The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21
twritten for The Times.)

Since Enzapcth the Virgin Queen"
chamred with the grandeur of her new
land, gave TO it the name Virginia, the
..chase" has been one Of the chief peas
ures OF Virginia sportsmen. and 1t has
alwavs been an established custom for
4 goodly number of the first families OF
Virginia and all with the soul OF true
sportsman TO assemble at the home OF
some member of this sporting fraternity
and there plan in a most clabo. ate and
R1IriI way, --as only true lovers Of the
sport can PLAN the most cffcctual
rcneme for capturing that sly Old m
dtvidual OF the forest and field who in
sp,fe of politicians, the world, the flesh
md the devil. remains as ever the ire
pressibIe and Notwithstanding Old
REWARD, who dressed in his warm, red
UNIFORM, delights to play drum major
for ne pack OF yelping hounds, impatient
for the chase. for the expec ant hunters,
ambitious to rob--him-of his brush, ana
Tor blooded steed who strains every
E,uscle to be the proud bearer Of the
hero of the chase.
lie most glorious and elaborate Of
these hunts usually take place during he
Christmas holidays; It is then that bust
ness cares are thrown aside and the
lovers of sports. being at liberty TO toi-
low the bent of their inclination. are
not slow to utilize tho time in adran-
4ageously planning for the hilnt Of the
season. On such occasion the lated
calf' is killed and Old Virginia hospital
1ty, which always shines forth like the
,norning star is seen at her bsst. OF
course, the huntsmen have been for
these occasions as busy conditioning their
pack and funters-as the best horseman
Is ii eauipping his steed for the darby
and free for all races.
GREAT MEN FOX HUNTERS.
some of virgfnia.s greatest men have
been ardent followers of the chase. The
father of our country was extremely
fond Of fox hunting. and many is the
time he has ridden his noble steed over
the fair fields of Mt Vernon. close at
the heels of his .yelping hounds. as they
either captured or drove old Reynold to
his homein the cleft. AS a boy, l have
often listened with enthusiasm to stories
related by my father and other sportsmen
giving exciting accounts of chases. In con-
nection with which the names Of Free
man Epps. of Nottingham county: Robert
Pollard, of King and Queen: William B.
Taylor, of Prince George county: Bev-
erly Elan Of Powhatan- county: DR..
Thomas Cheatham. Of Chesterfield coun-
t.; and General William X. Broderax,
who, perhaps. at that time kept the lar
cest pack of hounds in Virginia. Then
commonly known ..Foggie." and Ned
Blanton. all citizens Of Amelia county,
figured conspicuously- A1y father hunted
with some of these men in his youth.
and it was he who first initiated me into
the typical Virginia fc.x hunt.
CHRISTMAS HUNT.
On a Christmas Eve not many years
ago. a party of merry huntsmen assembled
at one of the most hosr!table of Cd
Virginia mansions in answer to invita-
lions extended to them by their host,
who was true sportsman. Ample pro-
vision had been made in advance for the
guests, their horses and dogs bright
fires were cracking in the large, we'll
lighted rooms, VIII CHI were tastefully and
beautifully decorated with eTergreens and
,nistletoe; the tables groan under their
f.euntiful and rich supply Of tempting
Christmas dishes. which were rendered
moro delicious by the presence OF a bevy
of pretty girls whose p essence made US
remember there were loattels to be won
other than those of fox chase. After
supper games We're INDUCED in, and