210 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



the Liverpool Grand National, and on tlie same horse he 

 won the Sefton Cup Steeplechase the next day. On all 

 hands we hear his kennel management most highly spoken 

 of, and any one going over the kennels, and seeing 

 the hounds, can see for himself that this essential 

 department is admirably managed. 



We believe Boxall's favourite mounts have been Ruddi- 

 gore. Ensign, Outfit, and Donnabell, all horses of a very 

 useful stamp, and well up to his weight, which is not out 

 of the way for a man of his age. The writer has had many 

 good enjoyable rides with Boxall for the first fifteen or 

 sixteen years of his connection with the North Stafford 

 Hounds, and desires to speak of him with great good-will as 

 a, genial, civil, and deserving official, and, in taking leave of 

 liis name for the present, w^ould wish him many years of 

 health and enjoyment in his responsible and honourable 

 position. The writer well remembers Boxall saying at the 

 puppy-judging luncheon in the summer of 1896, on his 

 health being proposed for the first time as huntsman of the 

 North Stafford Hounds, " I am proud of the position, and 

 grateful to his Grace for the appointment. I would not 

 •change places with the Prince of Wales." 



The following sketch of Stephen Dickins as a hunts- 

 man has been kindly contributed by a well-known member 

 of the Hunt, than whom no one is more competent to 

 form an opinion on the subject : — 



" In writing of Dickins as a huntsman you might class him in three ways : 

 First, in the kennel ; secondly, in the field ; and thirdly, as a rider to hounds. 

 To take the first qualification, we should describe him, not as a first-class breeder 

 of hounds, such as Maiden, but, taking him all round, and considering the 

 number of years he was at Trentham, and the support he received from the 

 Master (the then Marquis of Staftbrd), who spared neither expense nor trouble in 

 the kennel, Dickins produced in his time many useful and valuable hounds, and 

 well adapted for the country. He never forgot to look to the main points, viz. 

 good legs and feet, vnth good shoulders and stamina. As to music, we might 

 say in this respect his hovmds were perhaps a little deficient, judging from a 

 remark once made by a member of the Hunt, for on one occasion when hounds 

 were running hard over the Draycot countrj'^, and had disappeared over the top 

 of one of the hills (Dickins riding his best to keep up with them), this gentleman, 

 who was with him, remarked, ' I can't hear them, Dickins ; ' and he, replj'ing in 

 liis short, quick manner, said, ' You shoidd get a bit closer to them, sir.' To 

 ;those who have hunted much, it is well known that hounds on some days throw 



