50 



North Pytchley, and Lord Waterford lent them to him for the 

 remainder of the season, and first-rate sport they showed the 

 Englishmen. 



In the summer of 1882 a meeting was held in Waterford to consider 

 the advisability of resuming hunting. At it everj^one expressed the 

 wish that Lord Waterford should remain at Curraghmore and continue 

 as heretofore, but this his lordship steadfastly refused to do, but 

 offered to lend the gentry his pack of bitches, which had been 

 returned, and to give £500 a year towards the hunting if the gentry 

 would undertake it. 



There were different opinions expressed by those present as 

 to resuming unless Lord Waterford partook in the sport as of old. 

 Many said that they would not hunt in Waterford again as long as 

 his lordship was prevented, but that they would subscribe to the 

 Hunt for the sake of sport ; others said they would neither hunt nor 

 subscribe, as doing so meant disrespect to the nobleman who had so 

 long and magnificently maintained the sport, and who had received 

 disgraceful treatment ; others were willing to try what could be done, 

 at all events for a time. 



Lord Waterford, in a fine sporting speech, impressed upon all 

 present that it was his particular wish that another attempt to hunt 

 should at all events be made, and that while he appreciated the 

 fine feeling which actuated those present in their expressions regard- 

 ing the resumption of the sport, he would personally wish to see the 

 hunting go on, even though he would not partake in it. 



After a very lengthened discussion it was finally agreed to begin 

 hunting again, but this decision was arrived at only after Lord 

 Waterford's emphatic request that the attempt should be made. 



Mr. Thomas Springfield was chosen Master, it being deemed more 

 politic to elect a gentleman unconnected with the country than one 

 of long residence therein. 



The stables and kennels at Tinvane were then put into repair, and 

 the hounds and horses were moved thereto from Curraghmore. 



Will Rawle, who had been first whip to Lord Waterford for some 

 of the last seasons, was appointed huntsman, with Charles Kennett 

 and Charles Fleming to whip in to him. 



Thus did the Curraghmore again lapse into a subscription pack 

 with " field-money." Their hunting days were reduced from four and 

 five to two a week. 



Mr. Springfield turned out his servants smartly, and mounted them 

 'well. His meets were, however, a lamentable contrast in point of 

 numbers to those we were accustomed to in Lord Waterford's time. 

 Those gentlemen who at the meeting expressed their determination 

 never to hunt except with Lord Waterford adhered thereto, and 

 many others followed their example. 



Directly hunting recommenced, so did opposition thereto manifest 

 itself. 



