126 sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



When pheasant-shooting Mr. Michell used to say, " When a 

 bird rises take out your snuff-box, have a pinch of snuff, then 

 shoot the bird." 



In 1860, feeUng no longer very young, he gave up his Hving 

 and hounds at the same time. I have been told that anyone 

 entering the village, or indeed the neighbourhood, when his 

 decision had been made known might have thought some 

 national calamity had befallen the county ; everybody was 

 walking about with long faces condoling with one another. He 

 only lived nine years after this, and the county felt they had 

 lost a cheery neighbour and a good friend when he passed away 

 on September 18th, 1869. 



In this ever-flowing stream which keeps renewing the world, 

 which is the most precious of all the hurrying things that we can 

 hold and keep ? Surely it is the memory of a good and kindly 

 life. 



I often think the lives of some of our clergy are like beautiful 

 songs ill sung, but Parson Michell's was a splendid song well 

 sung. 



