THE FIRST PACKS 



The letters I have already considered and quoted 

 prove, I think, that " Remembrancer " was amply 

 justified in that opinion. 



There was obviously a tradition of sport of old 

 standing at Bishopscourt. Sir Anthony Weldon of 

 Kilmarony, Athy, has very kindly lent me a pocket- 

 book belonging to his great great grandfather, in 

 which is a brief note recording the meeting there of 

 a band of congenial spirits in 1747, of which Mr 

 Walter Weldon made one, at the age of twenty- 

 three. This I regard as a rendezvous of foxhunters 

 and as evidence of the probability, at least, that a 

 hunt was running at Bishopscourt in that year. 

 Here is the note: 



" The Jolly sett that mett at Coll. Ponsonby's at 

 Bishops Court on ye 20th Day of Aprill 1747. 



" Col. Ponsonby. Benjn. Burton. Sr. Ralph Gore. 

 Willm. Forteskew. Richd. Ponsonby. Robt. Johslin. 

 Robt. Rochfort. Robt. Percival. Henry Sandfort. 

 Robt. Sandfort. John Lomeroy. Steran Tigh. 

 Richd. Gore. Captn. Hy. Carter. Edward Dane. 

 Walter Weldon." 



A letter written by Walter Weldon 's father, 

 Arthur Weldon of Ralin, dated Feb. 18, 1726, to 

 his wife from Bishopscourt is also of interest. 



Bishopscourt, 



Feb. ye i8th, 1726. 

 I believe my Dearest Life will be surpriz'd and I 



37 



