EARL OF LONSDALE 385 



with a flower vase in the centre. On the pedestal were engraven 

 Mr. Cradock's crest and an inscription, while at intervals round 

 the base were frosted silver figures — a fox and cub, a fox 

 breaking covert, and a hound in hot pursuit. 



So far as I can understand, the above appears to have been 

 a private testimonial from the Sutton family, but seven years 

 later, that is to say, in 1863, Mr. Cradock's good offices to the 

 Hunt were recognised by the members at large. On April 10, 

 1863, about thirty of the subscribers to the testimonial dined at 

 the King's Head, Loughborough, Mr. W. P. Herrick being in 

 the chair. The chairman spoke in terms of the highest respect 

 of Mr. Cradock's father and brother, and duly made the presen- 

 tation. The testimonial, which consisted of plate of the value of 

 200 guineas, comprised a large silver salver, two pairs of candle- 

 sticks, and a pair of fruit and flower stands, an inscription stating 

 that the testimonial was offered by members of the Hunt in 

 testimony of their appreciation of his zealous and gratuitous 

 services as secretary and treasurer of the Hunt for a period of 

 upwards of twenty-three years. 



The official connection of one family with a Hunt for so long 

 a time, save in the case of the mastership of family packs, is, we 

 should say, almost unique. For upwards of a hundred years — 

 there may have been an interval — has the Cradock family per- 

 formed yeoman service to the Quorn Hunt, and the function 

 of 1898 is remarkable for the fact that it made the fourth testi- 

 monial presented to the family, while had Mr. John Cradock the 

 second lived a little longer his merits would certainly have been 

 recognised in similar fashion. 



In the autumn of 1896 Lord Lonsdale threatened to 

 resign the country, but ultimately consented to continue 

 in office. In 1898, however, the end came, and Captain 

 E. Burns Hartopp was appointed his successor. 



2 B 



