THE FAEMEES' BOOK 197 



II. (on another page hut in the same handivriting). Write to 

 J. B. Close, Shelford House, and ask for a lawn meet. 



We are all lairly human. [I have initialed any comments of my 

 own based on personal knowledge. — F. C. K.] 



A. was a yeoman known to me under circumstances having 

 nothing to do with beagling. He had the name for being very close- 

 fisted among the cottagers, and he liked being " top-dog," consequently 

 he lived in a state of chronic friction with the parson, who was also 

 prejudiced in favour of his own way. This village contained an 

 atheist cobbler, whom A. chid for not attending church. A. admitted 

 friction, but said that he should still attend, aye, if " the Devil himself 

 were in the pulpit ! " " Eh," said the cobbler, " I can quite believe 

 you, Mr. A., you'd go and hear the Devil hisself so long as he did your 

 dirty work for you, and {red.) it'd have to be precious dirty work as 

 you wouldn't do yourself ! " At least, that is what the cobbler said 

 that he said, and, as he was a man of unfettered speech, he probably 

 did say it. Kow for the entry re A. in the Meet Book.— F. C. K. 



Good sportsman and fond of us. A queer chap, always asks you 

 on other people's land, but never on his own. Be politeful. Keep 

 him quiet in a gentle sort of way. Gets us a lot of good country. 



Babbles a bit, and likes to hear himself babble at a Beagle Dinner, 

 or anywhere else where there is any one to hsten. But a thundering 

 good chap, a very keen sportsman, and, what is more, knows some- 

 thing about it, and is a good friend to T.F.B. 



A. always professes to get leave all round. Care should be taken 

 that he does this. 



B. always knows where a hare lies. One of the best. Had a pack 

 of harriers some years back. Is very keen and good for a speech at 

 the Drag and Beagle Dinner. 



He used to come out mounted, and to this day I remember the 

 mince-pies he gave us at tea, and the demure and lofty discourse 

 maintained with him by J. S. Carr-Ellison on agricultural subjects. 

 There was plenty of "butter," but it wouldn't have melted in 

 J. S. C.-E.'s mouth.— F. C. K. 



C. (a neighbour of B.) likes you to meet at his house once in a 

 season. 



