1 1 2 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present, [chap. iv. 



CHAPTER lY. 



Me. T. "Gentleman" Smith, Master, 1840— Sir Feancis H. 

 G00DEICE.E, Masiei% 1842-44 — The Brixworth Sporting-Pauper 

 —Me. Geoege Payne, Master, 1844-48 — Mr. Bouverie and 

 Mr. C. C. P. Greville, his turf-confederates — '* Alarm," " Speed 

 the Plough," and "West Australian "—Whist-plajing, 1836— 

 Lord De Eos accused of cheating ; and his action for slander — Mr. 

 Payne a witness ; his cross-examination — Sir W. Ingilby, a 

 ■witness — Lord Alvanley's bon-mot — Mr. Payne's avidity for 

 speculation ; one in tallow — " Dirty Dick " — Fatal accidents in 

 the hunting-field to Mr. Sawbridge and Lord Inverury — Mr. 

 Payne, a good host — His iron constitution — Warm affection for 

 his sisters and brother — Letter to Mr. ISTethercote on the latter 's 

 death — A regular church-attendant — A good " whip " — Sam 

 Daniel, J. Harris, J. Meecher, Davis, and Jem Pearson, popular 

 coachmen, till ruined by railways — An inebriated horse — Mr. 

 Payne and his brother, bad cricketers — Excellence of the Korth- 

 amptonshire Cricket Club — Mr. Payne a skilful pugilist, and a 

 patron of the P.R. — Presentation of a silver Epergne — Resigns 

 the Mastership, 1848, and retires from the hunting-field — His 

 death — Song in his honour by a Northamptonshire farmer. 



After tlie resignation of Lord Chesterfield, the Pytchley 

 country went a-begging for several months, and it was 

 not until late in the season that Mr. T. " Gentleman '' 

 Smith of the Craven Hunt was induced by the liberality 

 of Lord Cardigan to assume the Mastership. It was no 

 light matter to follow such a prince as the Lord of Bretby 

 in such a country as the Pytchley ; but confident in his 

 ability to show sport, Mr. Smith ventured upon the 

 responsibility of getting an establishment together. The 

 new chief was preceded by a great reputation acquired 



