52 The Old Surrey Fox Hounds 



the field, and that the old pack will do justice to the 

 memory of their old huntsman." 



All present were vastly pleased with Mr. Mortimer's 

 happy response ; nothing could have been conceived in 

 a more genial spirit. 



At another festive gathering connected with the Hunt, 

 Mr. Mortimer referred with evident satisfaction to the fact 

 that " he had given up almost everything for the sake of 

 hunting, which had been the love of his heart throughout 

 his life. I have had other passions," he added vivaciously, 

 " and the glows subsided ; but, as to hunting, well " — he 

 waved his arm eloquently — "we can never have too much 

 of that good thing." 



At the same meeting the subjoined verses were submitted 

 for the delectation of visitors : — 



" Some riders there are who, too jealous of place, 

 Will fling back a gate in their next neighbour's face : 

 Some never pull up when a friend gets a fall, 

 They will ride over friend, hounds, horses, and all." 



Two additional lines were appended, to wit : — 



" Such riders as these the Old Surrey condemn, 

 And I vow we will ne'er drink a bumper to them." 



Hale and hearty to the last, Mr. Mortimer died in his 

 77th year, universally regretted by all who knew him, 

 sportingly or socially. A current biographer writes of 

 him : " The name of Mortimer is entitled to respect in 

 Surrey annals, for the late Master's father and four of his 

 uncles at the same period largely contributed to its support. 

 Born at Lewisham Hill in 1809, Mr. Mortimer was 



