This scrapbook came from Milfield Hill house. The compiler was probably George Grey, with later articles added by his son, John Neil Grey. The book measures 64cm x 50cm. It contains 67 pages which have items pasted in, some blank pages and many loose items. Most of the content is cut from newspapers but there are also bills of sale, receipts, and invitations. The earliest document is marked 1760 in pencil. More modern documents date from the 1920s, but the bulk of the material, which is not in chronological order, appears to date from 1880s and 1890s. The majority of the content is to do with sporting or agricultural matters; fox hunting, fishing, otter hunting and shooting. It carries family obituaries and those of fellow sportsmen and neighbours. There are articles on unusual animals, agriculture, humorous stories and poems, some politics, inventions and recipes: one for curry and one for nettle beer. By the early 1900s there are results of hockey and cricket matches. There are a few photographs mostly un captioned: a portrait of George Grey in Milfield Hill library and two of hounds. In it is now in a fragile condition with the paper cracking as the pages are turned and articles at the edges of pages loosing pieces of newsprint. The later articles are glued in, in a way which makes the print hard to read. Articles which appear to be connected to the family have had coloured crosses drawn on them but it is not always clear how they are relevant. So far only those that are known to have relevance to the family have been transcribed. Material from the Delaval family may be included because the Greys managed the Ford estate.

2. ALNWICK DOG SHOW This show took place on Friday, 9th inst, by permission of his grace the Duke of Northumberland, in the Column Field, Alnwick, in connection with a Poultry, Pigeon, Rabbit, Cat, and, Cage Bird Exhibition; and the canine department was very good indeed; but unfortunately the day turned out to be a very bad one, thunder and rain interfering the whole afternoon with the comfort of the visitors, so the attendance was very small, the money taken at the gate amounting to only about £30, more or less. This is a blow to the committee and hon. secretaries, who were most energetic and painstaking throughout in their endeavours to have made the affair a success. We trust, however, that their next venture will amply recoup them for their losses and repay them for their trouble. We are indebted to Mr J. T. Stott for our prize list, which we therefore trust will be found correct. Lieut. -Col. Cowan and Mr G. H. Proctor were the judges, and we hear from various sources, that they gave great satisfaction to exhibitors; but as our report has failed to reach us, we regret that we cannot criticise their awards in full. Prize list; (Ed. Note: This includes categories for greyhounds, pointers, setters, retrievers, sheepdogs, spaniels, bedlingtons, fox terriers, dandy dinmonts and other varieties. George Grey won no prizes but two dogs were highly commended. ) SPANIELS—BLACK: Very high com. G. Grey (Corbie) DANDY DINMONTS.—Very high com. G. Grey (Dandie)

"Belle own sister to Prince" in pencil in margin.

2. The crusade against the Northumberland rooks and wood pigeons which was started by Mr. GEORGE GREY of Milfield, some time ago, goes briskly on. Nobody appears to deny that these uninvited guests render a service in return for their food; on the contrary Mr. BELL, the secretary of the Newcastle Farmers’ Club, describes the rook as the "saviour of their crops," and as an industrious gleaner of various kinds of grubs, wireworms, and the larvae of injurious insects; but the truth is, that since the gun licence was instituted they have increased and multiplied beyond all reasonable limits. As one of the Northumberland gentleman tersely put it, "We do not place five men on a farm to do the work of two, and yet we have four or five rooks for everyone that is really wanted." There are sceptics, it is true, who have found that the rooks food is "all grub and no grain"; but his scientific name, corvus frugilegus, was not got for nothing, and the crops of slaughtered rooks in harvest time bear unanswerable testimony against them. Mr. SCOTT, of Alnham, estimates his loss in one season from this cause, on seven hundred acres of land, at £200. It is no wonder that the Northumberland farmers have formed themselves into a society whose motto is "Down with the bird pests!"

3. OTTER HUNTING IN THE TILL BY MR T. H. GIBB REPRINTED FROM THE “ALNWICK GUARDIAN” OF AUGUST 15, 1891, AT THE "GUARDIAN" OFFICE, BOXGATE STREET, ALNWICK OTTER HUNTING IN THE TILL

AFTER a long day’s work on Thursday last week, I sat dosing in my chair, when I was aroused by a rat-tat-tat at the door, and a friend was duly announced. Knowing his voice, and having an inkling of the object of his visit, I rushed out to meet him, and received the gratifying intelligence that Mr Wilkinson’s otter hounds were to meet on the following morning. "Going?" said he, "Rather," said I. "Where do they meet, and at what hour?" "Chatton at nine – leave here at six." I rise at five the next morning, and drawing the window blind on one side peep out. There’s no rain; yet the weather looks threatening, but what of that? Who cares for weather and an otter hunt on "the card"? At 5:40 I am en route for the rendezvous in B-------e Street, and I wend my way down the usually, but at this hour oppressively quiet streets of Alnwick, for the only inhabitants on the move that I can see are a pair of thieving jackdaws, and a solitary rook feeding on the grub of the diamond-back moth, still clinging to some discarded cabbage blades. Punctually at six we are on the road for Chatton; and while taking the steep hill at the Barn Yards a delicious odour comes from the heights above, and we know some lucky fellow is whiffing a modicum of birds-eye. The temptation is too great to be evaded, and five pipes are immediately unearthed – confounded the otter hunt – I mean unpocketed, and as many curling columns of smoke ascend into the air to whet the appetite of those who may follow us. Of all things commend me to a morning pipe and an otter-hunt looming in the distance. Away over hill and dale, noting by the way the various landmarks and enjoying the lights and shades pictured on the rugged hills and bosky valleys, and in the fullness of time we get a glimpse from Old Berwick of the river that, we trust, harbours a "wily fisherman" in its lower reaches, and on this morning we seem to love that river better than we have ever done before. Turning now from the Wooler to the Chatton road, we have the Hebron Hills on our left, bonny as ever with their gay attire of heather, bracken, and stunted woods, bearded with silvered lichens and golden mosses. Now we pass classic Chillingham, and observe browsing on the uplands a herd of the wild cattle, looking in the distance like so many cream-coloured boulders. Practically at nine we drive into the neat and compact little village of Chatton, apparently in holiday attire, for there is to be seen a number of gaily-painted peepshows and caravans, the owners of which, I dare say, expect to do a roaring business as the day advances. There is a large gathering of pedestrians – old and young, fat and lean, rich and poor – amongst whom we see a goodly number of the elite of the neighbourhood, the village smith and joiner, knights of St Crispin, and remote descendants of the nine great men of Tooley Street – all apparently in the best of good humours.

Some score or more are in possession of hunting poles, though un- speared, and unlike in this respect the article that used to be in vogue in the good old times. These poles add a grace to the tout ensemble of their possessors, and speak also to the fact that in them we may expect to see the real workers in the approaching hunt, and we know we shall not be disappointed. The rest of the multitude, to a man, carry sticks. Never before was seen such a wonderful variety of sticks. There is the ash sapling, the hazel, the oak, the black thorn of a real Tipperarian type, the improvised stake from a thorn fence, canes from Malacca, bamboos from India, all of which impart a business sort of effect to the scene that is quite refreshing. But here comes the worthy Master and his long-eared beauties. We recognise many of our old favourites. There are Hamlet, Ruby, Trouncer, Marmion, Regent, Ruffler, and last, but not least, the distinguished veteran, Gaylad, with a knowing look about him which many of the younger hounds just out of their puppyhood would do well to emulate. The meet is on the stone bridge, and down stream, where there are many choice "harbours," is the order of the day; but lest the "varmint" has taken it into his head to "lair" up water, the huntsman wisely casts up before going down. With a bound the hounds are off, accompanied only by the master and his whips, the onlookers being content to wait events on the bridge. Ha! music already, and from Countess; she has "drawn" a sand bank, and tells plainly enough that the marauder in her nocturnal wanderings has been there; then the whole pack backs up the leader with a chorus that makes the old valleys ring with the welcome sound. Up stream they hie at racing pace, the hounds calling in grand style. So warm does the situation now seem to be that the "field" on the bridge begin to waver in their inactivity, and at length, being unable to withstand the suspense any longer, they rush off as if with one accord to overhaul the hounds. After a run which tries the wind and stamina of more than one eager soul, all are at length well up, but only to find that the scent has become cold, so cold that the master announces the fact that we have been on the "heel" of the drag; so with a blast from his horn and a long drawn "back – back" the hounds are taken up and walked down again to the bridge. A few of the very knowing ones, I presume, had never left the trysting place; and as we turn up from a bootless run, we fancy we see in them underneath a certain calmness of countenance a merry twinkle of satisfaction at our expense. "Down stream!" and with the cheery words we are off; one-half of the field, numbering, I should say, about 150 people, elect to take the south, the other the north side of the river. At the first bend we touch a spot overshadowed by a group of willows, the hounds speak to the drag found above. Now we are on the right track, hunting a holt – ward; with a warm scent we sweep round the corners so prevalent in the tortuous course of the Till, and hurry over the straight reaches at so lively a pace that many of the followers are constrained to do a bit of lurching by cutting off the angles; but all those with the true grit about them follow closely the heels of the hounds. For long reaches the otter in her journeying homeward has evidently kept closely to the water, so that, although there is a continuity in the drag, the music of the hounds is not heard so often as might be wished; but every now and again a babel of tongues rings out in the clear morning air, and sends a thrill of pleasure through the expectant followers. Here we hope to mark, but no, the holt is empty, the tenant at will evidently off to other quarters. Yonder surely she will be; yes, there goes the music in right earnest, through and through the entangled thicket of drift wood and roots the hounds rush. Marmion seems to have her; no. Ruby marks; no. The quarry after all has only lingered a little longer here than usual, and on we rush. We are now nearing Fowberry. Intuitively we know this by the sequestered beauty of the scene. ‘Tis even so, for there are the grand old towers peeping out from the embosoming of the enamoured trees; round about are the stately woods, old perchance, but with a wealth of foliage that marks a vigourous growth. These spread their branches across the grassy knowes and sweep over the undulating lawns and drives, and the quaint bridge that spans the river on the north dappling every object with such a net-work of fantastic shadows as to impart quite a fairy aspect to the lovely view. Then there are the other well-marked accessories to still further add to its beauty, the parti-coloured hounds that show like glints of high-toned lights as they thread the mazes of the coverts, the heterogeneous colourings of the garbs of the onlookers, and the little dash of red that marks the whereabouts of the indefatigable huntsman. Here, after some close hunting, Ruby challenges at a drain, Ruffler, Regent, and Countess follow suit, and next the entire pack; at last we have the quarry fairly marked. The holt runs underneath the drive that skirts the river, and passes on to an adjoining field, when it comes out to the day. Willing hands are soon at work, led on by the inspiriting leadership of Mr Grey of Milfield; an entrance is speedily effected, and Vic, one of the plucky little terriers of the pack, is sent in to do her "share." She works with a will, but fails to get to close quarters, whereupon Grip, the scarred hero of a hundred battles, is introduced. He goes direct to the mark, and the progress of the combatants may be traced as the ring of battle is heard below. This slowly but surely draws near to the mouth of the drain, and when the voice of everyone is hushed in keen expectancy the otter shows in the open and is received with such a piercing view hallo that makes the old woods echo and re-echo with delightful sounds. With a header the "crafty one" points down stream, the whole pack at her stern. For a moment we fancy she is run into; not so fast, for she adroitly evades the rush of Hamlet, and by diving beneath the hounds accomplishes a neatly executed double; but the hounds are speedily on her track, and some splendid hunting ensues. Many things are in favour of the "the piscatorial raider." In the first place the Till hereaway flows over a sandy and muddy bed, which quickly rises by the action of the hounds and obscures the view; and then there is such a ripple on the surface of the water as to preclude the possibility of following for any length of time the "bells" that form the well-known "chain"; so that we have mainly to depend on the work of the hounds. For a moment they are at fault, and we cast back, thinking she has gone below; but we find she is still up, and in response to an inspiriting "for’ard" the hounds rush up stream. In their excitement the most of them overrun their game; but Gaylad comes along, and with his years of experience he takes in the situation and fails not to mark the fugitive into a sluice that has been built to carry off the backwater which forms in the fields beyond after every heavy spate in the river. This is a dilemma we did not bargain for, and many believe that it will finish up the hunt; but after a few necessary preliminaries Grip is again sent to ground, and after a long and weary suspense we hear that the plucky little animal is nobly accomplishing the work he is sent to do, and is again at close quarters with the wily foe. At length there comes an earnest appeal from the old keeper guarding the mouth of the sluice to keep perfect silence. We watch with baited breath – a sudden rush and a plunge, and to the next instant we see the otter heading downstream. Again and again she takes us down to the cordon of men that spans the stream below, and so closely is she beset that she breaks past the barrier and re-enters the drain wherein she was first found; but Grip gives her no rest, and serves her with another notice to quit, when heading upstream she next utilises a rabbit burrow, whence she is dislodged with difficulty, and only after an hour's hard work of incessant digging. And now follows the grand finale, and as glorious a bit of hunting as ever cheered the heart of a votary of the chase. Up and down the river she takes us, the hounds – aye, and everyone present – full of wild excitement. Here, there, and everywhere, almost at the same moment, the otter cleverly baffles her pursuers. Trouncer has her now, but only for a moment – she leaves her mark and is gone. Now Ruby grips, but what of that! a twist and she is off. Yonder she is surrounded by at least a dozen hounds. This time she will surely be taken. Not a bit of it. She wriggles herself clear, just as an eel will through the fingers of a schoolboy, and the next moment the view hallo comes from a point fifty yards up stream, the next as many yards below. Up and down, out and in, through and through – dashing, splashing, screaming, and shouting, hurrying, scurrying, leaping and tumbling we go. See that old fellow who an hour back was expiating on his first otter hunt of forty years ago; he is now eagerly exclaiming, "This bangs them a’, this bangs them ‘a!" From that sedate individual who was never see a hunt before comes a look of wild astonishment, and a hurried and twice-uttered adjective, "Grand! grand!" Of all those present the huntsman is the coolest. He guides his hounds with admirable tact – a "careful Regent," and the hound is at once steadied. His horn sounds the "forward," and immediately there is a sympathetic response; but now the otters strength fails, while that of the hounds increase with a growing eagerness. She vents close to Marmion – lucky dog! – to him will fall first honours; but he misses his mark, and she is yet free, only for a moment though, for the clever hound dives and takes her under the water. Trouncer is close up, eager and jealous, and with a rush secures second place, and then Ruby, Ruffler, and the other hounds go for the melee. And now, when the excitement is at its height the master tails the quarry, and with a wild who-oap gives her to the pack. Like all her race no coward blood runs in her veins, she fights to the bitter end; but at last, though unconquered, she is slain, as game a lady otter as ever preyed on a salmo salar of the Till. Ye who wish, for aught I care, can hunt Wappiti in the wilds of Colorado; aye, or cross the Nile on a crocodiles back, like the renowned Waterton. Give me a quiet rivulet like the Till, with its charming surroundings, hounds of the right stuff, a master of the proper grit, and a game otter, and I shall crave no finer sight, or more soul inspiring sport than what may be had through such mediums. Alnwick, August 10, 1891

Amongst the large party who were present at the hunt, besides MR WILKINSON, M. O. H., Neasham Abbey, Darlington, were the following: – The COUNTESS OF TANKERVILLE, LORD DALHOUSIE and party from Chillingham Castle; SIR JACOB AND LADY WILTON, and party Chillingham Barns; Mrs and Mrs GEORGE GREY, Milfield Hill; Captain STOBART, Coupland Castle; Captain and Mrs A. H. LEATHER and MR G. LEATHER, Fowberry; Captain LINDSELL, Thornhill Alnwick; Lieut. BROWNE, and Mrs and Misses BROWNE and friends Callaly Castle; Captain RODDAM of Roddam; Captain ILDERTON; Lieut. COOKSON; Mr and Mrs G. G. REA, Doddington Mr ARTHUR FENWICK; Mr T. K. CULLEY; Messrs TINDALL, Chatton Broom House; TINDALL., Wandon; SCOTT, East Lilburn; JOHN DRYDEN, Hepburn Bell; FORSYTH, Hetton House; ROBSON, Heathery Hall; G SIMPSON, T.H.GIBB, JAS. HUME. Jun, J. GRAY, W. HALL, J. SIMPSON,Jun., and JAS. STOTT, Alnwick; R. SANDERSON, Wooler; R.N. TURNBULL, W. LIND and C.TAYLOR, Belford.

4. AN OLD GUN.—Referring to a letter in your last issue, signed “West Lodge,” I have a pair of guns by Joseph Manton, 6, Holles-street, Cavendish-square, which I think must be as old as the one mentioned by your correspondent, although I do not know the exact date of their manufacture. I have shot with them for the last thirty years, first as muzzle-loaders and afterwards when converted for me by J. and W. Tolley. They are 16-bores, with about 1ft. along the breech end double. They are as good and sound as ever they were.—GEORGE GREY (Milfield, Northumberland). [This gun must be older than the one mentioned last week, as Joe Manton died in 1835.]

4. ROOKS IN NORTHUMBERLAND. Mr George Grey, Milfield, recently wrote as follows to the Newcastle papers: – From time to time I have seen letters pointing out how very numerous rooks have become, the great damage done by them, and urging that their number should be reduced. The Newcastle Farmers’ Club have also had the subject under discussion, but no actual line of action appears to have been decided upon, and there is every fear that the matter may be allowed to drop. I therefore venture, by way of keeping the subject alive, to write you and give my views upon it. In the first place, as to numbers; it is an undoubted fact that rooks have increased enormously during the last few years; not only have old existing rookeries been strengthened, but new colonies have been founded in almost every available clump of trees or plantation. One naturally asks the cause of this increase. The answer is that their enemies, such as hawks, &c., have been destroyed, and also – and more especially – they have never been effectually shot down during the breeding season since the gun license was introduced. Prior to the introduction of this license it was the custom to allow villagers, workmen, &c., to go and shoot the rocks – a permission of which they gladly availed themselves. Now these men cannot do so, not having licenses, and the probability is that a proprietor perhaps shoots one day with the rifle, and the keeper perhaps is allowed along with a friend to have another day, after which the rockery is at peace. Many rookeries that I know of have not been shot at all this past year. Rooks, when in small numbers, were useful birds – eating a certain amount of grub and wire-worm, &c., and perhaps taking an inappreciable quantity of corn as well. But as the number increased, such food was not to be found in sufficient quantity, and the result was that they commenced to damage corn very seriously – first, by digging it up directly it began to spring, and breaking the ground; and, secondly, by alighting in hundreds in fields of ripening or "laid" corn and devouring it wholesale. On the potato crop they are also very destructive, and unless youngsters are employed to keep them off, there is every chance of the crop being considerably reduced. But they did not stop at this, but took upon themselves the cloaks of their cousins, the crows, and now prove equal to the latter in hunting for and destroying partridge and pheasant nests, and also in the destruction of young birds. Moreover, if a sheep happen to be lying awkward, or to be sturdy, it is no rare occurrence for the shepherd on his arrival to find that the rooks have picked the eyes out of the living animal. I have known young weakly lambs suffer very much from this. How rooks are to be thinned down most effectively it is hard to say come. They cannot be poisoned, as there would be the certainty of poisoning other things as well. I have tried pulling down the nests in the building season, but the rooks can build quicker than one can pull down. I have also tried to make them drunk with barley steeped in whisky, with a view to neck-wringing bout afterwards, but they proved to be either teetotal or in possession of very strong heads, as there was no result. In my opinion the gun is the only remedy, and it is of no use without concerted action. What I would therefore propose is, that every proprietor in the county who has a rookery or rookeries upon his estate should engage, upon a certain date to be determined (such date to be during the nesting time), to employ men to shoot in the rookeries incessantly during the period of one week. This would not only destroy by shooting a number of old rooks, but would addle a large quantity of eggs in the nests. I may state that I have mentioned that the matter to Mr Albert Grey, and he agrees to carry out the programme upon his estate, provided a sufficient number of other proprietors will join him and do likewise. Unless the landlords take it upon themselves, the tenant-farmer has no chance to remedy the evil. I hope that this matter may not be allowed to rest here, but that all those interested will push the subject until the remedy be applied and the evil mitigated. In connection with this the following letters appeared:

– SIR, – There are few but what will agree with Mr Grey as to the numerical increase of rooks and their destructive character on farm crops, &c. Wood pigeons and other small birds have also greatly increased and become a pest to the farmer, but Mr Grey only slightly hints at the cause of the farmer’s multiplied enemies. Is it not a fact that all birds of prey and useful animals such as the weasel have been nearly exterminated and considerably destroyed the balance of nature? By whom or for what purpose this has been done I will not undertake to say, but it certainly has been the means of bringing about the results complained of, and many will be glad to learn that Mr Grey has made a move in the right direction. I can fully bear out Mr Grey's statement on the fatal attack crows made on weakly lambs, and the injury sometimes done to full-grown sheep when not able to ward them off for reasons stated in his letter. – I am, &c., WM. LILICO. Ewart Park, Dec. 21 1888.

