FAMOUS MASTERS 41 



In the first decade of the century few men were 

 better known or more esteemed in the hunting world 

 than Mr. John Corbet, of Sundorne Castle, in Shrop- 

 shire. Even now, after the lapse of ninety and three 

 years, he is still regarded as one of the most celebrated 

 Masters of the old school. He succeeded Mr. Warde 

 in the Warwickshire country in 1791, and Warwick- 

 shire came to the front rank of hunting countries. 

 During the season he resided at Clopton House, near 

 Stratford-on-Avon ; he had kennels both at Stratford 

 and at Meriden, but at the end of the season the hounds 

 were taken back to Sundorne. His reign lasted from 

 1791 till 181 1, his last fixture being on Saturday, 

 February 9, 181 1. Then he resigned owing to ill- 

 health, though he lived till May 19, 1817, when he had 

 completed his sixty-fifth year. To quote the words of 

 "Castor," "In him died one who with the strictest 

 moral and religious principles combined the best 

 affections of the heart. As a friend, husband, father, 

 master, landlord, or, in fact, in whatever character he 

 might be called upon to fill, he displayed those genuine 

 qualities which a mere superficial good nature can 

 never supply." 



Mr. Corbet had had a long experience of Mastership 

 of Hounds before he undertook to hunt the whole of 

 Warwickshire, during which period the fame of his 

 pack was mainly due to one hound, namely, the cele- 

 brated Trojan. I only mention Trojan because the 

 blood of Trojan is probably more famous than that of 

 any other hound. Indeed, in some records which I 

 have come across, the Warwickshire hounds are 



