1825.] OF HAMPSHIRE. 53 



House, Alresford (where Mr. Cooke afterwards 

 resided). In the winter of 1814 he went to 

 Harmsworth, where he lived continuously 

 until his death, in 1837. 



John Major was his first huntsman, and his 

 whips were Will Biggs, " Pop" Hennessy (called 

 "Pop" from perpetually cracking his whip),* 

 and John Knight. Pop was with the East 

 Sussex in 1832, as huntsman. 



Major left Mr. Villebois because he John Major. 

 could not keep sober. When not fuddled, he 

 was a very good huntsman. He one season 

 killed forty brace of foxes. Foster tried very 

 hard to do the same, but could never get 

 beyond thirty-nine and a half. Major after- 

 wards lived with Mr. Shard, but his old habit 

 still clinging to him, his last days, I believe, 

 were spent in the union ; at any rate, this fine 

 sportsman was seen breaking stones on the 

 high road. His father lived with Mr. Chafyn, 

 at Cranbourne, where he was brought up. 



When John Major left, Will Biggs wm Bi gg s. 

 became huntsman, and continued in that situa- 

 tion until his breath failed. He was not a 

 strong man, and suffered considerably from 

 what he called " spavins" in his stomach. 



George Large was Mr. Villebois' stud-groom, 

 and was an excellent servant; he afterwards 



* Sawyer gave me this reason for the nickname — but see page 76. 



