1 1 6 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present, [chap. iv. 



liave arrived at the conclusion that in the matter of 

 out-door relief a line should be drawn somewhere. A 

 proposal made by the chairman of the board that it 

 should be drawn at hunting, was put to the meeting 

 and carried, nem. con. From that time, such hunting 

 as fell to the lot of poor ^^ Nosey " was done upon 

 two legs instead of four, and he had to realize from 

 experience the bitter fact that — 



" Them as is rich, they rides in chaises ; 

 Them as is poor must walk like blazes.'' 



Hat, boots, and breeches, were still retained as an appro- 

 priate costume for such hunting as might be had on foot, 

 but the gallant old " Ratepayer " was taken to the kennels 

 and converted into a dainty dish to set before the hounds. 

 Few will be found to deny that the remarkable individual 

 just referred to successfully accomplished a feat without 

 parallel in the history of his country. To hunt for ever 

 so short a time at the expense of the payer of rates 

 is an achievement of which any man may well be proud. 

 This story may arouse the incredulity of some who read 

 these pages, but fortunately for the narrator, many still 

 survive who remember the noseless and impecunious 

 sportsman, and can vouch for its accuracy. 



Should it chance to meet the eye of the Rev. W. Bury, 

 the present energetic Chairman of the Brixworth Board, 

 or that of his ^' Fidus Achates," Mr. Albert Pell, they 

 will wonder of what material Guardians could have been 

 fashioned some five-and-forty years ago ; taking comfort 

 from the sure and certain feeling that in this our day the 

 pauper is as likely to get relief en horseback as he is on 

 foot, unless he walks into the '^ House.'^ 



Upon the relinquishment of the reins of office by Sir 



