88 WITH HOUND AND TERRIER. 



tired of talking, the Prince was out when they had 

 a great run, and to mark his appreciation of the 

 sport, he presented his photograph and a £5 -note 

 to Press. Both these gifts Press had framed, 

 and he has often pointed them out to me as they 

 hung over the mantelpiece in the place of honour 

 in his sitting-room. The celebrated Tom Firr, of 

 Quorn fame, and George Castleman, afterwards 

 of the Atherstone, both whipped-in to Press in 

 Cambridgeshire, and he used to speak very highly 

 of their ability before they had either of them 

 made their name. When he left the country 

 Press was presented with a purse of sovereigns 

 as a mark of appreciation of his skill and excellent 

 conduct in the field. After a season with the 

 Craven, at the end of which time Press again 

 received a testimonial, his services were engaged 

 by Mr Digby, and he came to the Blackmore 

 Vale. When he arrived in the country he was 

 suffering from a severe accident, and was still 

 going on crutches. He began his first season's 

 hunting wearing one boot and a slipper. 



At this time, when Mr Digby, in spite of his 

 age, was still going well to the front, the land- 

 owners and resident gentlemen were not by any 

 means the only keen spirits who rode well and 

 had the fortunes of the hunt at heart. There 

 was a fine body of sporting farmers, who lived 

 up to the traditions of their forefathers, and 

 gave place to none in their love of sport. 

 Among these were Messrs Pouting, Sealey, 



