Fifty years' fox-hunting with the Grafton and other packs of hounds

Front matter

WITH THE GRAFTON

AND OTHER PACKS OF HOUNDS.

h

Contents

Chap. P-^<-t^

[._The Fourth Duke of Grafton, M.F.H., Colonel

George FitzRoy ...... i

I. ') 0

5- 6.

7- 8.

lO.

1 1.

13- 14. 15-

Fourth Duke of Grafton .

The Author ....

George Carter.

Adam Sherwood's Coat of Arms

Third Baron Southampton

Dick Simpson

George Beers ....

Hazard .....

Marquis .....

First Baron Penrhyn

Sixth Duke of Grafton . ^ .

Frank Beers ....

Second Baron Penrhyn .

Wm. Selby-Lowndes, Esq.

Page

Frontispiece.

Facing I

XVI

List of Illustrations.

No.

Page

1 6. Captain Arkwright .

Facing 243

17. Charles Payn ....

. 254

. 267

19. The Empress of Austria .

. 274

20. T. T. Drake, Esq. .

. 284

21. Tom Winfield

. 288

22. T. T. Drake, Esq., Jun. .

. 295

23. " Jonathan " .

• 305

ERRATA.

Page \%, for lines 24 and 25 read '' running into coverts, where fresh ones would appear ; the hunted fox would then turn back ; Adam was very clever at seeing such," &c. Page 31, line 22^ after '' March," insert " 185 i."' Page 4.9, line i,for '' Durham ' read "■ Den ham." Page 85, line 6, for " daughter "' read " dam." Page 204, line 24, for " in it '" read " to it." Page 230, line 12, for '• Rothschild read" de Rothschild." Page 252, line 7, for " the Misses Higgins and Turvey ' read

" Miss Higgins of Turvey."

Page 252, line 14, for " J.'" read '' G. Race.'' Page 254, line 10, for '' George Payn " read '' Payne,"

J. M. K. Elliott.

Chapter I. The Fourth Duke Of Grafton, M.f.h., Colonel George Fitzroy

Born on the Grafton estate, at a very early age I was sent hunting by my mother on a pillow, in front of the head groom ; and, having persistently followed the Grafton Hounds for so many years, I may reasonably call myself a '' Grafton " man.

The first Master of hounds my memory records was George Henry, fourth Duke of Grafton, of great renown on the turf, a most successful breeder of racehorses, as turf history tells us. His Grace won many races, and his great success upon the turf appears to have stimulated him to turn his attention to the improvement of hunters in the Grafton country. Having so fine a stud to select from, the Duke, in his great generosity, kept a proper selection of sires at Wakefield Lodge for the benefit of his farmers and friends. After a few years had passed, the Grafton country became

B very famous for hunters, and in the early part of the century gentlemen and dealers flocked to it from all parts. Breeding had become so general that a good supply was kept up for a time, but the demand was so great, and such good prices were given, that the breeders made a great mistake ; they were tempted by the high prices, and sold the mares which had bred the stock.

Pioneer was a sire of great fame ; the horses from him were wonderful hunters, but bad hacks. The mares were exceedingly good. The farmers could not resist the pecuniary temptation, ;^i5o and ;^200 apiece was freely given. The Duke was a great buyer himself, and recommended many to his friends. A letter written by the Duke in 1830, to one of his tenants, the original of which is in my possession, shows clearly how agreeably his Grace did business : —

The Duke of Grafton's compliments to Mr. Elliott, and has ridden his mare quite enough to satisfy him that she is worth his buying, on account of the ease of her motion and knowledge of her business.

As Lord James (who has gone hunting to-day) told the Duke of Grafton that the price of the mare was 150 guineas, he has taken her at that price, considering her to be perfectly sound as she seems to be.

Mr. Roper will have directions to pay Mr. Elliott for the mare when he meets him at Towcester on Tuesday next, or the Duke of Grafton can send a draught by the post to-morrow.

just as .Air. Elliott pleases; and will Mr. Elliott be so good as to send a line on this point by whoever he sends back with the pony, upon which the Duke has sent back Mr. Elliott's servant.

