THE AMALGAMATION.
The idea of amalgamating the College and the Oppidan packs of Beagles
was first mooted in 1864, but little came of it, probably owing to the
reluctance of College to renounce the undoubted advantages which it
possessed. A. J. Pound, the Master of the College Beagles in 1865 and
1866, was opposed to the scheme for reasons which he has shown in the
Journal Book of the College Beagles (pp. 223, 224). Towards the end
of the season of 1864, on March 16th to be exact, the Oppidan Beagles
invited the Master and Whips of their neighbours to their annual drag
at Salt Hill, where they partook of refreshments, liquid and solid.
During these Mr. E. Royds arose and proposed “That the two packs be
amalgamated.” These are the words which A. J. Pound has written in the
Journal Book, and which adequately express his view of the proposal:
“Mr. Pound seconded the motion, though much against the grain. It may be
well to make a few remarks here showing the advantages and disadvantages.
It may as well first be mentioned that it is almost a settled thing that
the two packs be amalgamated next year. The advantage of this arrangement
will be entirely on the side of the Oppidans, the increase of country
enabling them to hunt every day of the week, and good kennels in lieu of
their present ones. The disadvantages on the side of College, inasmuch as
the subscription being so much heavier than the present one, none will
care to join who do not try to ‘run to hounds,’ and in all probability
none, Colleger or Oppidan, who cannot ‘run to hounds’ will be allowed to
join. The great amusement of the Easter Half will be snatched away from
College, and we fear loafing will increase in a double proportion. Still
it is to be hoped that Collegers will try and hold their own against the
Oppidans in the amalgamated field, and we think all must see that this
step is a necessary one and cannot be prevented now that the amalgamation
has proceeded so far and Collegers are admitted to all the races. College
must go with the age, for the age will not go with College.”
The College Beagles had only two more days hunting and then Pound closed
the Journal for the season in the following way:
“May the E.C.H. never amalgamate, may the E.C.H. never enjoy worse
seasons than the two last, are the fervent prayers of Mr. Pound, who with
deep regret resigns his post of Master to Mr. Armitstead.”
The obvious reluctance of Pound to amalgamate and his bitter phrases
regarding the whole proposal certainly seem strange to us who live
in days when there is little if any difference between Collegers and
Oppidans (except brains). Perhaps he was angry at being, so to speak,
“cornered” at the Salt Hill refreshment table. Probably he was in a false
position. In 1864 the Collegers had been admitted to all School races,
and so were scarcely in a position to refuse flatly what was simply a
request of the Oppidans. In his entry many of his remarks seem somewhat
lacking in common sense. If there was an increase of country for the
Oppidans surely the same applied to the Collegers. Again it appears
selfish to grudge the Oppidans the use of the kennels, especially when
the combined pack would obviously be much improved by hounds from the
Oppidan pack.
Indeed his only real grievance seems to be that many Collegers would not
be allowed to run with the beagles and that others would not be willing
to do so owing to the increased subscription. There seems to have been
at the time a desire to keep the field very select, a membership of only
seventy boys being allowed. Perhaps the Head Master objected to many boys
being allowed to run. Or again perhaps the Masters considered themselves
unable to control a larger field. But it is at least peculiar that as
large a field as possible was not encouraged to run with the beagles. It
would have meant a larger subscription, and consequently a better pack
and better sport. As it was, however, the subscription was one pound, and
only twenty boys from College were admitted by the terms of the treaty
drawn up later in the year. This treaty we shall append shortly.
Even allowing this to be a grievance, it seems surprising that Pound
should oppose what seemed a most desirable object. Obviously the
amalgamated pack would be better run and would in all probability show
better sport. Moreover, Collegers and Oppidans were growing more and
more friendly every year. Already nearly all the differences between the
two sections had been abolished. It almost looks as if Pound wished that
they still existed. “College must go with the age, for the age will not
go with College.” It is a sentence which might mean almost anything. The
Oppidans had received the Collegers into all their sports, and yet the
latter do not seem to have welcomed the change.
