32 NOTITIA VENATICA, 



liis outre manners and overbearing vulgarity, vi'islied to become one of 

 the " York Union Hunt Club," Avho, after being twice unsuccessful — 

 the black balls predominating in an unprecedented number — resolved 

 upon the scheme of collecting a packed meeting composed of three or 

 four of its members, who were, from some cause or other, under suffi- 

 cient obligation to him to assist him in his forced entree. He was 

 at length elected, but not duly elected according to the rules of the 

 club ; and at the next general meeting our crest-fallen hero was 

 officially informed that he must not consider himself a member of the 

 " Y. U. H. C." ; but, if he wished to become a candidate, he had 

 better get some friend to propose him at the next meeting in the usual 

 manner.* 



In June, 1840, it was proposed, by some staunch supporters of the 

 good old cause, that a dinner of masters of foxhounds should take place 

 at Grillon's, on Wednesday, the 2nd of June, 1841 ; and, when the 

 day arrived, it was agreed that those present should meet, on the Satur- 

 day following, at the same place, to consider the practicability of form- 

 ing a society for the purpose of making such a dinner annual. At that 

 meeting. Lord Hawke being in the chair, it was agreed — 



First, That a club should be formed, called " The Club of Masters 

 of Foxhounds," and that a letter should be written to all masters of 

 foxhounds, inviting them to become members of the same. 



Secondly, That it would be advantageous to the interests of fox-hunt- 

 ing, that the lists of all packs of foxhounds should be annually printed ; 

 and iff was therefore agreed that the subscription to this club should be 

 sufficient to pay for the annual dinner, and for the printing, in one 

 volume, all such lists of foxhounds as should be sent in by the different 

 members. The annual subscription to be ^3. 



Thirdly, That a general meeting of the club be held at the Thatched 

 House, St. James's-street, on the Saturday in Epsom race-Aveek, 1842, 

 at twelve o'clock, on which day all subscriptions must be paid. 



Fourthly, That the annual dinner should be held on the Wednesday 

 of the week between Epsom and Ascot ; and that the president of the 

 year shall fix the place at which the dinner shall be held, and give due 

 notice of the same. 



Fifthly, That Lord Hawke be president for the ensuing year. 



Sixthly, That a circular, embodying the above resolutions, be sent to 

 all masters of foxhounds in Great Britain, and that they be signed by 

 the chairmain (Lord Hawke) in behalf of the meeting. 



These resolutions were excellent ; and the numerous answers from 

 masters of foxhounds, requesting their names to be enrolled;on the list 

 of members, a convincing proof of the popularity of the measure. But, 

 somehow or other, the plan was not followed up as it should have been ; 



* Friday, February 18th, 1791. — " Met at Pytchley this morning. There wa.s 

 a Ijallot at Pytchley House (the^r*^ ever remembered), when Mr. Thomas Grosve- 

 hor and Mr. G. Wrighte were unanimously elected members of the ' Pytchley Hunt 

 Chib.' Old Lord Spencer was hunting the country at that time. — Extract 

 from a MS. entitled " Pytchley Chase Book." 