Wd. Lodge, \ past 2, Thursday.

^ If Mr. E. prefers taking a chesnut horse of the Duke of Grafton's, Norman, four years old, thoroughbred, he may have him at 100 guineas. But as this would be quite a matter ■of fancy or speculation on the part of Mr. E., he might ride the horse whenever he chooses, and for as long a time •as he likes.

Wakefield Lodge, \ past 2, Thursday.

His Grace generally had the offer from his tenants of anything likely to suit him.

A farmer on the estate named Parish was a good rider, and was employed by his brother farmers to show the young horses when ready.

The Duke saw Parish riding a good-looking young Pioneer horse, and he said :

'' Parish ! ''

" Yes, your Grace? "

" You don't bring that horse to show me."

" No, your Grace."

'^Why not?"

'' I don't think he would suit your Grace."

''What's the matter?"

''Well, your Grace, he has broken his knees."

B 2

"Oh dear! I am very sorry, Parish! How did it happen ? "

'' In a very extraordinary way ; he was going down the road, he caught his toe and fell, and it was a 'fair fall' !"

The Duke, greatly amused, said it would not suit him ; but he had never heard of a '* fair fall '^ before.

The Duke took great pains with young horses, and was in the habit of taking out two at a time with some of his good riding grooms ; if they showed, good temper and fine horsemanship with a wayward horse the Duke always rewarded them on the spot. I must add that the succeeding dukeshave done their best to provide sires of the best blood. The results are only satisfactory when the mares are good ; but there is a great dearth of strong, well-bred mares in the country, and not much disposition on the part of the farmers to breed at the present time.

In hunting circles the Duke was known asthe *' Green Duke." Three dukes kept hounds, and they were called after the colour of their liveries, green, blue, and red. When I first saw the noble Duke in the hunting field — to know who he was — he was riding the beautiful Bolero, by Partisan out of Minuet, by Waxy. It was his Grace's habit to be very punctual at the meet, 10.30, and to ride round and say "Good morning " to all. 1 am afraid that there are not many living now who hunted in those days ; but there are some ; two may be mentioned— Mr. Joe Bailey and Mr. Richard Shepherd, both staunch fox-hunters.

The Grafton country, at that time, extended from Weedon on the north to Creslow on the south, Brackley on the west, and Easton Horn Wood on the east. A rather large slice on the north was, and is now, neutral with the Pytchley, •and I can bear testimony to the liberal manner in which that hunt has acted towards the Grafton during my life. On the eastern side, from the end of Easton Horn Wood to the Northampton and Newport Turnpike, the country is neutral with the Oakley.

In the time of the Duke of whom I am now writmg, the hounds hunted three days a week only. Foxes were not very plentiful, but ran straighter than they do now. With so much neutral country, it gives me the greatest pleasure to state that from those early days until the present I never knew of the slightest friction between the Grafton and their neighbours. On the contrary, the greatest friendship existed.

I may relate one little incident, or rather two, for it was double-barrelled : —

George Beers was in his zenith, hunting a rare pack in the Oakley country ; it Avas in the year 1838. Carter, a great fox-catcher, doing the same in the Grafton country. Both packs w^ere on the eastern side, from the Grafton. Beers found a fox one afternoon, a long way down in the Chase, and ran him for his Hfe up to Salcey Forest. He had no sooner reached the forest than he found Carter's hounds breaking up his fox. Beers behaved better than one might have expected, knowing his failing, a hasty temper. He said to Carter, '' I will be even with you, old boy, one day."

During the following season the two packs were hunting in the same district. Carter's fox ran into the Chase ; Beers heard them coming, collected his hounds, and set his whippers-in to look out. It was not long before they viewed Carter's fox ; Beers took up the line, and killed him. The latter came up and said to Beers : '' You have killed my fox ! " '' Yes, old man, now we are quits ! " Since that time nothing of the kind has occurred. Mr. Arkwright, who hunted the Oakley for so many years, never made an appointment on that side of the country without writing to the Grafton, and the same courtesy was extended by them.

I must now return to the Grafton Field. It consisted of a large number of farmers, a few resident squires, and a nice sprinkling of parsons, for whom I had the greatest regard, as I think one of their great duties on earth is to countenance and encourage good fellowship.