The next development of the proposal appeared in the _Chronicle_ of
Nov. 22nd of the same year (1866). Here the leading article was devoted
to this purpose, and this is too important not to be quoted in full.
Without it, the proposal might, and probably would, have been allowed to
“drop unnoticed” perhaps for a considerable number of years. After a few
preliminary remarks, it goes on as follows:
“Now we may as well begin by stating that our suggestions refer
principally to an idea which has been started before this, but has been
allowed to drop again unnoticed, although we must say we think the idea
a most felicitous one to all parties whom it concerns. We refer to the
idea once brought forward, of Oppidans joining their beagles with those
of the Collegers—a plan which we think would tend greatly to further and
increase the harmony and goodwill that we are happy to say at present
exists between these two essential parts of one school. We all know
that combination is strength, and we have been delighted to watch the
gradual admission of Collegers into all the privileges and sports of the
Oppidans, beginning with the amalgamation of Lower Club and Lower College
at Cricket, the admission of Collegers into the VIII., which occurred the
same year, and lastly the admission of Collegers into ‘the Field’ (one of
them having been no insignificant member of a wonderfully good XI.) and
into all the sports and races which have hitherto been open exclusively
to the Oppidans. We have therefore one other arrangement to propose,
which, if duly carried out, will complete the bond of unity and harmony
between us, and will also, we have no doubt, give universal satisfaction,
viz. the amalgamation of the Oppidans’ and the Collegers’ packs. Its
advantages, we think, must be apparent to all; and we defy its most
strenuous and determined opponents, if indeed any such exist, to find
any good grounds for defence. We should have all the advantages of a far
larger extent of country to hunt over; and that, if some of the farmers
are going to be as reluctant, and we might almost say as disagreeable, as
last year, would be no inconsiderable gain to our hunt.[3] In a word,
more country, more friends and more good-fellowship are the three leading
features of the new scheme of amalgamation that we are proposing.
“Again we would venture to suggest that, as in due proportion to the
school Oppidans would compose at least three-fifths of the subscribers,
the huntsman should be an Oppidan and the first whip a Colleger; while
the other whip should, we think, be either a Colleger or an Oppidan
according to merit, just as there happened to be one or other really
fitting for the office.
“We think then that we have thus shown the great advantages derived from
amalgamation; and we hope that we have sufficiently convinced, not only
those who have a hand in the management of all these things, but all
our readers, that what we have here recommended is the right thing to
do. We would conclude by venturing to hint that the ‘Master,’ whoever
he may be, should be decided on as soon as possible, as there is much
to be done this Half, especially if amalgamation is really brought
about. Arrangements will doubtless have to be made for kennels that
will suit both parties (though we suppose that the old kennels will be
just as convenient for Collegers as ourselves); needful repairs have to
be executed, farmers consulted; various other necessary requirements
attended to.”
Of course this leader was written by an Oppidan. But nevertheless, it
seems to place before the School the true facts of the case, and to show
that the proposal was much to be desired and would eventually prove a
benefit to both parties. Besides, the leader had yet another merit. It
provided a basis for the treaty which had of necessity to be drawn up
if the amalgamation were decided on. It suggested that the membership
of the pack should be in some accordance with the respective numbers of
Collegers and Oppidans. “At least three-fifths” are the words, but they
certainly seem to imply that the author considered that a yet larger
proportion of Oppidans would be desirable. He also says that, owing to
the necessary disparity of numbers, an Oppidan should take the mastership
and a Colleger the first whip; while the second whip should be awarded
purely for merit.
Such an article as this could not be lightly passed over by those who
had a hand in the management of the beagles. There was only a bare month
between Nov. 22nd and the end of the school-time. In January 1867 the
following entry is to be found in the Journal Book (p. 236):
“_January_ 1867. The Beagles have been amalgamated with the Oppidan pack,
and the following are the Articles of Agreement:
I. In consequence of the wishes of both parties, it has been resolved to
amalgamate both packs of Beagles.
