I90 THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



possessing such knowledge and judgment in everything 

 appertaining to hunting, should have met with such a 

 fate. But the news was soon confirmed, and a feehng 

 of the deepest sorrow and regret prevailed amongst all 

 classes. It was truly said at the time that to attempt 

 any panegyric upon him would be superfluous, for his 

 memory will remain as long as English sport and 

 English literature flourish. His death was alluded to 

 in the Field as follows: " Whyte-Melville, the kindly 

 friend, the genial fellow sportsman, the hearty com- 

 panion, the courteous, chivalrous gentleman. Where- 

 ever he lived he endeared himself ; wherever he rode, 

 he rode for the love of hunting, without selfishness, 

 without jealousy. Out of the natural kindheartedness 

 of a clever man grew the knack and habit, which at all 

 times prompted him to say the right thing, the nice 

 thing, to whomsoever he was thrown across. He has 

 had imitators, disciples, rivals — most of them more or 

 less successful — but he has never been superseded, 

 never eclipsed." Before quitting the subject of his 

 death, let me quote the following lines, which were 

 originally composed for private circulation by Lord 

 Rosslyn : 



" The engineer by his own petard slain, 

 The eagle pierced by shaft from his own wing, 

 Are plaintive fancies, such as poets sing, 

 And touch the heart but coldly, through the brain. 

 But thou, dear George, in thine own sport thus ta'en. 

 In all the prime of manhood, and the swing 

 Of gallant gallop, struck stone dead ! The thing 

 Appals, and petrifies, the mind with pain. 

 Bright, brave, and tender. Poesy's pet child ; 

 Romance and history's love alike were thine ; 



