Memories of Merry Wakefield. An octogenarian's recollections, etc

Chapter I. Old Avakefield

i Introduction — Old Bar Houses — Priest's House — Park Hills Strawberry Gardens— Old Shops where Market Street now stands — AVhite Hart — Building of Music Saloon— Musical Festival — Concert — Madame Catalini — Mr. Jo. Wood — Madam Beaumont — Carriages and Four coming into AVakefield — Great Half-yearly Fairs — Building of Court House — Statue of Justice — Four Main Outlets from the Town — Ferry at Dirtcar — Inn at New Miller Dam — Cheesecake House at Kirkthorpe— The Nuns of Heath — Wakefield Harriers — Sammy Smith — Fatal Accident to Mr. Burrell — Supporters of the Hunt — List of Carriages in and near AA'akefield in 1793.

Chapter II. Older Recollections

14 My Father's Early Days — Old Style — Letter to Oldest Inhabitant — Long Rides — Lawrence of Hertford — Pillion — Sedan Chairs — My Father's Love of Sport — Ackworth — Pateley Bridge — Mr. Yorke's Letter — Invention of Gun Wadding — Long Walks— Wild Boar Clough— AValk to Leeds— Style of Dress — Westgate Bridge — Thorn Hedge in Westgate — Prison without Prisoners — Prisoners' Christmas Dinner — Old Straubenzee — Salmon Leap — Width of Kirkgate Bridge — Five Days to London — Westgate Common — Enclosure Act, 1793 — Good Shooting Ground near Home — Whinny Moor — Mr. James Milnes — Game License — Maudeleine Chapel and Bridge — Mr. Marshall, of Lane Ends — Mr. Armytage Rhodes — Story of Mr. Marshall and Beggar. VI CONTENTS. PAGE

Chapter III. School-days

25 Dame School — Mr. Rayson's — Cornelius Clarke — Mr. George Green — Bob Tidswell — Story of Daniel in the Lion's Den — Mr. Rayson's Marriage — Southgate Bowling Green — Flight from Parish Church Battlements — Parish Church Yard — Jerry Bucktrout — Old Houses on the North Side of Church Yard — Vicarage — Rectory — Tithe Barn — Old Springs — Public Flog ging — Pillory — My Brother Robert at Chatham — March to AVakefield — Dublin — My Brother's Death — Duelling — Black Mare — The River Liffey.

Chapter IV. Mercantile Avakefield

38 Luddites — Foster's Mill — Threatening Letter to my Father — Story of Trial by Baron Wood — " Humbug " — Tammy Hall — Cloth-dressing— Cloth Halls— The Milnes' Houses— Mr. R. Milnes' Sale — Lady Galway — Story of Lord Houghton and Old AVine — The Naylors — Grey Mare —Naylors' Toast — Failure— Pitt Club.

Chapter V. Old Avakefield Again

52 Post Office Changes — Jonas Ward — Storm of 1813 — Ice in the River— Comet — Meteor in 1760 — Bull Ring — Queen Caroline's Acquittal — Bull Baiting — Bear Baiting— Fight with a Bear — Spurr's Ginnell — Thornes Lane — Charnock's Walk — The Grove — Denby Dale Road — Fall of Suspension Bridge — Fights on Lawe Hill — Stocks — Churchwardens— Dog Whipper — Peter Priestley. CONTENTS. VII PAGE

Chapter VI. My Start In Life

65 Mr. Benjamin Clarkson — His Office — My Articles to Mr. Pilkington —Outfit — Left Home — Dinner at Skipton — Eclipse of Sun — Cartmell Sands — Mr. Spenceley — Pennington — View from Shooting Box — Church — Captain Yarker — Eliza Yarker — Fells of Beck Side — A Barrow — Rathmoss Intake — Sae far frae Home — My Uncle's Death — Windermere— Name Cut on Tree — Station Inn — Inscription on AVindow Pane at Walesby — Salt Fish at Pennington — The Ashburners — William Gee — Mist at Pennington — Return to Thorne — Ulverston Sands — Expense of Travelling — Mr. Reeder— Story of Flute — Ashfield Banks — Working Hours — Thorne Feast — Novel Reading — Racing Coaches — Description of Thorne.

