144 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



last year, was a capital sportsman and devoted to 

 hunting — he was a great loss to everyone, but espe- 

 cially to the hunt, as he was our best supporter ; John 

 Blakeney of Abbert, John Comyn (who is the able 

 and energetic secretary of the hunt), and Mr. Henry 

 Persse. And no one goes harder or further than Mr. 

 Andy Dolphin ; Major French and Mr. Christopher 

 Usher go well too. I have told you all I know about 

 the Galway ' Blazers,' and now I will sing you a song 

 which was written a few years ago by as good a fel- 

 low as I ever knew. He has gone to * the land of 

 to-morrow.' Those who knew the author will recog- 

 nise the style which pervaded all his happy compo- 

 sitions ; and if it recalls the memory of so cheery a 

 good fellow, it will evoke some pleasant recollections 

 such as the many friends of poor Charlie Kerr were 

 indebted to him for. 



" THE GALWAY ' BLAZERS.' 



" I read in the papers of runs that, be japers, 



Just sound to my ear in a small way ; 

 If yez want for real sport, faith ye'd better resort 



To neglected but grand-goin' Galway. 



" Your horse must have mettle, wid hounds in such fettle, 



And walls that are terrible tazers ; 

 His condition the best, for he's sure to be prest, 



If yez mean to ride up wid the ** Blazers." 



" If you go there a stranger, bedad there's no danger, 



They'll trate ye to all o' the best, boys ; 

 For lord, lout, an' squire good ridin' admire — 



All sportsmen they welkim with zest, boys. 



" By the side of that gorse, on his stuffy blood horse, 



Sits the master, whose hounds none surpass ; 

 And the man that would bate him might as well try to ate him — 



He'll soon make acquaintance wid grass. 



