THE REV. JOHN LODER 35 



in the grand old mansion of Rycot, with the 

 handsome, genial, accomplished and sporting 

 earl as the host. A few years after, a portion 

 of the fine old house having been burned 

 down, the rest was pulled down, and with it 

 the beautiful domestic chapel of the Quarter- 

 maines. 



Rycot is about ten miles east of Oxford, and 

 is now in the South Oxfordshire country. 



This Lord Abingdon was not only a 

 sportsman and boon companion, but an ex- 

 cellent musician and composer of music. He 

 was also, like his father, an owner of race- 

 horses, and ran many matches at Newmarket, 

 the well-known "Abingdon Mile" being 

 named after him. He frequently ran horses 

 at Oxford. In 1788 he ran in the Hundred 

 Guinea Cup there a horse called Oxoniensis, 

 a chestnut by Pontifex. He was a good 

 speaker, and made a speech in the House 

 of Lords in 1788, in opposition to the Bill 

 for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors. 



The following letter from him relates to a 

 domestic event, which had a great influence 

 upon the future of Mr. Loder's hounds, as 

 well as the rest of his property. 



1795- 



Dear Loder, — I am quite delighted to find so 

 much original dash in your letter. I hope it is omi- 

 nous, and that the same spirit will be infused into 



