THE WARWICKSHIRE HOUNDS. 



13 



however, an exception to every rule, and Mr. Corbet, or 

 rather his hunter, made one in the Wolford run just 

 described. When the hounds viewed their fox their 

 worthy master was so delighted, that he instantly 

 clapped his spurs to his horse, and not being able to 

 stop him, as was his custom, at the next gate, he cleared 

 it on his back. When the run] was over he remarked, 

 •*I have done more than I meant to do." 



Scarcely less celebrated than Mr. Corbet was his 

 huntsman, Will Barrow, whose brother Jack was first 

 whip, the second being one Jack Jones. With regard 

 to civility he and his master were "as the poles 

 asunder." If a man were seen in the midst of the 

 hounds, Mr. Corbet would call out "Pray, sir, hold 

 hard ; you will spoil your own sport." The remarks 

 of Barrow under the same circumstance had best be left 

 unchronicled. When the hounds were well settled on 

 their fox Mr. Corbet would call out, "Now, gentlemen, 

 ride over them ; now ride and catch them if you can." 

 Barrow was never so happy or good-tempered as when 

 " his lasses," as he called the bitch pack, were running 

 on a good scent, and when this was the case nothing in 

 shape of a fence that there was a chance of getting over 

 or through would turn him off the line. He is entitled 

 to a high place in the annals of British horsemanship. 

 There is no doubt as a horseman he excelled, and 

 thanks to himself his horses were as clever as he. In 

 this he owed his education to Mr. Childe, of Kinlet, 

 Shropshire, who was also great in the art. He " rode 

 like a gentleman," although, as I am aware, the vague- 

 ness of this term, has been discussed. Though 

 short in stature, through want of length of leg, 

 he sat his horse in a perfect manner, and 

 with an ease that almost amounted to graceful- 

 ness. Equally perfect was his hand, and as regards 

 nerve, there was nothing lacking. The line might be 

 over the stiffest of the many stiff parts of Warwickshire, 

 but still he kept it, and it is doubtful whether his falls 



Mr. John Corbet 

 1791-1811. 



The celebrated 

 Will Barrow, 



Mr, Corbet's 

 civilitj'. 



Barrow's Horse- 

 manship. 



