136 sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



remembered his master had promised to take a special service 

 that morning, which had quite shpped their memories. He at 

 once reminded Mr. Butler, and they both turned their horses' 

 heads and galloped back, reaching the church in time to tie up 

 their horses at a proper distance from the place of worship. 



The service was held, with the faithful servant forming one 

 of the congregation, both hoping the surplice would hide the 

 hunting garments. Having decorously performed his duties, 

 Mr. Butler and the faithful one remounted and hurried off in 

 the direction they hoped might bring them in touch with the 

 hounds. 



The great age so many of these sportsmen attain proves the 

 healthfulness of the out-of-doors life and happy surroundings of 

 Mother Earth and Dame Nature ; and it is pleasant to think 

 that though we hear many funny stories of them — ^and some of 

 their doings were not altogether in accord with our present 

 notions of propriety — we never hear of their having been 

 unpopular in their parishes as we often do now ; neither does 

 any man remember meeting with anything but charity in word 

 or deed from them. 



Billy Butler was rector of Frampton for forty years. A 

 brother cleric who was not entirely of Mr. Billy's way of thinking 

 was constrained to allow, " Mr. Butler's career as a divine was 

 not without some redeeming features, and he was much respected 

 for the exemplary discharge of his parochial duties, and enjoyed 

 some popularity as a preacher." There is a slight account of 

 this Mr. Billy Butler in the " History of Dorset." 



At one time when a valuable living became vacant it was 

 offered to Mr. Butler, but he declined it, saying he would be 

 happier ending his days in the little vicarage at Frampton. 



The picture of Mr. Butler is not what one might consider 

 artistic, but it speaks to us of the date when it was originally 

 taken. 