The Reverend Lorraine Smith hunted in those days, and a finer specimen of an English gentleman, a better dressed man, or a kinder man to the poor never lived. Mrs. Lorraine Smith and her two daughters, with Miss Stone from Blisworth, were the only ladies who hunted then. The Misses Lorraine Smith rode in scarlet bodices and grey skirts. The improved side-saddle was not then invented to enable a lady to ride over fences. The farmers rode good horses in those days, and the good mounts they had gave them a great taste for riding over the country, and made many good horsemen.

By the time I began — as the ladies say of their babies — " to take notice," the Duke of Grafton was in declining years, and I saw very little of his Grace in the field. During the last four or five vears of the Duke's keeping hounds. Colonel

George FItzRoy, of Grafton-Regis, took the management in the field, and carried out his uncle's directions to the satisfaction of everyone. No finer horseman, no better sportsman than he was, ever lived in the Grafton country. He rode three beautiful chesnuts of the Duke's, and the same number of his own ; his manners were as perfect as his horsemanship ; his judgment was good all round ; he was for many years consulted by the Grafton Masters, and all the huntsmen sang his praises. He planted a covert on a farm which he rented of the Duke ; it is called the Colonel's Covert to this day, and I hope it will stand for all time to the memory of that good man.

W H u

Pil

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Chapter II. George Carter, Huntsman

In the year 1833, during my early boyhood, Carter was first whipper-in to Ned Rose ; he left for a time, and went to the Oakley. Ned was not successful, and let the hounds get out of repute, so he gave up. Carter was engaged, and came as huntsman, but he found the hounds so bad that he went to the Duke after the first season, and told his Grace he was afraid he should not give satisfaction. The Duke, with his usual urbanity, said, " Carter, I am quite satisfied with what you have done."

From that tmie Carter took heart, and made a pack that was of the highest character. As I was not out of my teens before Carter left, I only intend to give a few early impressions which are imprinted on my mind.

On leaving school, I went hunting as often as I •could get leave from my father to do so. Carter lo George Carter, Huntsman.

was very fond of boys, and did not mind my ridingafter him, but encouraged me. A young gentleman was out on his pony, riding near Carter, one day at Mantel's Heath, when a fox came away in front of them.

" What's that ? " the boy asked.

George took off his cap, and, waving it towards the fox, he said :

" That is him, sir! "

I was one day with the hounds in Whittlebury Forest, then full of deer. Carter found a fox, and hounds ran well for a time. We then saw hundreds of deer go off Wakefield Lawn into Lady Coppice ; the hounds went in at the side as the deer came in at the top. In a few minutes the pack broke up, every hound seemed to have a deer; I never saw such a scrimmage I The young deer fell a prey, and from their cries I always thought that they killed three brace. Carter, of course, blew his horn. Stevens and Dickens, the whippers-in, were at work ; the deer crossed the riding at such speed and with such bounds that we were obliged to look out. Carter rode quietly down the riding. Some of the old hounds came at once ; as their numbers increased he walked down to Broadmoor pond, and gave them a drink. Clarke, the Royal keeper, came upon the scene —

George Carter, Huntsman. i r

a fine man, but rather lame; he was uttering^ great lamentations, and, mopping his forehead, said ruefully : — -

" You will kill half my deer!"

George and the keeper were great friends, sohe replied :

" My dear fellow, I can't help it, I have hounds out to-day which will run anything from an earwig to an elephant ! ! ! "

Mr. Clarke was a superior man in his position, and had been in the forest for many years. The keepers had a pack of bloodhounds with which to hunt the deer out of the enclosed coppices ; at times the deer would leave the forest and run over the country.