Chapter VII. Far-off Links

81 Walesby — Clarksons of Kirton — Kirton Village — Inscription on Tombstone — Clarksons of New Arork — Of Bradford— Mr. Matthew Clarkson's Book — The " Dean " of Walesby — Light Soil of Walesby — Servants' Ball at Clumber — Nelson's Toast — Old Trees in Sherwood Forest — Mr. Gladstone — Story of AVine — Clarkson's Charity — Merry weather's Marriage — AVhite haven — Charles Kean — Rats — Stag-hunt — Keswick — Musical Stones — Kirkby Lonsdale — Fire at the Rose and Crown — Kilnsey Crag — Echo — Duke of Devonshire's Circular — Loss of Surveying Boots.

Chapter VIII. The Avork-a-day Avorld

97 Badsworth Hunt Map — Mr. Nichol's Journey to London — Schwanfelder — Lord Downe — Plan of his Park — Snaith Church — Story of Lord Downe — Banns Forbidden — Dr. CONTENTS. VIII PAGE Bracken — Spring Guns at Fryston — "The General" — Walton Hall Poachers — Spring Guns at Alverthorpe — Houghton Old Hall— Haunted Room— Old Hall Restored by Mr. R. Milnes— Stapleton Park Races— Aire and Calder Company — Toast — Mr. Joseph Priestley — Great North Road — Manor of Hatfield — Enclosure — The "Angel" at Ferry-bridge — Moore's Melodies — Enclosure of Grange Moor — Yeomanry — P'irst Office in Wake field — Mr. Lewis — Pencil Drawings — Mr. Jones, of Hudders field — Long Day's Work — Mr. Scarlett — Mr. Brougham — Lady of the Manor.

Chapter IX. Railway Times

113 Railway Mania — Meeting at Wakefield about North Midland — Survey for it — Difficulties at Chevet— Sir AVilliam Pilkington and Mr. Waterton — Escape from Coursing Party — Levels taken by Lantern Light — Stephenson and "Civil Engineers'' — Lord Milton's Death — Mistakes in Survey at Rotherham — Story of Pig-cote — Quick Travelling by Coach — Holiday to Glasgow — Division of Midland Railway Survey — Different Offices — River Dearne— Pack-horse Road — Mr. Pearson Walton — Severe Winter of 1836-7 — Mr. Dyson — Residences in Sandal— Mr. Thornton's Dinner — Dinner at Strafford Arms to Directors — Offices at Altofts and Hunslet — Diversion of Original Line — William Paley — North Lancashire Railway — The two Calders — Bills o' Jacks— Dr. Whittaker — Mr. Rawson's Rifle — Mr. Waring — Robert Stephenson — Pontefract Castle — Stephenson's Funeral — Mr. Swanwick's Office at Chesterfield — Cheffins — Mr. Swanwick and Murray Gladstone — Story of Cab.

Chapter X. Railavay Times

140 Manchester and Leeds Railway — Serjeant AVilkins — Mr. Statter — Story of Plum Pudding — Wilkins* Death — Valuer for Manchester and Leeds Line — Mr. Brackenbury — Left at CONTENTS. IX PAGE 162 183 Middleton by Post Chaise — Aire and Calder — Kirkgate Viaduct — Trial at York — My Father as a Witness — Mr. Gooch — Story of Boots' Slate being Altered — Dicky Dickens — Accurate Measurement of Midland — Opening of Midland Line — Dr. Hook — Queen's Wedding Day — Survey for Part of Great Western — Labourers' Wages — Cricket — Hermitage — Mr. Bosanquet — High Clere — Misty Day — " Pelican " at Newbury — Silver Eels — Shaw House — Cloth Manufacture at Newbury — Story of Coat Made in Twenty-four Hours — Line Thrown Out — "King Hudson" — Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole — Story of Wilkins and Heath Common— Hudson's End — Stories of Mrs. Hudson.

Chapter XI. Changes In Avakefield

Wentworth's Bank Failure — Rishworth's — Sale of Woolley Estates — Mr. Rishworth's Family — Old Medical Men — Dr. Richardson — Dr. Crowther — Mr. Edward Taylor — First Gig in AVakefield — Mr. Stott — Mr. Walker — Mr. Mitchell— Dr. Gilbey — Chimney Sweep — Dr. Wright — Theatre — Circuit — Miss O'Neill — Miss Bakewell — Incledon — David Dixon — Mrs. Banks — Silver Ticket — Whist Parties — Drury Lane — Constable — Deputy Constable— Kid Cote — Watchmen — Commissioners — Lighting of Streets — No Shops in AVestgate — Miss Ivesons — Description of Corn Market — Building of Old Corn Exchange — Present Corn Exchange — Westgate Chapel — Families Attending it — Singing — Freemasonry — Bachelor's Ball — Lines.

