THE REV. ROBERT SYMONDS 47 



tioned. Amongst other things the allusion to 

 bleeding hounds in the spring, as if it were a 

 matter of course, is curious. Another remark- 

 able thing is the way they travelled about the 

 country in a gig or on horseback, thinking little 

 more of a journey from Herefordshire to 

 London by road, than we do by express train. 

 When in search of hounds, he says : — 



May 31st, 1794. 



Set off for Mr. Newman's* at Knaves Court, 

 Jim and self. Saw him and a fine pack of hounds. 

 Dined at Brentwood, three miles from Mr. Newman's. 

 Supped and slept at Romford next day and came 

 to Town. Mr. Newman had disposed of the hounds 

 we were in search of. 



June 7th. Dined in lodgings with Jerry Hawkins. 

 Set off in evening in Gigg to Windsor, where we 

 slept. 



8th. Walked round Castle lawn. 



Went into chapel saw King and Queen and 

 Princesses. Left Windsor at one, baited at Henley, 

 dined at Bonsor and supt at Star, Oxford. 



9th. Breakfasted at Star, played billiards with 

 Austin, lunched at Lucas's rooms, left Oxford at 2 

 and dined and sup'd and slept at " Bull," Burford. 



* Mr. Newman had a very well-known pack of hounds, 

 and hunted from Knavestock, in Essex. His hunts- 

 man was Richard Fairbrother, whose portrait appears 

 in the 1796 edition of " Beckford." Fairbrother is 

 said to have been at that time the best huntsman in 

 England. The horse on which he is represented as 

 seated, called " Jolly Roger," is an old favourite, 

 having carried him through some of the severest runs 

 ever known. 



