THE WARWICKSHIRE HOUNDS. 



63 



Bill Boxall was the first 



Mr. Shirley. 

 1821-1825. 



bone in his list of disasters, 

 whip. 



I have three samples of Mr. Shirley's sport to present A nm from Edge- 

 to my readers, two of them beiug from Edgehill. The 

 first was at that place io the year 1822. The fox went 

 away at Knoll End, but the hounds did not get upon 

 terms with him till they got to Arlescote, when a 

 pretty brisk pace was assumed, and kept up by War- 

 mington and over the fields to near VVroxton New Inn, 

 where the Banbury Road was crossed. Shutford was 

 the next point, the spinnies being brushed through and 

 the line carried on to Swalcliffe. From here he made a 

 straight line to the Bodicote brook, which he crossed, 

 and, passing over the Banbury Road, made his last 

 point at Aynho. The Master, Mr. Fellowes, Lord 

 George Forester, Mr. J. Lucy, Mr. Cockbill, Mr. 

 Cockbill, jun., and a few others were up at the death. 

 There were a few casualties at the brook, which was a 

 nine yards jump and was brimful. Mr. Cockbill, jun., 

 on a capital little brown mare by " Knowsley," out of 

 a thoroughbred mare, cleared it, as did also Lord 

 Forester, although the bank gave way and his lord- 

 ship's horse slipped in. Lord Forester, however, threw 

 himself over the head, seized the bridle, and extricated 

 his horse. Mr. J. Lucy's horse also went in, and, 

 having thrown his rider on to the bank, swam out on 

 the wrong side. 



My next item of work from Edgehill is dated Decern- Another, 

 ber 22od, 1823. It was a dull morning and there was 

 a splendid field. The hounds had scarcely begun to 

 try when a good fox was found by the Round House. 

 He made off first of all for the Warmington earths, 

 but, being stopped, he made over the fine scrap of 

 country which lies between it and Wroxton Abbey. 

 Leaving that fine old seat behind him, he went over the 

 hills by Shutford and on nearly to Bloxham. Here, 

 however, he turned to the left, and, leaving the village 

 a,bouta mile on his right, bore direct for Banbury. He 



