HISTORY OF THE KILDARE HUNT 



and that the proposal if made came to nothing. 

 Baron de Robeck hunted the country three days a 

 week and showed continuous sport throughout his 

 Mastership, an aspect of our subject which it is 

 now time to consider. 



Of the first years of his term I have very scanty 

 particulars; his diary, usually so full, contains but 

 brief mention of the sport enjoyed, or else there is a 

 fuller diary for those years which has not reached 

 me. Such notes, however, as are before me I may 

 quote: 



" 1863. Jan. 14th. The Meath hounds meet at 

 Naas and draw my country; gave them a very good 

 day. Had a Hunt Ball that night. Feb. 19th. Thurs- 

 day. I go to Meath to S. Reynell's for the meet with 

 our hounds at Dunshoughlin. Had a good day's 

 sport on Friday the 20th and killed a Meath fox." 



Those notes refer to a custom then in vogue of 

 neighbouring packs of hounds meeting in each 

 other's countries for an exchange of a day's sport. 

 Upon a return visit by Mr Reynell to the Kildare 

 country they ran a fox into Kill Churchyard and 

 Mr Reynell wanted to break down the gate. This 

 was not allowed and Mr Reynell declared it was not 

 fair. I find an unconsciously humorous reference to 

 Mr Reynell in a sporting paper of this period: 

 310 



