46 The Sedgefield Country 



were present will have a vivid remembrance of Mr. George 

 C. Whitwell striking up with " Hearts of Oak " in such 

 stentorian tones that the Noble Marquis, who was engaged 

 in close conversation with Mr. Harvey at the time, put up 

 his right hand, and amid roars of laughter called out " For 

 Heaven's sake stop that band ! " On the retirement of the 

 chairman and some of the principal actors in the evening's 

 proceedings Squire Sutton, of Elton, was voted to the chair, 

 and though not sufficiently fortunate to be present myself 

 and hear his remarks, I understand that his opening speech 

 fairly brought down the house, and that a more convivial 

 evening was never spent than by the few (mostly residents 

 in and about Stockton) who remained until the lights went 

 out. Certain it is that the words of the Squire's well 

 known hunting song, " Ballynamona Ora, the hounds of 

 Ralph Lambton for me," resounded many a time and oft in 

 the fine old Hall. 



This occasion witnessed the very last public appearance of 

 Mr. John Harvey in connection with the sport which may be 

 said to have been for over fifty years almost life and health 

 to him ; he did it is true put in an appearance at the covert 

 side once after this, but he practically retired now from all 

 active participation in the chase, though his very heart and 

 soul were still full of enthusiasm for it,* and it delighted 

 him to talk and write of all the varied changes that hunting 

 had undergone in the country from the days of the celebrated 

 Ralph Lambton, for whom he always exhibited the greatest 



' Who'er in youth has grasped at such delight, 

 Shall feel congenial stirrings late and long : 

 Tho' taught to own the tranquil power of time 

 Shall wake sometimes to noble restlessness, 

 Loving the sports which once he gloried in. 



