2 1 6 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present, 



mare lie is riding is not without her interest, though only 

 a nominal one, at the particular date (July, 1886) at 

 which these lines are being written. On seeing a friend 

 upon her_, soon after his first Yiceroyalty, he inquired 

 how she was bred ; and on hearing that she was by 

 '^ Irish Statesman/' demanded her name. " Home Rule/' 

 was the owner's reply. '^ Not at all a good one, either,'' 

 said Ireland's late Lord- Lieutenant : " no Irish Statesman 

 would have anything to do with Home Rule." " I have 

 changed the mare's name, as you didn't like the old one," 

 said Mr. N. a little later on. ^^ And what do you call her 

 now ? " " Misrule " was the answer. *^ That is a much 

 more appropriate title," was the remark of the ex- 

 Yiceroy. And soon after the animal passed into the 

 Althorp stables, where she still is a standing memento 

 how teiYi'pwa mutanUirj nos et mutamur in illis. 



Most interesting some day will it be to read the letters 

 of one of L'eland's most efiicient Lord-Lieutenants, 

 written in one of her most stormy periods. In an epistle 

 bearing date October, 1882, the writer, referring to some 

 gallops he has heard of with his old hounds, says, ^^ Alas I 

 those pleasant times seem past and gone, when a deep 

 ride in Loatland Wood did not repress one's keen 

 anticipation of a burst over those grass-fields alongside 

 the brook. But they are pleasant to think and talk 

 about, and will be so as long as one lives. We hope for 

 a quiet winter, but I have plenty of trouble and worry 

 still. The question among gentlemen now is *^Will 

 hunting be possible where it was stopped last winter? 

 It hangs in the balance, but I fancy that with judicious 

 treatment the chase will win. It goes on capitally in 

 Meath, and with the Ward Union, but I dare not 



