HARE-HUNTERS OF THE PAST 23 



with their crowns thrust in, so as to hold ten or a dozen 

 eggs, which were of a Pheasant-kind of poultry ; these 

 he took much care of, and fed himself. Tables, Boxes, 

 Dice, Cards, were not wanting. In the holes of the 

 desk was store of old used Tobacco pipes. 



" On one side of this end of the room was the door of a 

 Closet, wherein stood the strong Beer and the Wine, 

 which never came thence but in single glasses, that being 

 the rule of the house exactly observed ; for he never 

 exceeded in drinking, nor ever permitted it. On the 

 other side was the door into an old Chapel, not used for 

 devotion. The Pulpit, as the safest place, never wanted 

 a cold Chine of Beef, Venison pasty, Gammon of bacon, 

 or a great Apple pie, with a thick crust extremely baked. 

 His table cost him not much, though it was always 

 well supplied. His Sports furnished all but Beef and 

 Mutton, except Fridays, when he had the best of salt 

 as well as other Fish, he could get, and this was the 

 day on which his neighbours of the first quality visited 

 him. He never wanted a London pudding, and sung 

 it in with ' My pert Eyes therein a ! ' He drank a 

 glass or two at meals, very often syrup of Gilyfiowers 

 in his Sack, and always a tun glass stood by him, 

 holding a pint of small beer, which he often stirred 

 with Rosemary. He was affable but soon angry, 

 calUng his servants Bastards and Cuckoldy Knaves. 

 He lived to be an Hundred, never lost his eyesight, 

 but always wrote and read without spectacles, and 

 got on Horseback without help. Until past Fourscore 

 years, he rode up to the death of a Stag, as well as any 

 man." A portrait of this gentleman, who may be 

 styled something of an eccentric and a character, even 

 in his own age, was, and I believe still is, at Wimborne 

 St. Giles, the seat of the Earl of Shaftesbury.* 



* As a pendant to this picture of a sportsman of this period 



