finishing with the climax, at Sande- 

 well Park close to the fashionable spa, against 

 which Leamington had not then risen as a 

 threatening and dangerous rival. The distance was 

 35 miles. Of the hundred who were out, the fingers of 

 one man were sufficient to sum up the number at the 

 death. They were Mr. Corbet, who was not at the 

 meet but who joined after the first burst was over, 

 Major Pigott, Mr. R. Canning, Captain Hawkes, Mr. W. 

 Greendle, the huntsman and the first whip. Mr. Hill 



Mr John Corbet 

 1791-1811. 



His earliest re- 

 corded run. 

 1795. 