SIR, – I read with much interest Mr George Grey's letter on the increasing numbers and consequent depredations of rooks and crows, and the wholesale methods to be adopted for their reduction. As an old farmer, I would like to say a good word in their favour, and warn people who have rookeries against such an inhuman course as that contemplated by some. For some years I rented a farm here. Around the old hall is a rookery which has existed from time immemorial. Knowing their value, I discouraged any interference with them in the breeding season, for at that time they require much soft food for their young – grubs, &c. By giving leave to my friends and neighbours to shoot the young rooks they were kept thinned, and, with the ordinary mortality to the old ones, I never noticed that their numbers varied to any appreciable extent in any year. It should be remembered that most, if not all, young rooks destroyed in this way are used for food. Some people seem to confound rooks with crows (corbies). I believe the corby, or carrion crow, to be extinct in this neighbourhood. At least I have not seen one for years; even sixty years ago they were not numerous. Referring to the remarks of "Game Preserver," I don't believe half of the stories told of rooks destroying the eggs of game, but only as a thing devised by their enemy, the gamekeeper, who makes them the scapegoat when by any means there happens to be a scarcity of game on an estate. Farmers suffer from the depredations of small birds in a much greater degree than from rooks. For years past they have literally appeared in clouds at the approach of harvest and done great destruction to cereals. I attribute this to the action of game preservers destroying the balance of power as ordered in the great scheme of Creation. Birds and small animals of prey that were intended to check the undue preponderance of any particular species are now nearly extinct, viz.: – Hawks, owls, jays, magpies, weasels, polecats, &c., from the idea that they were hostile to the preservation of game. I believe the contrary to be the case, for in my youth I lived on a farm adjoining Chevington Wood, then a dense forest of 600 acres. The present Earl Grey had, with a party, a battue or two every season, and I think he will remember there was no scarcity of pheasants and other game, although the birds and animals I have mentioned, including foxes were in abundance. – I am, &c., M. H. DAND. Hauxley, December 20, 1888

SIR, – I would like to say one or two words in reply to Mr Dand's letter. Mr Dand does not raise any direct issue between us, but I gather that he denies that rooks have increased. If this is so, I will be glad to point out to him many rookeries now in full blast which did not exist 10 and 15 years ago; and in return I would ask Mr Dand to point out to me any rookeries which were in existence 10 or 15 years since and which do not exist now. Mr Dand does not notice any appreciable difference in the number of rooks in his rookery. Perhaps not, because he has, seemingly, had them fairly well shot down, and even were it not so, when a rookery gets to a certain size – commensurate with the accommodation – a new colony is formed elsewhere. I cannot speak as to the carrion crows in the immediate neighbourhood of Hauxley, but I cannot think that even there they are anything approaching to extinct, judging from places within a small radius, in this neighbourhood, in any night, ten or a dozen may be shot when coming into certain plantations to roost. On my own place here I have had over fifty corbies destroyed within the last year, and still there are many. However, corbies are apart from the question, and I need not enter upon a discussion as to their merits or demerits. As to rooks taking eggs, I myself have watched them systematically hunting hedgerows, and have seen partridge eggs (and hen’s eggs from the stack yard, too,) taken one by one and eaten by rooks. Last summer it was necessary to wire in young chickens here in consequence of the depredations of rooks. Before this was done, on one occasion they cleared off seventeen chickens in less than an hour. Now, these were not corbies, but rooks, some of them being destroyed in the act. I agree with Mr Dand that farmers suffer from sparrows, but not to such a degree as in the case of rooks; and if any farmer thinks that sparrows are injurious to him, he has the remedy in his own hands without applying to his landlord to help him. But if he suffer damage by rooks he must apply to this landlord for redress, as the plantations are in his (the landlord’s) hands. I do not wish to enter into any controversy upon the subject, but will leave it to the judgment of those whom it most concerns (the farmers) to state their opinions, if they wish the matter gone into further. – I am, &c., GEORGE GREY. Milfield, 2nd January 1889.

6. Wild Fowl Shooting Quarters by "Wildfowler", Walton on the Naze and the Wallet, Sea Fishing Yarn, Wild Fowl Shooting Quarters by "Wildfowler", Southampton Water, Portsmouth, and Stone Point. An Improvised Hammock (diag.), Wildfowl Shooting at Shanghai, Queraus Bannisteri as Cover for Game, Recipe for Making Birdlime. Handy Gun Sling (diag.), The Late Mr John Brack-Boyd of Cherrytrees. (rest of article torn out). Second Efforts While Leaping (Underneath in pencil: "This letter was written by my father one week before his death")The George Grey Testimonial (Gold watch presentation to G.G. NB. Same event as reported on page 34)

5. THE LATE MR JOHN GEORGE GREY. - Many of our readers will read with regret the announcement of the death of Mr J. G. Grey, at Biarritz, at the early age of 35. He was the eldest son of Mr G. A. Grey, of Milfield, Northumberland, and grandson of Mr John Grey of Dilston. He was educated at Harrow and Cheltenham, where he distinguished himself in the cricket field and in other athletic pursuits. His scores a few years later against the All England Eleven, made on the Northumberland cricket ground at Newcastle-on-Tyne, is still remembered as one of the largest on record. For some years he lived at Milfield, where he had the benefit of the advice and assistance of his father, who is well known as an agriculturalist. At an early age he obtained the appointment of agent to Earl Grey, and some time afterwards he accepted a similar appointment under the trustees of the Earl of Carlisle. On his marriage in 1872 he went to live at Naworth, in Cumberland, where during his seven years’ residence, he became very popular with all classes on account of his sound judgement in all business affairs, especially as to the relations between landlord and tenant, while as a county magistrate for Cumberland he brought strong common sense to bear on his decisions. As master of the Irthing Vale hounds he proved himself a thorough sportsman, not only a first rate rider, but also an excellent shot and good fisherman. Last autumn he was ordered abroad on account of his health, which necessitated the severance of his connection with Cumberland. On their departure Mr and Mrs Grey were presented by a number of their neighbours with their portraits, as a tribute for the able manner in which he had conducted the Irving Vale Hunt. Unhappily, the hopes of his friends that the change would benefit his health were doomed to disappointment, as he died on Sunday, March 30, at Biarritz. His father brought his remains to England, and he was buried at Kirknewton in Northumberland on the 8th inst. Mr Grey leaves a widow and three daughters.

6. SECOND EFFORTS WHILST LEAPING. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE COUNTY GENTLEMAN." SIR, – I have observed several letters in your late numbers respecting "a horse taking a second spring in the air." Besides having begun at fourteen to ride my father’s four year olds, I have for fifty-three years ridden regularly to hounds on my own account. I may therefore be allowed to express my opinion on the subject. I have had many horses which regularly performed this feat – in whatever way it may be explained. When I was seventeen I had a mare (many old sportsmen will remember her) 15 hands high, a rich brown, with a grey tail, by McOrlville, dam by Sir Harry Dimsdale. I sold her to the late Sir John Pringle (Stichell), and he, when he left off hunting, sold her to the late Earl of Kintore, who rode her until his death. This mare never jumped to clear a ditch on the far side, but on seeing one when in the air clicked up her fore feet, and generally rattled her shoes against my stirrups, at the same time seeming to tuck up her hind legs, giving me rather an inconvenient lift behind. In this way she carried me (weather permitting) three days a fortnight for three years, and never made a single mistake. I may also mention Snapshot, whose name is well known in the north as a winner of many races and steeple-chases while in the possession of Mr Greete and Mr C. J. Cunningham. He was by Musketeer by Rifleman. I have ridden him regularly for nine seasons in Leicestershire, Yorkshire, and the north. He invariably strikes back and alters his position when he sees it necessary, and he has never given me a fall but once, and that was an impossible place, where my son and I came down alongside of each other. I could give many other instances. My opinion is that it is not the spring on striking back that propels the horse farther, but these are necessary to enable the horse suddenly to alter his position. When a horse is in the air he generally has his hind feet a little behind him at first, with his fore feet somewhat extended to alight upon, but when he sees he needs to alight further on his suddenly tucks up his fore legs and draws up his hind legs and quarters. Then the impetus he has on sends him forward, and at a later moment he extends his fore feet to alight on firm ground. Whether I am correct in this supposition or not, there can be no doubt that clever horses, in a cramped country, constantly do it, thereby saving themselves and their riders from bad falls, and I have many times watched it in other men's horses with great interest. – Yours, &c., G This letter was written by my father one week before his death

6. THE GEORGE GREY TESTIMONIAL In our ancient borough on Tuesday afternoon a pleasing ceremony was gratefully performed with habitual suavity of manner which distinguishes him, by Mr Watson Askew of Pallinsburn, in presence of about thirty gentlemen interested in the glorious art of foxhunting. It was the presentation of a massive and exquisitely beautiful gold hunting watch and chain by Messers Dent of London, the former which bore the following inscription: - “Presented to George Grey by friends and supporters of the Glendale Hunt in appreciation of the excellent sport he showed in 1880-84, whilst huntsman to his father”. Also a silver hunting horn, and an illuminated address on parchment bearing the names of about eighty subscribers. The company assembled in the King’s Arms Hotel, where an elegant luncheon was provided. Mr and Mrs Carr, Mr Askew in the chair than whom no more popular landowner exits in North Northumberland.The vice chair was filled by Mr James R. Black, Cheswick, a substantial tenant farmer, a man of extensive agricultural knowledge, a bold rider to hounds in former years and a keen preserver of foxes then as now. The Hon. Secretary announced the receipt of letters of apology regretting the unavoidable absence of Lieut Colonel Milne-Holme, M.P., engaged in welcoming his political chief to that majestic city “The grey metropolis of the North”; from the ex master of the Glendale hounds who carries the sympathies of every Border sportsman, from Mr T. Tate of Allerburn House, Alnwick and others. The usual loyal toasts having been given from the Chair, and patriotically received Mr Askew proceeded to the business of the day. He said- Mr George Grey and gentlemen- I have now a very agreeable and pleasant duty to perform, and that is to present you Sir, in the name of us assembled around this table in your honour, as well as of many absent friends, whose name you will find engrossed upon this parchment, this watch and chain and hunting horn as some recognition of the talents that you have shown as huntsman, and as an assurance to you of our appreciation and of your courtesy and kindliness to everyone in the hunting field, and of that sportsman-like conduct that you always shew- sportsmanship which seems to be the natural heritage of every child of that most distinguished disciple of Nimrod the late master of the Glendale Hounds. The task you undertook, sir, four years ago was no light one. To the outside world it would appear that you had no great experience in hunting hounds, and that you were likely to undertake a task in which you would possibly not be successful. We all know that it is the lot of very many promising professional men who have spent their lives probably as second and first whips, when they began their career as huntsman, even with a thoroughly good pack of hounds that have probably hunted together for generations, they too frequently fail. As I said before, sir, the outside world that you had had no great experience in hunting hounds, but you have with a pack of hounds composed of drafts from all parts of the county, shewn for four years most unexampled sport. If had only been for one season, some people might naturally have said that the season was greatly in your favour, but for a succession of four seasons, depend upon it there is no luck in the matter. It shows a great deal of talent on your part and I would like in consequence to look at the circumstances of the case, how it is that you have shown such marvellous sport. I would like to allude to this, because possibly of our many young friends may think it much easier to hunt a pack of hounds than many of us know is really the case. You began to hunt from your earliest childhood, and my impression is that you not only hunted in the ordinary acceptation of the word, but learned the science as well, and you learned your work as perfectly as a looker on, as any professional huntsman who works his way up though the various gradations of his profession. I am only too glad to take this opportunity of thanking you before this company for the many many very valuable services you rendered to me years ago when I was hunting this country. Many a good run have you saved by the judicious way in which you assisted the men. Some we know, only make matters worse, but you always did render most valuable assistance, never doing that which was wrong, and always turning hounds in the right direction. And I am moreover able to say that Sir John Majoribanks appreciated most thoroughly the assistance that you, on many occasions gave him. I remember one morning Sir John coming to Pallinsburn, and telling me of a splendid run that the hounds had had. I think it was from Earl Whin to Downham. His men’s horses had, I think given in, and he told that on two or three different occasions, but for your aid, the run would have terminated much sooner, and but for your invaluable assistance at the critical moment the fox would not have been killed. I mention this because it shews that you have been from your earliest childhood studying that noble sport, and I attribute that sport you have been showing to that calmness combined with…. tact and to that great decision and quickness which gives these hounds confidence, perfect confidence in you, and you are always ready at the critical moment to give them the greatest aid and assistance. Long long may the range of the Cheviots, and the valley of the Tweed re-echo to the sound of this horn. (Applause) Often and often may those woodlands at Kyloe and that gorse at Wark tell their tales of many a glorious run (applause) and as years roll by, and in the future that I hope will be a long and happy one to you, may this roll containing these names and these articles remind you of friends, remind you of familiar faces and remind you of many a cheery face that has preceded you across “ the bourne from which no traveller returns” Long long may you live to enjoy the friendship and esteem of your neighbours, long may you live to shew the sport in this sporting country, and long long may you earn the inestimable pleasure of knowing that you live and posses the confidence, the respect the esteem of all. (Applause) In the names of the gentleman whose names are inscribed on this parchment I beg to present you with this watch and chain and hunting horn. ( Loud and enthusiastic cheering and the singing of “He is a jolly good fellow” and “John Peel”)

MR GEORGE GREY- Mr Askew and gentlemen: Should words fail me duly to express in appropriate terms the honour you have done me, I hope you all look leniently on my short comings and believe that however inadequately I express my thoughts, I thank you none the less sincerely for the present you have made me and the kind way in which Mr Askew has presented it. I assure you, gentleman, that I am very proud to know that my services as huntsman have met with your approval. I can honestly say that I have tried, and tried very hard, to provide such sport for you, as the country would allow. And now at the commencement of another year, when I shall again carry the horn, this time for Mr Lambton, I will still do my utmost to provide you with sport and I can only trust that I may be successful, and so again in a slight measure thank you. I am afraid that I cannot lay claim to being such an adept as Mr Askew would kindly say I am, but as he truly says ever since I was a small boy I cared more for hunting than riding. By that I mean I have always been a hunting man, not a riding man. I trust that we will may times meet together at the covert side and enjoy many a good gallop together. And when the time comes for me to lay my horn aside, these will remind me of your well-known faces and of the many happy days we have spent in the hunting field together. I feel how inadequate my thanks are the honour you have done me, and I can only say be way of conclusion in the words of Shakespeare” I can no other answer make but Thanks thanks and ever thanks” (Long applause) Mr G. REA, Middleton, proposed the health of Mr G.A. Grey and Mr G. Grey in the absence of his father replied. Mr SMITH jr., Melkington, proposed the health of the Hon. F. W. Lambton, the present master of the Glendale Hounds. Mr LUMSDEN, West Learmouth, proposed the health of Mr Nicholson, secretary who replied. At this stage Mr A. L. Miller sang “Drink Puppy Drink” Mr S. ANDERSON, Berwick, proposed the health of the Chairman who replied. The proceedings then terminated. We have been obliged to curtail this report owing to the late hour at which we received it last night.

THE STRANGER IN BLACK  G. A. G.

 

“Who’s the stranger in black?” went the round of the meet,

  As he sat on the dark dappled grey,

With an eye running over the pack ‘neath his feet;

So faultless his “get-up” so perfect his seat,

And an air of refinement which made him complete—

   Holds his own, if they run, I will lay!

 

He’s a workman all over, ‘tis plain to be seen,

   From the crown of his head to his toe,

As the pack moved away from the old village green,

His eye never left them, the crowd he would screen.

And the country is shortly crossed over, I ween—

   ‘Twas a pleasure to see the man go!

 

We found in the gorse at the end of the lake,

   With its stream running wide near the mill:

As he swung round the blood one and gave him a shake,

It was plain the best use of his start he would make:

Where the beauties had crossed, he was close on their wake,

   And firing off up the next hill!

 

Over oxers or binders which came in the line,

  The straight way he so gallantly led,

O’er the cream of the country, the pick, and the prime,

For forty-five minutes I think was the time;

From the find to the finish there was not a sign

 Of once ever turning his head!

 

At the end of the run he was down in a crack,

   With his steed round facing the wind;

As they ate up each morsel he cheered on the pack—

From the first to the last he had beaten us smack

Out of time, for we only came up on his track,

   While scores were left furlongs behind!

 

WHOO-HOOP.

7. Odds and Ends about Trouting, A Morning's Sport in the North, Duke of Northumberland invitation to Mr and Mrs George Grey, A Day's Snapper Fishing off the Australian Coast, In Search of a Yacht, Curing Skins of Large Animals, The Stranger in Black ( added in pencil G.A.G. & Melton. Poem), A Tell Tale Table, (to find out how old ladies are,) Pollack and How to Catch Them, and Landrail lure story.

HUNTING IN GLENDALE. ( part of cutting missing) been cub hunting with the Glendale hounds….. past, throwing off at four and five A.M…….. generally been indifferent, owing to the hard dry…. ground, yet there have been some nice gallops. The fields, as may be expected, are not…. at such early hours. Yet it is surprising how ten and even twenty men assemble from great distances – even from the other side of the Tweed. So far, the show of foxes is by no means satisfactory, except in a few favoured places. At Yeavering they are sufficiently numerous; also at Pawston, Shotton and Longknowe, and on Fenton Hill there is a fine show. From the latter place a few days ago, the hounds had a fine run over the low country, and ran into their fox at view, as he was returning to the covert. On the contrary, everything about Ewart has been twice drawn blank, which is not surprising when it is remembered that last spring a heavy vixen was found buried at the mouth of a breeding earth with her mask cut off. Also, from Kirknewton up the valley of the College to Cheviot, there is not a fox to be found; yet it is the district that has for four seasons given such good runs to these hounds. The hill shepherds are, as a rule, good sportsman, but one vulpicide in a district is quite sufficient. The Kilham Hills, which for several years past have afforded an unfailing find, have been twice drawn without, the sign of a fox. This may be accounted for by the fact of a breeding earth having been dug in the spring and the cubs killed, several of them being left at the mouth of the earth. The Flodden Hill and the King’s Chair plantations have been drawn blank, yet it is said that there are foxes in the neighbourhood. The Ford Woods by the River Till, were drawn on Friday last, showing one old fox. As he went in the direction of standing corn Mr Grey stopped the hounds, hoping to fall in with cubs, but none were found. The ruin of foxhunting in this country is undoubtedly owing to the enactment of the present Government respecting ground game, which induces farmers and even proprietors, to sell their game to the highest bidders, frequently far beyond the value of the rabbits. This extra rent they are obliged to make it out of other game, and if they lose a few rabbits by a fox the next thing to do is to put him out of the way. In the meantime everyone is pleased to see the hounds in beautiful condition, and in every respect fit to begin the season, and all are pleased to see the late master appearing at the meet each morning, frequently on a handsome four year old, and at other times on his well-known good old hunter, “Snapshot." – A BORDERER

THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. Sir, – Since the notice you inserted of the doings of those hounds, concluding with the run from Twizel on the 7th inst., they have had a succession of excellent sport. On Tuesday, the 11th inst., the meet was at Fenton, the seat of the Hon. Mr Lambton. The covert drawn was a woody hill, two miles in length. A fox was found, and was soon driven through a great part of the wood, and broke at the north end, running sharply in the direction of Ford, but turned over Kimmerston towards the Till, and over Fenton, returning to the wood where he was found. This was nice galloping, over firm fields and good fencing, occupying nearly half an hour; the fox then dodged in the wood, and little more was made of him. The next draw was Barmoor Moss – blank. Then in the laurels at a Barmoor Castle a fox was found, and obliged to leave at once. He crossed to and through Barmoor Moss, and turned by Lowick, over the Licker Farm, and down Licker Dene, and by the lough to Haggerston, where he turned to the south, and over the fine old grass fields by Mr Gregson’s, of Lowlynn, as if for Kyloe, that kept to the west over a rough grass country, entering Lowick village from the south. Here he was so hard pressed he went into the house of a china merchant, where he made great havoc among the cups and saucers, and went through a window into the street. There the hubbub was indescribable, men shouting and boys running, and women screaming with children under their arms. Some time was lost in getting the hounds settled to the scent, when they raced him on again, and in five minutes more killed him at the Barmoor lime kilns. Altogether an hour and a quarter through a very stiff fencing country. On Friday the 14th, the meet was at Akeld Bridge. A wood belonging to Sir Horace St. Paul was drawn a blank, but a fox was found in a strip of wood belonging to Mr Matthew Culley, of Coupland Castle. The hounds went off at a great pace over Coupland and Lanton, over the tillage land and fencing up hill, onto Lanton Hill – the pace was so fast that very few horses were able to keep near them – thence onto Crookhouse and the river Bowmont, where the fox had felt himself too much pressed to take Kilham Hill, and dropped downwind to the left by Lanton Mill, and was viewed to ground in a breeding earth near the river Glen, where a good whin covert formerly existed. This was done in twenty minutes; but most of the horses were well satisfied with the finish. Again a fox was found in a nice whin covert belonging to Mr Askew, at Kypie, and, after a very fast gallop of seventeen minutes all over grass, he was run into. While he was being eaten a fox was holloaed away a mile distant, and Mr Grey quickly had the hounds to the spot; but by that time the day had changed, with a heavy shower of rain, and the scent was not so good as before. The hounds hunted him steadily and well over Flodden Hill and the Encampment Farm to Crookham, and, turning southward, by the Till banks to Ford Bridge, and again towards Flodden Hill, where the scent seemed entirely to fail, and it was given up. It appeared afterwards, however, that the fox had turned sharp back, and nearly retraced his steps to the farm of Heatherslaw, where he was met by one of Mr Black's work men with a terrier dog, which gave chase, and the man knocked him on the head with a stick, which was much to be regretted, as the hounds to deserved their fox, and there are already too few in the neighbourhood. On Tuesday, the 18th, the meet was at Humbleton. A fox was found in a small whin between that and Wooler. Being on good terms with him, the hounds ran very fast past the south end of Wooler and up the valley, southward and under Earle and Middleton Hall, turning then to the higher ground through Mr Hughes’s plantations. He appeared to have clapped in a glen, and Mr Grey made casts in different directions without success; but in a few minutes he was seen stealing away from almost the very spot where the hounds came to fault. They tackled to him again, and raced over Mr Reas Middleton and South Middleton, and ran up to him at view in the middle of a large field on Ilderton, within ten yards of an open breeding earth, this being well into the Lord Percy's country. Time, thirty five minutes. It is a fact interesting to huntsmen to know that a puppy called Marksman, who had never entered to his work before, led the pack in the fast run over Lanton Hill on the previous Friday, and that the same hound raced up to, and was the first to catch hold of the fox just mentioned, showing how patient huntsmen should be with a well-bred hound under similar circumstances. After this Mr Grey was obliged to return some miles to his own country, but by that time the afternoon had become so stormy that it was decided to give it up. On Friday, the 21st, the meet was asked Bowsden. Bowsden Dene and Berrington Dene were drawn blank, which was a matter of great surprise to everyone, as Lord Grey's keeper, Johnstone, at Ancroft, is one of the best friends to foxes, as indeed he ought to be, being a nephew of that excellent huntsman, Neil of the Cottesmore. The want of success was, however, very easily accounted for by the fact of Major Baillie Hamilton’s hounds (the Berwickshire) having drawn, found, and hunted there a few days before, which it is it is understood was somewhat out of course; but, not having found in his proper draw, the master had taken it upon himself to take this step rather than disappoint his field. After this the huntsman trotted the hounds off to Woodend Wood, where a fox was found, and, breaking to the west, ran over the farm of Gatherick, on to Greenlawalls Farm, turned to the right as if to Berrington Dene, but turned short again to Woodend Wood, through which the hounds pressed him, and, leaving at the high end, ran at racing pace up Pigs Plantation, Rhodes Hill, to Berryhill Craggs, where they killed him. The run was short, only twenty-five or thirty minutes, but the pace good; and although probably this day afforded less sport than any for five weeks past, it made a pleasant finish to a disappointing forenoon. A RIDER, NOT A WRITER.

