The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-23 00:00:00

The Brighton Hunt.

The landowners and occupiers of farms within the
range of the Brighton Hunt were invited on Friday even-
ing to a sumptuous banquet given to them at the Grand
Hotel by the subscribers to the Brighton Harriers. Sir
Christopher Rawlinson took the chair, and after the
disposal of the usual loyal and patriotic toasts,
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the toast of the evening,
which was "The Health of the Landowners and
Occupiers"—the guests of the evening. He said that
when he looked upon the season they had had, and the
state of the land after the wet autumn, he sometimes
began to doubt if he would not have grown selfish if he
had had land in the neighbourhood of the Brighton Hunt,
it being so heavy and liable to damage; and therefore the
visitors and inhabitants of the town were very much in-
debted to the gentlemen who occupied the land, for were
it not for their kindness and forbearance, the Brighton
and Brookside Harriers, to say nothing of the South Devon
Foxhounds, and other packs at a small distance, would not
exist ; and if these did not exist, half the number of horses
which were brought to Brighton would not find their way
there. For all this they were indebted to the landowners,
to whom no return was made—(hear, hear) —and he was
exceedingly pleased with this acknowledgment of their
kindness. (Applause.) With regard to the Hunt itself,
he had noticed the difficulty which his vice-president, Mr.
Hudson (the Master of the Hounds), had experienced,
whose endeavours to protect the crops were greater than
he ever saw any other master of hounds make ; and he
showed hotter temper than any, although ho sometimes
saw his hounds ridden over. (Applause.) The master
of some foxhounds once said to a fellow who was rid-
ing with all his might after reynard, "Du you think.
you can catch that fox with your horse ?" to which the
rider replied, " I think I could." (A laugh.) The master
said, "Well, then, just let my hounds try first, and
if they don't, you shall." (Laughter.) Mr. Hudson was
doubtless tempted to say similar things sometimes, but (as
he had already stated) h• never lost his temper; and he
also hunted with great skill—never was heard hollaing or
seen pointing about, and yet the hounds did their work
and were kept off the land remarkably well. (Hear, hear.)
Sir Christopher then gave the toast, and coupled with it
the names of Mr. William liigden, of Hove; Mr. Charles
Hardwick, of Hangleton ; and Mr. William Hodson, of
Blatchington, who, he said, most kindly and generously
allowed their lands to bo ridden over, and without whose
permission the Hunt could not exist, (Applause.)
The toast was drunk with loud cheers, led by Mr. E.
Cane, of Berwick.

Mr. RIGIZIEN, in responding, said that his land being so
close to the town, was the least injured of any, but ho was
sure that he echoed the sentiments of other owners when
he wished every success to the Hunt. (Hear, hoar.) Al-
though he bad now given over hunting himself, he could
fully appreciate the pleasures of those who followed the
hounds, and ho was satisfied that nearly all who occupied
land in the neighbourhood—there were always sure to be
some black sheep in a flock—were pleased to see the hounds
across their land. (Hear, hear.) So far as the Brighton
Hunt was concerned, thero was little to complain of, that
is, of those who go with the hounds; but it was those who
rode anywhere and turned back when the Capper came
round that did the damage —(laughter—but those who
really hunted the farmers wore pleased to see; and, feeling
that the Brighton Harriers were a great advantage to them,
they would always be ready to further their prosperity
(Applause.)

Mr. HARDWICK and Mr. HoDsoN both responded, in
similar terms, hoping that they would bo able to afford as
much sport next year as had been experienced this ; and
the latter gentleman said he did not care about a hedge or
gate or two, when broken in fair hunting, for no man in
England was more pleased than himself to see a man ride
straight ; but it was the followers who did the damage,
and who would go out of their way to leap a sheep-wattle,
only riding about to enjoy the country. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. RIGDEN then proposed "The Master of the Hounds,'
and said he had known the Brighton Harriers for thirty-
five years, but they never had a better reputation than
they now enjoyed. (Hear.) In conclusion he said thatso
long as the farmers were treated fairly, so long would they
interest themselves in preserving the hunt. (Applause.)
He knew when he hunted that if ho had a good place and'
a straight run, if any one pleased to shout " War wheat I'
he took no heed of it—(a laugh)—it was too much to ex-
pect from flesh and blood—(renewed laughtorand applause)
—but as Mr. Hodson said, it was the followers, like those
who follow an army, that do the mischief. He was quite
aware that the master of the hounds was not responsible,
and so long as he did his best to keep the riders off the
crops the farmers would be satisfied, for that was as much
as could be expected of him. (Hear, hear.)
The toast was drunk amidst loud applause.

Mr. HODSON, in returning thanks, said the sport of the
past season had boon most satisfactory ; there had been
good runs, and they had accounted for a great number of
hares. Ho had done his best to provide the necessary ad-
junct— good hounds—having succeeded in getting good
drafts from all quarters; and what, he asked, could be more
exhilarating than galloping over the fields after a good
pack? (Hear, hear.) Hunting was the soul of country
life, and was one of those amusements which a man could
participate in without prejudice to himself or others.

"It is better to hunt over downs,
For health unbought ;
Than seek for the doctor for
A nauseous draught."

(Laughter and applause.) Mr. Hodson-concluded by say-
ing that he had-had occasion to correct many of the more
ardent sportsmen, but ho hoped to be forgiven, and that
they would attribute his apparent discourtesy to an over-
anxiety to show them good sport. (Hear, hear.) To quote
the words of the immortal Shakspero—
s "My true intent is all for your delight."

(Applause.)
Some complimentary toasts, including t' The Secretary,"
"The Treasurer," sc., brought a most pleasant evening to
a close.

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