ii8 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



figure in the lanes, being wheeled in his invalid's chair, feel sick 

 at our impotency : so powerless to help this brave man in his 

 awful suffering, who had done and dared so much for others, 

 but was now too ill even to speak. 



But I must return to " The Bishop." I have observed that 

 only people who are popular get these sort of names attached 

 to them ; this round-faced, apple-cheeked little man was one 

 of several I have known rejoicing in the epithet. 



It would be difficult to imagine two characters more unlike 

 than those of Parson Chard of Hatch Beauchamp and the 

 Rev. John Froude, M.F.H., vicar of Knowstone in Devonshire, 

 but the latter was of a generation before Mr. Chard, and was a 

 most determined, headstrong man who seemed to take pleasure 

 in annoying his Bishop and those in authority ; while Mr. Chard 

 would have gone considerably out of his way to avoid doing 

 anything of the kind. 



I am unable to give a very correct and detailed account of 

 Mr. Froude's life. He was long before my time, and the only 

 relation I can find of his, does not seem to be greatly enamoured 

 with recollections of him, for in reply to my letter asking if he 

 were any relation, etc., I was informed he was a distant relation, 

 and reading between the lines I gathered he knew little about 

 him and cared less. 



I have asked many Devonshire people about this sporting 

 parson and been told various strange stories, and I fear he was 

 rather an unruly member of the clerical fraternity, but a fine 

 sportsman with a grand voice, his view-halloo being a thing to 

 remember. Hounds flew to him when they heard it. All I can 

 gather, points to his having been an independent gentleman, 

 rather given to what the schoolboys call " cheek," no respecter 

 of persons and brooking no interference from anybody. He was 

 a near neighbour of Jack Russell, and I do not think he had a 

 very good influence over him. As he did not possess the tact, 

 courteous manners, and personality of Jack Russell, his sporting 

 proclivities caused more comment, and not always of a kindly 

 order. At an}^ rate rumours reached the ears of the Bishop of 

 Exeter that the vicar of Knowstone neglected his parish ; in 

 fact, grave charges were brought against him, in consequence 

 of which the Bishop of Exeter wrote a somewhat bombastic 

 note requesting Mr. Froude to appear before him and explain 



