CHAPTER III 



THE HISTORICALL ACCOUNT OF THE 

 RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE 

 CHARLTON CONGRESS 



On the fly-leaf of the curious old manuscript book from 

 which the following poem is taken are written the words : — 



" This was brought to me by a Porter in the beginning 

 of February 1737. R." 



The note is in the Duke's handwriting, but there is no 

 indication anywhere throughout the Hunt Records as to the 

 authorship of the verses. 



They explain themselves. Commencing with a rather 

 flowery description of the surroundings of Charlton, the 

 writer goes on to tell us how the Goddess of the Chase herself 

 selected this locahty as an ideal one in which to establish 

 the Headquarters of the Fox-hunting World ; how she 

 proceeded forthwith to stock the hills and dales with 



" Foxes brought from Northern climes," 



" and Secretly turn'd out, by her command " — 



— (rather a shady transaction, one would think, for a Goddess 

 to be mixed up in !) — however, this done, we learn that 



" then her thoughts were where to choose her band," 



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