50 SPORTING REMINISCENCES [1800 to 



" the hounds to be at the covert at nine 

 o'clock from the 10th of October to the 5th 

 of April; the fixtures to be settled by Mr. 

 Butler, without any partiality. The Hunt 

 were to dine monthly during the 



Hunt dinners. J ° 



hunting season, at some inn fixed on 

 by the stewards, and that no French wines 

 were to be called for on the forfeiture of five 

 pounds ; and the bill was to be called for at 

 eight o'clock." 



Will James was Mr. Butler's huntsman ; 

 Thomas Carter of Soberton and Foster were 

 his whips. This Foster was no relation 

 of the famous H. H. huntsman, but was a 

 native of Hambledon, where, at that time, 

 there were a great many of that name. Mr. 

 Butler had the hounds for three seasons. He 

 died in 1858. Joseph Pratt of Hambledon, 

 who is now alive, and in his ninety -first year, 

 lived with him as stud-groom for forty years. 

 Mr. comp- In this year, Mr. John Compton 

 ton, i8oo. of Manor House succeeded Mr. V. 



H. Gilbert as master of the New Forest 

 hounds. His huntsman's name was Tom Se- 

 bright, father of the celebrated Tom Sebright, 

 who first lived with Mr. Musters, then was 

 whip to Mr. Osbaldeston, and afterwards 

 huntsman to Lord Fitzwilliam for forty years. 



