244 ^^^^ Pytchley Himt, Past and Present, 



Begging with the pertinacity of a professional mendicant, 

 and with an energy all his own, the Squire of the parish, 

 like the leeches daughter, ceased not to cry " give, give," 

 until he had carried the object so dear to his heart, and 

 so desirable in every respect. Times may fail to improve ; 

 the cloud now overhanging the landed interest may 

 grow darker and more dark ; the old country Squire 

 may go under socially and pecuniously, but the good that 

 he has done will live after him. To the owner of " The 

 Woollies," come what may, there will always be the 

 comfort to take to heart, namely, that in all the 

 changes of the mortal life of the little village of Kaseby, 

 the name of ^^ Ashby " will ever be remembered and 

 identified with that of its most kindly neighbour, friend, 

 and benefactor. 



MR. AMBROSE ISTED. 



For upwards of sixty years few figures were better 

 known at a Meet of the Pytchley Hounds than that of 

 *^ Squire Isted " of Ecton. Possessing a striking presence 

 and peculiarly pleasing and aristocratic features, few 

 strangers would fail to inquire who the well-mounted man, 

 ^all over a sportsman " and " every inch a gentleman/' 

 might be. 



Born deaf and dumb, unable as he was wont to say of 

 himself to hear the report of a cannon if let off close to 

 his ear, so cheerful was he in manner and aspect, that 

 none could tell how much or how little he was affected by 

 loss of speech and hearing. 



Twice happily married ; possessed of a good estate, 



