MR. J. COUPLAND 353 



chain of coverts as far as Launde Wood, which was 

 reached in about fifty minutes. Forcing him out of the 

 covert, they swung to the right, and bearing round by 

 Loddington, clashed with Sir Bache Cunard's hounds, 

 which were also running hard, the two packs going on 

 for some distance under the leadership of Lord Lons- 

 dale ; but so many foxes were on foot that presently 

 hounds were whipped off. 



The close of the season 1883-84 saw the end of the 

 successful mastership of Mr. Coupland, and so much had 

 his efforts to show sport been appreciated, that it was at 

 once resolved to present him with a testimonial. The 

 subscription was limited to £$, and the circular was 

 signed by the Duke of Portland, Lord Wilton, and the 

 Hon. Mr. Curzon, M.P. ; and when the Ouorn met at 

 Mr. Ernest Chaplin's house, Brooksby Hall, on Friday, 

 January 30, advantage was taken of the occasion to 

 present Mr. Coupland with a silver dinner-service. 



In April 1884 a meeting of the Hunt was held at the 

 Bell Hotel, Leicester, to consider what was to be done 

 in the way of finding a successor. It appeared that one 

 offer only had been received, and that was from Lord 

 Manners. His lordship's terms were that the kennels at 

 Quorn should be put into proper repair ; that he should 

 have a subscription of ^2500 a year; and that there 

 should be a covert fund of ^"1500 a year, under the 

 control of a committee appointed for that purpose, 

 who would pay covert rents, damages, poultry bill, &c. 

 Lord Manners confessed that he would rather have 

 the disbursing of the covert fund in his own hands, 

 but, understanding that the feeling of the committee 

 ran in an opposite direction, he would not press it, 

 and, on the proposition of Lord Wilton, the offer was 

 accepted. 



Mr. Knight made a somewhat practical suggestion, 

 that there should be a special fund to provide for 



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