Mr, W. H. Foster, 



277 



quainted with the habits of stock, likely to make the 

 mistake of a less well-iuformed clergyman, who, preaching 

 upon the parable of the Prodigal Son, assured his hearers 

 *' that in the fulness of his joy the father killed the fatted 

 calf that had been a favourite in the family for many 

 years " ! 



Long may this model holder of a bi-fold office get his 

 bi-weekly gallop with Quorn and Pytchley ! May many 

 a year pass away ere fresh experiences lead the inhabi- 

 tants of Arthingworth to say, " Things aren't as they were 

 in the good old Rector's time, when he or some of the 

 family would come in and see that our fires weren't out 

 for want of a bit o' coal, and that there was a bit o' 

 summut in the cupboard for our supper." 



MR. W. H. FOSTER. 



In the adjoining parish of Spratton there lives, at 

 Spratton Grange, Mr. W. H. Foster, late M.P. for 

 Bridgenorth — a borough now sharing the fate of " old 

 Sarum," but at one time so decided in its political bias as 

 to have given rise to the saying, " All on one side, like the 

 Bridgenorth election." The village is fortunate enough 

 to have secured a '' Squire," to whom the duties of his 

 position are the paramount consideration, and after them 

 the indulgence of his ruling passion — " fox-hunting." 



It is easy to say that any one could ride such horses as 

 those upon which Mr. Foster is seen, but if the heart be 

 not in the right place the animal availeth little. Nor are 

 his horses always of the most " confidential " sort. Many 

 a " youngster " has to find out that there is '^ a man on 

 his back " before he will attempt the still post and rail 



