BE AV FORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 65 



" No. 5. DiGBY Boycott, Esq. All who are acquainted with 

 this gentleman proclaim him to be one of the most agreeable of 

 companions in the field and in social hfe ; he is a heavy weight, but 

 remarkably fond of hunting. 



" No. 6. John Shelley, Esq. Since Mr. Shelley has hunted 

 with the Beaufort Hounds (now about four or five seasons) he has 

 obtained the enviable distinction of being an excellent sportsman 

 and a capital rider. His stud generally consists of six or seven 

 hunters, which are quite first rate ; they are kept at the Cross Hands, 

 which saves them a vast deal of road work, as he resides himself with 

 his family at Bath. No distance appears too great for him to ride 

 to covert, and his ' turn out ' altogether is of the very first-rate 

 description. Mr. Shelley is said to be particularly fond of timber 

 jumping, a taste which he no doubt acquired in the land of his 

 noviciate ; early impressions and customs are apt to be strong. I 

 have known more than one hard rider, who on their first appearance 

 in the stone wall countries, has selected the gates to ride over in 

 preference to the walls, despite the timber being the higher of the 

 two, but in process of time they usually take to the walls. 



" No. 7. Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence is introduced into the 

 noble sporting group more on account of his intimacy with the 

 Badminton circle than in consequence of his fondness for the chase. 

 As a visitor Lord Adolphus usually attends the hounds mounted on 

 one of the Duke of Beaufort's stud. Affability, kindness, and the 

 utmost good humour, are the prominent characteristics of this most 

 popular son of a most popular sire. 



" No. 8. John Wallington, Esq. This gentleman resides at 

 Dursley, within the limits of Earl Fitzhardinge's Berkeley Country. 

 He is a light weight, and a very neat horseman, a most agreeable 

 companion, a good sportsman, and very regular attendant. 



" No. 9. Francis Lovell, Esq. This gentleman is a brilliant 

 example of what may be done when the heart is in the right place. 

 A few years since, when attending a pigeon match at the Red House, 

 Battersea, incautiously resting on his gun, it went off accidentally 

 and shattered his arm so dreadfully as to render amputation indis- 

 pensable. With only one arm, however, he can do more with his 

 horse than the generality of men can do with the usual complement. 

 His seat is perfect, and his elegance on horseback is combined with 

 the most undeniable nerve. An example of his resolution is current 

 which must not be omitted. Riding at a very high quick-set hedge, 

 as tough as whalebone, out of a lane, his horse had not power to 

 penetrate it, and slipping from under him came back into the lane, 

 leaving Mr. Lovell Uke a spread eagle in the hedge. Recovering his 

 horse he made another effort, in which he succeeded, by getting 

 through the fence in company with his nag, a resolute and daring 

 attempt which many men would have declined. 