Chapter XII

"ANCIENT FORMS OF PARTY STRIFE" . Election of 1807 — AVilberforce — Fawkes — Milton — Lascelles — Roads to York — Milton Victorious — "Lady Milton" — Lord Milton's Youth — Story of AVhip and Top — Cost of Election — CONTENTS. X PAGE My Father Going to Vote — " Pem. Milnes" — Brick Kilns — Election, 1812 — j8iS — Death of George IV. — Funeral Service — Lord Morpeth— Story of Mr. Waterton — " Symmetry" — Frank Maude — Reform Meeting in the Ings — First Borough Election, 1S32 — Mr. Gaskell — "Chaired" — Second Borough Election — Sebright Lascelles — Negro Boy — West Riding Election — Sir George Strickland — Mr. Wortley — Riot — Mr. Carter killed — Borough Election, 1841 — Mr. Joseph Holdsworth — Lord Morpeth's defeat — Farewell.

Chapter XIII

"A THING OF SHREDS AND PATCHES" . Jubilees of 1809 and 1887 — Reigns of Four Sovereigns — Old and Present Postage — Franking Letters — Colonel Sibthorp — First Steamboat, 1S15 — Battle of Waterloo — Death of George III. — Acquittal of Queen Caroline — Illuminations — High Price of Food — Salt Tax — Window Tax — Wakefield Soke — Knights Templars — Fishery in the Calder — AA'est Riding Asylum — Wakefield Races — Hot Summers — Peaches in 1S00 — Thunderstorm — Great Storm of Wind — Fall of Kirkgate Viaduct — Bishop Blaize — Review of Present State of Trade in Wakefield — Weaving by Hand — New Industries in AVakefield — Cattle Market — Corn Market — Lawyers — Public Buildings — Town Hall— Old Market Cross — New Banks — Present State of Wakefield — Atmosphere — Conclusion. J95 " Lt is 7cell known that the occurrences of yesterday become " but the uncertain tradition of to-day when left unrecorded, and "facts, once as familiar as household words, are forgotten in the "great whirl of events.

To rescue from any such contingency, " the little knowledge that has been obtained of the generations " that have preceded us, and to preserve that knowledge for the " benefit of the generations yet to come, has been the object of " this sketch. "MATTHEW CLARKSON." " Sweet childish days, that were as long as twenty days are noiv." — Words worth.

Chapter 1 Old Wa

K E F I E L D. HESE little records of a long life have been noted down from time to time, as the recreation of leisure hours in the bright summer days, and cheerful winter evenings. They have naturally been a great interest and pleasure to me, and to my family ; but I. have never, until lately, had any thought of their appealing to a wider circle than the kindly one of home. So many of my good friends, however, on whose opinion I set a high value, have assured me that my recollections of the old town where I was born, and where my life has been spent, would be welcomed by others than my immediate circle, that I have ventured to think they may be right : and thus, at eighty-five years of age, I am about to give these pages to a kindly public of AVakefield people. I do not send them forth as anything but a most unpretend ing record of a long and busy life ; and, if in some parts my good readers think I have dwelt too long on the simple B OLD WAKEFLELD. 2 annals, I would tell them how difficult it has been to cry Halt ! when the memories of long past days have crowded so quickly into my mind, with a vividness and delight that the young may sympathise with, but none except the old, will fully understand.

I would also say one word about a few recollections of old times, which I have added to my own, those of my dear and honoured father, whose memory carried him back to almost the middle of the eighteenth century : and whose impressions of by-gone events, at the end of his long life of nearly ninety-two years, were perfectly clear and accurate. So many changes have taken place in the town, since I first saw the light, in the old house on Westgate Bridge, on the 17th December, 1801, that I hardly know where to begin in my description of them. The old " Bar Houses " occur to my mind, as having been a characteristic feature of the town ; there were formerly four, but my only recollection is of the one in AVestgate, which was nearly opposite to the Theatre, and was built over the present causeway, forming a projection into the street, a narrow path running round it, for foot passengers.