Knowing I was fond of hunting, Clarke told me that, when he first came to the forest, there were marten cats in it, and that the greatest treat I could have with a pack of hounds would be to hear them running a marten cat ; the note changed, and the music was delightful ; they ran the thickets for a time, then went up a tree, and no scent was so welcome to a hound as that of a marten cat. Being great poachers, they were exterminated. Clarke said : " Our foxes are stout;" and added that ''In the old days the hounds went to Euston, the Duke of Grafton's

12 George Carter j Hunts?nan.

seat in Suffolk, for a month or two in the season. Foxes were dug out in the forest, and sent down, all of them marked. They dug out an old fox of great size, and sent him ; the next year they dug him out again at Wakefield ! ! and sent him down once more. He beat the hounds a second time, and, on his return, a sheep-dog caught him near Newmarket and killed him" — an ignoble end.

I must now hark back to Carter. No huntsman ever had a finer voice than he bad, and at proper times he w^ould use it to some purpose ; his cheer was soul-stirring. In a cast, when a hound made a good hit, you might have heard him for miles ! He always named the hound he was cheering.

Carter did not ride into the woods when trying. He had many friends, and liked a chat. Every now and then he would let his hounds hear him all over the wood. He said that if hounds were used that way they w^ould get on the drag better than when hurried along ; and would draw all the covert if they knew where he was, and the Field would stand with him. He was, one day, which happened to be New Year's Day, riding very slowly, at the end of Grimscote Heath, talking to Mr. Winkles, who said :

" George, I have heard a fox run down the

George Carter^ Huntsman. 13

wood ; I have heard of a fox being found in a bird's nest ! "

'' He must have come out of one," said Carter.

In a minute there was a holloa away, and a fine run we had, and killed the fox near Northampton. A Scottish gentleman named Wemyss was out : I heard him singing the praises of hounds and huntsman.

In 1 841, a fox from Grub's Coppice took us over Foxley Fields to Tite's Coppice, Green's Park, Weedon Wood, skirted Allithorn, over Stuchbury, down to Thenford, and through it into Middleton field ; he turned to the left over the brook, near Willifer's Covert, and up to Farthinghoe to some farm buildings, where a rat-catcher was busy at his calling. The hounds ran up to him, Carter stood still, but the hounds could do no more. Carter said, " You have killed my fox!" etc.

His tone was so severe that the man was frightened, and would not confess. The hounds had not been gone more than half-an-hour before the farmer came home, and made the rat-catcher fetch him the fox out of the loft. Carter forgot that honey catches flies better than vinegar !

That vv^as a good run imprinted on my mind by its merits, and by what I saw that day. A lady

14 George Carter, Huntsman.

named Miss Nellie Holmes was out, topping the fences like a bird, to the admiration of all ; and when we came to the brook, over she went ; I went with Carter to the ford. That was the first lady whom I saw go over a country. There is one certainty about ladies, what one does another will do, if it be worth the doing. Very soon others were at the game^ and many have played it well since.

Mr. Tom Westley was the ladies' pilot. He was a good rider, and rather noted on the turf for the num berof horses he ran and the few races he won. He did win the Chester Cup with Councillor, bred within about two miles of Wakefield. On the dam's side was Grafton blood.

Mr. Osbaldeston, owing to Westley's bad luck, ■called him '' Worseley."

This was also the first day I saw Jem Mason in the hunting field. I had seen him win steeplechases on Lottery not long before. I have never seen a man since who could show off a hunter, or a good suit of clothes, to greater advantage. I hope I may say more of Jem later on.

Carter's last season with the Grafton Hounds was that of 1841-42. The sport was exceedingly good throughout, and foxes were caught in all directions, which greatly alarmed Lord

George Carter) Hnnts7nan. 15

Southampton, who was to succeed the Duke. There was one old fox which Carter could not manage ; he ran him twice from Seawell Wood, but did not catch him; As I cannot give a ■correct account of the sport, I pass on to the second week in February, 1842. Carter found his fox at Tite's Coppice, and came away with a capital scent over the brook in the bottom, pointing for Foxley, hounds bearing to the right •over the hill about a mile from Green's Norton. Mr. Jack Smith, a grandson of the Duke of Grafton, and Mr. Richard Shepherd, on two grey horses, were having a fine set-to. On the hill was my good father, out for the last time to see the hounds. As we passed him he called to me to go on, saying " That mare can beat either of those grey horses."

