MR. J. COUPLAND 331 



wrote, in a speech of good honest Leicestershire by a 

 patriarchal earth-stopper. In accepting it, the master 

 of the Ouorn returned thanks for the very handsome 

 testimonial presented to him by keepers and earth- 

 stoppers of the Ouorn Hunt in the following words : — 



I beg most sincerely to thank you, and I appreciate your 

 gift far more than I can express, especially as I am told how 

 great a number have subscribed to it. If we look back to three 

 years ago, when there was scarcely a fox on this side of the 

 country, I think we may certainly congratulate ourselves that 

 your efforts to assist the fine sport of fox-hunting have been a 

 complete success, and that this is the finest country in England. 

 It has been said, I believe, that I have turned down foxes this 

 year, but I appeal to the keepers and earth-stoppers now present 

 if that is the case. I am not aware that a single fox has been 

 turned down this year in this country, and the fine show we 

 now have to go on with is the result of your exertions, coupled 

 with the assistance the farmers have kindly afforded, and I ven- 

 ture to take this opportunity of thanking them most sincerely for 

 all that they have done on my behalf to assist our sport. 



In the February of 1874 the huntsman of the Ouorn 

 met with an accident, as in jumping a brook he strained 

 the muscles of his back, reviving an injury he received 

 in the previous year. In the same month hounds were 

 running hard after their fox on the flat near Hoby, when 

 they suddenly came to a full stop at what was once 

 Hoby Mill. Like otter-hounds, the pack took to the 

 water and swam to the other side of the river, while 

 at the same time Mr. Tomkinson and Captain Smith, 

 seeing no better way across, led their horses over a 

 plank bridge, reaching the other side in safety. After 

 them came Lord Grey de Wilton, Mr. G. Moore, and 

 a hard-riding clergyman. They followed one another 

 pretty closely, and their united weight proving too heavy 

 for the fragile bridge it gave way beneath them ; the side 

 railing broke away, and Lord Wilton was knocked over, 