It had an entrance facing down AVestgate, and small diamond paned windows, which were always filled with sweets, "Rocks of Gibraltar," sugar cats and dogs, etc., sold by Henny Parkinson, the old woman who lived there. The actual bar or gate had been removed many years before my recollection ; and the house itself, I think, was taken down about 1820, being con sidered an obstruction to foot passengers. I have a perfect recollection of another very old cottage, which stood on Kirk gate bridge, on the same side as the Chapel, but abouty thirty yards nearer to Kirkgate. It was an old stone building of one floor, which was entered from the level of the bridge ; and was completely overshadowed by a large old Ash tree which grew on the south side of it. It was always known — in my young days — as " The Priest's House," and tradition pointed to it as the place where the young Earl of Rutland sought shelter after the Battle of AVakefield, and being refused admission, turned back, met his pursuers, and was murdered.

To the best of my recollection, this old cottage and ash tree disappeared some time about the year 1820. They are shewn in a now scarce engraving of Kirkgate bridge, published in 1800, by John Cawthorn, a AVakefield artist, and dedicated to " John Smyth, Esq., M.P., one of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury." The companion print, showing the ancient Chapel on the bridge, and published at the same time, is dedicated to "James Milnes, Esq., of Thornes House." I possess copies of these interesting engravings. The whole of the ground where Kirkgate Station now stands, was cultivated as strawberry gardens, and orchards ; and two or three little white-washed cottages stood on the slope of the hill, occupied by a family of the name of Jaques. One of our great pleasures on Saturday afternoons, in summer, was to go to " Park Hills Gardens " and enjoy the delicious strawberries and cream, to be had for a very modest sum.

The strawberries were always fine, the sunny slope of the hill suiting them well. The view from these gardens was very b pretty : the land now occupied by foundries and glass works being then all beautiful fertile meadows, with an uninterrupted view across to Sandal and Chevet beyond — AVoolley Edge stretching far away into the west. The ruins of Sandal Castle were much more conspicuous in the landscape than they are now, and of far greater extent : part of them having, within my recollection, perished from natural decay and other causes. The shops, and many of the streets in AVakefield are, of course, a good deal changed since my youth. Market Street did not exist ; and the whole space from Queen Street to the "Bull Inn" was occupied by a row of shops — silk mercers, jewellers, hatters, etc., — considered the best shops in the town : the corner one, next Queen Street, being occupied by a stylish London haberdasher, of the name of Frankland.

Lower down AVestgate, on the same side, on the site now occupied by the AVakefield and Barnsley New Bank, I remember a good silk mercer's shop, kept by a respectable old couple of the name of Smith. Outwardly, the shop had no appearance, having merely a doorway of the common width and windows of the ordinary dwelling-house size. Once inside, however, you were surprised to find a stately old gentleman behind the counter, dressed with the most punctilious care, his wife and himself both wearing hair-powder, and vying with each other in the scrupulous civility and politeness bestowed on their customers. This shop was frequented by the surrounding gentry, and the higher class of people in the town, and purchasers were always invited into an inner room to partake of refreshment, consisting of " Red Port," "AVhite Port," and Madeira, with biscuits and sundry sweet cakes.

This old gentleman committed the unheard of extravagance of a shop-keeper purchasing a " Pipe of Port AVine ! " and this becoming known to some of his aristocratic patrons, they immediately sealed his doom, by the assertion that he would certainly " break." On his making application to Mr. Pemberton Milnes, one of the leading gentry of the town, for the loan of materials for bottling this wine, he exclaimed, "Tommy Smith purchased a Pipe of Wine? he'll break, he'll break ! " This prediction, alas, came too true ; for, either from losses or extravagance, possibly both, his business declined, and eventually, he became dependent on the charity of those who had formerly been his apprentices. At this period, the " AVhite Hart " was the principal inn and posting house in the town, (though the Stratford Arms was the inn where the coaches used to stop,) and the attention and good management of Mrs. Bramall, the hostess of the "White Hart," were so well known, that families travelling, would push on an extra stage to reach its hospitable shelter for the night.

It stood in Little Westgate, about thirty yards above Southgate, and was a large pebble-dashed house, with a wide arched entrance in the centre, opening into a spacious yard, into which carriages used to drive, and which was often a scene of cheerful bustle. On one side of the yard were ample stables and coach-houses ; on the other, a long range of buildings known as the " Old Assembly Rooms," where all the fashionable balls and assemblies were held, and there were a good many of these, sor the town was very gay at that time — and many a fair belle, from one of the neighbouring country houses, has made her first appearance in these old rooms. I find, on looking back at an old paper of that date, many names of the gentry of the town and neighbourhood, who used to frequent the pleasant gatherings in the old assembly rooms : such as the Gaskells, the Heywoods of Stanley Hall, and St. John's (the house now known as AVentworth house), the Lonsdales, the Brandlings of Middleton, the Tempests of Newland, the Hardys of Heath Hall (now Lord Cranbrook's family), the Holdsworths, the Hodgsons of Snydale, the Billams, the Lees of St. John's, the Starkeys, the Charnocks, and many others.

