1815] THE FIRST WILL SMITH. 23 



Turning short to the right, he then ran over the Boggs 

 ciud through Wellhams to Barnetby, and hounds ran into 

 their fox in mid-field between the Brigg Eoad and Wrawby 

 Moor. Calta Furze provided the next, who, after a ring- 

 ing run by Melton High AVood, Melton Low Wood, 

 Barnetby, Wrawby Moor, and Elsham, came to hand near 

 Dunkirk, when pointing back to Elsham again. Hounds 

 ran hard the whole of the day, particularly in the second 

 run, when they carried a wonderfully good head and 

 succeeded in tirins: a ojreat number of horses. 



Will Smith makes lengthy references to his father's 

 capabilities as a huntsman and a horseman in his " Thoughts 

 on Hunting," which will be dealt with elsewhere. 



The First Will Smith. 



Will Smith took up the reins in 181G, and for twenty- 

 nine years showed the very best of sport, at the same time 

 keeping the pack up to its hitherto high reputation in the 

 kennel. A good servant, a popular huntsman with his 

 field, he was equally adored by his hounds, and it came as 

 a terrible blow to every one when a simple toss at an 

 insignificant fence spelt such dire misfortune. 



Will Smith did not take service with any other pack ; 

 he was born, lived, and died at Brocklesby, and no name 

 is better known in the history of fox-hunting than that of 

 Will Smith. Bred as he was, and with two such models 

 to copy as the first Lord Yarborough and his own father, 

 the second Tom Smith, it is little wonder he became the 

 great huntsman, horseman, and houndman that he was; 

 his " Thouo-hts on Huntino- " to which further reference 

 will be made, give ample proof of his indebtedness to his 

 masters and his admiration of their methods. 



