622 The late Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart, JI.P. 
days a week, at his own expense, until the day of his death. 
He was exceedingly keen and fond of the sport, and perhaps 
no hunting establishment in the kingdom was conducted iii 
a more princely manner than was his. His hounds, under 
the management of John Walker, and subsequently Charles 
Payne, both masters of their calling, were brought to a won- 
derful state of perfection ; and a few years ago it would have 
been hard to match the magnificent stud of weight-carrying 
hunters that stood in the Wynnstay stables. Many and many 
a time did their keen owner hunt all day, go up to London 
at night to attend to his Parliamentary duties, and return by an 
early train next morning to meet his hounds again. Although 
we do not find Sir Watkin's name as an active supporter 
of the Turf, he inherited some mares from his father ; but a 
search through the Calendars does not show that he had much 
taste for racing. He was, however, a member of the Jockej-- 
Club, and entertained a party for Chester and Shrewsbury Races 
every year. He also took the greatest interest in the \Vynnstay 
Hunt Meeting, held on a beautiful course at Bangor Iscoed, and 
he annually gave a handsome sum to the Farmers' Races and 
personally wielded the starter's flag. In the hunting-field he 
was quiet and good-humoured, and loved to chat with his 
friends and hear the latest " legend." The writer of this 
Memoir, who has hunted with him for many years, never heard 
him make use of bad language, which gives more piquancy to 
the anecdote told of his visit to a brother M.F.H. After 
hunting, Sir Watkin said to his host, " Why do you let the 
field ride over your hounds so ?" " Don't they do so with 
yours? ' was the reply. "]No," said Sir Watkin. " How do you 
prevent them ? " was the rejoinder. " I am sarcastic," answered 
the baronet, " What do you say to them ? " asked his noble 
host. (After a pause), " I d — n them." 
Perhaps the severest thing Sir Watkin uttered in the bunting 
field was upon one occasion, when he told a deaf groom (whom 
he had been calling back, and whose infirmity prevented his 
hearing) he had " better stay at home and cure bacon." He 
had a most extraordinary memory and fund of information on 
almost any subject. His acquaintance with the minutest details 
of everything in his own neighbourhood and county were 
astonishing. He took the greatest interest in all matters con- 
nected with his tenantry, and had an intimate knowledge of the 
minutia? of his estate affairs. 
His properties, principally in Denbighshire, Merionethshire, 
and Montgomeryshire, extended to about 150,000 acres, and no 
tenants were more happy, prosperous, or contented with their 
lot than Sir Watkin's. In him they had a fair-dealing, just, 
