20 SPORTING REMINISCENCES [1745 to 



hunting, he invariably came to covert in 

 his carriage-and-four, with two postilions ; his 

 valet, John Child, assisting Topper in the 

 field. Also, Topper had sometimes a boy to 

 assist him in bringing the three horses. 



" Freefolk was a very favourite covert with 

 my old friend ; for, being large, he usually 

 went there on Monday and the following 

 Wednesday; also, because he had frequently 

 a tired fox to hunt, and besides, he picked up 

 the hounds which were left behind. 



" He continued his hounds very late in life, 

 and latterly very seldom left his carriage. To 

 ensure amusement, he had a loaded gun ready 

 for a shot at a hare or partridge, or whatever 

 came in his way. He was always a very agree- 

 able companion, and I remember with grati- 

 tude his kindness to me when a boy. 



" The Honourable William Bowes, assisted 

 by his brother-in-law, Barry Price, had a clever 

 small pack two or three seasons, lying at the inn 

 at Everleigh, and I frequently joined them 

 from the late Mr. Beach's at Netheravon, and 

 recollect a capital run from Southgrove, their 

 best covert. An active man, Wilkinson, well 

 known in Leicestershire, was their huntsman. 

 Mr. Powlett-Powlett of Sombourne used for 

 many years to hunt the Stockbridge side. 



