1 32 The Pytchley Httnt^ Past and Present, [chap. iv. 



and a tablet in Brixworth churcli {tlie oldest church in 

 England) records the simple fact of his lying near that 

 spot. Rarely has a fatal accident in the hunting-field 

 created a greater gloom than this. Beloved in his regi- 

 ment — a universal favourite — a keen sportsman, and a 

 bold rider, brightness followed him wherever he went. It 

 was hard to realize the stern fact that such a one as he, 

 in full fruition of health, youth, position and popularity^ 

 had passed from among us for ever. At Harrow with 

 him, though much his senior, the narrator of this sad 

 event well remembers the eagerness with which the 

 juvenile sportsman sought to become a member of the 

 " H.H.^' or " Harrow Hunt," for which his place in the 

 school had rendered him for a time ineligible. The 

 '' H.H.'^ here spoken of closely resembles a famous Hunt 

 in one respect only, namely its initials ; but it is doubt- 

 ful if the yoang Harrovians did not derive as much 

 pleasure in the illegitimate pursuit of the rarely- found 

 hare, as did the older Hambledonians in that of Reynard 

 himself. H. Roy ston_, afterwards a well-known cricketer 

 and bowler for the '^ M.C.C.,^^ was Huntsman to the 

 Harrow hounds ; whilst to his unbounded delight, the 

 young Scotch lord was appointed to the coveted office 

 of first (and only) Whip. As the thoughts of the past 

 arose before him, Charles Lamb's touching lines, — 



" My sprightly schoolmate gone before 

 To that unknown and silent shore, 

 Shall we not meet as heretofore, 

 Some summer morning P " 



knocked loudly at the heart of the sur\'iving Harrovian, 

 who, by a few minutes only, escaped witnessing the death 

 of his old schoolfellow. 



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