i6o THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



morton and myself had determined to adopt, if the 

 weather had allowed the Buscot Woods to be drawn 

 yesterday morning. We should have attended there 

 as magistrates, and if any indication had been given 

 by word or act of an intention to provoke a breach 

 of the peace, we should have called upon the party 

 so offending to give surety of good behaviour on the 

 spot ; and the same course will be adopted on any 

 future occasion. I sincerely trust that no such un- 

 pleasant duty will be forced upon us, and will only 

 add my regret that a matter which, when I was 

 summoned to Cirencester, seemed on the point of 

 arrangement, should now lead to so much that is 

 unpleasant between neighbours and friends. 

 I remain, my dear Berkeley, 



Very truly yours. 



Ph. Pusey. 



In this letter clear warning was given of the 

 course which would be adopted if a breach of 

 the peace should be provoked by either party. 



Amongst the owners of coverts in the Old 

 Berkshire country at that time were three men 

 of great character and ability. Lord Radnor 

 was the Chairman of the Faringdon Petty 

 Sessions, and being a Whig, was naturally 

 a bit of an autocrat. Lord Harrington, M.P., 

 was Chairman of Quarter Sessions for Berk- 

 shire, and also of the Great Western Railway. 

 Mr. Pusey of Pusey, the elder brother of the 

 celebrated Dr. Pusey, was Member for the 

 county, and one of the leading men of the 

 day, amongst other things being one of the 



