OD' 



2 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present, 



Valued by their ducal masters as old and faithful ser- 

 vants, esteemed by all who knew them, and held in 

 especial honour by all North Pytchley men as model 

 keepers ; it may be said of them that their lot, unlike 

 that of the policeman in the play, has been not only a 

 happy one, but one offering an example to all similarly 

 circumstanced with themselves. Happy, too, the Hunt, 

 which, at a crucial point of its country, possesses such 

 loyal friends and true. 



THE EARL OF CARDIGAN. 



Next in rank as a Woodland potentate and hunting- 

 man, — whose name must for all time be associated with 

 that memorable mistake the Balaclava Charge — comes 

 James Thomas, seventh Earl of Cardigan. 



Living at Deane Park, one of the most charming places 

 in East Northamptonshire, Lord Brudenell entered early 

 into the pursuits of country-life, especially those of hunt- 

 ing and shooting. A born soldier and oflScer of Cavalry, 

 he entered the 8th Hussars, from which he, as years 

 went on, was transferred as Lieutenant-Colonel to the 11th 

 Hussars ; which regiment he brought into a high state of 

 efficiency and notoriety. The unfortunate ^* Black-bottled 

 Reynolds '^ incident, the duel with Captain Tucker and 

 the consequent trial, kept the noble lord's name full 

 before the public; a phase of life which at no time 

 was especially distasteful to him. 



Having previously represented Marlborough and 

 Fowey in Parliament, in 1831 he became one of the 

 representatives for the north division of his native county 