II. No one will be allowed to run who has not paid his subscription.
III. That a board be put up at the beginning of the Easter Half for
fellows to enter their names.
IV. That no one below Remove will be allowed to enter, and that the
number be limited to 70, Fifth Form receiving the preference.
V. Of which there may be 20 Collegers.
VI. That one pound subscription be paid throughout.
VII. That the appointment (of Master) is in the hands of the Captain
of the Boats, who may be guided in his choice by the result of the
Steeplechase.
VIII. That when a Colleger is huntsman an Oppidan shall be first whip,
and when an Oppidan is huntsman a Colleger is first whip.”
Thus did the amalgamation become an accomplished fact. It had been
brought about not without some manœuvring and considerable difficulties.
Certainly, however, from the rules which we have just quoted from the
Journal Book, it seems as if College, as well as the remainder of the
School, welcomed the change. “By the wishes of both parties” seems
fairly to put the point beyond dispute, even though it was written by an
Oppidan, W. C. Calvert.
The terms of the treaty seem eminently just. The suggestions of the
_Chronicle_ were obviously considered and were to a large extent adopted.
The disparity of numbers (50 Oppidans, 20 Collegers) seems perfectly
fair on reflection. The clause (VIII.) allowing either a Colleger or an
Oppidan to be huntsman, but ensuring that if the huntsman be an Oppidan
the first whip must be a Colleger, seems fairer than the _Chronicle’s_
proposal that the huntsman should always be an Oppidan and the first whip
a Colleger. The only peculiarity of the treaty is contained in Clause
VII.; that the appointment of the Master should rest in the hands of the
Captain of the Boats seems a mistake. Obviously the fittest person to
choose the Master was the previous Master. The Captain of the Boats could
not have known whether a boy possessed the necessary qualifications or
not. But it does not greatly matter. So far as we know this privilege was
never used. Indeed the whole treaty fell into abeyance before very long.
The distinction between Collegers and Oppidans grew less and less, and
only Clause IV. remained for any length of time. This limit of seventy
was finally abolished in 1876. Unfortunately we have no record of the
actual members of the E.C.H. after the amalgamation. But we do know that
it proved an unqualified success and that beagling became more and more
popular from this time onwards.
The amalgamated pack had a good set off in the season of 1867. F. E.
Armitstead, who had been first whip of the College Beagles in the
previous season, did not, surprisingly enough, become the first Master
of the combined packs. Instead he took the first whip, and the more
important office was occupied by W. C. Calvert, an Oppidan, who had not
held any official position the previous year. During this season the
E.C.H. gave up hunting drags, and from this time onwards the hare became
the sole quarry. The pack consisted of 1½ couples of College hounds, one
hound (Boscoe) from the Oppidan pack, and 2½ couples of hounds which had
belonged to neither pack. In addition to these, there were 1½ couples
of first season hounds, out of Jargon, by Smuggler, the property of the
College Hunt; 2 couples presented by Mr. Calvert, and a couple lent
by Lord Mandeville. In all nine couples of working hounds. Jargon and
Joyful had both hunted with the pack since 1863, when the Journal Book
was first kept. The former was evidently a most remarkable hound. She
was a big “black, tan and white” bitch standing 16½ inches. There is a
painted photograph of her in the Journal Book (1865), together with A. J.
Pound, R. V. Somers-Smith, and another hound Valiant, and, judging from
the number of times she is mentioned, she must have been a most reliable
bitch with a good nose and plenty of dash.
As has already been remarked, bagged foxes and hares had been turned down
occasionally in the previous seasons. Only once after this date was a
bagged hare turned down, and this in the mastership of F. Johnstone. The
first whip has made an entry in the Journal Book in which he expresses
his loathing of this “sport,” and his hope that the Master would not
provide any more bagged hares. After this date, no bagged hares were
hunted, and with the exception of the annual drag at the end of the
season the wild hare became the sole quarry.