I never disobeyed my father's orders, so I called upon my mare; she was 16,2, and in the Stud Book. At the first fence -l went up to them, in the next field I passed theim and jumped a good bullfinch first ; I was no- sooner over than it struck me that my head was far too empty to keep matters balanced before two such horsemen, so I held back, while these two smart young men, in green coats, on grey horses with bang tails, were having a real contest.

1 6 George Carter^ Huntsman.

They took their own hne, and swung over the tops of the hedges, and famously matched they were ; we came to three large ploughed fields, still going evenly ; then grass again, big fences, and so they went to the end, which was at the Towcester Lodges, leading up to Easton Neston House. Carter soon came up and asked where hounds checked. '' Just here," was the reply. ''He can't have gone over the wall, or up the road ; he is about here somewhere," was his remark. He called the hounds back to a large hedge near the road. " Here he is ! " Carter said, and hounds killed him. That was the last day on which I hunted with Carter. My father, who was in a weak state of health, broke a bloodvessel, and passed away on the 21st of that month, so I did not hunt again that season.

Mr. Assheton-Smith came and bought the pack in March, and Carter went with them. Ned Stevens went to the Warwickshire as huntsman, and Will Dickens to Mr. Lowndes as first whipper-in.

Chapter III. Adam Sherwood, Chimney-sweep And Sportsman

No history of the Grafton Hunt can be considered complete which does not contain a memoir of one who was a great celebrity in his day — T mean Adam Sherwood, a sweeper of chimneys residing at Stony Stratford. He had a great taste for fox-hunting, and gained a considerable knowledge of the '^ Art and Science." Living so near to the forest, he obtained a good deal of practice in the autumn and spring. He had no great taste for cross-country work ; for, truth to tell, his steed was not exactly thoroughbred. Adam's hunting costume consisted, most appropriately, of a " chimney-pot " hat, the altitude of which had been considerably lowered by repeated bangs upon the top, and large wrinkles on the sides ; a green smock-frock, and corduroy continuations completed his attire. Adam always wore a smile upon

c

1 8 Adam- Sherwood.

his face, and had a twinkle of humour In his eye, which greatly illuminates the countenance, even if it be a dark one. He was gifted with a very pleasing voice ; and when he used it it was evident that it was directed by an intelligent and active mind.

On hunting days he always carried a fiask. It was the first of the. kind I ever saw ; two glass bottles welded together at the lower ends and up to the necks ; and each mouth was neatly corked ; in fact it was very like one of the oil and vinegar cruets with the crossed necks. In offering refreshment to a friend, he would say, '' One side gives gin, the other brandy; I am sure it is pure," and he would name his wine-merchant. Adam became so popular that Mr. Lorraine Smith provided him with a coat of arms, which I am happy to be able to reproduce.

When hounds were running in the forest, Sherwood was a great authority ; he was very correct about a hunted fox, and had learned the secret of keeping his mouth shut when he saw a fresh one. In the forest foxes were fond of running into coverts. When fresh ones appeared, and turned back, Adam was very clever at seeing them, and when he did, he would make the wood ring with his "view-holloa." One day the Duke

M^

"7

A da VI Sherwood. 19

heard him, and, going up, asked him if it were the hunted fox. " Yes, your Grace, and a very black fox, your Grace ! "

^' Out of compliment to you, Adam," said the Duke. Here Carter came up. " Go to this fox, Carter," said his Grace, '' this is the hunted fox ; Sherwood says it is." After the day^s hunting was over, Adam was very fond of making remarks about it.

Later on, when George Beers became huntsman, Adam used rather to tread on his corns, by telling him where he thought he had done wrong. He used very forcible argument, but George was a hard nut to crack. On one such occasion it became evident that Beers's limit of good temper was getting strained ; Adam, perceiving this, in the greatest good humour, said, " Ah, well I I never in my life knew a huntsman who would allow that he was in any fault ; " and there the •conversation changed.

