74 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



tell their names, for fear the ruling passion of the sex, 

 jealousy, might be aroused. We are always glad to 

 see them out, and showing us the way too. Let us 

 toast them : " The Ladies, God bless them !" 



The number at the meets of the Curraghmore averages 

 about sixty ; and for a united, orderly, and sporting 

 field of good fellows, no hunt can boast of a better lot. 

 We have many men in our country who, though 

 not fox-hunters themselves, preserve their covers for 

 Lord Waterford, and who love the sport just as much 

 as he does himself. Notably among those I must 

 name : Mr. Congreve of Mount Congreve, Mr. O'Shee 

 of Garden morris, Sir Robert Paul of Ballyglan (he has 

 not hunted for someyears), Capt. Dawson of Blenheim, 

 and Mr. Power of Faithlegg, who, though he keeps har- 

 riers, seldom comes out with the Curraghmore. Lord 

 Bessborough is one of the very best supporters, and 

 when at home, a constant attendant in the field, as is 

 Lady Bessborough. Capt. Armstrong of Ballydavid, 

 Hon. Dudley Fortescue, Mr. Christmas of Whitfield, 

 Mr. Carew of Ballinamona, Mr. Sweetman of Annaghs, 

 Dr. George Mackesy, who owns Lucy's Rock and Glen- 

 more covers, Mr. Bowers of Clogga, Ned Briscoe, 

 Henry Bowers, Mr. Elliot of Rathcurbey, Ambrose 

 Lambert, and others, do all in their power to preserve 

 the wily tribe. Then such a good lot of Farmers 

 as we have ; one and all preserve the foxes ; never ob- 

 ject to our doing a bit of damage to their fences or 

 fields ; never put up wire ; and do not often object 

 to an odd hen or a turkey's disappearance. It is 

 such men as belong to the latter class fox-hunting 

 has to look to for its true support, and blessed is the 

 Curraghmore in having such a supply of them. 