The E.C.H. in the period after the amalgamation produced some well-known
sportsmen, among them such names as the Duke of Beaufort (then Lord
Worcester), Mr. E. P. Rawnsley and Mr. G. H. Longman. Mr. E. P. Rawnsley
has written the following long and interesting letter about beagling at
Eton in his day, containing a story which shows that even Head Masters
are not incorruptible at times:
“When I went to Eton in 1864 there were two packs of beagles, Collegers’
which hunted east of Slough Road, and Oppidans’ which hunted west of
Slough Road. Hares in the Oppidans’ country were very scarce indeed,
and hunting depended on an occasional bag-fox, which ought to have been
tabooed, and a drag, the latter a poor game for us youngsters who toiled
along and never saw a hound after first field. The packs were amalgamated
in 1866. The Oppidans’ pack had been kept up town, very poor kennels and
badly done. After the amalgamation the kennels were at the end of the
Playing Fields, and more trouble was taken that the hounds were better
done. There was no hunting before Christmas, only after, till the end of
March. At best the hounds were only a scratch lot, different boys getting
their people to keep one or a couple most of the year. I whipped in to F.
Johnstone in the spring of 1869; his father, I think, was then Master of
what we now call the Derwent, and he knew all about it and was quite good
at the game. One whip was an Oppidan, the other a Colleger. I don’t think
my Colleger had ever been out hunting before, and, as Johnstone expected
his hounds turned when he wanted them, I had nearly all the work to do;
cracked up in consequence. It was very hard work in those days; we could
not start till after Absence, had then to run to the meet, get a hunt and
run home again in time for lock-up, never having more than three hours to
do it all in, no allowance being made to the whips.
“I remember one day in particular, Johnstone was not out and I was
hunting hounds the far side of Langley; we had quite a good run and
killed—a great event in those days. Just as we had taken off pads and
mask, up jumped a fresh hare, away the pack went with a burning scent,
and it was a long time before we could get at them to stop them. It was
getting dark, and quite five miles from home, no chance of getting in
for lock-up, but we had the hare! So it was duly carried, such an object
it looked, without feet or ears and stiff as a stake, and left with our
compliments at the Head’s house, the clock struck nine as we stood there.
I suppose we were all reported for coming in so late, but we never heard
anything more. I suppose the hare was a peace-offering.
“In autumn of 1869, I remember, Jack Thompson (Mr. Anstruther Thompson’s
eldest son), George Wickham and I, all very keen, went to several of the
farmers and did our best to get them to keep hares, and we certainly were
better off the next year. There were hardly any hares on the Dorney side;
beyond Salt Hill and Langley were best, but nowhere good. In those days
we never got a day off for a hunt; I only remember one, to Oakley Court,
where we were most hospitably entertained but had a blank day. When at
Eton last June I had a look at hounds and kennels. Very different from
old days, kennels roomy, airy and clean, and hounds with a nice bloom on
them ready to go into work when wanted.”
Another well-known name is that of Lord Derwent, who as Francis Johnstone
was master in the same year that E. P. Rawnsley was second whip. In a
letter he gives a short record of his beagling career at Eton from the
time that he became a whip.
“In 1868 I was second whip to Walter Calvert, Armitstead, K.S. being
first whip. The amalgamation of the two packs had taken place, and an
arrangement made, I imagine, that a Colleger should always be on the hunt
staff. In the following year, 1869, I was master, Browne, K.S. was first
whip, and E. P. Rawnsley, who has only just retired from the mastership
of the Southwold after a long and very successful career as huntsman of
that pack, was second whip. During the year I ran with the Eton beagles,
we had only “after 12” and half holidays to hunt on. So our efforts were
limited from the point of view of time, and I do not recollect killing
many hares, but latterly no bag-foxes were kept to hunt.
“I paid a visit in the Lent Half of this year to the new kennels, and
only wished I was young enough to follow the charming pack on foot as of
yore.”
The name of E. P. Rawnsley is too well known and honoured to be passed
over thus lightly. For forty years he was Master of the Southwold, and he
is well known not only in Lincolnshire but in every part of England as
one of the most devoted supporters of hunting.