Not a vestige of the " White Hart " now remains : it was demolished in about the year 1820-21, and this gave rise to the erection of the Music Saloon in AVood Street. I recollect the first Musical Festival ever held in Wake field, the sacred music of which was performed in the Parish Church, and the secular part in the Music Saloon — then just erected. The "Creation" and the "Messiah," were amongst the works given. I attended these performances, and have a perfect recollection of the principal singers : Mrs. Salmon and Miss Stevens ; Miss Paton, afterwards Lady Lennox, and subsequently Mrs. Jo. Wood ; Madame Stockhausen, Braham, and Incledon, were the vocalists ; and amongst the instrumentalists were the famous Dragonetti, on the double bass ; Linley, on the violoncello ; Nicholson, on the flute ; and others.

I have also by me, a programme of the second of a series of Subscription Concerts, given in the newly-built Music Saloon, OLD WAKEFLELD. 7 on the 19th January, 1824; to commence at seven o'clock precisely. On this occasion, the celebrated singer, Madame Catalani, had been engaged, at great expense ; and the committee, evidently alarmed at their own temerity in so great a venture, put forth a notice, which appears at the foot of the programme, to the effect that in consequence of the respon sibility they had incurred by their arrangements with Madame Catalani, they were induced, for this occasion only, to open their rooms to non-subscribers, at eight shillings each ; five shillings for the gallery ; and young gentlemen, under age, five and sixpence each ! About this time, Mr. Jo. Wood, who was a native of Bretton, was brought out on the stage and concert stage, under the patronage of Madam Beaumont, as she was usually called, wife of Col. Beaumont, of Bretton.

Madam Beaumont used to drive into AVakefield in considerable state, in a carriage drawn by four beautiful black horses, with postillions in velvet jockey caps. The AVentworths of Woolley, came into the town in similar style, with four bays; and many other families used to be often driving in and out — Sir John Kaye, from Denby Grange ; Sir George Army tage, from Kirklees, Sir AVilliam Pilkington, from Chevet; John Henry Smyth, father of the late Col. Smyth ; the AVinns of Nostell ; and many others. These were the days when our old town, from its usual gaiety, deserved the title of Merrie AVakefield. Some of my earliest recollections of AVakefield are connected with the two great half-yearly fairs, held in July and November, when the Lord of the Manor used to demand toll upon every OLD WAKEFLELD. 8 head of cattle that had been either sold, or offered for sale in the market : and for the purpose of collecting this toll three or four powerful men were placed at each of the four main outlets from the town, namely, Westgate bridge, Kirkgate bridge, Warrengate bar, and Northgate.

The toll was demanded by these " Lord's men " as they were called, and payment enforced by aid of their stout sticks, before the cattle were allowed to pass, and one of my enjoyments as a lad, armed with a knop stick, was to help the men in preventing the cattle and their owners getting across Westgate bridge without paying the toll. At that time AVood street had recently been formed ; the land belonged to a Clergyman of the name of AVood, who lived, I think, at Woodthorpe, and was either Vicar of Sandal Church or in some way connected with it. I remember the Court House being built very well, and its completion was consider ably delayed by the difficulty of obtaining the large blocks of stone for the pillars. The figure of " Justice," which now stands in a wretchedly dismantled state on the top of the building, was sent from London packed in a large wooden case.

My uncle Benjamin, who then lived at Alverthorpe Hall, was Clerk to the Deputy Lieutenants of the AVest Riding, and my cousin, the late Thomas Bayley Clarkson, who was in his office, took me up, as a great favour, to the Court House to show me the body of a man, who he alleged, had been gibbetted, and was going to be placed on the top of this new building. The effect of this harrowing story on my youthful mind, was further heightened by his partly opening the lid of the case where " Justice " lay swathed in shavings, and showing me the chain in which the man had been gibbetted. At that time the outlets from the town were confined to the four I have mentioned. The Denby Dale road was not made, and people living at Dirtcar, or that neighbourhood, wishing to come to AVakefield by carriage or cart, must either go round by Netherton and Horbury bridge, or through Sandal and over Kirkgate bridge.

