FAMOUS MASTERS 85 



him by the Wynnstay Hunt. Fortunately, though the 

 house was full of guests and servants, there was no loss 

 of life or personal injury to any one. A witness of the 

 scene describes it thus : " It was a fearful sight we saw 

 when we reached Wynnstay ; the whole neighbour- 

 hood seemed to be collected in front of the burning 

 ruins on the lake side of the house — labourers, colliers, 

 and friends huddled together in one confused mass, 

 the gale blowing the sparks of fire high up into the air 

 and many engines playing on the ruins apparently 

 without the slightest effect." Sir Watkin and Lady 

 Williams Wynn bore their misfortunes with a bravery 

 that could not be excelled, but Sir Watkin, having no 

 residence, from which he could hunt the country, 

 decided to go abroad, and on May 8, being the Satur- 

 day in Chester race week, his magnificent stud of 

 hunters came to the hammer, and realised the record 

 average of that period, though it must be remembered 

 that in those days the hunting public was not educated 

 to give sensational prices. 



But when the hunting season 1859-60 commenced. 

 Sir Watkin and his staff were once more at Wynnstay, 

 and hunting was resumed, as if there had been no 

 interregnum. Walker, commonly called " Merry " 

 John Walker, carried the horn, and showed capital 

 sport till 1865, when gout compelled him to relinquish 

 the arduous and responsible duties of hunting a pack 

 of fox-hounds four days a week, though afterwards he 

 was constantly seen at covert-side, for there were few 

 members of the Hunt who were not ready to give him 

 a mount whenever he wanted one. He was succeeded 



