144 T^^*^ Pytchley Hunt, Past and Pi^csent. [chap.iv. 



bauds. For two seasons it was hired by the Duke of 

 Montrose, and was afterwards purchased by the Hon. 

 Frederick and Lady Elizabeth Villiers, in whose posses- 

 sion it reuiained after the death of her husband. That 

 Sulby should be connected with any other name than 

 that of " Payne ^' did no little violence to the feelings of 

 the many worshippers of the late owner, and the rough- 

 handed villagers who had so joyfully picked up the 

 almost red-hot shillings and half-crowns that were 

 thrown about on the celebration of his '^ coming of age/^ 

 could scarcely believe that the beloved squire had left 

 his old home for good and all. The name of a contem- 

 porary, well known in the annals of the county's bunting 

 and social life, ''^Mr. Hungerford/' has likewise passed 

 away, and the fine old Hall at Dingley, the one-time 

 hunting-seat of James the First, no longer recognizes a 

 Hungerford as its lord and master. Long connected by 

 ties of the most intimate friendship, the owners of Sulby 

 and Dingley were equally reckless in their expenditure, 

 and in the end the same fate awaited either property. 

 Happy is it for the interests of the '^ P.H.'' that the 

 latter should have fallen into the hands of so excellent 

 a sportsman, and so popular a nobleman, as Viscount 

 Downe. 



In the March of 1846, Mr. Payne was presented with 

 a magnificent silver epergne, three feet six inches in 

 height, and five hundred ounces in weight, upon the base 

 of which he is portrayed under a tree, holding up over 

 his hounds the fox which tbey had just run into. The 

 following words were inscribed upon one of its sides: 

 " Presented to George Payne, Esq., of Sulby Hall, by six 

 hundred farmers, tradesmen and others, as a testimonial 