Obituary. THE LATE G. A. GREY A SHORT notice appeared lately of the death of George Annett Grey, of Milfield, in his 71st year. Mr Grey has been noticed chiefly as a well-known sportsman. This is by no means a correct description of him, for his name was better known in his own country as a leading agriculturist. His grandfather and his father had farmed Milfield for many years, a farm lying in the fertile plain of Milfield, adjoining "Flodden Field," which his father farmed also for many years, and running up a spur of the Cheviot Hills. He was called on at the age of eighteen years to manage these farms, on the removal of his father to the southern part of the county, where he made his name known as John Grey of Dilston. The only sport which G. A. Grey combined with his farming duties was that of fox-hunting, and in this he only displayed the characteristics which afterwards developed in every walk of life. He went straight, without fear or wavering, but with "energy," cool judgement, and steady head and hands. In his youth he was in the habit of seeking advice from the most true and trustworthy of his neighbours, such as Tom Stawart, a friend who survives him, and has nearly completed a century of honest and useful life. In the hunting field the most rash and furious rider was ever jealous of George Grey sailing along in front of him at the tail of the hounds; and, as a magistrate, his advice has been for many years sought by his colleagues on the bench, as well as by his brother farmers and humble neighbours. As an extensive land agent his practical knowledge of farming, and his sympathy with his class, as well as the confidence of his employers in his judgement and sense of justice, brought contentment and good feeling to the estates under his care. By his kindly sympathy and honest reasoning he frequently brought about peace, through tenants seeking his advice on estates with which he was not connected. The farm of Milfield has long been known on Tweed-side as a model of good and skilful farming, and as a breeder and exhibitor of stock, Mr. Grey was in former years successful. He had for many years a flock of 200 Leicester ewes as good as any in the kingdom. This flock was perfectly pure, but the locality and climate had a certain effect on their character, which made them pass as Border Leicesters. This is a fact worthy of the attention of some people who argue that all Border Leicesters are cross-bred. Mr Grey had also a small but valuable herd of Shorthorns, and his judgement was shown in the purchase of two bulls, Recruit and Guy Fawkes, with which he won gold medals, two years in succession, at the Royals of England, Scotland and Ireland. These bulls, we think, were bred by Mr Atkinson of Peepy, and Mr Hunt, of Thornington. In his declining years Mr. Grey extended his farming by the purchase of some adjoining lands, but he curtailed his farming operations and laid most of his land to grass; and, giving up the more exciting occupation of keeping shows stock, he kept a number of brood mares and bred many valuable hunters, for, though not a racing man, his judgement enabled him to select from racehorses sires most useful for his purpose. He also amused himself with the care of the humbler sort of farm stock, pigs and Channel Island cows (and cats), but in these, as in everything else, he showed his keen discrimination. His funeral in the little secluded Church of Kirknewton, under the shadow of the Cheviot Hills, which he had loved to look on, was attended on the 23rd January, amid sleet and slush, hundreds, from the gentry in carriages and farmers in gigs to the labourers who trudged on foot. His only surviving son George, who since his father's loss of sight has done most of his work, as well as carried the horn with Glendale hounds for four seasons, succeeds him now, and there seems every prospect of the family name being still respected in the Border lands.

THE DESERTED KENNELS. Only a year ago the Kennels were the scene of bustle and activity and life – the centre of attraction for the hunting men of a wide district. And not only to the regular hunting men, able to afford the luxury of a good horse, but also to those, less fortunate, who had to rely upon their own limbs for getting to hounds – the village tradesmen, the farmhands on the surrounding homesteads, and the lonely dwellers in the shepherds’ houses among the hills, keen foxhunters every one of them – the presence of the little pack gave colour and variety to the dullness and monotony of the winter season. Scarcely a week passed without the chance of seeing a good run presenting itself; and if there happened to be no near meet next week, the big run of yesterday was something to think and talk about in the meantime. Travelling over the lonely hill, or the deserted moorland, on a dark and dreary night, with the wind moaning fitfully through the branches of the thinly-scattered fir trees, or soughing drearily in the hollows, the peculiar and strangely eerie howl of the fox mingling with the blood-curdling cry of some night bird, the lonely villager was glad to hear the baying of the hounds in their kennels. It gave him a feeling of safety and security, and he stepped forward with a brisker stride and with a lighter heart. To the various local tradesmen – the blacksmith, saddler, and miller – the hounds were a source of considerable revenue, and so also were they to the farmers in the immediate neighbourhood, from whom the supplies of corn, hay, and straw were procured. At the Kennels there was, on every hand, ample evidence of the care and attention bestowed upon the occupants of benches and stalls. Nothing was wanting which would in any way contribute to their comfort. All was trim and neat. The entrance gate led to an outer yard, gravelled, and carefully kept. Adjoining this was the inner, or feeding, yard, with its long row of troughs always kept scrupulously clean. Each was surrounded by a high rustic paling, which again was bordered by a fringe of sycamores and limes. Party in the outer yard and partly in the inner were the two kennels with the picturesque roofs of red tiles covering the benches, and with their outer courts floored with concrete, and fenced with bark-covered timber. Inside the kennels were the 20 couple of hounds, the joy and pride of their master’s heart, for he had "made" them himself. From a heterogeneous collection – the drafts of a dozen hunts – he had, by careful breeding, selection, and training, evolved a pack which could not be surpassed either for symmetry, condition, or for their working capabilities in the field. At feeding time it was a sight to see, first, the careful drafting of the slow feeder and then the rush and scurry and scramble of the remainder to the troughs. And on a hunting morning the scene was worthy the brush of a Landseer as the yard gate was opened and the hounds rushed out, full of life and energy, to bid good morning to the Master in their rough and boisterous fashion. The stables – stalls and boxes – grouped conveniently near – were filled with mounts; the barns and granaries was stocked with provender; and the quarters of the Hunt servants presented an air of constant animation. But now all is changed. Order and neatness have given place to disorder and untidiness, and the bustle of work has been succeeded by quietness and desolation. The treasure being gone, the Master has now no heart to come about the place, and seldom indeed is seen. The entrance gate is broken and is hanging by one crook. The yards are overgrown with grass and weeds, and the palings are falling from their transverse supports. The feeding troughs still stand in their old place, but they are almost hidden by the rank vegetation. The "flags" are littered with last autumn’s leaves, and through the roofs the summer’s rain and the winter’s snow find ready entrance. The granary door has disappeared and it is not replaced, as there is nothing now to store. The stable windows are broken, and the stalls are empty, and the once smart saddle-room is filled with lumber. But the saddest sight of all is to see the couple of old hounds, which the Master could not find it in his heart to part with, visit the scene of their former triumphs. They are all that remain of the once loved pack, and they are now fat and lazy and lame. They live with the pointers up at the Hall, but they occasionally pay a visit to their old home. The sight of them accentuates and intensifies the pervading air of desolation. They saunter in at the gate, and the sight of familiar objects stirs their imagination, and for the time the spirit of former days is revived within them. They are young again and the excitement of the chase sends the blood coursing in their veins. But this feeling is momentary and transient. They miss their companions. They seem to see that something has gone wrong but what they do not know. They stand with heads high, snuffling the air in an attitude of inquiry. They linger, and wait for an answer, but no reply comes to their dumb questioning. Surely this must be a hideous dream – a dreadful nightmare. They will put the matter to the test, and see whether they are awake or not, and they attempt the run to the feeding troughs. But it is slowly and painfully done, and they arrive alone, and the troughs are empty. Now some faint inkling of the truth seems to dawn upon them, and a long plaintive notes sounds mournfully in the evening breeze. Then they are still again. They will not give up hope yet. Perhaps the Master is waiting for them at the outer gate, and has forgotten to call them, or has called, and they have not heard. Again the scramble is attempted, as was their custom in former days, but no Master is there, and no cheering voice salutes them. Then the true state of affairs becomes fully revealed to them, and with hanging heads and drooping sterns—the very picture of despair, they totter away, feeling, one could almost imagine, as though life for them was of no further consequence. By and by, when the end has come peacefully (for they are not to be shot), they will sleep in the Valley by the River, and the Master himself will lay them there with all reverence, for they were participants with him in some of the brightest and happiest episodes of his life. From : The Globe and Traveller, Thursday Evening November 26 1896, pages1-2. The Oldest Evening Newspaper, established 1803, Offices 367, Strand London. W.C.

MR GREY'S HOUNDS. DINNER AND PRESENTATION. It will be within the recollection of everyone that Mr Grey, of Milfield, in pursuance of an intimation made by him early during the present year, gave up and sold at the end of this last season the hounds which were known as "Mr Greys," and with which he has hunted a considerable portion of the country, principally of the mountain kind lying between Wooler and Yetholm for the last four years. Sixteen years ago the late Mr G. A. Grey got together a pack of hounds to hunt this same country after the mastership of the Northumberland and Berwickshire had been relinquished by Sir I. Marjoribanks. He called them the Glendale, and they were hunted by his son, the present Mr Grey. Four years afterwards the Hon. F. W. Lambton became master, the boundaries at the same time being considerably extended and the size of the pack at greatly increased, and he held that post for four years. For the first two Mr George Grey hunted them and for the remaining two Mr Lambton hunted them himself. At the end of Mr Lambton’s tenure the hounds were sold. During the eight years that this pack existed they showed excellent sport, and it was a matter of general regret when circumstances made it necessary that the country should again become vacant. After the Glendale pack ceased to exist, the country was taken in hand by the Berwickshire. In 1892 at the earnest request of hunting men in the locality, Mr Grey undertook to raise a small pack, and arrangements were made for securing to him a stretch of country similar in boundaries to that hunted by the Glendale during the first four years of their existence. Only a small portion of this was lowland, viz., that lying between Lanton and Milfield on the west, and Fenton and Lowick on the east; and from Milfield and Kimmerston on the north, to Wooler on the south. The greater part consisted of the big hills between Wooler and Cheviot, and the hilly district about Lanton and Crookhouse, and the major portion of that encircled by the college and the Beaumont. As already stated, Mr Grey found it imperative by reason of indifferent health, to discontinue the keeping of hounds at the end of last season. The announcement was received with great regret by all classes, as the hunting shown by him had given great satisfaction, and it was the more to be regretted inasmuch as he had just succeeded, by careful breeding and selection and training, in forming a pack eminently suited for the hunting of so difficult a country. When it was seen that there was no chance of Mr Grey being able to continue, a committee of his Hunt was formed for the purpose of giving expression to the appreciation of the services rendered by him. On the last day of the season Mr Sawyer of Newcastle photographed Mr Grey and the hounds, together with those who were out on that day. From this an excellent picture was taken, measuring 5ft by 4 ft. This is handsomely mounted, and on a plate attached appears the following inscription: – "Presented to George Grey, Esq., by the Members of his Hunt, 1896." The finish of the picture reflects great credit on the artist. Along with those of Mr Grey, Luke Gilhome the K. H., and the hounds, the portraits of the following gentlemen appear in the picture: – Mr Thompson, Downham; Mr Fenwick, Akeld; Mr R. Stawart, jun., Akeld Steads; Mr C. W. Dixon-Johnson, Milfield; Masters Eric and Boyd Grey, Mr G. Black, Ford West Field; Mr J. Stawart, Fenton Hill; Mr Logan, Nesbit; Mr W. Davidson, Tithe Hill; Mr Borthwick, West Newton; Mr W Logan, Coldstream; Mr T. C. Rand, Beaumont Hill; Mr R. Kirkup, Thornington. The presentation of the above took place on Friday night last, when Mr Grey was entertained to dinner at the Cottage Hotel, Wooler. Mr Borthwick of West Newton, in the unavoidable absence of the Hon. F. W. Lambton through illness, presided in a most acceptable manner. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr Logan, Nesbit, the secretary of the Hunt, and there were also present: – Mr Grey, Milfield Mr J. N. Grey, Milfield; Mr C. W. Dixon-Johnson, Milfield; Mr Short, Humbleton; Mr Fenwick, Akeld; Mr Kavery, Doddington; Mr Davidson, Tithe Hill; Mr G. G. Rea, Middleton; Mr Barber, Doddington; Mr Barber, Kilham; Mr G. Wood, Woodside; Mr R. Stawart, jun., Akeld Steads; Mr L. Stawart, Fenton Hill; Mr Wood, Duddo; Mr Cleghorn, Milfield; Mr Kirkup, Thornington; Mr J. Brown, North Ancroft; Mr Hoyle, Newcastle; Mr T. C. Rand, Beaumont Hill;. Mr Thompson, Downham;Mr A. Thompson, Glanton. After dinner the usual patriotic toasts were duly honoured, and The Chairman then proposed the toast of the evening. He said: Gentlemen, in rising to perform the duty which has fallen upon me in consequence of the absence of the Hon. F. W. Lambton through illness, I must ask you to excuse me if I do not express myself in terms as suitable as I myself and you would wish. My duty – and it is with very great pleasure I do it – is to propose the health of Mr Grey, our guest tonight and our former M. F. H. I know you will drink it cordially – (applause) – but before we do so, I will ask Mr Grey to accept of this picture from the members of his hunt in token of the appreciation which they have of the services he has rendered during the time he has hunted the country. (Applause.) We hope that he will not measure the real worth of the picture by its intrinsic value. Its real value is to be found in the feelings which prompted the giving of it, and the unanimous and hearty way in which the necessary arrangements regarding it have been made. (Applause.) I wish we had been entertaining Mr Grey to-night as our present Master – (applause)-but that unfortunately it is out of the question, we must accept the situation as it is. We all regret very much that Mr Grey' is ill health compelled him to give his hounds up. We will miss them greatly, because practically the whole of our hunting was got with them. Mr Grey has hunted the country for many years first and last, to the very great satisfaction of the whole countryside, and uncommonly good sport he has shewn. Perhaps it is true that everyone likes his own pack best, but still I can say without fear of contradiction, that however you took there, whether on a good scenting day, or on a bad one, and under what ever circumstances, Mr Grey's hounds were hard to beat- and this is all the more remarkable when we consider the difficulties which Mr Grey laboured under. Not only had he to make the hounds, but he had, to a great extent, to make the country, and although he has had only four years at it, he succeeded beyond what he himself must have hoped, (Applause.) Though we lose him as a Master of Hounds, we will hope to see him often yet in the hunting field, and we will meet him in a great many other capacities. As a landlord, and as an agent, a great many of us will come into contact with him, and in either of these capacities we will find him, I know, as straightforward and pleasant to deal with in the future as in the past. (Applause.) Speaking as a tenant farmer, I believe that a Master of Hounds has a great influence in keeping good feeling between landlord and tenant. This Mr Grey certainly has done, and it gives me all the quite greater pleasure on that account to propose his health (Applause.) I believe hunting is one of the sports of the country. I said "hunting," I should say "foxhunting," – (loud applause) – and I think every tenant farmer should hunt. I am not in a position to go in for it extensively myself, but I can manage to get a day pretty frequently, and there is nothing I like better. Now, gentlemen, you will fill your glasses and drink the good health of Mr Grey, our late Master. I do not know whether it is too much to hope to see Mr Grey again in the saddle as our M. F. H. Should he ever find himself able to take up the duties again, I am sure I am expressing the feeling of everyone of you when I say that I hope this country will be at his service and that we may be there to see. (Loud and continued applause.) Mr Grey, in rising to return thanks, said, Mr Borthwick, Mr Logan and Gentlemen, I feel that any words of mine must be far from sufficient to thank Mr Borthwick for the eulogistic terms in which he has proposed my health, and you gentlemen, for the extremely cordial way in which you have drunk it. Also, I feel that any thanks of mine, which I can express, will be totally inadequate for the beautiful picture presented to me. I feel that any services I may have rendered you, have been small in comparison to the thanks you have given me. It has always been a great pleasure to me, as all of you are aware, to hunt hounds; and I feel that I can hardly deserve thanks for doing that which has given me as much pleasure as it can have given you. At the same time I am very thankful if I have been able to contribute to your pleasure, as well as to my own, and this I feel assured I have done from the way you have drunk my health, and from the way you have always treated me as a Master of Hounds. (Loud cheers). I know I have made more friends in the hunting field than anywhere else. (Applause.) As you know, I am not what you call a Society man, I do not care about leaving my own home much , and therefore the friends I have made have been to a very great extent made in the field of sport. (Applause.) I would it were in my power to do as Mr Borthwick suggests and once again undertake the hunting of this country, but I fear that is impossible. I feel that I cannot follow the hounds as I used to over those dear old hills we love so well. I feel as I find myself left in the rear by your chairman and vice-chairman that I am only fit for an easy country, even if for that. Hills are no longer fitted for me. As you all know, hunting a cliff hilly country like ours takes a lot more out of a man than a low country. One day on our own hills is as fatiguing as three days on the level. That was the principal reason why I felt obliged to give up. It is a source of great satisfaction to me to know that the relationship, which has existed between my field and myself, has always been of the most cordial character. I cannot tell you how glad I am that this has been so. If I have at any time in the heat of the moment – because hunting hounds is very trying to a man’s temper– said anything to hurt any of you, I hope you will believe it was done for the benefit of the whole field and will accordingly forgive me. – Once again, gentlemen, I beg to return you my sincere thanks. Mr Grey's reply was received with loud cheering which continued, and the singing of "He's a jolly good fellow." Mr Logan then proposed the health of Mrs Grey and family in felicitous terms, and to this toast Mr J. R. Grey and Mr Grey responded. Mr G. G. Rea proposed the secretary (Mr Logan). In him they had a man, thorough in whatever he undertook, no matter what it was. He had made an excellent secretary, and had done well, despite the fact that the country was by no means a rich one. He was a good sportsman, as well as a good secretary. In the getting up of the testimonial he had also taken a leading part and it must be a great satisfaction to him to know that his efforts and the efforts of those associated with him had been so successful. (Loud cheers and the singing of "He's a jolly good fellow,") Mr Logan replied, and thanked them for drinking his health. He expressed his great regret that the hounds had been given up. The health of the Committee, the Chairman, and others were also drunk. Between toasts several songs was sung, and a most enjoyable evening was spent.

GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS (1896 added in pencil) The meet of these hounds on Tuesday was at Milfield, the residence of the Master. Owing to his giving the hounds up at the end of the season, he had his puppy-judging that morning. There was a good attendance. The judges were Mr. Harry Choules, huntsman of the Berwickshire Hounds, and Mr. Johnstone, from London. There were eight and a-half couples of dogs and bitches, and after a thorough inspection, the first prize was awarded to Mr. White, Nottylees, Kelso; the second to Mr. Alexander Borthwick, Mindrum, Cornhill; and the third to Mr James Robson, Heathery, Wooler. About forty horsemen appeared at this, about the last meet of the season, including the Master (Mr Grey), Captain French, Tilmouth Park; Mr Collingwood, Cornhill; Mr. Priestman, Shotley Bridge; Mr. and Mrs. Rea, Middleton; Mr. Thompson, Downham; Miss Chipman, Thornton; Mr. Logan, Nesbit; Mr. Ammet, Akeld; Mr. Alexander Borthwick, Mindrum; Mr. Eric and Miss Grey, Milfield; Mr Johnstone Milfield, etc. The hounds were taken over to Flodden Strips, which was drawn blank. A terrier was put into the old quarry, west of the old covert, and a fox went out at once. It was then blowing a perfect hurricane. The fox went down to the Flodden Strips, and, going right through them, went out at the bottom end; but, the scent being bad, the hounds could make nothing of him. The huntsman then tried the plantation in the Old Lane. A fox was found there, which went away as if for the old covert, but changing his mind, he turned to due east, coming down the grass-fields towards Milfield at a great pace. Passing the latter place on the left, he crossed the Wooler and Cornhill Road, where there was a check. This gave the Fox a good start, and the pack had to give him up. Drawing next Sandyhouse Dean, Lanton Dean, and Coupland Woods blank, they found again in the Wilderness. This fox turned down the drive, the hounds sending him along at a great pace, and being in the low country, the storm by now was not felt so much. Going down to the Ea? Bridge, the fox turned sharp to the right, on for the Thirlings, but, being headed, he went back to Newtown House, where there was a slight check, but the Master soon had them put right. Running the road so far, the fox jumped into the shepherd’s garden and into the old grass-fields, where the riders had to make a detour round to a gate, being shut in with wire; but “ Forrard on!” was the cry, the hounds going at a great pace towards the Till River, which he crossed. The riders had to go round by Red Scar Bridge, and the hounds could then be seen running very fast for East Fenton. Passing it on the right and crossing the road leading to Kimmerston, the fox went straight for Fenton Woods, where he found shelter. Here ended a very good run, twenty-five minutes from the find at Wilderness until he crossed the Till, and forty-five minutes until he was lost. (“40 mins in all” added in pen)

OTTER-HUNTING. MR WILKINSON'S OTTER – HOUNDS. These hounds met on Monday morning last at the Red Scar Bridge at 5.30. The morning was a very fine one, and there was a very good turn out. Some had tramped many miles on foot, others got there on bicycles, and quite a number had travelled in traps of various sorts. Hounds got a drag at once, which took them down stream. It was evidently not an old one, as they quite raced along the banks at places where the otter had been out. It was followed for perhaps a mile and a half or two miles as far as Flodden Tile Sheds. Mr Wilkinson by then had come to the conclusion that the otter was travelling up stream instead of down, and the hounds were accordingly lifted and taken back to the Red Scar immediately above the Bridge. Here they found the line again, and they commenced to trace it upstream. They carried it right up the side of the Red Scar wood with great eagerness, and speaking all the while. Near the top where the river bends back sharply, they cut across the narrow neck at a great rate, and made the wood ring right merrily with their music. Then they left the river, and marked the otter up the Ewart burn, which runs towards Thirlings. They followed the line here with greater difficulty, but, ultimately they got it all right on the river opposite the Fenton Pike Holes. They kept on up the water without going into the Pike Holes, acknowledging the line at every point the otter had touched. At Fenton Burn mouth he was marked to ground. In a minute or two he left at the bank and took to the water, and then the hunt commenced in earnest. Lookouts were posted above and below, and Mr Wilkinson cast the hounds up and down the banks to try and locate him. In a few minutes Willie Stoddart viewed him about 40 yards down stream. Then he struck up and took refuge in the hole where he was found. He was soon dislodged and he started down again. Again he was holloaed about the same place as before. Then he kept on down, and was seen near some willow bushes. Further down he was again viewed at a sort of weir. The chase continued downwards for about half a mile, and then the otter commenced to dodge as he was evidently getting fatigued. He began also to show himself oftener, and so gave the hounds a better opportunity of getting to close quarters. From a preliminary tussle he had a miraculous escape, but shortly afterwards he was run in. He scaled 20 ½ lbs. The actual and i.e., from the find to the kill was about an hour and a half. Although the day was young, Mr Wilkinson decided to go home, and so have hounds fresh for the Wednesday meet at Sprouston.

MR. GEORGE ANNETT GREY. MR. GEORGE ANNETT GREY of Milfield Hill, Northumberland, was born in 1816, being eldest son of the late John Grey, Esq., of Dilston, who for many years acted as receiver and manager of the extensive estates belonging to the Greenwich Hospital; his mother being Hannah Eliza, daughter of Ralph Annett, Esq., of Alnwick, Northumberland. He was educated at King’s College, London; married, first, in 1839, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Neil, Esq., and secondly, in 1858, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Henry Morton Esq., of Lambton. Mr. Grey at a very early age, on his father's appointment above mentioned, succeeded himself to the management of several large estates in Northumberland, but before this his name was known in the Shires and in the Border counties as a thorough sportsman and a straight rider to hounds. His career has been a long and steady one, as he commenced riding regularly to hounds at the early age of seventeen, and after fifty years’ devotion to the Sport of Kings now goes as straight and independently as the youngest man in the hunt. Yet with all this devotion to hunting he has lived a busy and useful life, managing large concerns of his own as well as several of the largest estates of noblemen and gentlemen in the north, and also acting as an Assistant Inclosure Commissioner for England and Wales, besides being an active county magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant. Mr. Grey commenced his hunting career when Major St. Paul was Master, and afterwards, with the late Lord Marjoribanks (then Mr. Robinson of Ladykirk). Subsequently he hunted with the Earl of Wemyss, who took the North of Northumberland and Berwickshire, which he hunted five days a week for twenty-eight years, during which period Mr Grey acted as his secretary, and it is a boast that during that period 28s. were not paid for damages, doubtless owing to Mr Grey's popularity as well as that of the noble Master. On Lord Wemyss retiring Mr. Askew of Pallinsburn took and hunted the country, and then Sir John Marjoribanks for a like period. On his retiring Mr Grey offered to take the country south of the Tweed, or North Northumberland, and hunt it three days a- week without any guaranteed subscription; but this arrangement fell through, and the country was divided between the Duke of Buccleuch and Earl Percy. After two years’ experience, however, this arrangement was not found to work well, owing to the great distance between some of the meets and the kennels; whereupon Mr. Grey, who in the meantime had hunted the hill country two days a-week at his own expense, offered to hunt the country east of the hill hitherto hunted jointly by the Duke of Buccleuch and Earl Percy, which is a good low country, and will afford him one or two days a week. This he has undertaken to do in addition to the hills, without asking for any subscription; yet it is the feeling of the country that his exertions to show sport should be fittingly acknowledged, and it is understood that not only hunting men but many who are not will lend their aid, and no one doubts that he will show good sport. His son, George, carries the horn, with an establishment of well mounted men and a kennel of hounds which are well up to their work; whilst the sport they have already shown is an ample guarantee of what the resident in the district may fairly expect. (Possibly dated Nov. 1882)

OUR LISTS OF HUNTS THE following addition to our hunting list has been received since the list was published. GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS,-16 couples: hunt twice a week (keeping clear of neighbouring hunts fixtures): master, Mr G. A. Grey, Milfield; huntsman, Mr George Grey; whipper-in, Tom Pettigrew; kennels at Milfield, Wooler, Northumberland. This pack hunts a part, (viz., the hill part) of the country lately occupied by the Northumberland and Berwickshire Hounds, which is now divided between the Berwickshire and East Lothian Hounds, Earl Percy’s, and the Duke of Buccleuch’s.

PARTRIDGE SHOOTING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BERWICKSHIRE, – In reply to your correspondent’s query, I beg to state that the country he mentions about Ford and Etal, and in fact the whole of Glendale, is very well adapted to partridges, and, though less heard of, can hold its own with many more noted places. It is well adapted for breeding, having thick ill-kempt hedges, the bottoms of which are grown up with long grass; it is well drained and dry. It is a good feeding country, as a great quantity of corn is grown, principally barley and oats, and in the shooting season there is abundance of covert as turnips and swedes are largely cultivated. I may mention that birds suffered considerably in the breeding seasons of 1878 and 1879 owing to heavy cold rains which drowned many old birds on the nest, and perished those already hatched. The country has not yet recovered from this, but another breeding season like the late one (1880) will put things straight again. I may also mention that most of the shooting is in the hands of large proprietors, and very little, if any, is to be let. – BORDERER. (GG added in pen)

I can give A. D. H some information as to the district he inquires about. In some parts of it there is capital partridge shooting, particularly where it is purely partridge shooting and nothing else; but what I like about the shooting in much of that district is the mixed bag you may get. You may get partridges on the low ground, blackcock on the higher, and grouse on the highest. Indeed. I have bagged partridge, blackcock, grouse, hares, rabbits, snipe, duck, and plover on the same day. If A. D. H. is the possessor of a copy of my book "By Lake and River" he will find in the first ramble a good deal about the shooting in the very district he inquires about. – FRANCIS FRANCIS

PRIVATE

Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Berwickshire Naturalists Club

“Bright be the place of thy soul,

No lovelier spirit than thine,

E'er burst from its mortal control

In the orbs of the blessed to shine.

On earth thou wert all but divine,

As thy soul shall immortally be;

And our sorrow may cease to repine,

When we know that thy God it with thee.”

“ Light be the turf on thy tomb,

May its verdure like emerald be;

 There should not be the shadow of gloom

In ought that reminds us of thee.

Young Flowers and an evergreen tree

May spring from the spot of thy rest,

 But nor cypress nor yew let as see,

For why should we mourn for the blest."

THE RIVER TILL. - Saturday was the last day’s salmon fishing on the Tweed and its tributaries, of which the Till is one. My object in writing is to chronicle the capture of the largest salmon that has ever been killed in this river. George Wilson, Game- watcher to Mr Blake of Tilmouth, while fishing on Saturday at Twizel killed a kipper salmon of 43lb weight with a small double–hooked “Wilkinson”. Length of fish from gib to end of tail 4ft ¼ in, girth in front of dorsal fin 2ft. 2 ½in.- G. GREY (Fenton Hill, Wooler, Northumberland, Dec 1) Added in pencil 1878 or 1879 G.G.

18. Blank except for FOX HUNTING. BERWICKSIRE HOUNDS. The Berwickshire Foxhounds have afforded excellent sport the past winter on both sides of the Tweed Their last Northumberland meet for the season was at Kirknewton, and a game fox having been found on the summit of the hill which towers above Akeld, he was pursued over Wooler hills, passed Middleton Hall and Langleyford and Hope, into a wild district beyond, where he got to ground in a moss hagg, after a run of eighteen miles, which lasted two hours. Many steeds were pumped out well before the finish; but it may be mentioned that two plucky young sportsmen on well-bred ponies were all through the run- Mr H Holland, Cornhill and Mr John Grey, Milfield. April 15 1891 added in pen.

THE GLENDALE FOX-HOUNDS. SIR, – Having been in North Northumberland and seen in a local paper an interesting letter signed "Early Bird" giving a description of a run at 6 a.m. on the 15th August from Harrowbog, I thought a short description of it would be of interest to your readers. The writer describes the beauty of the morning sun on the Cheviot Hills and the valley, the finding of a fox, the running in strings along the sheep-tracks, and the spreading and getting together when the open ground was reached. Hounds picked out the scent over rocks, shingle, and rough grass, and came to a short check after a run of 40 minutes. Getting again on the line, they raced him for 10 minutes and ran into him on the bank of a deep pool below a little waterfall. Hounds and their quarry rolled over into the water, and young Mr Grey and the first whip had to wade in to take the fox from the hounds. I determined to see some North Country cub-hunting, so on Tuesday week I went about six o'clock in the morning to Coldburn, which is a very steep, rocky hill-side, across a small river and glen from Cheviot (the real hill), and from which with Heathpool Admiral Collingwood took his title. It is so steep that no horse can be ridden upon it, and in many parts a man cannot walk there. On a high isolated peak of this it is said that many years ago Sir Harry Grey of Howick shot the last eagle that had been seen in Northumberland. Hounds were thrown into, or rather on to, the high hill-face, Mr Grey being on foot. It was a beautiful sight as they spread over it. In a short time one hound feathered, made a dash, and then spoke. The pack got to him as well as the ground would allow, then owned the scent and went off at a rattling pace over the rocks and into the heather till they were stopped by a large flock of sheep. Hounds again hit of the line and ran eastward for five miles over Harrowby Hill and through Heathpool, Mill Hill, Newton Tor, and the way to Kirknewton Hill, where he turned and retraced his course, pointing to the Coldburn rocks. Crossing the river near Dimsdale, he entered the big Cheviot. The Master, knowing the line, kept to the river-side, and up the valley met hounds going on to the hill, followed quickly by Nicholson, the first whip, who profiting by his Cornwall education under Mr Bolitho, does not hold the Cheviots in such dread as many South Countrymen would. Hounds, being much blown after ten miles’ rough work, went slowly up the hill, then turned to the left into a rocky glen reaching nearly to the top of the mountain, on to which no horse could go. The huntsman and whip went after them on foot for a mile and found them trying at an earth, or rather hole, in a rock a thousand tons weight, where our good fox was safe. Such is cub-hunting-no surrounding coverts, cracking of whips. with “tally-ho” back. Oh, no. A fox is found and gone away, and there is no hesitation about following an old traveller. "Toot, toot, toot,” goes the horn, and hounds are away with him, to be ridden to or seen in perspective, as the ground will allow or the case may be. It is more like hunting with the stag-hounds on Exmoor than any sport I have seen before seen. This is real hunting, for the hounds must do the work, although perhaps not what many Shire men would call hunting, id est riding to hounds; and to a lover of wild and beautiful scenery it is well worth going as far as I have done to see it. These hounds are to meet at the Hon. Mr Lambton’s at Fenton next Wednesday, and in the week following one day in the woods in the lower country and one on the hills. DEVON

THE LAST DAY OF THE SEASON WITH THE GLENDALE HOUNDS. – On Friday, the 24th, the meet was at Humbleton, and the day being very stormy, did not give promise of good sport. Still a good many turned up. Time being up, the hounds were thrown into the plantation above the house of Mr Short, who has shown many good foxes this season, and did not fail this time, as Reynard broke from the west side, being viewed away by the first whip into Akeld Dene. Not caring about facing the storm, which was blowing a perfect hurricane at the time, he turned down the Dene to the old Bender Tollhouse, over the turnpike, then over the low country, over very stiff fencing and brooks, across the low fields of Humbleton, on to Turvelaws. A lady and two gentlemen going down at one brook, within a radius of one hundred yards, but the hounds, with sterns up and heads down, going a perfect burster. No time to put off if you wished to be with huntsman and hounds. Turning to the right the fox made for Doddington Bridge, but being headed, crossed the water above the bridge, over the Doddington and Wooler Turnpike. The hounds raced on up the hill between Doddington and Weetwood onto the Moor, nearly to Hurton Plantation, but turned north, past Mr Cully’s young plantations, on the boundary of Hurton.. Still no sign of a check, the riders going at racing pace with fagging horses on over Hangham, as if for Barmoor Wood, but, unfortunately, turned into Fenton Hill, where the hounds got onto fresh foxes. The time from find to Fenton Hill was 31 minutes without a check. There were several falls, one gentleman leaping on to another at a brook, but, except with a slight knock on the knee, got off all right. Every one present concluded it was, without doubt, the fastest and best run that they have had during the present season. Too much praise cannot be given to young Mr Grey, who hunts the hounds, as he is always there when wanted. The hounds have killed 121 brace this season. – ONE WHO FELL.

Occasional Notes. The death of Mr. Charles Grey Grey – once, like his more distinguished father, John Grey, "of Dilston" – recalls some singularly interesting professional and historical memories. The joint lives of father and son covered the unusual period of 130 years, and during the whole of their working career they were actively concerned in the cultivation and management of land. The father was perhaps the most distinguished of Northumbrian farmers, and the son was for a number of years his successor as receiver of the Northern Estates of Greenwich hospital – estates granted to it on the attainder of the unhappy Earl of Derwentwater. These estates were sold more than forty years ago and both before and afterwards his interests were mainly centred in Ireland. From first to last he managed some nine or ten different estates, either successively or simultaneously, and it was while he was concerned with Lord Lucan’s Castlebar Estate that the trouble arose which led to Captain Boycott’s name being turned into an English verb. In the end Mr Grey became chief Court valuer to the Irish Land Commission created by the Act of 1881. From this post he retired under the age rule nearly a quarter of a century ago, for he has died in his 90th year. From his youth he was a lover of forestry, and did much to forward that great science, especially in Ireland. A man of remarkable ability and extra ordinarily wide experience, it is much to be hoped that the world will be given some permanent record of his life.

