144 SPORTING REMINISCENCES [1825 to 



pearing in sight, I of course took my departure, 

 after filling my pockets with her good ginger 

 cakes. 



Mr. Wilkin- "The other sporting character in 

 humble life, to whom I have before 

 alluded to, is the well-known Mr. Wilkinson.* 

 I call him ' well known,' because he kept an 

 inn for many years on the great Western-road, 

 and consequently is no stranger to the public. 

 Having taken good care of number one, he has 

 some time since retired from business, and re- 

 sides in a good house of his own, in the town 

 of Alresford, where he keeps his two hunters 

 and his gig, and is, if we may judge by ap- 

 pearances, one of the happiest men in Hamp- 

 shire. I never met Mr. Villebois' hounds but 

 once without Mr. Wilkinson being with them, 

 so enthusiastically fond is he of the sport; 

 neither did I ever see — nor do I expect I ever 

 shall see — a fox found by this pack without 

 having a halloo from him, in some part of the 

 run. Upon the balance, perhaps more harm 

 than good may arise from it; but he cannot 

 help it, and nothing but the pace stops him. 

 Notwithstanding this, Mr. Wilkinson is a useful 



* Mr. Wilkinson had houses both at Popham Lane and at Stock- 

 bridge. He generally had a useful well-bred horse, which he ran at 

 the county meetings, and old John Day, then quite a young hand, 

 used to ride for him. — Author. 



