45 



among them and tried to do his duty well, and he had pleasure in 

 being present to see this great and influential meeting, and to add 

 his mite to the general expression of good feeling by seconding the 

 resolution. 



" The Chairman said in putting this resolution : I should like to 

 say a few words. You are all aware I cannot make a speech or 

 speak as a foxhunter ; but I should say from my old recollection, 

 and from my knowledge of foxhunting men, I should be exceedingly 

 sorry to see it abolished in this county ; and from the part I have 

 taken in such sports in days gone by, I can fully understand and 

 appreciate the feeling that has arisen, and will arise, toward those 

 who have been the cause of, and those who have taken part in, this 

 outrage. But I do not believe, I cannot believe, that the people of 

 the country generally would like to see such a proceeding repeated 

 as that which took place on Thursday last. (Hear, hear.) As to the 

 political events which are going on in the country, I believe they had 

 little to do with that outrage. I believe it must have been instigated 

 by others who brought the men who took part in it fi^om a distance 

 to perpetrate the outrage. I do not think Lord Waterford is wrong 

 in the course he has decided upon. After such an insult as was 

 offered to him, I do not think he could continue to hunt this country, 

 and therefore I think the members of the Hunt should accept his 

 resignation. You are a body of hunting gentlemen, and you know 

 what course to take, I think it would be a matter of deep regret to 

 see the Hunt permanently broken up ; but for one occasion the effect 

 must be good instead of bad ; it will open the eyes of the people to 

 the loss that would ensue upon the abolition of foxhunting in the 

 country. The farmer will feel it by the drop he will experience in 

 prices, and the horse-breeder will feel it in his business. I have 

 taken some part in hunting— a very small part— I have taken part in 

 it in this way, I have gone to see the chase, and took up a stand at 

 some point from which I could see a great deal of what was going on ; 

 I have been among the crowds, and have heard nothing but good 

 feeling towards the hunt and towards those that took part in it, and 

 I think it strange that all this good feeling should have changed, and 

 that it should have changed in a single year. (Hear, hear.) I do not 

 think it is the people of this neighbourhood that have done all this ; 

 but, if the people of the neighbourhood do not exert themselves to 

 prevent it, it must be taken for granted that they are parties to it. 

 (Hear, hear.) I shall now put the resolution. 



" The resolution was carried amid acclamation. 



" Mr. Lalor proposed the next resolution as follows : * That v/hilst 

 submitting to the justice of Lord Waterford's decision as to the 

 impossibility of carrying on at present the hunting of the country, 

 this meeting sincerely trusts that his lordship will not in any other 

 way sever his connection with their county, but will still continue at 

 this crisis to reside at Curraghmore.' My lord, it is my painful duty 



