THE GOLDEN AGE 



July 1st, 1842. — Letter from Lord Forester to General 

 Reeve, threatening his resignation for the following reasons : 

 Lord Willoughby having withdrawn his subscription, and 

 the Duke of Rutland having reduced his from ^1,500 to 

 £1,200. "The Duke proposes that I shall reduce the estab- 

 lishment, and drop one day a week. I am now only bound 

 to hunt four days, having hunted the fifth as a volunteer, 

 because I considered a fifth day necessary for the sport. 



" This would reduce the hunting days from four to three 

 days a week. This course I am not inclined to take, being 

 firmly convinced that it would give satisfaction to no one — 

 neither to those who have hitherto so kindly supported me, 

 nor to myself. I do not feel prepared to increase my own 

 expenditure. 



" When I first took the hounds, I was told that the estab- 

 lishment would cost me ;^ 1,000 a year in addition to the 

 subscription. It has, however, never cost me less than i^2,ooo 

 a year, besides my own private stud. I have with the Duke's 

 subscription and that of other kind subscribers received 

 ;£'2,50o. This will now be reduced to £2,100. Under these 

 circumstances I fear I must resign next first of January, after 

 twelve years, unless some different arrangements are made 

 with regard to finance. I am sorry to say this." 



July \oth, 1842. — General Reeve's answer to the above 

 letter :— 



" I have received your letter conveying to me the very un- 

 pleasant news of your contemplated resignation. I agree 

 with you, I do not at present see any prospect of raising 

 funds to make up a loss so unexpected. I would suggest 

 that Manners should call a meeting, and will call on him 

 to-morrow and ask him to do so." 



Willey, October 20th, 1842. — Letter from Lord Forester to 

 General Reeve : — 



" I have been in correspondence with the Duke and shall 

 endeavour to go on, if the gentlemen of the hunt will kindly 

 continue what they promised. I shall hunt four days a 



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