20 The PytcJiley Hitnt^ Past and Present, [chap. i. 



of Billing — light as a feather, and so great a dandy that 

 he had his hunting-boots made by three different 

 artists, the tops by the well-known Tom Marshall of 

 Northampton, and the centres and feet by two separate 

 professors. In point of dandyism, however, the Sqnire 

 of Billing was not '^ in the hunt '^ with a Mr. Small, 

 whose great object in life seems to have been to act the 

 " Beau.^^ He wore a round-crowned hat, fitting him like 

 a hunting-cap ; a pepper-and-salt coat ; leather breeches, 

 beautifully cleaned, buttoning high above the boot; boots 

 like polished ebony, very short tops ; and narrow leather 

 garters with small silver buckles. He was no less 

 particular about the appearance of his horses, his bits 

 and stirrups being most highly polished. He had two 

 black mares exactly alike ; both had their ears cropped 

 and he rode each in a martingale. His saddle was old- 

 i'ashioned, the pommel low and back, and the panels of 

 plush. Whenever his horses travelled, he had stuffed pads 

 to hang on the pillar of the stall, to prevent any chafing 

 of the hips. Sir Charles Knightley's only rival in point of 

 horsemanship and sporting-appearance when 7nou7ited, was 

 Mr. Davy, who resided alternately at Spratton, Pitsford, 

 and Duston. Tall, sHm, and exceedingly neat in his attire, 

 he possessed the advantage of good hands and seat ; 

 and was so active that he would jump into the saddle 

 with his horse at full gallop. Mr. Nethercote, noted for 

 his eye to hounds, and his quiet and determined style of 

 ridiug, was always in a good place when hounds were 

 running, and made an excellent pilot for any stranger 

 who wished to see what was going on. This gentle- 

 man is referred to by a writer in the Sporting Magazine 

 of 184G, who, quoting from one who was present on 



