THE HISTORY OF THE BEL VOIR HUNT 



ton Gorse gentry, who no doubt was there for the first living 

 creature that presented itself. 



" I am very sorry to hear that poor old Aswarby Thorns is 

 not this year entertaining its usual Royal guests, which I 

 know is very annoying to the owner ; but that villain that 

 last left you give the land such a draining that it will be 

 some time before the pride of the ark will rest there again. 



" I am very happy indeed to hear of the forthcoming event, 

 which is to take place between the house of Leadenham and 

 Denton. Most sincerely do I hope that years of health, hap- 

 piness, and prosperity is before them, and as a husband and 

 father I trust he will stick more to the line than I have seen 

 him occasionally do when you and I have been riding side 

 by side after a severe fifty minutes. But he is a capital 

 sportsman withal, and I am truly happy to hear of the excel- 

 lent choice he has made. 



" I am very thankful indeed to say our hounds and myself 

 are all quite well, and I am looking forward with much 

 pleasure and anxiety for the ensuing season. 



" Sincerely hoping you are seeming well, with your honour- 

 able lady, and that we may be permitted to meet for many 

 years yet to come, to enjoy the pleasures of the chase, cheer- 

 ing without inebriating. ' Forward's the cry ' ; the world's all 

 our own when we are after the hounds. 



" I beg to remain, 



" Honoured Sir, 

 " Your most humble and faithful servant, 



" Wm. Goodall. 



" N.B. — I beg to thank you very much for the offer of the 

 book called The Post and the Paddock, which I have already 

 got ; it was sent to me by the author, who I do not know. 

 The very flattering and honourable mention he has made 

 of my name through my career in my life calls to mind 

 many pleasing recollections of the past. When I read of Dick 

 Christian riding a bull, I could tell him of a much greater 

 feat I once did (though perfectly innocent) at thirteen years 

 of age. I once took Mr. Dorrien's horse to meet the Hey- 

 throp Hounds at Yackby ; when there he said, ' Bill, should 



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