Johnstone’s season was better than either of those of W. C. Calvert. But
although the latter killed only three and two hares in his two seasons
respectively, yet he showed some good runs, and the amalgamation was
universally acclaimed as a success.
Before proceeding further it will perhaps be as well to give some account
of the country hunted by the E.C.H. at that time. It was bounded on
the south by the River Thames and on the north by the chain of woods
from Taplow to Stoke, and by the Great Western Railway from Slough to
Langley. It was and is still split into two parts by the Slough Road,
across which hares scarcely ever run. On the west side of the country
lay the villages of Eton Wick, Dorney and Burnham. This was the country
previously hunted over by the Oppidan Hunt, and below the railway at Salt
Hill hares used to be very scarce. In the Salt Hill country, however, and
up towards Stoke and Burnham, they were much more plentiful. On the east
of the Slough Road lay the villages of Datchet, Wyrardisbury (Wraysbury),
Horton and Remenham. Most of the country is plough, and what grass there
is, lies chiefly on the Dorney side of the country. Near the village
of Datchet Ditton Park is situated with its house surrounded by a moat
across which more than one E.C.H. hare has swum.
During the ten years after the amalgamation the kennels were at the Black
Pots end of the Playing Fields, and Ward, the groundsman who tenanted
the cottage and whose backyard took the place of kennels, acted as
kennel huntsman. There is no information about this man Ward save that
the hounds were kennelled at his cottage until 1876, when Rowland Hunt
transferred them to better kennels up town. Here is a letter from Rev. W.
Vickers, the brother of one of the early whips:
“It was my elder brother V. W. Vickers (who died in 1899) who was second
whip in 1873, with W. A. (Billy) Harford as first whip and Hon. C.
Harbord as master.
“The pack were kennelled at Ward’s Lodge, at the extreme east end of the
Playing Fields, Ward acting as K.H.
“In 1874 Harford was master, with L. Heywood Jones and Hon. E. W. Parker
as whips. My brother was responsible in 1873 for the account of sport
reported in the _Chronicle_, and was occasionally very riled by the
editor, who, like Miss Lucy Grimes, of the ‘Swillingford Patriot’ in
_Sponge’s Sporting Tour_, used to correct his effusions by substituting
‘puss’ for ‘hare,’ and so on! He hunted the Trinity Beagles at Cambridge
for two seasons, succeeding that fine sportsman G. H. Longman.
“Of the School tutors of my day, C. Wolley-Dod, the tallest and thinnest
of Masters, was a keen beagler, also my tutor G. R. Dupuis—both of them
in long frock coats and top hats. A. Cockshott too was a good friend to,
though not a follower of, the hunt; on more than one occasion securing
us a bill-day. One of these, I remember, was to Mr. Hall-Say’s place,
Oakley Court. I don’t remember much of the day’s sport, but have a
lively recollection of the _lunch_—a spread which made more than one of
us feel, when we found our afternoon hare, that there were occasions when
the saying ‘_Fox_ hunting on foot is but labour in vain,’ applied also to
_hare_ hunting!
“The pack in my day was like the old-fashioned ‘trencher-fed’ hunts—the
members bringing up in beagle term a hound if they had one, the
contribution of a hound taking the place of the one pound subscription.
It was wonderful (or so we keen ones thought) the sport such a scratch
pack showed.
“One day is impressed on my memory (in Fenwick’s mastership, I think),
when we ‘burst up’ three hares! The meet, I think, was Dorney Gate. I
forget how two were killed, but the third swam the river near Athens,
waited for us on the further bank, and was killed on Windsor racecourse.
“Another little incident. Meeting at the kennels we ran a hare into
Datchet Vicarage garden and were gratified to see the Vicar come out of
his house, hatless, to join (as we thought) in the chase. But no! his
ill-directed energy was _against_ the chase, which he forcibly reminded
us was a trespass!
