106 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



much credit is clue for the way in which it was managed. The Yeomanry band 

 Avas stationed in the coach-house hard by, and played during luncheon and also 

 most appropriate tunes after the various toasts. His Grace was supported by 

 Lady Gerard, the Earl of Lonsdale, the Duchess, Miss Chaplin, Mr. and Mrs. 

 Charrington, Mr. and Mrs. E. Fort, Mr. J. W. Philips, Colonel Rhodes, Sir M. E. 

 M. Bulier, Sir G. Chetwode, Mr. A. W. Radford Norcop, Mr. W. W. Dobson, 

 Mr. F. J. Harrison, Major Stamer, and Mr. R. N. Wood, others present including 

 Mr. Eric Chaplin, Mr. K. H. Hargreaves, Mr. E. J. W. Wood, Mr, F. Vaughan 

 Williams, Mr. N. A. Coghill, Mr. W. E. Stamer, Mr. E. A. Ridgway, Mr. R. P. 

 Copeland, the Rev. E. V. Pigott, the Rev. E. Salt, the Rev. P. E. Mainwaring, 

 Major G. Harding, Mr. T. W. Twyford, Messrs. W. R. Kirkhara, Murphy, A. W. 

 Leedam, C. E. Challinor, Wheatley, McCracken, C. J. Blagg, A. Edwards (Mayor 

 of Longton), P. H. Rawson, J. E. Knight, Menzies, J. Meadows, P. Marsden, F.G. 

 Mather, W. E. Bowers, W. D. Phillipps, Hinchclifife, C. R. A. Birch, J. S. Norris, 

 Alex. Simpson, and a thoroughly representative gathering of farmers. 



After the Duke had proposed the loyal toasts, and they had been loyally 

 honoured, his Grace proposed the health of the successful competitors, both 

 puppy-walkers and those in the agricultural show. A pack of hounds was 

 entirely dependent upon the way in which the puppies were walked, and all 

 hunting men always felt extremely grateful to those farmers and their wives who 

 walked puppies for them without tying them up, and then brought them to the 

 kennels in proper condition. 



The Duke then read the list of the chief awards. 



Messrs. E. Noden and W. F. Wilkinson replied as puppy-walkers, and Mr. 

 R. S. Wilkinson, as a winner at the agricultural show, said every one would 

 acknowledge that as far as cattle went there had never been a better show. It 

 took something very good now to win at Trentham, and the next day at 

 Wolverhampton they would find nothing much better. The only hope for the 

 agi-iculturist was to put his shoulder to the wheel and look after his stock, and if 

 that failed him, God help him. 



Mr. John Bourne also replied, and said it was much easier to win a first prize 

 at Trentham three years ago than it was now to win a third. He was glad to 

 note that several who were unsuccessful a few years ago had now come to the 

 iront. He should like to see those farmers in the hunting-field, and then there 

 would be less wire, but if some of them were too old, then they should send 

 their sons. 



The Earl of Lonsdale next proposed " The Health of the Duke and Duchess 

 of Sutherland." (Applause.) He was perfectly certain that there could be no 

 greater pleasure to any of them than to drink the toast which he had submitted. 

 It would be impossible for him to commence dilating upon their Graces' respective 

 good qualities. Were he to do so he should have to detain them all until the next 

 day, and he thought they might be wanted at home. (Laughter.) He therefore 

 only asked them to drink the toast. Having been invited, however, to judge the 

 hounds together with his huntsmen colleagues, he might just say a word or two 

 with regard to hunting. Though he was not just now a Master, he had had his 

 pleasure and experience of the chase in several countries, and as a Master of 

 Hounds for twentj'-five years he might fairly claim to rank amongst those whose 

 heart and soul were in the sport. He had always found that amongst the 

 agricultural classes the greatest facilities were afforded to hunting. He had 

 never yet met a man who was a really good agriculturist who was not.' pleased to 

 see the hounds. (Applause.) He might be caused annoyance at the moment, 

 and difficulties might arise which caused him annoyance, and very often the 



