98 



THE HUNTING FIELD 



Most of these men rose from the ranks, that is to 

 say, from Whipper-in-ships. 



John Winter entered life as Pad-Groom under Mr. 

 Ralph Lambton in Leicestershire, in Mr. Meynell's 

 time, and passed through all the gradations of second 

 and first Whip, and Huntsman Whipper-in, when 

 Mr. Lambton hunted the hounds. Dick Foster 

 whipped-in to Lord Foley, in Worcestershire ; Will 

 Long whipped-in to Philip Payne with the Duke of 

 Beaufort's ; the late Jack Richards, Huntsman to the 

 Badsworth, whipped-in to Sir Bellingham Graham, in 

 the Atherstone country ; so did Will Staples, after- 

 wards Huntsman to Sir Rowland Hill — Will was by 

 old Tom Staples, once Huntsman to Lord Middleton. 

 In short, most of our eminent men have filled the 

 subordinate offices of Whipper-in, and risen to emi- 

 nence by talent and good conduct. Let the rising 

 generation emulate them ; but let them remember 

 that talent is of no use without conduct. Above all, 

 let them beware of the drink. 



