88 HOSPITALITIES AT SPYE PARK. 



many hounds from my kennel, and when I had 

 any of smaller size to suit his standard, I gene- 

 rally sent them to him. This favour he often re- 

 turned, by picking up here and there in his travels 

 during the summer a big young hound or two, too 

 large for other packs ; and one particularly I re- 

 member he brought home for me sixty miles in a 

 post -chaise. This act alone is characteristic of the 

 feelings by which he was actuated towards his 

 friends ; for a more kind, warm-hearted man 

 never existed than Will Codrington. In the field 

 he had a most able assistant in Jem Treadwell, 

 who, when his master parted with his hounds, lived 

 as huntsman for many years to Mr. Parqu arson, 

 until he also resigned his post as Master of the 

 Dorsetshire Hunt. 



We often met at the hospitable board of his 

 brother-in-law, John Starkey, of Spye Park, an ex- 

 cellent sportsman, as well as most entertaining 

 host, with an almost inexhaustible fund of anec- 

 dotes derived from John Ward, with whom he 

 had lived on very intimate terms whilst hunting in 

 the Craven country, for several seasons, previously 

 to residing at Spye Park. This was my half-way 

 house, whenever our appointments were made 

 for that district ; a bed was always provided for 

 me, and a most hearty welcome ; and when calling 



