42 



the same time kept us at a safe distance. "We then proceeded home, 

 and I thought it best to do so, as I perceived that hunting under such 

 circumstances had become impossible. (Hear, hear.) 1 next con- 

 sidered it my duty to call this meeting, and to return to you the 

 trust you placed in my hands, now over eleven years ago, of hunting 

 this country. I have held the position of Master of the Hounds here 

 during that time, and endeavoured to give you sport, and to keep up 

 that splendid old sport of foxhunting in this neighbourhood. (Hear, 

 hear, and applause.) I took it up shortly after the death of my 

 father, and continued it till the death of our dear old friend Henry 

 Briscoe, whose funeral we attended with so much sorrow yesterday, 

 who had shown us such sport in this country ; and, long after this 

 generation has passed awaj^ his name will be remembered and kept 

 alive as that of a fine old Irish sportsman. (Hear, and applause.) It 

 is a singularly curious thing that he should have passed away on the 

 very day after the death-knell of his favourite sport that he loved so 

 well had been sounded in the country. (Hear, hear.) Passing from 

 that I will now say a word on what stares me plainly in the face, but 

 which I must meet much against my will, and that is to give over 

 hunting. I do so with deep regret and with strong reluctance, not) 

 I assure you, so much on my own account as on account of the many 

 poor people that will be thrown out of employment, and for the sake 

 of those many and dear friends that have shared with me for so many 

 years the pleasures of the chase, and from whom I have received so 

 much kindness and support. For myself I feel it the more on account 

 of the many ties it will sever, and also for the fact that it will put 

 down the splendid old system that was so long maintained — the 

 splendid old sport of foxhunting— in this part of the country ; a 

 sport which I may say has been the mainspring of social life amongst 

 us. (Hear, hear.) I say this is my chief sorrow, because I consider 

 that hunting would be, from the present state of the country, any- 

 thing but pleasant occupation during this winter, and, so far as I 

 can see, for some time to time ; for it is impossible to carry on the 

 sport of foxhunting except you be supported by the united efforts 

 and consent of every class in the country. (Hear, hear ) 



" Gentlemen, I can only say I shall carry away with me many 

 recollections of the happy meetings we have had, and in the words of 

 the Kilkenny hunting song. 



Good sport I have bad, 



Good fellows I've met. 



(Applause.) I now beg to say that with regard to the hounds, I 

 shall not be able to sell them till the spring of the year, and I shall 

 be happy — if you think there will be any possibility of continuing 

 the sport from time to time among yourselves— I shall be most happy 

 to hand you over a pack of hounds, and give you every support in 

 my power. I return you, again and again, my most sincere thanks 

 for the kindness and support you have bestowed on me, and now beg 

 to tender you my resignation. (Applause.) 



