SIR RICHARD SUTTON 229 



fox was marked to ground. The only person who was within 

 half-a-dozen fields of the pack after the first ten minutes was 

 Mr. Edward Cheney, who was " warmly congratulated by Sir 

 Richard on his attempt to catch the hounds." 



The close of December 1849 brought with it more 

 good sport, as among others the hounds had a run of 

 over two hours, and it was fast, time and distance being 

 taken into account. The season 1S49 50 was brought 

 to an end with a good run of about an hour and ten 

 minutes ; and an informal dinner, at which about fifty or 

 sixty members of the Hunt attended, took place at the 

 King's Head, Loughborough. 



During the season 1849-50, when the hounds met 

 at Ratcliffe, "two moustached and military-looking 

 men " were seen at Cossington Gorse, and were at first 

 thought to be a couple of officers from Weedon. They 

 went fairly well through the not very long or fast runs 

 which comprised the day's sport, and then repaired to 

 Syston Station, ordered brandy and water and some- 

 thing to eat, wrapped themselves in fur coats, and 

 departed by train. The landlord, struck by their foreign 

 accent and appearance, was curious as to their identity, 

 and one of them proved to be Louis Napoleon, two 

 years later Prince President of the Republic, and sub- 

 sequently Emperor. 



The season of 1850-51, besides being enlivened with 

 much good sport, is noteworthy for a run with a point 

 of twenty miles. 



Hounds met at Ratcliffe on Friday 27th December 1850, that 

 being their first day out since the frost which had kept hounds in 

 kennel for a week or more. Cossington Gorse held " the best 

 and gamest fox that ever crossed Leicestershire." After going over 

 the Foss road the hounds overran the scent, and a slight check 

 ensued. On the line being recovered away went the hounds 

 towards Thrussington village, and then away for Ragdalc. 

 Turning a little to the right the fox headed for Hoby, and Six 

 Hills was soon sighted ; and then the line la}' away for Schoby 