Adam did not in the least mind talking '' shop," •or taking an order, in the hunting field. He had a wonderful trade, and was fond of telling people how many gentlemen's chimneys he swept. I once asked him which was his largest house. "' Mr. Cavendish's, Thornton Hall," he replied, " it

has 1 01 chimneys."

c 2

20 Adam Sherivood.

One day Adam had finished his morning's work at the Rev. Mr. Drummond's, and was taking his money. The reverend gentleman said :

'' You black-coated men earn white money very quickly, Adam." '' Yes, sir ; we gentlemen who wear black coats do earn money very quickly, don't we, sir? "

Adam was fond of a game of whist, at which he was a good player. I have met him in Stony Stratford of an evening, dressed for his whist party. He put on another dress then, a good silk hat, carefully brushed, a nice cloth coat, sporting style, and such a waistcoat ! worked worsted, with a scarlet ground, and the thickest row of foxes' teeth down the front, instead of buttons, and nicely spotted all over with foxes^ heads ; which sumptuous article of apparel was worked for him by the Misses Lorraine Smith.

By dint of hard work and taking care, Sherwood made money ; but he sustained a nasty blow in losing ;^4oo by a bank failure. Nevertheless, he saved enough to retire upon, and to enable him to enjoy that repose in old age which he so well deserved. No man in his station stood higher in the estimation of all classes than did Adam Sherwood.

Charles, Third Baron Southampton.

From a portrait by Sir Francis Grant.

Chapter IV. Charles, Third Baron Southampton, M.f.h

Charles, the third Lord Southampton, resided many years at Whittlebury, and held high offices in the county of Northampton. He was Lord Lieutenant of the county, chairman of Quarter Sessions, also of the Board of Guardians, and was always taking the lead in public business ; his able services were greatly appreciated.

In 1842 Lord Southampton succeeded the Duke of Grafton as Master of Hounds, having hunted the Quorn for a few seasons. In 1830 Sir Francis Burdett wrote to Mr. John Moore, of the Melton Club: " You must come and see the best pack of hounds I have ever seen in Leicestershire. The Duke of Rutland has hunted twice with us this week, when his own hounds have been at their best places ; wonderful sport ; tired horses every day ; foxes always killed, or

2 2 Charles^ Third Baron Soitthanipton.

accounted for, and made to run to distant points,, instead of running like rabbits ! "

This pack was bought of the Marquis of Tavistock ; George Mountford was huntsman, and George Beers second whipper-in. Will Derry joined them as first whipper-in.

Lord Southampton bought a pack of hounds of Mr. Harvey Coombe, which had previously been bought from Mr. Osbaldeston, and were all bred by that gentleman. They were a very variegated pack in colour .- Sailor, Saucebox, Syren, Symphony, and Singwell were all white ; Challenger, the most vivid yellow and white. The noted Merriman, nearly all black, was half-faced, and had a " wall-eye " ; he was by Furrier, by Yarborough Chaser, and that blood predominated in goodness during the twenty years Lord Southampton hunted the country. Harry Taylor hunted, during the first season, with Tom Flint as first, and George Wells as second whipper-in.

Mr. Coombe sent ten hunters to Towcester, with the intention of hunting; Will Todd, the then late huntsman, went as stud-groom. When Todd went to the first meet, all the old hounds knew him, and wanted to join him. Mr. Coombe did not hunt more than two days. He had a friend named Beech, who intended to hunt regularly on Mr. Coombe's horses. This friend was taken ill ; the doctor was sent for, and prescribed some medicine. The patient said " No, I never took a dose in my life, and I never will." He kept his word — and died. On that account the stud was sent away, and the visit ended. During the first season there was only moderate sport, some quick things and kills, but Lord Southampton said : " They don't catch the stout foxes."

In the spring of 1843 ^^^^ Derry came, and two new whippers-in, but no better sport followed with the change. In 1844 Lord Southampton engaged Ned Rose, who had hunted before George Carter for the Duke. Ned had been keeping the "Spotted Dog" (the " Talbot ") at Towcester, and subsequently "The Cock" at Stony Stratford. His upper proportions had so much increased and his legs decreased in size that he resembled a " beer barrel on toothpicks." Lord Southampton sent Ned out in July, and asked me to go with him to Nun Wood, on the estate where I was then living. We went and killed a fox, but more by accident than anything else. The hounds ran into standing corn, so they went home and remained for three weeks.