1 88 The Pytchley Hunt, Past arid Present. 



Mr. Craven again fell into the ranks, and in spite of the 

 nine long miles between his own house and Brixworth, 

 never failed in keeping time at the Meets or in attending 

 to his duties at the kennels. After a while the distance 

 from his work, the wear and tear of long rides to cover, 

 and the longer journeys home, proved more than he 

 cared to encounter ; and after three years of office he 

 signified his intention of giving up his post. Few persons 

 in the course of three years, by unfailing courtesy to all, 

 and a determination to carry out every arrangement in a 

 spirit of thoroughness and liberality, had more raised 

 himself in the good opinion of all hunting-men, and it 

 was with no little regret that the news of his resignation 

 was received. 



LOED SPENCER. 



On the Mastership of the Pytchley Hunt again 

 becoming vacant, nothing could be more in accordance 

 with the fitness of things, than that the post should be 

 filled by a member of that noble house which had already 

 occupied it three times, and whose name was sufficient to 

 impart to it an eclat scarcely to be expected from any 

 other quarter. ''The hour''' had arrived, and happily 

 not without " the man.'' A fourth Lord Spencer was 

 ready and willing to undertake an office which had been 

 held by three of his ancestors, and which seemed as if it 

 ought to constitute a part of the appanage of the Althorp 

 establishment. Universal was the satisfaction caused by 

 the announcement that Lord Spencer was willing to take 



