The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-16

days, and there was one dazzling, mingling
OF light, diamonds, laughter, flowers, sway
ing forms, and bright eyes, that flashed and
sparkled like scene in the opera. But at
last, much to the regret Of some, but to the
unieigned Joy Of the hunting portion OF
the party, the company left and those who
came for the sake Of the sport remained be-
hind. There were assembled here the bold
est riders and noted sportsmen OF the co,ln-
try. On the morning OF the "meet !" there
were some fifty gentlemen on the ground,
all well mounted and dressed in beautiful
hunting costumes. will begin sketch OF
the noted characters by that OF the host,
Captain Dan. McCarty, who has left name
and reputation Us devoted lover OF field
sports. He was spIendid-looking man, In
the prime OF life, the handsomest Of
his time, with the figure Of q Roman
athlete and the face Of q sculptured
Grecian god; eyes brown, or hazel, that
could look very tender, or equally
fierce; man whom the men swore by
and the women raved over. But the fast
life he was living had told on him his face
was marked by lines that told Of reckless
passions and reckless purpose. Generous,
fearless, and utterly uncaring, such was
Dan. McCarty, the boldest rider and best
shot OF the country round. The way he
won his wife was real romance, though,
unlike most romances, it did not turn out as
the novels always do. He was running a
fox, and pressing him hard, Reynard actu-
ally took refuge in a nansion-housc, VIII ose
door stood invitingly open. The Captain
was never known to hold back when the
hounds led, and rushed for the door, when
he was suddenly confronted by beautiful
girl, as youthful as Hebc, So young. bud
ding maiden, fair, fresh, and sweet" with
her pet fox in her arms that he had been
chasing, and the gallant Captain got his
fox-and won a wife This lady was en-
dowed with as much spirit as was ever
Bonny Kate. but McCarty was no Pc
truchio to tame his shrew, and like
other wise men he knocked under. He
used to remark In after years that "he had
in that chase caught more viXens than one"
He was by inheritance 4 "hard goer," as
the Irish call dashing hunter, being the
great grand son Of Daniel McCarty, presi-
dent OF the House Of Burgesses in Ills, who
bore the hereditary name Of the ancient
lords OF Desmond, and, according to Le-
land, caused the proverbial saying OF eco
to he'll Oh Connaught." This gentleman
was the original OF Thackeray's E'Harry
Esmond.' All Of his descendants followed
in his footsteps. Captain Dan. McCarty,
with buccaneering wife and host OF
friends, coolly determined to follow the
chase and the punch-bowl until he was, in
sporting parlance, '"run to ground" We
may be sure that no finer julep was ever
made than that with which McCarty
regaled his guests in his ancestral
beaker-a "welcome cup" or silver fla
gon holding nearly gallon. This cup had
| ho,,d off hn
cup-bearer holding by one and the guest by
the other two. they drank alternately. The
Captain was always attended by his major
domo. Uncle London, a stately old negro,
prouder than his master, with the eXagge-
rated manners of the times. Uncle London
was always attired in his dark-green livery,
with bright silver buttons. The master and
slave were devotedly attached to each other,
and after the captains death old London
pined away and died of q broken heart.
Captain McCarty died few years after the
meet, in the prime Of life, over head and
ears in debt, his immense estate having been
spent in his splendid entertainments. his
brother, grave and sedate member OF Con-
eress, became his heir, and the echoes OF
blowing horns, light laughter, and the stir
ring tally no has never since been waited
over that classic ground.
One of the most famous characters OF the
assembled company was Parson Weems, a
man Of much talent, but queer in his no
tions and eccentric in his actions. The Far
son loved two things better than preach
lng-hunting the fox and playing the
ment certainly, but one the reverend doctor
OF divinity exceled in, and nothing pleased
the bloods of the day better than to get his
Worship in kindly humor by the aid OF a
bottle of old port, and put his instrument
| in his hands. He could play like Paganinl,
and used to bring every negro on the planta'
ton around the house to hear him. Parson
| Weems was rising above the middle age,
with a rcd, puffy face, twinkling eyes, and
| stout, portly form. His coat was snuii-
colored, with embroidery; no frill OF lace
peeped from his bosom; his neither limbs
were covered by thick woollen wear; and q
pair Of stout Wellington boots completed
the dress. The Parson was welcome guess
everywhere. His fayorite tunes are rarely
heard now: "The Cruiskin Lawn" and
that beautiful old Celtic ballad, :" Far Be
yond the Mountains" In liyeller STRAIN
he would play the Scotch reel "Sally in the
Garden" .Carl,n, is Your Daughter
Ready?" and other aaoreeavr which could
often be heard then in the long bouts thal
Sitting on roam mare Of great bone and
muscle was Miles Selden, from Westoyer,
on the James river. He was an exceedingly
handsome man. I have seen his portrait
taken in his prime, and it is the most per-
feet countenance I ever beheld; full OF
character and decision, one Of those mobile
countenances that are hanghty, stern, OF
tender as the occasion rises. The Seldens
of those times were proud, clannish set,
preiudiced, high-strung, and honorable,
with reckless dash and impulsiyeness that
never counted the cost when their pride o.
their honor was concerned There, too.
mounted on the finest Of horses, was Ned
Amber, Phil. Sonthall, Captain Terrltt,
Nat. Hunter, John Fairfax. and William
Payne. Among this group was celebrated
fox-hunter by the name OF BUCK carter,
from Tidewater section, who fed,, Dred,
and run as staunch breeds OF hounds
as any in the Old Dominion. On Tue
produce OF small plantation he brought
up frugaliy and creditably twelve sons
| and six daughters, stable OF gooa hune
ers, and kennel of true-strain fex-hounds.
| His dress was long drab hunhng-coat,
belt. and fur cap on his head He was O
ioyial fellow, and could tell an anecdote
with wonderful effect and power, and, ike
" poor Yorick," would keep the table IN q
roar. 50 that his company was much sought
after. His whole hunting establishment
though small, was kept in eXcelleat order.
He was always up in the hunting season at
4 in the morning, mounted on one OF MS