THE HISTORY OF THE BELVOIR HUNT 



But amongst the most remarkable of Grantham visitors 

 was the "Admiral," a certain Captain Micklethwaite. He 

 lodged over the saddler's, and is said to have remained a 

 bachelor in order to have leisure to hunt. He was a bold 

 rider and well-known shiverer of timber in the hunt, as the 

 following lay can tell in words more vivid than mine : — 



The Admiral.^ 



Bold tar ! who for so many winters 



Has knocked our five-bar gates to splinters : 



We this memorial beg to send, 



In hopes you will our fences mend. 



We love to see you stick to hounds, 



For your ambition knows no bounds ; 



And be our fences oak or ash, 



Your horses drive them all to smash. 



You ride, begirt with scarlet spencer, 



On many a high-bred, splendid fencer. 



But if you'll hold them more in hand, 



They'll higher jump at your command. 



Full well we know the craven crowd 



Are in your praises ever loud. 



For when the hog-backed stile appears, 



You forwards rush, devoid of fears ; 



The stile collapses in a heap. 



And through the wreck the funkers creep. 



Yet, Admiral, by the covert side 



We all delight with you to ride, 



Who with your tales the way beguile 



And warm the ladies with your smile ; 



Not black your looks, if blank the wood. 



Or if the scent be far from good. 



If Dutiful pursue the hares. 



Nor what she hunts o'er fallows cares : 



If huntsmen make their casts up wind. 



And leave their fox far, far behind : 



You gallop on, in happy mood. 



With feelings of content imbued. 



With each, with all you have your chatter. 



As down the lanes the riders clatter. 



' From an unpublished poem lent by Mr. J. E. Welby. 

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