23i THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



larf;e stud, sometimes, as we arc informed, amounting to 

 about one hundred and fifty horses. Hermit, the winner of 

 the historic Derby in 1867, was at one time under his care. 

 Lord Berkeley Paget ought to be referred to as one of 

 the lirilliant sportsmen who used occasionally to be seen 

 with the North Stafford Hounds, and who never came out 

 when there was anything to be done without distinguish- 

 in o- himself, no matter what horse he mio-ht be ridino;. 

 The writer well remembers his being mounted one day, 

 when on a visit at Ingestre in the days of the late Earl of 

 Shrewsbury, on a good grey horse, which had always been 

 classed as a good fencer, but not remarkable for pace. 

 With Lord Berkeley up, however, the horse was always in 

 front in the quick gallop we happened to get that day, 

 and the gallant grevi suddenly developed pace, as well as 

 jumping powers, so that most of us had the pleasure of 

 following in his wake throughout the run. Lord Berkeley 

 Paget has seen as much brilliant sport in the shires and 

 elsewhere as any one, and has had sundry adventures by 

 Hood and field, amongst which we may give the following, 

 which appeared in a local paper of the time — some twenty 

 years ago : — 



" Lord Berkeley Paget, who is bunting with the Cheshire Hounds, has had a 

 narrow escape of his hfe. His lordship was leading the field, when the hounds, 

 puf-hing the fox, drove him across the Weaver, ^\hich was considerably swollen. 

 Lord Berkeley Paget, without hesitation, plunged into the river and endeavoured 

 to reach the opposite bank with the hounds. The current was running too 

 rapidly for this to be effected, and horse and rider were washed doAvn the stream. 

 Lord Berkeley Paget thus became unseated, and a scene of excitement ensued, 

 the huntsmen thronging the bank to assist his lordship, who, after a protracted 

 struggle, effected a landing, though much exhausted in the effort. His hunter 

 was also recovered shortly afterwards. Beyond the unpleasant effects of a 

 prolonged immersion. Lord Berkeley Paget has happily taken no harm from the 

 alarming accident," 



Sir Charles Michael Wolseley, of Wolseley, used, in 

 years gone by, to be one of our regular followers, and from 

 1870 to 1877, or thereabouts, was seldom absent from our 

 meets. A good sportsman, and a plucky rider, it seems a 

 pity that he should have given up the noble sport so early 

 in life before being appreciably handicapped by age or 