“The ‘hunt servants’ wore no sort of uniforms—merely change coat,
knickers and stockings, with House-colour cap and ‘muffler.’ A little
latitude was allowed them as regards lock-up. Just as well! For I
remember one day a hare took us nearly to West Drayton!
“Of the first flight in my day no one could come up to C. E. Munro
Edwards. I do not think he ever held office, though he afterwards became,
with F. Selater, the founder of, and whips to, the Christ Church Beagles,
with which I, an outsider (of Magdalen), had the special privilege of
running. His wind was simply inexhaustible!
“Speaking of this reminds me of an incident which has nothing to do with
E.C.H. beyond the fact that the actors in it were the two whips. My
brother and Billy Harford by some means got out of 11 o’clock school in
time to meet the Queen’s staghounds on their opening meet at Salt Hill.
The stag ‘took soil’ in that pool close to the line, near the present
Burnham Beeches station. The two lads manned a boat which they found
near the cottage and succeeded in ousting the stag. The Press next day,
alluding to the incident, remarked that ‘the two young Etonians appeared
quite in their element.’ Rather amusing, as they were both inveterate
dry-bobs and probably never entered another boat during their time at
Eton!
“The largest number of hares killed in one season was by F. Johnstone
in 1869. The pack was still rather a scratch one, and did not belong
to the hunt, but to individuals. Undoubtedly they had some wonderful
runs, but there were still terrible disadvantages, especially as regards
time. Moreover, the conditions under which the pack was kept were very
unsatisfactory, and Ward made much too much money out of them. There was
a subscription of one pound for every one, but there were no facilities
such as a hound van.”
Perhaps it would be interesting to some to give the accounts of a few of
the best runs from the Beagle Books.
“_Saturday, Jan. 23rd_, 1868. _Upton Church._ A hare was viewed away at
the further corner of Mr. Nixey’s Plough, which as usual made straight
for Ditton, but failing to find an open smeuse went away to Riding Court,
where she turned homewards. The hounds hunting well followed her with
a burning scent, though many doubled some way past Datchet plantation;
here a fresh hare being started in her line enabled her to escape dead
beat, while the second hare carried the hounds across the L. & S.W.R. to
Black Pots and was next seen swimming under Victoria Bridge, whereupon
Mr. Calvert amidst great applause swam in and picked her up, and she was
given up to the pack. Time, 40 minutes, second hare 20 minutes.”
“_Wednesday, March 25th_, 1868. Saw a run which was, alas! the last to
many members of the E.C.H., but which was in every way worthy of that
renowned hunt. The meet was at the Three Tuns, and a hare was found
almost immediately on the left side of the Farnham Road. She gave us a
merry spin without a check up to Farnham, where the hounds were brought
to their noses, and it was with the greatest difficulty that they
regained the line owing to the very dry state of the ground. At last,
however, they worked it slowly down to Baylis House across the Farnham
Road, where the scent began to improve. The hare then crossed the G.W.R.
and ran a ring in front of Mr. Aldridge’s farm, and, just as the pack
were going to return home, she jumped up a few yards before them; the
hounds dashed off full cry past Baylis House across some grass fields up
to Stoke palings. Here they turned sharp to the right and at rather a
slower pace crossed the Farnham Road and made as if for Britwell. Again
they turned for Farnham, near which they were whipped off, as not only
time but daylight had failed. Time, 2 hours 26 minutes.”
A very good hunting run, as every one who knows the country will agree.
In Johnstone’s season the best run was that already described by Mr.
Rawnsley; and the incident of presenting the hare to the Head Master is
duly recorded in the Beagling Book. The account of the run ends with the
remark: “May the E.C.H. enjoy many such days and many such a finish.”
Mr. G. H. Longman writes:
“My mastership of the Eton Beagles extended over the two seasons 1870
and 1871, for in those days there was no hunting done at Eton before
Christmas. The kennels were at the end of the Playing Fields, close to
Black Pots. The rule was either to subscribe a sovereign or bring back a
couple of beagles, and the pack consisted entirely of hounds so procured.
