156 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present. 



like curl — and the determined riding of another farmer 

 of the Pytchley Hunt, Sam Pell of Ecton. To see him 

 at the Meet, the men who knew him not would say that 

 he was no strict observer of the formularies of the 

 Rechabites and that it was evident that in his opinion it 

 was not required of any man " always to come home to 

 tea." The stranger who had gauged his habits thus, and 

 a little later had seen him go to hounds, must have 

 confessed that abstinence is not always the best policy, 

 where nerve is required. No one liked a big place better 

 or more quickly made up his mind where it was most 

 negotiable ; few farmers had a better class of horse or 

 more completely repudiated the "lardy dardy'"* style of 

 riding them : but his " form ^' across country was rather 

 that of valour than of its better part — discretion. Of 

 prudence he knew nothing or but very little, and before 

 the end of " a real good thing " he had but too often 

 come to grief over some all but impracticable place. 



Bright and joyous in speech and manner, he ever 

 seemed, when at the cover-side, as if he had not a care 

 in the world; but *' post equitem sedet atra cura^^ and it 

 was not to be expected that even he had at all times the 

 saddle all to himself. In spite of air, exercise and a 

 healthful calling, when still in the prime of life he was 

 fain to obey the irresistible summons, and the P.H. lost 

 from amongst its followers one who was looked upon as 

 a good specimen of the hard-riding Farmer. 



Hugging themselves under the anticipation of a long 

 continuance of a Mastership they thoroughly appreciated, 

 the members of the Hunt were struck with dismay and 

 regret when it became known that Lord Alford from 

 delicacy of health had become necessitated to discontinue 



