THE ACCIDENT AT NEIVBY FERRY. m 



The accident itself has been so frequently and so well 

 described that it has been thouo-ht advisable not to eive 

 another and at best a garbled description of what has already 

 been so well done; and thanks to the courtesy of the editor of 

 the Field, I am enabled to produce the contemporary reports, 

 which, next to the narrative of an eye-witness and participator 

 in the tragedy, seems to be the best thing to do. Those 

 who wish to read a graphic and thrilling description of the 

 accident I would refer to Colonel Meysey- Thompson's 

 account of it in his recently-published book. Reminiscences 

 of the Court, the Camp, and the Chase. Colonel Meysey- 

 Thompson greatly distinguished himself by his gallant 

 efforts to save life, and with Sir George Wombwell and 

 Captain Key, makes up the three men now living who were 

 actually on the boat. 



' The Fearful Accident with the York and Ainsty. 



' Sir.— Believing that facts, incidents, and records attending 

 ' the dire calamity with the York and Ainsty Hunt will 

 ' be read throughout the country with interest, and being 

 ' an eye-witness of the whole proceedings of this eventful 

 ' day, I will endeavour, to the best of my ability, to unfold 

 ' the tale, though the result is enough to "harrow up 

 ' your soul." 



' The morning was glorious and summer-like when 

 'the meet took place here (Stainley). At 10-30, to a 

 ' miimte, the hounds appeared, headed by the lamented 

 ' master, on his old horse Saltfish (a twelve-season hunter), 

 ' and accompanied by a number of his most intimate 

 ' friends, who had been staying at Scriven overnight. 



' Punctuality was a leading motto with the York and 

 ' Ainsty. It was the dog pack ; the writer said, " I 

 'expected the bitches;" and in reply Sir Charles Slingsby 

 ' observed, " a by-day last Friday had thrown them out 

 ' of their regular turn." 



' After this I asked him what I could offer him, when he 

 ' said, " Just one thimbleful of your home-brewed cherry 

 ' brandy." This I handed him; therefore I have the 