Naturally the result was a rather unlevel lot, but they did their work
quite well, and I recollect that some hounds brought by one of the
Anstruther-Thompsons were about the best we had.
“Two hounds particularly remain in my memory, namely ‘Rustic’ and
‘Rival.’ I have in my possession now a coloured photograph of the pack,
taken by Messrs. Hills & Saunders, which was presented to me on the
completion of my second season of mastership. The occasion was celebrated
by a breakfast at the White Hart Hotel in Windsor, and, though the
authorities must, I think, have been aware of the fact, they neither took
the slightest step to prevent nor resent it.
“F. A. Curry and L. G. Wickham whipped in to me in 1870: G. H. Armitstead
and Hon. H. C. Legge in 1871.
“Nobody was allowed off Absence at that time, nor were we allowed to
attend that function ‘changed.’ I used to go, therefore, with a great
coat and pair of trousers over my beagling kit. Three Lower Boys were in
readiness at my tutor’s door, which was just opposite Schoolyard, one to
take off the coat, and the other two to haul away each at a leg of the
trousers, so that I was able to start off in a twink immediately after I
had answered my name.
“Our time being extremely limited we used to advertise a meet at say
Langley station for ten minutes after two o’clock, Absence being at two.
The kennelman brought the hounds to the meet coupled, and took them home
in the same manner. We used always to draw at the double, and if possible
coupled up the hounds in time to get back before lock-up, the run home
testing our endurance to the uttermost.
“This description of our methods will show how strenuous the work was,
but, though we did our best to get back in time for lock-up, I remember
very well one occasion when a hare rose in view just as we were about to
couple up the hounds. It was out West Drayton way. Off went the hounds in
full cry, and we were unable to stop them for something under an hour,
after—among other things—having swum across the Colne. We were an hour
and a half late for lock-up, and my tutor, instead of taking a reasonable
view of such an unavoidable episode, sent me up to the Head Master. Dr.
Hornby was full of threats to stop the whole thing, but finally contented
himself with setting me the fifth Iliad to write out, thinking that this
would prevent my hunting the next half holiday. I did hunt though, for my
method of writing out this Iliad was as follows: taking three pens sloped
one over the other I sat up all night and wrote out one-third of it. This
I showed up at one o’clock the next day at the Head Master’s house, and
never heard anything more of the matter.
“The farmers were extremely friendly, and indeed I only recollect one
who denied us permission to hunt over his land. The original refusal
was probably due to some misunderstanding; but the quarrel had been
emphasized by the fact that the beagles had, once or twice, run over his
land after permission had been withdrawn. In my two seasons, however,
chiefly on F. A. Curry’s advice, we strictly respected his decision: with
the pleasing result that, I believe, before the commencement of the next
season, permission was again gladly given.
“Half a century is a considerable time, and I am sure readers will
readily forgive my inability to recall any more episodes of the season
1870-71.”
Under the mastership of F. Fenwick a wonderful day’s sport was enjoyed
on Feb. 22nd, 1872, when no less than three hares were killed within two
hours. The meet was at Athens, and a short time before the meet two hares
had been seen to swim the river from the Eton side, a striking proof that
hares will take to the water even when not pressed. Hounds were taken
over the weir bridge and both these hares were killed after short runs,
but the hunt of the day was yet to come. A hare was found near Surley,
and after a fast ringing hunt of 1 hour 10 minutes was rolled over in the
open near Aldridge’s. The account of the run ends with the words:
“Thus it was
‘From a find to a run,
From a run to a view,
From a view to a kill
In the open.’”
But the good runs are too numerous for selection to be easy, and at any
rate there is no great interest in the mere recounting of a run. But this
chapter cannot close without mention of the annual drag to Franklin’s, a
farmhouse near Bray, where the members of the hunt were entertained with
unlimited champagne and sandwiches. Unfortunately this custom was not
repeated after the year 1869 for reasons which are not known, but which
may easily be imagined.
[Illustration: “AN UNPARDONABLE INTRUSION.”]