114 ^^^^ Pytchley Httnt, Past and Present, [chap. iv. 



Mr. George Payne — with " Smith ^^ from the Brocklesby 

 country as his huntsman, andJohnson and Ned Kingsbury 

 for whips, assumed the direction of affairs. A more 

 absolutely unsuccessful or unpopular huntsman than 

 the one imported by Sir F. Goodricke never issued out 

 of the Brixworth kennels ; and the Master himself nob 

 having the knack of making himself liked, the new 

 management only just outlasted two seasons. 



At this particular period, dropping for a brief space 

 like a meteor upon the Pytchley meets, appeared a figure 

 which might truthfully be said to have been the cynosure 

 of all eyes. Many a Hunt has had the honour of wel- 

 coming at its meet a mounted empress and a mounted 

 prince, but to the P.H. alone has it been granted to 

 number amongst its " field ^' a mounted pauper in the 

 actual receipt of out-door relief from the Guardians of a 

 County-Union ! 



Mounted on an aged and dilapidated-looking bay horse, 

 how procured no one knew, and wearing on the place 

 where his nose used to grow, a square of plaister, this 

 sporting item of impecuniosity became the observed of 

 all observers. The " get-up " of this attractive member 

 of the field was strictly in accord with his social monetary 

 position, and with the aspect and demeanour of his steed. 

 Booted and breeched, it would have been difficult to 

 assign a date for the original construction of either of 

 these garments, but their antiquity did not exceed that 

 of the tall and glistening hat. Literally as well as 

 metaphorically, this was the crowning feature of the 

 whole. To take a slight liberty with a popular song of 

 the day, it may be said that — 