For foot passengers there was a ferry-boat over the Calder at Dirtcar, just above the falls or weir. One of the greatest pleasures of my boyhood, was when my father used to take my brothers and sisters and myself, five of us, by the fields to the river side, cross the river in the ferry-boat, then along pleasant cornfields and pastures to the little clean homely Inn at Newmillerdam, called the " Horse and Jockey," there to enjoy a good substantial tea in the sanded parlour, and walk back again in the late evening. We always looked forward to the ripe fruit, and cream, and cakes we got there ; and the kind welcome we received from the cheerful ruddy hostess, made our afternoon's enjoyment quite complete. We generally used to go about the full moon in harvest time. There was another delightfully rural little place at Kirk thorpe, called the " Cheesecake House," close to the Church.

We used to go over the fields by Park Lodge Farm, down to the river side, across by the ferry-boat to the little quiet inn, nestling among the trees. These visits were generally made on our Saturday half-holidays, the cheesecakes being baked that morning for the expected visitors on the Sunday. We generally used to go into the Church yard, and look with some awe at the Nun's graves, the earliest of which were already there, the Old Hall at Heath being then a Nunnery : and this brings to my mind an incident of some years later, when the youth and beauty of the Nuns of Heath excited a good deal of interest in the neighbourhood. One sultry summer's afternoon my cousin Ben and I, took a boat from AVakefield down the river, and coming under the shelter of the wood at Heath, made fast our boat and strolled into the grounds.

AVe were not long there before we heard footsteps, and concealing ourselves behind a tree, saw a long line of Nuns, two and two, approaching us, preceded by the Lady Abbess. We were very much struck with the youthful and beautiful appearance of the young ladies, and my cousin unable to repress some slight exclamation, we were at once discovered by the Lady Abbess, and at a signal from her, each beautiful face was instantly concealed, by the drawing down of a veil, and a retrograde motion immediately commenced by all except the old lady, who came forward in great indignation, speaking angrily in French, of which neither of us understood a word. AVe of course remained silent. She then broke out, and rated us soundly, in English, in good set terms too, and we retired, making the best excuses we could, the object for which we had really gone, having been obtained.

The mention of Kirkthorpe brings to my mind an earlier and more painful circumstance. I think it was in 1810. A pack of harriers was kept in Wakefield, the dogs being lodged in the town at the different houses of the gentlemen who hunted. The huntsman's name was Sammy Smith, and he lived at Flanshaw, a small wood there, still bearing the name of " Sammy Smith's Spring," and a little block of houses, in the village, is known to this day as " Huntsman's Fold." The hunting days were about three a week during the season, and at nine o'clock in the morning, Smith in his scarlet coat and black velvet cap, would mount his grey horse and begin to sound his horn as he rode into AVakefield : on his appearance at the end of the " Long Causeway," the dogs living in AVestgate would be assembled on the bridge, and answering his horn by a loud cry, would hasten to meet him.

It was a pretty sight to see them passing over Westgate bridge, and to watch the other dogs running full speed down the street to join them. Smith used to go round the town and collect the dogs from their different homes, and then go off to the place of meeting. At the time I speak of, the Earl of Darlington, who had a hunting box at Ackworth Moor Top, was the Master of the Badsworth fox-hounds, and on the morning of the 3rd of February, 18 10, he had sent a bag sox, to be turned out, before the Wakefield Harriers. The meet was at the Lodge, Park Hills, where the fox was turned out, soon followed by the dogs, and a large field of gentlemen assembled on the occasion. The fox took down to the river side, which he crossed a little above Kirkthorpe weir. Among the foremost to reach the river bank, was Mr. AVilliam Burrell, a merchant living in South Parade ; being a very keen sportsman, he plunged his horse into the water after the hounds, whilst a number of other gentlemen crossed the river below the ford, where the water was only about two feet deep, and joined the dogs in the chase.

Soon after poor Burrell got into the water his horse began to plunge and he was thrown off, and this was witnessed by several gentlemen and foot passen gers who were on the brink. Mr. Burrell, who was only a short distance from the water's edge, sank once — and twice, during which interval, the gentlemen lashed two hunting whips together, and throwing them out, the drowning man caught hold of them as he rose for the last time. At this moment, the bank of the river, where the gentleman was standing, gave way; and, in self-defence, he let go the whip, and poor Burrell sank for the last time. It is said that the horse reached the opposite bank safely, and followed the hounds. After some time the body was recovered and taken home. The event, I believe, took place on the anniversary of either his wedding or his birth-day, and he had been very much urged by his wife not to hunt that day.