30 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



CHAPTER III. 



RUNS DURING MR. DAVENPORT's MASTERSHIP, FROM 1847 

 TO 1868 — JOE MAIDEN — HIS RETIREMENT AND DEATH. 



We must now proceed to give some account of good sport 

 with the North Staffordshire Hounds in Mr. Davenport's 

 time, the writer only regretting that comparatively few 

 records of good runs have been recovered. Maiden's diary 

 entries were generally very brief, but, fortunately, certain 

 sportsmen have occasionally rushed into print in the 

 local and sporting papers, and through the courtesy of the 

 proprietors of the Staffordshire Advertiser, and other 

 friends, we are able to record in these pages some at least 

 of the numerous good things enjoyed under Mr. Daven- 

 port's auspices. It will be remembered that Joe Maiden 

 joined the North Staffordshire Hunt in 1846-47. 



The following is an account of a very good day in his 

 first season : — 



From BelVs Life, February, 1847. 



"Mr. Editor, — Having long felt a desire to look at this pack under the 

 guidance of Joe Maiden, who, to my delight and that of others, so many years 

 hunted the Cheshire, I put my horse and myself on the train to Crewe, the meet 

 being at Sir J. Broughton's at Doddington, about five miles from the station. 

 On my arrival at the meet I found but a small muster, owing, I suppose, to two 

 other packs meeting within a short distance. The Master had not arrived, and 

 thus I was afforded an opportunity of inspecting the hounds, and I need scarcely 

 say that their condition did credit to old Joe, whose skill as a huntsman, whether 

 in the kennel or in the field, in my humble judgment, stands unrivalled. At a 

 quarter to eleven there was a move to the Forge Wood, and immediately the 

 hounds were put in there was that merry sound which tells an old sportsman 

 Reynard is at home. He broke immediately, going for Wybunbury, but suddenly 

 turned to the right over Blakeley (Blakenhall ?) Moss to the railway, which he 



