Records of the Old Charlton Hunt 



and horses of my own," and, in spite of Sir William's 

 remonstrances, had kennels and stables built on the Downs, 

 near Waltham, called Twines (afterwards used by Lord 

 Egremont as racing stables), and even condescended to send 

 down first-rate cooks to tempt the Sussex gentlemen with 

 a sumptuous breakfast ; but they were faithful in their 

 allegiance to Charlton, and after a few years' vain endeavour 

 to carry his point, his Grace gave away his hounds, and 

 left the field in disgust. 



We have now to record the death of the old Squire, 

 Mt. Roper, who so long had had the management of the 

 Charlton Pack, and had brought it to such perfection : 

 sportsman to the last, he had ridden with the hounds to 

 Findon, but, just at the find, dropped down lifeless on the 

 field, at the advanced age of 84. By his death, the hounds 

 became the sole property of the Duke of Bolton, who for a 

 short time devoted himself to Charlton ; but the attractions 

 of his second Duchess, Lavinia Fenton (the original Polly 

 of the Beggar's Opera), eventually drew him away from 

 Charlton altogether, and on his retirement, he gave the 

 Hounds to the second Duke of Richmond, who assumed the 

 entire management, assisted by Lord Delawarr, and having 

 for huntsman the redoubted Tom Johnson, so well known 

 with the Pack. The Hunt, in their hands, assumed an 

 importance and regularity scarce before known : every 

 morning a hundred horses were led out, each with his 

 attendant groom in the Charlton livery of blue, with gold 

 cord and tassels to their caps. Lords and Ladies continued 

 to flock to Charlton in the hunting season ; and the new 

 Master, the Duke of Richmond, in 1732, built the house, 

 still remaining, where he and the Duchess slept, to be ready 



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