Weekly Journal and Courant, Saturday, May 22, 1909. ADDITIONAL CELEBRITIES OF NEWCASTLE. JOHN GREY OF DILSTON. FARMER AND REFORMER. BY J. EMBLETON SMITH There is no more honoured or historical name in Northumberland than that of Grey, the chief representative of which was the famous Earl, "father of the Reform Bill of 1832," as he has been not inaptly styled, and whose monument crowns the rather steep hill on which Grey Street, in Newcastle, is built. The subject of the present sketch, although belonging to the same illustrious family, was more distinguished as an agriculturist than as a politician, and the facts of his eventful and useful life, as chiefly gleaned from Mr. Richard Walford’s graphic narrative, may, perhaps be fitly described here, The eldest son of George Grey, of Milfield Hill, near Wooler, who died in 1793, his early education was received at Richmond public school in Yorkshire, a beautiful pastoral district through which the river Swale meanders peacefully, and which may, without exaggeration, be pronounced one of the most picturesque localities in the country. Moreover, it was then as now famous for its rich pasturage, and for the breeding of cattle, whose pedigree afterwards became distinguished in the estimation of all bovine experts at a date when the introduction of the so-called "shorthorn" breed marks a notable era in this connection. With something akin to prescient genius, the youthful Grey, who was destined to become one of the most renowned agriculturists in his native county, listened eagerly to the discussions which were then carried on with the utmost zeal among the Yorkshire farmers concerning their "horses, ploughs and kye," and doubtless as “a chiel among them takin’ notes," inwardly digested for future use, the valuable practical data furnished by these bucolic experts. At the age of 18 years, young Grey’s school course terminated somewhat prematurely, and he thus early in life was called upon to assume the direction and management of the paternal farm, or rather congeries of farms, in Northumberland. At that period, which was doubtless a turning point in the agricultural history of the "north countree," there was a virtual revolution in the methods of farming, cattle breeding, and, indeed, in all departments of that great national industry and interest which prior to the development of cotton, woollen, and iron manufactures, were the chief source of wealth in this country. Even thus early it was felt that the processes of the cultivation of the soil, the rearing of our flocks and herds, and other operations of a like character, had been conducted on rude, haphazard and unscientific lines, and that in order to compete successfully with our foreign rivals and achieve the best possible results, a new and greatly improved system must be inaugurated and followed. The elites of our Northumbrian farmers, therefore, swayed by this wholesome conviction, and wholly dissatisfied with the existing economy, resolved to "reform it altogether." They accordingly, as a practical means of achieving the end in view, determined to, establish various societies for mutual conference on agricultural subjects. One of the most important of these was the "Tweedside Society," inaugurated in 1815, at Cornhill, near Coldstream, and subsequently amalgamated with the Border Society, under the distinctive title of the "Union Agricultural Society." Of this influential organisation, as it eventually proved itself, Mr. Grey was one of the most active members, and also a frequent exhibitor at the shows, which ultimately became a characteristic and eminently stimulating feature of that local body. In our own day, of course, the agricultural exhibition is one of the most attractive factors, as also one of the best educative agencies for the development of a practical knowledge of farming and other cognate matters perhaps ever devised by human skill and ingenuity. At the date indicated, however, such an institution was virtually unknown, although it is very significant to glean from the records of that time, viz., 1815 – the year of the ever memorable Battle of Waterloo – how rapid was the growth and popularity of those typical exhibitions or "shows" throughout the United Kingdom. Even at this early period of his career, Mr Grey had won such distinction as a practical agriculturist in the North of England that he attracted the notice of Sir John Sinclair, the first President of the National Board of Agriculture. With this gentleman he became subsequently a trusted and valued collaborator in the compilation of his famous "Code of Agriculture, including Observations on Gardens, Orchards, Woods, and Plantations," which long remained a standard text book and "vade mecum " on those important subjects. At a later date he was consulted by such eminent authorities as Lord Althorp, afterwards Earl Spencer, Mr Posey (not the famous Anglican divine of that name), and Mr Hanley, relative to the formation of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, which shortly afterwards became an accomplished fact, and of which he was for many years one of the judges, and also a frequent contributor to its literature. A notable event in Mr Grey's history was his appointment, in 1833, by his relative, Earl Grey – then Prime Minister for the last time – Commissioner of the Greenwich Hospital Estates in Durham and Northumberland. According to the testimony of his contemporaries this extensive property had, prior to the advent of the new Commissioner, been grievously neglected, if not indeed mismanaged, and Mr Grey with his wide knowledge as a practical agriculturist, his remarkable tact, shrewdness and indomitable energy, resolved to effect a complete and salutary reformation in the hitherto crude methods of administration. Thus indolent and peccant farmers on the estates were speedily, if not, in some instances, unceremoniously, dispossessed of their holdings, whilst frugal and thrifty cultivators were encouraged and confirmed in their tenure by the grant of long leases, in which Mr Grey is said to have had implicit faith. Moreover, an improved system of land cultivation, including the most advanced scientific methods, was adopted and proved ultimately so beneficial that the revenues, after the lapse of thirty years, had risen in value from £25,000 annually to £40,000. But Mr Grey’s reforming zeal as an enlightened agriculturist did not end with the signal success which he had achieved as an administrator of the Greenwich Hospital Estates. His reputation had now become national, and Lord Althorp, as one of the founders of the “Royal Agricultural Society of England," invited him to contribute an authentic report on the practice of farming in his native county. This led to the production of his celebrated brochure entitled "A View of the Past and Present State of Agriculture in Northumberland," which was published in July, 1846, and attracted general and favourable attention throughout the country. In fact, such was the vogue of this essay, in which the pre-eminence of Northumbria in farming was conclusively demonstrated, that a premium of £50 was offered for similar literary expositions on the subject, and under this opportune pecuniary stimulation other reports of a like character, were afterwards received from all the English counties. The important services which Mr Grey had rendered to the agricultural interest were not permitted to go unrewarded or without that recognition which they so eminently deserved. A man of an essentially kind, considerate, and genial nature, he had "troops of friends," and in 1849 his admirers, whose name was legion, determined to present him with a testimonial subscribed for by the members of the "Tyneside Agricultural Society." This consisted of a service of plate, valued at £300, and bore the following eulogistic inscription: "To John Grey, Esq., presented by the members of the Tyneside Agricultural Society, of which he was the founder, and his numerous other friends, as an expression of the high estimation they entertain for his character and talents, and of his invaluable services, rendered in the interests of agriculture." Although Mr Grey was chiefly absorbed in agricultural questions, he was, especially at an earlier period of his life, like his illustrious kinsman, Earl Grey, an ardent politician. Earnest in temperament, and gifted with very considerable oratorical powers, he threw himself with characteristic intrepidity into the agitation for political reform and the extension of the electoral franchise prior to 1832, and his eloquent voice resounded frequently on public platforms at that momentous era. Indeed, he had then acquired such a degree of prestige as a facile spokesman and resolute champion of the popular cause, that he was urgently invited by his admirers to offer himself as a candidate for the Parliamentary suffrage – a flattering honour, which, however, with characteristic modesty, he persistently declined. That he possessed the gift of eloquence in a superior degree was evidenced by his speech at a great banquet held at Newcastle in 1846, under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society, and presided over by the late Lord Portman. On that occasion, in an assembly comprising the very elite of Northumbrian and other agriculturists, when the oratory is said to have reached a high level of excellence, the fervid address of Mr Grey, in proposing the toast of "The Labouring Classes," was pronounced by contemporary critics to have been superior to all the others speeches delivered at that memorable function. "The Dilston Farmer," as he was familiarly styled by his compatriots, was undoubtedly a democratic politician of the most pronounced type, and one who had emphatically the courage of his opinions at a time when his peculiar theories found little, if any, favour with the class to which he belonged. Doubtless by many of these he may have been regarded as a visionary, a faddist, or even a crack-brained and enthusiast whose zeal had outrun his discretion. Thus he was the strenuous advocate of Free Trade, in days long anterior to Cobden and Bright; of the Anti-Slavery crusade; Catholic Emancipation; the repeal of the Test and Corporation Act; and also, as I have before said, of Electoral Reform, with which the name of his distinguished relative Earl Grey will be indissolubly linked for all time. Indeed, he may be justly regarded as a pioneer of Free Trade at a date when the advocates of that principle were a mere fraction of the body politic, and the question has not, as yet, engaged the serious attention of any responsible statesman in the country. In his domestic life, Mr Grey was a model parent, and blessed with a family whose members reflected the best graces and most estimable qualities of their honoured sire. Among these descendants were George Annett Grey, of Milfield Hill, a J. P. and D. L. for Northumberland, an Inclosure Commissioner, and a practical agriculturist of acknowledged eminence. Charles Grey Grey, who succeeded his father in the management of the Greenwich Hospital Estate, and last, though by no means the least distinguished, Mrs Joseph E. Butler, who inherits in a conspicuous degree, the characteristics of her estimable parent. As a vigourous social reformer of the best type, this accomplished lady has won more than local fame, whilst her literary skill was attested by a really fascinating biography of her late father, which is perhaps one of the most graceful and loving tributes ever paid by a daughter to the memory of an honoured sire. Mr Grey’s reputation will doubtless long worthily survive as the devoted friend and ardent champion of the British farmer, one who gave without stint or expectation of reward, his best and most unremitting efforts to the cause which was ever nearest to his heart, that of the great agricultural interest of his country. Although in some respects a cosmopolitan in his opinions and sympathies, singularly free from ignoble prejudices and without the slightest taint or imputation of being "cribb’d, cabin’d, and confin’d" in his views, he was yet a typical Northumbrian, sturdy and vigourous, honest as the day and a sworn foe to all artifice, pretence, and subterfuge. Both in mind and body he was really cast in a heroic mould and nearly at the close of his long life, like Samson grinding in the House of the Philistines, was subjected to a cruel financial blow caused by the failure, in 1857, of the Northumberland and Durham District Bank, in which he was a large shareholder. Well do I remember that commercial disaster, which occasioned acute suffering and widespread ruin in the " canny toon." Mr Grey was, like many others, one of the victims of that dire calamity – a fate which he met with that stoical resignation and constitutional courage which so pre-eminently distinguished him. He died at Lipwood House on the 22nd of January, 1868 a veteran of 83 years, beloved and respected by all who knew him, as emphatically "an honest man," as Pope has declared to be "the noblest work of God."

Estimated cost of Two days a week pack of Foxhounds.        1881 Morpeth.
Keep of 5 hunters for 12 months	£230 – 0 – 0
d.o            of 50 hounds	200 – 0 – 0
Tax        on        d.o	18 – 15 – 0
d.o        on        servants	3 – 15 – 0
1st Whip with house & garden	80 – 0 – 0
2nd d.o                     d.o	62 – 0 – 0
2 grooms 1 @ 22/- & 1 @ 18/-	104 – 0 – 0
1 feeder @ 18/-	46 – 16 – 0
2 whips clothes, caps, boots, whips and spurs	25 – 0 – 0
Rent of kennels & field for old horses and exercise	53 – 0 – 0
Rates & taxes local	10 – 0 – 0
Keeping up of saddlery & stable requirements	20 – 0 – 0
Medicine, Vet’s charges &c.	21 – 10 – 0
Shoeing	8 – 0 – 0
Sweeps, Mason, Joiner, painters &c	12 – 0 – 0
Earth stopping and finds	65 – 0 – 0
Poultry damages & lambs	40 – 0 – 0
Prizes to rearing of puppies	20 – 0 – 0
Dinner to rearers, also to keepers and earth stoppers	20 – 0 – 0
	£ 1050 – 16 – 0

 

 

 

THE OUTRAGE ON BRITISH OFFICERS AT ARTAKI We reprinted from the Levant Herald, of the 15th inst, the following account of the murderous attack on British sportsmen in Albania, resulting in the death of Capt. Selby; and on its accuracy reliance may be placed. Early in last week, a shooting party went in H.M. S. Falcon, Commander Selby, to the Bay of Artaki. Besides the officers of the Falcon there were on board Mr Wrench, H. M's Consul, and Commander Grenfell, of H. M. S. Cockatrice. The Falcon proceeded to the south side of the peninsula of Cyzichus, and came to an anchor between the town of Artaki and a river, which has its sources in Mount Ida, and, running almost parallel to the Graniera, flows into the Propontis, about eight miles eastward of that river. The country from the towns of Bigha and Tehan to the shore is one great pasture field, and the shepherds of Albania bring their flocks across in the autumn to winter in these relatively mild regions, where there is almost always abundance of grass. Nothing but the inclemency of the weather interfered with the proceedings of the shooting party until Monday. Mr Wrench had once been accosted by an Albanian Shepherd who asked for powder, but Mr Wrench, being familiar with the Turkish language, experienced no difficulty with his interlocutor. On Monday, the party was shooting, its members being more or less scattered. About half-past three in the afternoon, Commander Selby was accosted by an Albanian shepherd, who addressed him in Turkish. Wholly ignorant of the language, he believed that the shepherd asked him for powder. He showed his cartridges in sign of his inability to comply with the demand, and was much surprised at the shepherd striking him with his stick. He put down his gun to show that he had no intention of firing, whereupon the shepherd seized the weapon, and Selby called to his companion, Commander Grenfell, who came up, and seeing what was going on, levelled his piece at the Albanian, who thereupon withdrew to his hut shouting for aid. Almost immediately afterwards he reappeared accompanied by a comrade armed with a heavy axe. The first shepherd immediately attacked Grenfell, who snatched a pistol from his assailant’s girdle and dealt him a blow with it, which sent him staggering back. At this moment Grenfell heard a shot, and, turning around, saw that a marine who was with Selby had fired that officer’s gun at the other man, and that Selby himself was deluged with blood from a wound in his head, the Albanian having struck him a terrible blow with his axe. The two assailants made off, and Commanders Grenfell and Selby turned to make their way back to the ship; but to do so they had to pass by the homestead of the tchiflik, from which about fifteen Albanians issued, and fell upon both, beating them unmercifully, three guns being broken over Command Grenfell, and finally seizing them and pinioning them with ropes bound around their bodies and confining their arms. It was at this juncture that Mr Wrench came up, having no suspicion whatever of anything being amiss, and was horror-stricken at the ghastly appearance of Commander Selby, bound and covered with blood, and Commander Grenfell, yet more tightly bound and with a halter about his neck. The Albanians gathered round them were yelling like demons, and one drew a large knife and made a thrust at Commander Grenfell, who is a powerful and active man, and was able to turn the thrust aside with his hand and wrist. Mr Wrench, in the midst of this tumult, could not immediately seize the import of the tragedy which had been enacting; but, addressing himself to the man whose appearance indicated that he might have some authority over the others, told him quietly who and what were the gentlemen whom the Albanians had attacked. By dint of persuasion he at length obtained permission to cut their bonds, and then, offering himself as hostage in the place of Commander Selby, he procured the liberation of that officer, who set out for the shore, accompanied by the marine, who carried Mr Wrench’s game bag. Then the two prisoners, Commander Grenfell and Mr Wrench, were marched off to the shepherd’s cabin. There, a discussion took place, in which Mr Wrench claimed his liberty of action as having had nothing to do with the encounter, and on the plea of fetching the doctor of the ship to look after the Albanian who had received some small shot to his arms and chest. But the real purpose of this movement was too ensure the embarkation of Commander Selby, who terribly wounded as he was, had shown such indomitable pluck, that both Grenfell and Wrench were certain he would not embark until he was assured of the safety of his comrades. Mr Wrench accordingly set out from the hut of the shepherds for the shore, and at a short distance from it met the chief of the Albanians on horseback. He asked him for his horse to ride to the shore, but the Albanian declined to give it, saying he would follow him shortly. A little further on, Mr Wrench met Lieut. Heugh of the Falcon, coming with some men to look for him and Commander Grenfell, and having heard that Lieut. Heugh had persuaded Commander Selby to go on board under the care of the doctor they sent the men back to the boat for coats and provisions, and were turning back towards the hut with the intention of passing the night with Grenfell, when they met the chief of the Albanians and another man with Commander Grenfell on his horse. All then went to the shore and embarked. It was half-past nine before they got on board, pulling through a heavy sea. Then the Falcon immediately got up steam, and fired rockets to recall the steam pinnace and cutter with an armed boat’s crew, which had been sent on Commander Selby’s arrival on board at half-past six, in search of the missing members of the party. It was midnight before the Falcon got underway and, after encountering a N. E. gale in the Marmora, arrived here yesterday evening, half an hour before sunset The wonderful coolness and courage displayed by Commander Selby after having received the terrible wound which places his life in jeopardy was marvellous. There is no use in disguising the fact that the blow of the axe has broken in a fearful manner this gallant officer’s skull. But this notwithstanding, when his bonds were cut by Mr Wrench he calmly began to smoke, and offered a cigarette to an Albanian near him, who graciously threw it in his face. The fact that Mr Wrench was of the party was most providential. But for his presence, his cool comprehension of the situation, and the tact which he brought to bear upon it, there would have been a still more tragic tale to tell them that which we have to record. What measures will be taken we have yet to learn. The origin of the dispute was doubtless a misunderstanding. Commander Selby, ignorant of the language, did not understand what his interlocutor demanded, and being misunderstood, the latter betook himself to all the savagery of his race, blood being his only idea. It is the misfortune not the fault of the Porte that its subjects are of so ferocious type; but their character being known, the public has every right to ask that a properly organised gendarmerie should keep a check upon it. The sad tragedy we have related took place eight hours from the town of Bigha, and there was no nearer authority to appeal to. And yet, the scene of the occurrence is not further distance from Siamboul than Reading is from London. As exemplifying the extraordinary coolness and self-possession of Commander Selby, we may mention that, even after he had received his terrible wound, he begged Commander Grenfell not to fire upon their assailants, whom they might have shot dead, lest the rest of the band should take vengeance upon the other members of the party, who were scattered here and there.

THE GLENDALE HOUNDS. – These hounds have had a very successful cub- hunting season, having accounted for nine and a-half brace of foxes – not a large number some will say, but cub-hunting in this country is not like it is in some more favoured localities, as there are very few whin coverts or woods, and hounds have to run to get blood. The first day’s regular hunting was on Tuesday, October 31, when the meet was at Milfield, the residence of the master. Here a goodly field put in an appearance, and after the usual hospitalities a move was made to a covert on Milfield Hill, where a fox was soon on foot, and went away west over a hilly country with the hounds in close attendance. On reaching the crest of the hill the wind, which was very strong, turned him back, and after running a ring he went to ground not far from where he was found. The day being so windy it was determined to go down to a lower country, and the hounds were trotted off to a bog belonging to Mr Cully, of Coupland, where two foxes broke away. One of them, the chosen one, went away past Ewart Park and through a large wood called the Wilderness, and on to the earths in Coupland Drive, which were, however, closed, and he returned whence he came. The scent had now turned wretchedly bad, and it was only by the greatest perseverance that he was at length brought to hand. The meet on Friday, Nov. 3, was at Twizel Bridge. A fox was found on the banks of the Tweed below Twizel Station, and went away very fast past Riffington and Newbiggen, and through the Dene to Norham boathouse, where he was pulled down. Found another on Till Banks, but he was headed and killed almost immediately. Another was at home in the Black Banks, and went away north to Findale House and nearly to Grindon Ridge Drive, where he turned east and ran the hard road for fully a mile, the hounds having much difficulty in making out his line. When they got off the road at Berryhill they, however, began to run fast to the Crags and through Rhodes Whin to Pigg’s Plantation, where the scent failed, and the fox was lost. There is an excellent show of foxes this season; the hounds are looking very well, thanks to John Nicholson, kennel huntsman and first whip, late of the Western; and with an open season there is a good prospect of sport. I nearly omitted to mention that on Tuesday Mr Thompson, of Kirknewton, owing to his horse putting his foot into a rabbit-hole, fell and broke his collar-bone; he is, however, doing well. – GLENDALE

THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS – These hounds had a very fine day’s hunting on Friday, November 17, when the meat was at New Haggerston. The morning was not much like a hunting one, the ground being covered with a fair sprinkling of snow, which, however, disappeared when the sun came out, almost in an hour, changing the day from winter to spring. A goodly number of sportsmen arrived at the meet, probably about forty, some from neighbouring hunts. Just a few minutes to taste of Mr Mathison's hospitality, which for most means a drop of the light wine of the country, when a move was made for Haggerston Low Wood. The hounds were hardly half-a- minute in covert when they found, but the fox seemed loth to quit, and it was some while before he fairly broke away to the south, across large grass pastures with unjumpable fences, which forced the riders to make a considerable detour. The scent seemed to be pretty good on the grass, but on ploughed land it was miserably bad; the hounds, however, worked patiently and well towards Lowlynn, then turned up by Lowick Mill, and through the Licker Dene, across the turnpike on to South Berrington and Berrington Law, Ancroft South Moor, and to the Ancroft Dene, where the scent entirely failed and the fox was lost. At times the pace was good, but sticky fallows, which were numerous, brought hounds to the noses and let the horsemen who were thrown out to the fore again. This was, however, a very good hunting run, lasting about an hour or rather more, and jumping enough to satisfy anyone. After drawing a covert or two blank, another fox was found at Felkington, and either the day had improved or the hounds got a better start, as the scent now left nothing to be desired. There was no time for hesitation now, but if you wished to see the fun, a good horse and determined heart when necessaries. When the field got through the covert the hounds were seen racing away at a dreadful pace as if for Longridge, but they swung rather to the west on reaching Shoreswood, and away at the same breakneck speed past Norham Station, and over East Newbiggen into Newbiggen Dene. A turn or two in the Dene, and just as everyone thought the fox was doomed, he disappeared into an open breeding earth. Time, from start to finish, twenty-five minutes, and the fastest thing it has been our luck to see this season. Falls were numerous, about fourteen gentlemen coming to grief, but none of them any the worse. Very severe frost has set in, and the hunting prospect for some time looks gloomy. –GLENDALE

I am sorry to learn that Mr George Grey, of Milfield, is going to sell his hounds. He has not enjoyed the best of health during the past season and this is the cause of his retirement, which every hunting man in the north will deplore. I have seen good sport in the wild and picturesque country which Mr Grey has hunted with so much success, and I hope I may have an opportunity of seeing his hounds in the field before they are sold. They were a very workmanlike lot when I saw them a couple of seasons ago and were remarkable for the steadiness. THURSDAY EVENING (Sporting Times March 7.96)

THE GLENDALE HOUNDS On Monday, the 26th, these hounds met at Langham Bridge on Bowmont Water, where a small field assembled. As they were on the way from the meet to the covert of Pawston Dene, a fox sprang up in a ploughed field, and the hounds were at once taken in pursuit. Crossing the little stream that separates Pawston and Kilham farms, they hit off the scent, and after a brief check ran across the cultivated fields of Kilham Farm, across Kilham Burn, then at a great pace over Kilham Hill, across a nice piece of vale by West Newton, up the valley of the river Colledge for a short distance, over St. Gregory’s Hill, nearly to the stronghold of Yeavering Bell, a good many miles from the scene of the find, and turning here, along the steep faces of the Torrs, nearly to Heathpool Mill, then down the valley of the Colledge again, to West Newton Bridge, where a check occurred. Hitting off the scent quickly by the road from West Newton to Kilham, in consequence of a prompt and rapid cast, they ran parallel with this road for some distance, then again, but in reversed direction, over Kilham Hill, which they descended near Kilham village, and recrossing the road, pulled down their fox in the open on grassy banks above the river Bowmont opposite Reedsford. A very fine run. Time, one hour seventeen minutes. NORTHUMBRIAN

THE GLENDALE HOUNDS The fixture on Friday, Jan. 13, was at Langlee Ford, a place situated nearly at the foot of Cheviot, and to a stranger about the most unlikely place for foxhunting that could be well imagined – high mountains tower on either side, forming a narrow deep valley, in which runs a stream small at present, but which, at the melting of the snow, becomes a turbulent torrent. These steep rocky hillsides are, however, a very stronghold for foxes, and there was little difficulty in finding one on the morning in question. Hartshough Glitters were soon echoing to the clang of tongues, and a fine fox was seen stealing away to the east. Hounds were shortly on his line, tearing a way to Erle Whin. The fox, however, being a straight-necked one, did not tarry here one moment; but passed straight through, and out at the north side, with five couples or thereabouts of hounds in close attendance, the rest of the pack going west with a fresh fox. The huntsman went on with the run fox through the Kettles, over the stone wall- inclosed fields of Wooler Common, and so on to Humbleton, and over Akeld Hill at a great pace. On reaching the north end of Akeld, however, the hounds turned up over the summit of the hill again, and back on to Humbleton, where they ran into their fox. Meanwhile, the rest of the pack, which the whips had vainly endeavoured to stop, raced away to the south, through the Glitters, where the first fox was found; on past Ilderton Dod, Hartside, over Greenside Moor, across the river Breamish, running their fox to ground under a rock on Ingram Glitters. This was also a very fast gallop. V. S.

NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND SIR, – I trust you will be able to find space for an account of a very fine run with the Glendale hounds, which hunt perhaps the wildest part of this country, consisting of mountains and moors, rocks and peat hags. The meet on Monday, Dec.28, was at Langham Bridge, where a fair number of sportsmen put up an appearance. The draw being some distance from the meet, no time was lost in moving off, but before arriving at the covert and while crossing a ploughed field, a fine fox jumped up in view of everyone. Mr Grey soon had the hounds on his line, and shortly there was very little doubt in anybody's mind that there was a scent, and good one too. The hounds began to run very fast over Paston Hill, down the other side past Kilham, over Kilham Hill, which is very big and steep, and told severely on horses, down nearly t Canno Mill; then on past West Newton, Kirknewton, Gregory Hill, as if making for Yeavering Bell. On gaining the summit of the hill, however, the fox changed his mind, and turning more to the west, made for the higher range of hills, with the hounds still in close attendance. Straight up the Torrs was the line, but the high wind on the top must have been too strong for reynard to face, as he quickly retraced his steps down the hill, and crossed the valley to Hethpool Bell, going down the river-side the whole way to West Newton, then on over Kilham Hill once more, and down to Kilham farm place, where he sought refuge in the foldyards, but finding none, pursued his way to Reedsford, where he was run into in the open. This run lasted one hour and seventeen minutes, and was at a very good pace throughout, over a very rough country. We noticed Mr Calder and the master both down, but apparently unhurt. Both men and hounds having had quite enough, the word was given for home. V. S.

MAJOR BAILLIE-HAMILTON’S HOUNDS "Hunting the fox prevents him falling into languor and ennui, and growing over fat on how-towdies—Anglicé, barndoor fowls," CHRISTOPHER NORTH. "No man who can ride and afford to keep a hunter or two ever abused fox-hunting."—TICKLER Sir, – Before entering upon a description of a fine run with Major Baillie Hamilton’s foxhounds, permit meet me briefly to explain how matters at present to stand in this country, recently known as the Northumberland and Berwickshire, formerly hunted by John Bogue, after him by Major St. Paul. From 1843 to 1870 Lord Elcho – latterly known as the Earl of Wemyss—was a popular master. Possessing an undoubtedly fine pack of hounds and a stud of good horses, he provided excellent sport, and attracted many enthusiastic riders to our borderland; an iron age succeeded, and nothing goes down now but Melton, or some place within easy distance of London and its clubs. Between 1870 and 1875 this country was hunted by Mr Watson Askew, of Pallinsburn, and from 1875 to 1880 by Sir John Marjoribanks, of Mees, Mr Askew giving him the use of his hounds. Owing to a strange apathy on the part of many resident proprietors, Sir John was unable to get what he considered a sufficient annual subscription to assist in keeping up the pack, so the country became vacant, and the hounds were sold by Messrs Tattersall at Rugby in the spring of 1880, at insignificant prices, several couples not finding a purchaser. An offer from the master of the Glendale pack to hunt three days a week, if £300 a year were subscribed, was declined. After many meetings and much correspondence our country was temporarily ceded and subdivided as follows. To the north of the Tweed, was taken by Major Baillie Hamilton, M. F. H., East Lothian and Berwickshire; to the south of Kyloe Wood by Lord Percy; and the Duke of Buccleugh undertook to come as far east as the river Till. There still remained a large tract bounded by the rivers Till and Tweed, the German Ocean on the east, and a line drawn from, say, Beal station on the North Eastern Railway to Ford Bridge over the Till, at the beautiful residence of the Marchioness of Waterford. This district, called neutral ground, was “totally unprovided for”; but the aforesaid masters handsomely consented to take pity upon the broken-down fortunes of those who had seen better days, by each hunting one day a month, with an occasional extra day if they chose, in this benighted region It was one of these charity meets on Friday, Dec. 9 last, that the East Lothian and Berwickshire hounds, under the temporary master-ship of Capt Baillie Hamilton – a name which commands the respect of all true sportsmen on Tweedside – arrived at Longridge Towers, when, after languishing for half an hour in the sunshine of a lovely winter’s morning, with about four or five degrees of frost, we trotted off, singing Horses sound and hounds healthy, Earths well topped and foxes plenty New Murton Whin. Found fox immediately, broke to the north; headed, he turned eastward as if for Scremerston, when his progress was again arrested, this time by a reverend gentleman on foot. A second fox had quietly slipped off to the south, but luckily being headed, he ran back and was scented by the hounds. This grand old fox took a turn northwards, but suddenly changing his mind, he steered due south. With the exception of a few horsemen who erroneously came to the conclusion reynard would prove a twister and crawler, and that they might fairly expect – as had frequently before happened—to have him back from where he started from in about quarter of an hour, most of the field followed the hounds through Longridge Bog, Thornton Park, Peel Knowe; here a huge water jump known as one of Thornton Castes, intervened. The fox and the hounds are over, rattling on at a merry pace. The first man up was that veteran rider, George A. Grey, of Milfield, on old Snapshot, who jumped it – almost another Whissendine – and away he flew straight as an arrow over Thornton and Shoreswood Red House farms, and was soon out of sight, followed by one more successful candidate – Major Morgan of the King’s Own Borderers, I believe. A word in passing as to these dangerous ditches. They are wide, with sides cut straight down through peat moss and at places very soft. To jump in is, comparatively speaking, easy; but getting out again is what Mr Gladstone would term an “operose operation." A relative told me that sixty or seventy years ago a bull was missing one Sunday morning, when, after a prolonged search, it was at length discovered in one of these castes, the only part of its body above water being its nose. To extricate this adventurous animal entailed a vast amount of labour, as may be readily supposed. After looking at the place, the residuum – in this instance unhappily a "large majority” –rode off for a bridge. Someone were fortunate enough to fall in at Felkington, where the gallant Grey, with cap in hand, was found cheering on the hounds at their first check. They soon hit off the scent, and rolling over Felkington Moor, crossed the Three Plea Plantation at the west end of Haden Dean; on through Bowsden Moor. Slight check, when a whip turned up, and the field visibly increased; over Lickar Moor and to Wood end. Here reynard, hard pressed and just when the who’ whoop seemed inevitable, went to ground in a breeding earth. The hounds worked beautifully the first two miles, in which Mr Grey performed a solo, were traversed with terrific speed, and the remainder of the run at a fair good hunting pace, the distance as the crow flies being about seven miles, covered in fifty-five minutes, over a natural country, abounding in thorn hedges and water jumps, almost destitute of stone walls and that modern abomination – wire fencing. THORMANBY.

HUNTING IN NORTHUMBERLAND. LORD PERCY’S met at the Blue Bell, Belford, on Nov. 28. The Craggs were first drawn; found immediately, but, after a couple of turns in covert, went to ground. Found again in the Pitman Plantation; swinging twice round the covert, he broke to the west through Lyham, down out at the low end, past South Lyham, on to Dr Marshall's Hill; making a turn to the left, without entering the covert, he retraced his steps back to the Pitman. Pushing their fox through the covert, hounds raced him over South and North Lyham Moors to Hazlerigg, saving his brush by going to ground only a few yards in front of the pack – a very fast forty minutes. A sharp spin of twenty minutes from Warenton to Swizell concluded the day. Nov. 29. The Glendale at Reedsford had a flying thirty-five minutes over their best country – a really good thing. Nov. 30. Lord Percy’s at Fowberry did absolutely nothing. Found a brace in the Horton Coverts that not a particle of scent. The same result attended us at Trickley, which also produced a brace; so Lyon wisely gave it up. Dec. 2. The Glendale, from Akeld Bridge, had a very good run indeed. Drew the Ewart Coverts on to Coupland blank; but a welcome a holloa at Marleyknowe soon put things to rights. Mr Grey quickly getting his hounds on the line, they raced him across the main road at the Ewart West Lodge, through the park, when, bearing sharp to the right before reaching Akeld Steads, he headed for Coupland Castle; but crossing the river Glen before reaching the latter place, they hunted their fox past Yeavering, across the west road, on to the Bell, going over the hill, on to the inner Tors, then the outer Tors, bearing round to the left towards Commonburn; he then re- traced his steps, going to ground on Yeavering Bell. From this place he was soon evicted, and Mr Grey allowing him his usual law, they raced down the hill, past Old Yeavering, into the farm buildings at Kirknewton, where they tumbled him over. At Doxford, on Dec. 5, Lord Percy’s had a very good day, finding in Ellingham, and killing below Doxford. Brunton was next drawn, found a brace, one breaking to the east towards Newton; he turned sharp to the left, hounds racing him past Tuggel on to Fleetham, running into their fox at a Chathill Tile Works Dec. 6. The Glendale met at Akeld, found in the hill covert immediately, but went to ground directly. After a few minutes’ digging he was once more set agoing. The hounds raced him back to where he was found, out at the east side, over the Akeld hill to ground again at Coupland. Dec. 7. Lord Percy’s met at Ingram. Found two or three foxes immediately on the Glitters, one breaking away to the south. They ran him over the Ingram Hill and the Chesters to ground at Prendwick. Found again on the Reavely Glitters; but was unfortunately immediately chopped. Glanton Whin next answered with a brace. One, after a good deal of difficulty, was at length persuaded to leave. He crossed the main road above Greenville, past Glanton North Field, through Crawley Dene, past the Tower on to Beauley. Keeping to the left, the hounds hunted their fox past Hedgeley Dene, across the haugh and river, past Low Hedgeley, over the Wooler Road, on to White House, then over Brandon, into the Dene, out on the east side, down past Brandon, down the river side, finally running hounds out of scent at the County Bridges. On Friday, Dec. 9, Lord Percy’s had a capital day. The meet was Shipley Lane End – a favourite fixture. The Shipley Banks were first drawn and responded with one of the right sort. He broke to the east over the Shipley Farm, into the Folly Braes, up the burn, past the blacksmith’s shop into the Hill Whin, out at the north end over the Charlton Hill, onto the Brockey, past West Linkhall. Turning here sharp to the right he kept along inside the road past Charlton Mires and Rocknab, past Humbleheugh into White House Wood. Here the hounds were at fault for a short time; but a holloa on the other side put matters right. Lyon, clapping then quickly on his line, they hunted him past Holywell, over the Alnwick and Belford road, down past Heckley Fence to Remington West Farm. Passing the Hill and Wisplaw to the right of Rock South farm, they hunted their fox, nearly to the Nab, crossing the main road again on to South Charlton, keeping to the left into Whitehouse Wood. Time up to this point, two hours. Threading the Dene down to the park walls, the hounds never left the line, but pushed their fox slowly along past the White House Farm, where he turned short back along the road into the woods again out on the east side past Holywell and Heckley Fence, exactly on the old line, through the old covert, when turning sharp to the right towards Broxfield, but, before reaching that place he made a circle back to the old covert at Heckley Fence, where he went to ground and being only a short way in, it was decided to give to the pack their well-earned fox. Last noon beheld him full of lusty life, Last eve in his native coverts proudly gay, The midnight brought the signal sound of strife, The morn the marshalling in pink the day – Foxhunting’s magnificently stern array. From the time they found this fox in the morning until he went to ground was exactly three hours. At times it was fast; but it was mostly slow hunting, and Lyon worked out the puzzle in a very able manner. A run on Monday, the 12th, has been sent in fuller detail by another correspondent. NORTHUMBRIAN

A notice, signed by Mr Grey, Milfield, has been issued, restricting the fishing upon his water "on account of the enormous increase of the use of salmon roe during the last few years." It is to be hoped that other proprietors may look into, and put a stop to this poaching of trout – for it is nothing else. That it has increased immensely of late is undoubted, and that a great number of baskets are filled on Beaumont, College, Glen and Till by its use is a fact. It is a thousand pities that where leave has hitherto been freely given, it should now be withdrawn on account of the unsportsmanlike acts of a few.

LOST IN A MINE. Jan 24 08 Mysterious Disappearance of a Man at Addison Colliery. The strange disappearance of a minor named Hugh O'Neil in the workings of the Stella Coal Company, Addison Colliery, near Blaydon, was reported to the colliery officials this morning, and up to noon there was no trace of the missing man. It appears that O'Neil, who had charge of the night-shift hewers, entered the drift at the colliery about 4 o'clock on Thursday afternoon. One of his first duties was to take Robert Errington and Henry Purvis, a couple of hewers, to their working places in the Ryton cross-cut, a distance of about 2 miles from the drift-mouth. O’ Neill accompanied the two men to the Ryton cross-cut, but it was here found that there was only sufficient work for one man, and accordingly Errington was set to work. O’Neil afterwards returned with Purvis to the out-by- side of the stables, about 1 ½ miles from the face, where he instructed Purvis as to his work. O'Neil left Purvis at 6 p.m., remarking that he had to meet Joseph Jude, the master shifter, for the purpose of examining a fall in the stone-coal district, which branches off from the main line of the drift. The fall, it seems, is approached by two routes, and it had been arranged that he and Jude should take the different routes. The distance which O’Neil would have to travel before reaching the fall was about a mile from the main cross-cut. O’Neil ought to have returned to Errington, and he should have met some of the men who entered the drift at 10 o'clock. This he failed to do, and subsequently the officials were notified of his non-appearance. A little later, the under manager (Mr. Wm. Cuthbertson), Mr Edgar Holmes (fore- overman), Mr Gray J.N.Grey (back-overman), and others entered the mine, and a search was begun for the missing man. The search party was afterwards joined by the manager (Mr. Wm. Rochester). Up to noon the search party had failed to discover the whereabouts of O’Neil. O’Neil is about 60 years of age and has been employed at Addison Colliery for close upon 40 years. He is a married man, with a grown-up family, and resides at Cross Row, Addison Colliery. The back-shift men, who should have descended the mine at 10 o'clock this morning returned home. Our Blaydon correspondent, in a later message, says: – At 2:30 this afternoon there were no news of the missing miner. It has now been definitely ascertained that O'Neil must have left of the main line to inspect the fall, his coat and "bait" having since been found at the entrance to the stone-wall district. During the afternoon information was received at bank to the effect that the search party had come across a fall on the route leading to the fall which O’Neil had set out to inspect. This fall was cleared, but the search party found their further progress stopped by a second fall, both falls being of recent occurrence. Our Blaydon correspondent writing at three o'clock this afternoon, says: – The master shifter, Joseph Jude, has returned to bank. Jude, it seems, did not set out with O'Neil to inspect the fall, O'Neil having gone, it is said, alone to make an inspection. Both roofs leading to the fall have been examined but without result. The search party have now turned their attention to other parts of the mine. At 3.30 there was no news of the missing man. Missing Miner. – O’Neil found alive and well in Addison Pit, this afternoon.

DEC.1881. RUN WITH THE BERWICKSHIRE AND EAST LOTHIAN FOXHOUNDS. – On Friday, the meet of this pack was at Longridge Towers, the seat of Mr H. E. H. Jerningham, M. P., when there was a large assemblage, no less than 54 horsemen being present, including Sir John Marjoribanks, Bart., Lees; Mr H. E. H. Jerningham, M. P; Captain Baillie – Hamilton, Louel House, Coldstream (who continues to officiate as master of the foxhounds in the absence of his brother, through ill-health, on the Continent); Mr G. Grey, Milfield; the officers of the Northumberland Fusiliers, &c. There were four ladies, including Miss Grey, Milfield, and the Misses Campbell Renton, Mordington. A fox was soon found in Murton Whins, and he proved a fast one. Reynard took away to the west over a stiff country, which was too much for several of the riders. The pace was terrific, and only two riders, one of whom was the veteran hunter, Mr Grey, followed the fox up to Woodside, where he escaped, owing to several of the hounds getting on to the scent of another. The run, which lasted 50 minutes was the severest of the season. All of the field which remained in the hunt gave up at a brook, which was so swollen that only Mr Grey and another attempted to clear it, which they did successfully.

THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. – Cub-hunting was commenced on Tuesday last. The meet was Harrowbog wood at 6 o'clock. It is on the south of the College water, to the west of Heathpool. The morning was fine, and in spite of the early hour a good field assembled, including Mr Grey, jun., with the whips and second horse, also Miss Grey and a friend, mounted on smart thoroughbred horses. I heard it said that eight in the field were the produce of the sire Lucifer. The hounds were thrown into the wood at five minutes past six, and at ten minutes past they were in full cry after a fox, which they ran through the wood to the west, and up the hill. It was very pretty to see them stringing up the sheep tracks, through the deep ferns, and spreading out in a body when they reached open ground. Near the top of the hill they turn east and came down to the College near Heathpool Mill. Then for a mile up the narrow course of the river; hunting beautifully over the gravel beds and banks. Then again up the hill and through Southern Knowe wood, but unfortunately divided, most of the pack going after an old travelling fox, which ran over Newton Fens eastward towards Yeavering Bell, but after a little time these were stopped, and taken back to the wood, where a few hounds were hunting the first fox. When they joined, the poor fellow was forced out and crossed the river into the north hills of Fleehope, and east by Trowburn, where he was hunted up to, and killed on the steep edge of a burn, and into a deep pool hounds and fox rolled together, and in this a worry like an otter hunt took place, and the huntsmen had to jump into the deep water to rescue the fox with great difficulty from the swimming pack, who were most unwilling to give up their well-earned prey. The first part of the run was 40 minutes, and the latter part 10 minutes more. These hounds are to meet next Tuesday at Kirknewton at the same hour.

THE GEORGE GREY TESTIMONIAL A meeting was held at Berwick on Tuesday last, for the purpose of presenting to Mr George Grey, jun., a testimonial in appreciation of the excellent sport he showed in 1880-84 whilst huntsman to his father, the Master of the Glendale Hounds. About thirty gentlemen sat down to luncheon, tastefully provided by Mr Carr of the Kings Arms Hotel – The Hon. Secretary read letters of apology from Lieut. Colonel Milne – Home, M.P., Mr George A. Grey of Milfield, Mr T. Tate, Allerburn, and others. – The usual loyal toasts having been given from the chair and duly responded to, Mr Watson Askew of Pallinsburn proceeded to the business of the day. He said: Mr Geo Grey and gentlemen, – I have now an agreeable and pleasant duty to perform, and that is to present to you, sir, in the name of us assembled around this table in your honour, as well as of many absent friends, whose names you will find engrossed upon this parchment, this watch and chain, and hunting horn, as the some recognition of the talent you have shown as a huntsman, and as an assurance to you of our appreciation of your courtesy and kindliness to every one in the hunting field, and of that sportsmanlike conduct which you always show. Sportsmanship, which is inherent in you, and which seems to be the natural heritage of every child of that most distinguished disciple of Nimrod, the late master of the Glendale Hounds. The task you undertook sir, four years ago, was no light one. To the outside world it appeared you had no great experience in hunting hounds, and that you were likely to undertake a task in which you would possibly not be successful. We all know that it is the lot of many very promising professional men who have spent their lives probably as second and first whips, when they begin their career as huntsmen, even with a thoroughly good pack of hounds that they have probably hunted together for generations, they too frequently fail. As I said before, sir, the outside world might suppose that you had had no great experience in hunting hounds, but you have, with a pack of hounds, composed of drafts from all parts of the country, shown for four years most unexampled sport. If it had been only for one season some people might naturally have said that the season was greatly in your favour; but for a succession of four seasons, depend upon it there is no luck in the matter. Many of our young friends may think it much easier to hunt a pack of hounds than is really the case. You, sir, began to hunt from your earliest childhood, and my impression is that you not only hunted in the ordinary acceptation of the word, but you learned the science as well, and you learned your work as perfectly as a looker-on as any professional huntsman who works his way up through the various gradations of his profession. I am only too glad to take this opportunity thanking you before this company for the many very valuable services you rendered to me years ago when I was hunting this country. Many a good runner have you second by judiciously assisting the men; some we know only made matters worse, but you always did render most valuable assistance, never doing that which was wrong, and always turning hounds in the right direction; and I am, moreover, able to say that Sir John Marjoribanks appreciated most thoroughly the assistance that you on many occasions gave him. I remember one morning Sir John coming to Pallinsburn and telling me of a splendid run that his hounds had had; I think it was from Earle Whin to Dounham. His men’s horses had, I think, given in; and he told me that on two or three different occasions but for your aid the run would have terminated much sooner, and but for your invaluable assistance at the critical moment the fox would not have been killed. I mention this because it shows you had been from your earliest childhood studying that noble sport. And I attribute that sport you have been showing to that calmness, combined with dash, and to that great decision and quickness, which gives these hounds confidence in you. And you are always ready at the critical moment to give them the greatest aid and assistance. Long, long may the range of the Cheviots and the valley of the Tweed re-echo to the sound of this horn. (Applause.) Often and often made the woodlands of Kyloe and that gorse at Wark tell their tale of many a glorious one run – (applause) – and as years roll by, and in the future, that I hope will be and a long and a happy one to you, may this roll, containing these names, and these articles, remind you of friends, remind you of familiar faces, and remind you of many a cheery face that has proceeded you across that bourne from which no traveller returns. Long, long may you live to enjoy the friendship and esteem of your neighbours; long, long may you live to show sport in the sporting country, and long, long may you enjoy the inestimable pleasure of knowing that you live and possess the confidence, the respect, and the esteem of all. (Applause.) In the names of the gentleman whose names are inscribed on this parchment, I beg to present you with this watch and chain and hunting horn. Loud and enthusiastic cheering, and the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow" and "John Peel." - Mr George Grey replied. – He said: Mr Askew and gentlemen, should words fail me duly to express in appropriate terms the honour you have done me, I hope you will look leniently on my shortcomings and believe that, however inadequately I express my thoughts, I thank you nonetheless sincerely for the present you have made me and the kind way in which Mr Askew has presented it. I assure you, gentlemen, that I am very proud to know that my services as huntsman have met with your approval. I can honestly say that I have tried and tried hard to promote such sport for you as the country would allow, and now at the commencement of another season, when I shall again carry the horn, this time for Mr Lambton, I will still do my utmost to provide you with sport, and I can only trust that I may be successful, and so again in a slight measure indirectly thank you. I am afraid I cannot lay claim to being such an adept as Mr Askew would kindly say I am, but as he truly says, ever since I was a small boy I cared more for hunting then riding; by that I mean I have always been a hunting man, not a riding man. I trust that we will many times meet together at the covert side and enjoy many a good gallop together, and when the time comes for me to lay my horn aside, these will remind me of your well-known faces, and of the many happy days we have spent in the hunting field together. I feel how inadequate my thanks are for the honour you have done me, and I can only say by way of conclusion, in the words of Shakespeare, "I can do no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks" (Loud applause) – Mr George Rea, Middleton, ?ersely proposed the health of the ex-master of the Glendale Hounds, Mr George A. Grey, Milfield; replied to by his son. – The health of the new master of the Glendale, the Hon. Mr F. W . Lambton, was proposed by Mr Wm. Smith, jun., Melkington, and enthusiastically received. – The hon. secretary to the North Northumberland Fox Covert Club, proposed by Mr W. P. Lumsden. – A vote of thanks by Mr T. Sanderson to the Chairman for his services that day brought the agreeable proceedings to a close. – The testimonial consists of a massive and exquisitively beautiful gold hunting watch and chain, by Messrs Dent of London; a silver hunting horn, and an illuminated address on parchment with the names of the subscribers amounting to seventy-eight.

THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. SIR, – Since my last to you the sport has been irregular, owing to the stormy weather that has frequently prevailed; but it is fair that I should give an account of the bad as well as of the good. On Friday, the 11th ult., the meet was Old Yeavering, at the foot of Yeavering Bell, a hill – or, as it in some countries would be called, a mountain – steep and rugged, faced with beds of loose stones, in this country called "glitters," and fringed along the bottom with natural oak wood. The ground for a horse is almost impracticable, and no south-countryman would trust his own neck or his horse’s legs upon it. However, Mr Grey knows as well where to find a fox here as in a good whin covert, and on this occasion in a few minutes he had two foxes on foot near the Druidical circle on the top of the hill. Unluckily, the one that the hounds settled to was not a bold hill fox, but a dodging scoundrel. He ran down the hill, through the oak wood, and through the stack yard and farm place of Yeavering; then crossed the valley and the river Glen to the gardens and shrubberies of Coupland Castle; he then turned up towards Lanton, and again crossed the river twice, thus bothering the hounds very much. He next tried Lanton Hill, twisting about in almost every field, across the Lanton Farm and Sandy- house, where he took to a lane and was given up. After this, Mr Grey drew the rocks on Akeld Hill. A fox was found, and run very fast by Humbleton and on to the low ground, turning by the valley of the Glen across Humbleton and Yeavering; he again took the hill, following up between Yeavering and Akeld, and went to ground in a breeding earth. This was fast for about thirty-five minutes. The day, from the first stormy, now became so tempestuous that know one desired to remain out. The next fixture was on Tuesday, the 15th ult., at Howtle, where a good field assembled from the north-west. A fox was quickly found in Mr Askew's whin covert adjoining. Hounds got away and ran fast to the north, as if for Branxton and the Tweed. The fox, being unluckily headed by the villagers in Howtle halloaing in his face, turned to the east, past Kypie Whin, over Kypie Farm and Milfield Hill, and crossed the farm of Crookhouse, where one ploughed and one turnip field brought the hounds to their noses. They hunted well through these, and, getting onto the old grass on Lanton Hill, took to racing, going over Lanton Hill, and down to the river Glen. Down the steep face of this hill Mr Grey, Mr Taylor, the master, and young Mr Culley galloped very fast, and kept with the hounds. They then turned down the valley past Lanton towards Sandyhouse, when they again turned to the north, and from this point there was a distance of three miles straight, towards the hill, and without the sign of a check; indeed, the hounds were quite away from the horses the whole way, except when they got a little catch now and then by the hounds making a bend. They crossed the fine fencing country of Sandyhouse and Milfield. In passing over a ploughed field on Milfield, Mr Grey’s mare fell with him, and lay blown; he ran from her on foot and got the whip’s mare, which carried him well for another mile, over the large grassfields on Milfield Hill and Flodden Moor, and up the well-known hill of Houwton; but the boundary wall between this and Reedsford proved to be "the last straw that broke the back of the camel" – his mare was unable to jump it; in fact, no one did, except Mr Collingwood Thompson, followed by the old master. After this a great misfortune happened; on Reedsford Hill two fresh foxes jumped up in view of the hounds, and they of course ran in all directions. They were divided into three packs, and, before they could be collected again, the run fox had got so far ahead across the valley and the river Bowmont, on to Kilham Hill, that the hounds were only able to puzzle out his line, and he was at last given up. From the find to where this misfortune of the fresh foxes occurred was three-quarters of an hour, very hard work indeed. I heard the master remark that he did not remember to have ridden his old horse Snapshot so tired. Mr Grey then drew Kypie Whin, and also one on Milfield Hill, blank, which was easily accounted for by the fact of the footpeople having seen four foxes on foot. There being no second horses out, the remaining gentleman in the field expressed their opinion that they had had enough for the day. On Friday, the 18th, the meet was the Red Scar Bridge. A large attendance of gentlemen turned up from the Tweed, and many from Lord Percy’s hunt, including such men as Major Marshall, Arthur and Robinson – men well qualified to cut out their own work in any country. Lady Waterford’s plantations by the Till were drawn blank; but in an adjoining whin covert a Fox was found, and went away in a moment across a deep cultivated valley, crossing a large brook between Ford and Kimmerston, which puzzled a good many, on between Ford and Kimmerston, past Ford Moss, by the rifle butts, and over the moorland by the Barmoor Road. He then turned south, by old coal workings, where foxes frequently go to ground; but here he was disappointed, so pressed on, crossed the Fenton Hill Plantation without a pause, and down through the fields of Fenton Hill Farm, where he was run into as he was going into a small plantation by the farm place. This was thirty-seven minutes without the slightest check. After this Mr Grey drew Fenton Hill Wood, where an infirm fox was found, and shortly killed. In the meantime another fox had been seen to leave to the north. The hounds were soon upon him. They crossed by the Lynn, over Ford Wood Hill, and turned across Kimmerston Dene, Kimmerston Farm, and ran into him at the farm place – about twenty minutes. Mr Grey drew next the low grounds of Kimmerston, Fenton, and Doddington – rough grass and marshy fields – for the chance of an out-lying fox, which was reported to inhabit them, but without success. On Tuesday, the 22nd, they were Middleton Hall. A very tempestuous morning, wind and wet, and a small field. In Mr Hughes’s plantation several foxes were soon on foot. Every hill round was clad with scores of men and boys from the town of Wooler, much to the hindrance of sport, as they holloaed in all directions whenever a fox was to be seen. The result was that hounds divided. The huntsman, with twelve couples, hunted a fox below Wooler and by the river, and again on to the hills, forming a wide circle, and killed an old dog fox in forty minutes. Five couples got away with another fox, and running three miles up wind, went so fast that the first whip was never able to catch them till they ran their fox to ground on Yeavering bell. By this time the day was so bad that nobody would remain out, and the hounds went home. On Friday, the 25th, the meet was at Felkington, in a tempest of wind and a blinding snowstorm; consequently very few appeared, many having turned back on the way. After a little time the storm abated, and Mr Grey drew the Felkington Strips Berrington Dene, and Howsden Whin and Dene, all blank. The day becoming again very unfavourable, it was given up. The country is now covered with snow, which looks bad for hunting for some time to come. A RIDER, NOT A WRITER.

NOTES FROM NORTHUMBERLAND. Sir, – Since I had to be pleasure of writing to you last, I have been wandering in several districts, but have now returned to North Northumberland, which I confess I prefer to almost any other country. It may not compare with the grass of the shires, or the uniform flowing fences there, but it contains a greater variety both of soil and fences, requiring more skill, both in rider and horse, than in most countries, and perhaps more cleverness also in hounds; as, from grass and good scenting ground, they are frequently obliged to stoop and use their noses to stick to their fox. The Glendale hounds met on Tuesday, the 25th ult., at Wooler Cottage. Some good whin coverts on Wooler Common were drawn blank, as well as the famous old covert of Earle Whins; but there were all full of traps and snares. After this, in crossing the moor, hounds took up a drag, which they followed for a mile to Hartsheugh “Glitters,” which is the name given to shelving rocks on a steep hill-side. At the further end of these, two foxes were viewed. The hounds came on with them. One, probably the vixen, got to ground very soon; the other went up so far by the Langlee- ford Valley towards Cheviot, then crossed to the south over Middelton Moor, left the hills at South Middleton and into the Wooler Valley; kept a little to the north of Lilburn, through the West Lilburn Plantation, past Trickley and Fowberry Moss, half a field to the west of Fowberry Park, and into Whitsun Bank Hill, looking down on the Till. Bending to the west they ran between the banks and Coldmartin Lake for a mile and a half. Hounds, racing against each other, ran up to their fox on the hill face above Wooler Brewery. This was as fine a run as anyone need care to see; twenty minutes on the hills and forty-five in the enclosed country. Over the fallows hounds stooped to hunt it; but never needed to be cast, and the moment they were on to grass, or better scenting ground, they took to racing. On Thursday, the 28th ult., the Duke of Buccleuch's hounds met at Pawston, where all the south of Scotland attends the meet, as well as Northumbrians. On going forward to the Whin Covert, a fox was viewed in an adjoining ploughed field. The hounds were laid on to him, but for a mile, over Pawston and Kilham enclosed land, ran very badly till they got on to the old grass on Kilham Hills. They then set to in real earnest; very few of the riders kept with them, the field in ten minutes being scattered in all directions. They ran over part of Thompson’s Walls Farm, the outer part of Westnewton, Elsdon Burn, and Trowburn, on to a hill called Hetha, by the river Colledge on the farm of Hethpool. Most of the riders who were at all forward naturally thought the fox would cross the river to Newton Torrs, but they were disappointed. Either the fox had been headed and turned sharp back or the hounds had got on to a fresh one, and the huntsman and all the field who were at all forward were completely thrown out, as the hounds run again to the north, but a considerable way to the west of their former line; when they got to Pawston and Shotton only a few stragglers joined them who had never been in the run. The hounds, I am told, had a considerable check west of Pawston Lake, but took up the line down Shotton Hill into the valley of the Bowmont, and killed their fox below Bowmont Hill Farm, and, I am told, had him eaten up twenty minutes before the huntsman, or any of those in the run, came up. I confess that I have this only on the authority of others. After a portion of the field had again assembled, the hounds went on to draw the Venchon plantations; a fox was found, and a start made with favourable prospects, but this did not result in much. The first run, however, was perhaps as fine a hill run as hounds ever had. But such a run requires not only thoroughbred horses, and men accustomed to hill riding, but a great amount of good luck to enable it to be thoroughly enjoyed. On Friday, 29th ult., the Glendale hounds were at Ancroft Moor. Some outlying belts of plantation were first drawn, then Berrington Dene from the bottom upwards. A fox was found in an outlying skirt of the wood, and ran to the west, making two or three indications of breaking to the south, but he at last did. Scent was not good, the fallows dry and hard, and in parts carrying with frost. There was, however, a great deal of galloping, jumping, and good hunting to Woodend. They kept on through the wood, breaking to the west by Greenlawalls and Duddo to the Till banks, where some trouble occurred, as two foxes were on foot. One got away to the north (believed to be a fresh one), and hounds ran very hard for a few fields to Grendon Ridge. The fox doubled, dodged over hard fallow, and was at last given up, hot bright sun after ten degrees of frost not conducing to scent. On Tuesday, the 4th inst., the same hounds met at Thompson’s Walls; a thick morning, and a small field. A fox was found on the hill-side between this and Kilham. Hounds run fast over Kilham Hill to Canno Mill Wood, turned south past the farm of Westnewton to Hethpool Wood, which they left directly to the west, running over the hill land of Hethpool and Kilham, by Pawston lake, and on towards the valley of the Bowmont. Then the fog, at all times thick, became so dense that Mr Grey and the whips could scarcely see their horse’s ears. They followed on for some distance to the cry, but at last lost the hounds entirely. They separated and went in different directions to seek them. The first whip found them on the north of the Bowmont on the Venchon Farm in Scotland. They were all got home to the kennels by five o'clock. Their fixture on Friday, the 7th inst., was Fenton, the residents of the Hon. F. W. Lambton, than whom there is no greater friend to fox hunting, but who, unfortunately, is in Parliament instead of enjoying the sport himself. It is to be feared that his people are not so honest towards foxes as he is. Fenton Hill, which formerly abounded in them, has several times been times been drawn blank, and has, I think, never showed more than one. On the present occasion there was only one, and, after hunting it badly for a little while, Mr Geo. Grey discovered it is to be a vixen. She got into a large rabbit-hole, where she was left. After this Barmoor Moss, Ford Moss, and other coverts were drawn blank; but, luckily, in a nice whin covert, near the river Till plantations, hounds got on a scent. The fox had slipped away, however, before they were put in. But it was clear he had been recently there, by the way the hounds dashed over the whins and bushes. Presently one spoke and took it through the hedge, and Mr Grey had the pack to it in a minute. After running a field to the north he turned towards the Till, and ran very fast along the belt of plantations, past Red Scar Bridge to the Fenton March, where he turned to the east. Hounds ran hard over Kimmerston, Fenton and Fenton Hill farms; then turned northward and west by Kimmerston Dene, Ford Colliery, and Ford Hill Farm, through the rectory garden, running half below the church, and, luckily, straight across Ford Dene, over Hay Farm and the Rhodes Farm and ran slap into him above Etal House. Exactly one hour. This was a most enjoyable run, and may be called a fine, fast hunting run. Scent not too good, but hounds sticking well to their fox, and alternately keeping to the line and racing as the ground and scent would serve; not a steeple-chasing scurry, but what any good sportsman would ride a long way to see. In conclusion, I feel bound to say that there is a deep and widespread feeling of regret that Mr Grey is about to give up keeping these hounds which have shown so much real good hunting in the country. Invitations were given to the Marquis of Waterford to hunt them, but it was not the description of country his lordship had been accustomed to. Major Howey of Etal was next applied to, but, on account of the situation in the north not suiting his health, he has declined. Offers, I believe have been made to Mr George Grey to continue the hunting of them, in which capacity he has given everyone entire satisfaction; but, as subscriptions in the country are few and far between, he is very probably does not feel justified in incurring the responsibility. Hence the prospects of hunting in this fine country are poor indeed. A RIDER, NOT A WRITER.

“POISONING” IN THE CHEVIOTS. SIR,-I observe a paragraph in last week’s Field which says that poisoning is going on in the Cheviot Hills. The Cheviots are rather a large order, being hunted by five or six different packs of hounds, and I think it would be well if you would kindly state where the poisoning is taking place, as although I hunt hounds on a considerable extent of those hills, I have never heard of it, and would be sorry that such good sportsmen as our hill shepherds should be accused of doing such a thing. GEORGE GREY The Demesne, Milfield, Wooler. [The paragraph in question was sent us by a country correspondent, and we have seen a similar statement in other papers. We have no details on the point, but this letter may elicit further information. – ED.]

THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. In consequence of the resignation of the mastership of the Glendale Foxhounds by Mr G. A. Grey., another meeting of gentleman interested in the matter was held at the Collingwood Arms, Cornhill-on-Tweed, on Feb.27. Mr Watson Askew, of Pallinsburn, occupied the chair, and said the meeting was summoned in consequence of the result of the last. He was then authorised to communicate with the Marquis of Waterford, and did so; and the marquis told him he was afraid there would be many difficulties in the way, but he would come down and see the country and judge for himself. He did come, and found the country was not, in any way, one he liked for hunting purposes, much as he liked it in other ways, or he would probably have taken it. Therefore he (the chairman) was afraid they were not much further forward now than they were six weeks ago. He continued: "We deeply regret that Mr Grey, after having carried on his hounds with such success for four years, finds he is unable to go on; and we have assembled here to-day to see if some arrangement can be made to fill the gap which has occurred. Can anyone offer any suggestion as to what should be done?” – Mr C. H. Taylor; Fill it yourself. – Mr Askew: That question has been in my mind for many, many weeks, but no practicable solution has yet occurred to me. – Mr G. A. Grey said he thought Mr Taylor's suggestion was not only the best way out of the difficulty, but the best thing the country could have under any circumstances. No man had the interest of the country more at heart, and no one was more popular in the country, than Mr Askew. They all knew what good sport he showed when he hunted the country for some years. If he would undertake the matter, there was no man who would receive so much support from the country. (Applause.) He (Mr Grey) would be very glad to put the kennels, &c., at his disposal, and to lend him the hounds or give them to the country. – Mr Askew said he was much obliged for the kind way in which Mr Grey had spoken of him. He had received great kindness, and the strongest support, from all classes when he did hunt the country; he enjoyed those days very much, but he was afraid they had passed for ever. He had also many other employments that took him away from home, and he was sorry to say it was impossible for him to take the country. Was the no other suggestion that anyone could make? – Major Howey of Etal’s name was mentioned, and, after some conversation on the subject, it was resolved that Mr Askew, as chairman, should write to him, saying that the meeting understood he was greatly interested in the hunting of the country, and that they would be very glad if he could see his way to undertake it, and that Mr George Grey would call upon him and ascertain if he were willing to do so.

GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. SIR,- I inclose returns of sport with the Glendale foxhounds. Hunted on 70 days; stopped by frost or wind, 8 days; killed 21 brace. The servants remain as before. It has been on the whole an indifferent season—long spells of very bad scent. I can count the real good scenting days on my fingers. We have had some very fine runs, but they were wide apart. GEORGE GREY

The Stranger’s Ride
Or a Tweedsider at Melton Mowbray
Tune- “Cheer Boys Cheer”

Up, boys up, I hear the bugle sounding,
Up laggards up! will ye lie abed all day?
Up boys, up! and see the good horse bounding –
‘Tis a gallant steed, how he longs to be away.

Out boys, out! jump quick into the saddle,
‘Tis a glorious morn, see the sky is cloudy pale:
The squire is spurring fast, and the farmer he’s astraddle
The old grey mare, like a feather bed on rail.

Start boys, start! ride gently to the cover:
Hark! do you hear the good hounds eager bay?
See! they are in – they are hunting – now ‘tis over –
They have found, they have found, and the fox he’s stole away.

Off boys, off! down to your business settle –
T’will be a sharp run by the line the rascal chose:
Off boys, off! this day will try your mettle,
And honour to the man who’s first in at the close –

Mind boys, mind! be careful of the stranger,
Or he’ll be in before you at the death:
Mark how he rides regardless of the danger –
Never drawing rein, and never holding breath.

Ha! He’s in front; he’ll keep it too – he’s gaining
Though he never saw the country till today;
Where the hounds go he follows – all disdaining
Short cuts and easy – that’s the only way.

Yes! he’s in front; e’en Cardigan’s behind him –
Cardigan, who ne’er yet started but he won;
Try him again, and still in front you’ll find him,
For ‘tis his customed place and he’ll yield it up to none.

Long shall his fame live – long shall it be dwelt on,
How England’s best was vanquished on that day.
How England’s best – the pride and power of Melton,
Did all they could, yet were beaten by a Grey.

E.D.G.O.

Melton Mowbray January 1857
Mr Grey of Milfield, Son of Mr Grey of Dilston a crack rider and a crack farmer too.

We hear from the north that Mr. George Grey will not hunt the Glendale hounds after the present season. Mr. Grey has very reluctantly come to this decision, feeling that his numerous weighty business engagements render it difficult to give that amount of time and energy which is necessary to the successful hunting of hounds. Mr. Grey has now carried the horn in this country for six seasons, four as huntsman to his father, and two with the Hon. F. W. Lambton. 1887

DEATH OF ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN SPORTSMAN. 1886 SIR, – I have no doubt that many old fellow-sportsmen will have heard with regret of the death of Mr George A. Grey of Milfield, whose name is familiar in a number of hunting countries, especially in the north of England. He began his hunting career at the age of fourteen, and continued it throughout his lifetime. The country he knew best was Tweedside and that Cheviots, but for many years he was in the habit of spending a part of each season in Leicestershire, where he used to sell off his stud, which, though not weight-carriers, went for very high prices. He was a consummate horseman, and as a rider to hounds few men were is equal throughout the kingdom. Sportsmen in Northumberland will remember that the Border country was hunted successively by Major St. Paul, Bailey of Mellerstain, Robertson of Ladykirk, Lord Wemyss, Askew, and Sir John Marjoribanks, after which, as there threatened to be a blank in the succession of masters, George Grey himself undertook the hunting of the country, and had charge of the Glendale hounds for four seasons, until his failing sight forced him to resign. He died quietly last Wednesday morning (the 20th inst.), in the seventy-first year of his age, much regretted by all who knew him. G. G. B.

GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. SIR, – It may interest some of your readers to hear that these hounds have had some capital sport lately, of which the following are the outlines. – On Wednesday the 4th inst., they had a bye-day at Kirknewton, and found on Yeavering Bell, ran around the hill, then west nearly to the Torrs, turned back over Yeavering bell once more, and on over Gregory, down past Kirknewton, across the Colledge, over Lanton Hill, into Sandy House Dene, where they killed their fox. The pace throughout was very fast and scent first rate. On Friday the 6th, the meet was at the Plough Inn, Beal, where, owing no doubt to the stormy morning, there was a comparatively small muster of horsemen. The hounds were first put into Kentstone Dene, and soon hit off the line of a fox, which had evidently left the cover some little time previously. They hunted this line as far as Black Heddon where they were stopped as he was too far on to afford much chance of a run. Kyloe Wood was the next draw, and a fox was quickly found, but he, unfortunately, proved to be one of the home loving sort, and was given up after a lot of hunting round and through Kyloe and get Detchant woods. The next fox slipped away from a young plantation to the north-east of Laverick Law, and a right good one he proved to be. He ran almost due west, with hounds going a great pace across the Hetton Burn, past Wrangham, on over the Berwick and Wooler Turnpike about a hundred yards to the south of Fenton Wood, straight down the valley across the low part of Nesbit and Fenton Farms, and crossed the River Till near the junction of the Glen. Still west, they ran over the Ewart fields, past Galewood, and through the strip of plantation adjoining the Cornhill and Wooler Turnpike. Here there was a slight check, but hounds hit off the line again beyond the road, and ran on past Coupland and Lanton, and over Lanton Hill. Then turning rather more to the north, they crossed Crook House Farm, and rolled over their fox at the foot of Housden Hill, after as good and straight a run as has been seen in this district for some seasons. Time one hour and twenty minutes. Monday the 9th saw this pack at Wark Common and they quickly found a fox of the right sort in this well-known cover. He broke to the south and ran past Presson and Presson Hill, on through No Man’s Land and over Hoselaw nearly to Wideopen, then turned west to Hoselaw Loch, and straight over Cherrytrees Hill, at the bottom of which the hounds paused for a moment, but hitting off the line again at the road they went on across the old Gradon and Greenlees and right on to the Frogden strips where this good old fox was run into. This was a very fine run over a good country, virtually without a check and quite fast enough for horses. Time 1 hour. Hounds being far out of their own country it was decided not to draw again that day. Yours, &c. GLENDALE.

("Article in Paper ? I&O Ap.4 '91 by G. Grey") THE CLEVELAND BAY BREED OF HORSES. It will be a relief to every lover of the horse to turn aside for a few moments from the contemplation of the colossal Shire or Clydesdale – the horse of the lorry and the town – and devote his attention to the lighter, more active, and certainly not less useful breed of cart horses, which are as far superior for farm and country work, as those Titans are to them for the special form of service required in the towns. The Shire and Clydesdale have held the field in the attention of the public, to the exclusion of the lighter breed, too long. This has been in a great measure owing to the indomitable energy and enthusiasm of such men as Mr Gilbey, who has devoted much time and attention to the improvement of the Shire horse, and, as everyone must acknowledge, with unqualified success. But while the attention of Mr Gilbey and others has been concentrated on the development of a majestic town horse, suitable for the setting in motion of very heavy loads, and for work upon level ground, other breeds have been forgotten, or at least neglected. That fine old Northumbrian horse known as the Vardy has, for want of a Gilbey, been allowed to die out. This has been a very serious loss to the county, as no other has been found to replace it so well suited to the requirements of the soil and the undulating or hilly nature of its contour. Alas! the breed now lives on only in the recollection of the dying generation, and however much it might be desired to resuscitate it, the task is impossible. The breed of the present-day which most nearly approaches the Vardy is the Cleveland Bay. That breed had for years been neglected, and would in the course of time have shared the fate of the Vardy, but it found a willing and able champion in Mr Alfred Pease. That gentleman, together with Mr T. Parrington, was the moving spirit in the formation of a Cleveland Bay Stud Book. Since then much has been done to increase the numbers of the breed, and instead of sinking it is now in a most flourishing condition. Without doubt the Cleveland proper is an absolutely pure breed, which from time immemorial it has been the boast of generations of North Riding farmers to preserve free from stain of “ black or blood." The Cleveland horse, combining power, bone, and size, with great activity (which latter quality is greatly wanting in the heavier breeds) makes him a most suitable horse for farm or "general utility" work throughout the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire; and doubtless he would be found equally, if not more, suitable to the northern portion of Northumberland, more especially on the lighter lands of Tweedside and throughout the great stretch of hilly land lying for miles south, along the base of the Cheviots, and extending eastward to the lesser range of hills, running from the north of Belford to Chillingham, Eglingham, and Alnwick. Looked upon in the light of a marketable commodity, the value of the Cleveland will be found on the whole, fully equal to any other. The demand for good horses for America is large, and the characteristics of general utility are so great that no difficulty is experienced in finding a ready market, either as farm horses, carriage horses, weight carrying hunters, or army remounts, according to the object and manner of crossing. In breeding it is necessary to keep a fixed object in view, and a high standard should in all cases be aimed at, whether for hunting, harness, or the farm. With judicious crossing the Cleveland is an excellent basis from which to start. In an article by Lord Cathcart on the Cleveland, his Lordship says: – "I have lived all my life within sight of Cleveland. I have known intimately hereditary Cleveland studs, and firmly believe in this fine and valuable race – a race fitted in my opinion to furnish mares to blend admirably with the suitably selected thoroughbred horse. The race is remarkable for bone and sinew. The shank bone of a true bred Cleveland is as dense as ivory." And to quote from a paper by Mr Alfred Pease: – "If they (the mares) are stinted to the Cleveland horse, the colt foals while at foot will be eagerly bought at prices ranging from £70 upwards by the caterers for the American market. The filly foals when they reach the age of three years will be almost as eagerly bought by breeders or the foreigners for £70 to £150. It is difficult to imagine a more profitable investment for the farmer…… He may mate his mare with the Cleveland horse, sell the foals, or keep them to be sold as stallions or mares in the foreign market. He may put her to a thoroughbred and get a fine harness horse or weight-carrying hunter. He may send her to the Yorkshire coach horse and breed that class of carriage horse which fetches the top price in town." Altogether, looking at the breed from every point of view, it will be found a most excellent and valuable one, and deserving of every attention from farmers and breeders, and it is a matter of great congratulation that men have been found who take a sincere interest in its further development, and by their exertions have saved from extinction this ancient race.

A GOOD DAY WITH THE GLENDALE. These hounds met on Tuesday at Windmillhill Station, where only a small field arrived, partly owing to the gusty, unfavourable looking morning, and partly on account of so many belonging to the hunt having gone to a meet at Kelso Bridge. In all, perhaps, there might only be some twenty horsemen. A small plantation or two were drawn blank, although there were signs of a fox having recently been about, when a boggy rough field was next tried, with a better result, as a fine fox jumped up in the midst of the pack, and in full view of the riders. The pack ran him in view across one field, until he reached a thin strip of plantation, where he got out of their sight. The scent seemed and afterwards proved to be as good as could be desired – the hounds racing away across heavily enclosed fields on Goswick, then turning south across that bugbear of hunting, the impassable river Lowe. A bridge being, however, handy, it was crossed in time to see the hounds streaming into the Haggerstone Low Wood. Not a moment did this gallant fox dwell, but made straight on to Low Lynn, then turned west by the mill into the Licker Dene, across the turnpike, up the boundary of Mr Hume's farm, till he reached the Bowsden Road, across it, and away by the back of Bowsden village as if for Woodend. Whether the fox was headed or not it is difficult to say, but he turned sharp north, through the Bowsden whin, and straight on into Berrington Dene. The pack was seen to emerge at the far side, and a general stampede took place to find a crossing, and when one was found the hounds were amissing. They were at length found in a small plantation near the dene, but had got off their fox, which, although hunted slowly backwards and forwards, up and down the dene for some time afterwards, was finally lost. The time from the find until the hounds entered the dene was as near as can be one hour; the pace throughout was very severe; and most of the country crossed being heavy clay, it told a tale on horse flesh. Everyone having expressed their satisfaction, no further draw was made, and we all gladly turned our heads homeward, delighted with our day’s sport. ONE WHO WAS THERE

NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND FOX COVERT CLUB. On Saturday a meeting of the members of this Club was held in the Corn Exchange, Berwick, to finally settle the hunting of this district. Watson Askew, Esq., Pallinsburn, presided, and there was a fair attendance. The CHAIRMAN said they could not meet without expressing their sincere regret that during that week there had passed away a great and good nobleman, who was certainly one of the best known, most widely respected and oldest masters of hounds, one to whom this district had been much obliged, and one who had shown good sport for at least 60 years. He therefore begged to move that that meeting conveyed to His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch their sense of the great loss all classes had sustained by the lamented death of his father, and the obligations all hunting men were under to him for his great kindness, courtesy and consideration in allowing his hounds to hunt the Cornhill county for the last four seasons. Major the Hon. BAILLIE HAMILTON seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. The CHAIRMAN said the next business was to consider an offer that had been made by the Hon. F. W. Lambton to hunt the Northumberland part of this country. All present were aware that the district had for the last four of five seasons been divided between four different packs, viz., those of Major Baillie Hamilton, the Duke of Buccleuch, Earl Percy and Mr G. A. Grey, which had hunted the country during what he might term the interregnum. He thought they would remember that when the arrangement was made at the time it was agreed that if any gentleman was willing to come forward to hunt the whole of the country, Major Baillie Hamilton, Earl Percy and the Duke of Buccleuch undertook that the parts which they occupied should be given up by them. Major Baillie Hamilton, who was present, had sent him a most courteous letter relinquishing the portion he hunted, and congratulating the club upon having found so good a man as Mr Lambton. He had also received a letter from Earl Percy, who was represented at the meeting, and that nobleman expressed his gratification at the solution of what seemed to be a very difficult question. In writing to Major Baillie Hamilton and Earl Percy on the subject, he mentioned the great desirability of endeavouring, in any new arrangement that might be arrived at, to arrange the days for the meets so that everybody might get the greatest amount of hunting. He believed, if it was found convenient for people, Mr Lambton would agree to hunt on Mondays and Fridays, while Major Baillie Hamilton hunted on the Tuesdays and Fridays, and the Duke of Buccleuch hunted on the Thursdays. The only difference that would make would be that Earl Percy might manage to revert to the arrangement that Major Browne entered into when he occupied Earl Percy’s district, viz., to hunt the country between Wooler and Belford on the Wednesday. Earl Percy in his letter said he could not pledge himself to enter into this arrangement until he had consulted those whose convenience it would affect. He was, however, very anxious to carry out any arrangement that would produce the most sport in the district. The chairman further said he might mention that Major Baillie Hamilton in his letter said he could not enter upon the course suggested without consulting those who hunted with him, but he would use his best endeavours to meet the views of all. He might also state that Mr Lambton was perfectly willing to hunt the whole of the old Northumberland country, but Mr Leather was anxious that his woods, for certain reasons, should still remain in Earl Percy’s hands, and this nobleman was anxious to retain these covers. To that Mr Lambton raised no objection. The Middleton Woods would therefore be outside of the new boundary line for Mr Lambton's district, and as he understood Earl Percy would very much like to have more cub hunting, Mr Lambton would be very glad to meet him still further by making Kyloe Woods neutral, subject to various little arrangements to be decided afterwards. These were extremely valuable at certain seasons of the year to masters of hounds, and they could not be hunted too much. He thought therefore, for all parties it would be the best arrangement if it could be adopted, to make Kyloe Woods neutral, so that if Earl Percy wished to hunt there, he would not be prevented by any fear of breaking the bounds. Mr G. REA moved that Mr Lambton's offer be accepted. He was quite sure it would meet with the approval of everyone. Sportsmen in the district looked forward to the country being hunted in a very efficient manner by Mr Lambton. Mr A. THOMPSON, Kirknewton, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN moved a hearty vote of thanks to Earl Percy, Major Baillie Hamilton, the Duke of Buccleuch, and Mr Grey, for the very great obligations they were under to them, for having occupied the county in the meantime, and for showing such good sport as they had done. Mr SMITH, jun., Melkington, seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Major BAILLIE HAMILTON said the work of himself, and the others in Northumberland had been so small, that it was scarcely deserving of thanks. He was glad of having had an opportunity of showing some sport. He begged to thank those in the east country who had befriended and helped him in every way in their power. He had thus had an opportunity of making many friends. He was sorry to give up the country, but considered it was obligatory on him to do so. He only hoped that the new arrangement would, by concentrated government lead people to take an interest and pleasure in keeping up the covers, so that in future they might be as good sport as in the past. Mr G. A. Grey also returned thanks. A long discussion then ensued as to the boundaries of the district, and the days for hunting, as well as other matters of detail. The CHAIRMAN said Mr Taylor had asked him to bring under the notice of the meeting the fact that Mr George Grey, jr., had shown very great and extraordinary sport for four years. Several gentlemen were very anxious to give him some little testimonial in remembrance of his services and Mr Taylor therefore suggested that a subscription for that purpose should be opened at the meeting. Mr NICHOLSON, secretary of the club, undertook to receive the subscriptions of those who wished to contribute. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

MIDDLE ORD. It will be with deep regret that many in Glendale will hear of the sudden death of John Clark, steward of Middle Ord, for Mr Grey of Doddington, where he has only lived one year. He was a highly trusted servant of the Grey family, being brought up at Milfield where he lived many years, after which he was appointed steward to the late earl of Durham, at Nesbit Home Farm, which situation he occupied until the late Earl’s death, and in which he gave entire satisfaction. He was universally liked and respected—liked, because of his kindly disposition, respected for his sterling uprightness and honesty. He leaves a widow and a young family to mourn his loss.

BRILLIANT RUN THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. This bloodthirsty pack met at Howtel on Monday. Never was a morning so unlike foxhunting. Along the Vale of the Bowmont hung a dense curtain of mist, which the sun strove to pierce in vain, while the ground was hard with the previous night’s frost. Whether we would be able to hunt at all was a doubtful and anxious question. But by 11 o'clock the sun, now fairly over Howtel Hill, had so far gained the mastery as to appear like his sister luminary rising in the full effulgence of her glory. And now the gallant huntsman appears ready to face frost and mist. He leads a goodly train to the covert side, for his hounds are fast gaining the repute they so well deserve. The fair sex are also well represented. The hounds no sooner into the whin than the deep tones of the leaders tell us that they have found their prey, and that the "fox was away from his lair in the morning." His course is westward by Reedsford, but he is headed, and strikes over Kypie Hill for Milfield Woods. Here the mist is so dense that the hounds can only be followed by the sound. They take us down to near Flodden Hill, where they come to a check. The master then draws them off, for he is afraid he may encroach on forbidden ground. By this time the sun has broken forth, and the mist and frost rhinde are speedily dispelled (a sure sign of a burning scent.) Away we trot to Ewart Wood, a place which, of old, was well known to have maintained one of the best packs in the North of England, under the mastership of Major St. Paul. In those days there were none of those wire-fences which are now the bane of foxhunting. Ewart Park is supplied with them to an unusual degree. In spite, however, of these numerous obstacles, we were soon thundering on his rear, while the welkin rings with "musical discord." It is beautiful to see them sweep past us, for "Their heads are hung, With ears that sweep away the morning due, Crook-knee’d and dew-lapped like Thessalian bulls, Slow in pursuit, but matched in mouth like bells Each upon each." On they rattle him through the long plantation. Twice he attempted to break to the west, but he is headed each time. Then, after racing round that large domain, his outward course is north, across the river Till, by Kimmerston. Then he turns westward, making for that stronghold of old, Ford Castle; but the pace is getting to merry for him: so he seeks the banks of Till once more, and gallantly he takes the water above Red Scar Bridge. The music of the hounds as they hunt him through these woods baffles all description. What with it and the cry "Hark forward" we felt that this is the perfection of foxhunting. The hounds dash into the water, and bravely breast the flood. Hitting off the line immediately they reach the shore, away they go, never to be caught up again until Akeld Bridge is reached. Then they stream up the north side of the glen to about Yeavering. Water is again before them, but they seem to glory in the cold bath as they plunge into the stream and swim to yonder side. Onward they go, as if for Yeavering Bell, but Akeld Hill has been enough for him. When getting over it Reynard changes his course eastward. The gallant pack pursue him fast and furious to Humbleton Hill, where he seeks refuge amongst the rocky steeps; but "there is no rest for the wicked" they even find him out there: blood they want and blood they will have. Now indeed, he sees that all hope is gone; but life is dear to him, and he gathers himself for a grand effort. Down the hill he goes, determined to try the muddy Till once more; but the fates are against him. Down the hill sweep the hounds, appearing to the distant eye like a streak of white against the dark side of the hill. And now they are gaining fast on him as he gains the plain. The music of the pack grows fast and furious, and the well-known cry of the huntsman "Hark forward, " is heard. Now they are close at his brush, and he feels dear life slipping from his grasp; but he is determined to "die game." He turns, and pack are on him. What can he do – one to many? A worry, worry, and the fox’s life has fled. The run lasted one hour and thirty-five minutes, without a single check. To say the least of them, the Glendale is a wonderful pack. Every hound knows his work, and they go at it in a manner that will excite the admiration of all true sportsmen. Too much credit cannot be given to their able and veteran master of 50 years’ standing for the splendid way in which he works his hounds, and for the sport he gives to the public. He hunts two days a week, and yet he can boast of 32 brushes for the season so far as it has gone. It is a matter of general regret that he is not allowed a larger district to display his energy in the art of foxhunting. HARK FORWARD

(1879) THE LATE MR JOHN GEORGE GREY.- Many of our readers will read with regret the announcement of the death of Mr J.. G. Grey, at Biarritz, at the early age of 33. He was the eldest son of Mr G. A. Grey. of Milfield, Northumberland, and grandson of Mr John Grey, of Dilston. He was educated at Harrow and Cheltenham, where he distinguished himself in the cricket field and in other athletic pursuits. His score a few years later against the All England Eleven, made on the Northumberland cricket ground at Newcastle-on-Tyne, is still remembered as one of the largest on record. For some years he lived at Milfield, where he had the benefit of the advice and assistance of his father, who is well known as an agriculturist. At an early age he obtained the appointment of agent to Earl Grey, and some time afterwards he accepted also a similar appointment under the trustees of the Earl of Carlisle. On his marriage in 1872 he went to live at Naworth, in Cumberland, where, during his seven years’ residence, he became very popular with all classes on account of his sound judgement in all business affairs, especially as to the relations between landlord and tenant, while as a country magistrate for Cumberland he brought strong common sense to bear on his decisions. As a master of the Irthing Vale hounds he proved himself a thorough sportsman, not only a first-rate rider, but also an excellent shot and a good fisherman. Last autumn he was ordered abroad on account of his health, which necessitated the severance of his connection with Cumberland. On their departure Mr and Mrs Grey were presented by a number of the neighbours with their portraits, as a tribute for the able manner in which he had conducted the Irthing Vale Hunt. Unhappily, the hopes of his friends that the change would benefit his health were doomed to disappointment, as he died on Sunday, March 30, at Biarritz. His father brought his remains to England, and he was buried at Kirknewton, in Northumberland, on the eighth inst. Mr Grey leaves a widow and three daughters.

THE GLENDALE FOX – HOUNDS. Owing to Mr Grey's resignation of the Mastership of the Glendale Fox – hounds, a meeting was held at the Collingwood Arms, Cornhill-on-Tweed, on Wednesday the ninth inst., to consider what means should be adopted for the future hunting of the country. Mr Askew of Pallinsburn occupied the chair. After some business had been transacted, the CHAIRMAN rose and said: – It is with regret we have heard that Mr. Grey feels himself unequal to occupy any longer that position which he has filled with so much glory and honour to himself, and which has had such admirable results. I feel that we shall all sympathise with him most fully under the very sad affliction that renders it necessary for him to resign the Mastership of the Glendale Hounds at a time when, if his sight had only remained good, he was probably never able to go better. (Applause.) He is unable to be here to-day in consequence of an accident that he received while hunting on Monday. Mr ASKEW then read a letter from Mr. Grey, which was as follows: – “TO THE CHAIRMAN. "DEAR SIR, – it is with regret that I am compelled to give up attending the H. C. meeting to-morrow, owing to an accident, which for the time being quite disables me. May I ask you to express the thanks which I should otherwise have offered in person to all classes in the district who have so kindly supported me during the four seasons that I have hunted the country, and also my deep regret at being obliged to sever my connection with my neighbouring sportsmen, who have invariably treated me in the field as Master with kindness and consideration. It will always be a source of deep gratification to me to recollect that on no occasion has ever an unpleasant expression been uttered in the field. Although unable to share the sport in future, I naturally take a deep interest in the welfare of the country. In what way it is to be hunted in the future is not for me to predict, whether on a large scale, as in Lord Wemyss’s time, or in one more circumscribed; but in either case it is my opinion that the country cannot be satisfactorily hunted without the restoration of the portions in Northumberland now hunted by the Duke of Buccleuch and Major Baillie Hamilton. I still hope that it may be in my power to assist the sport of the country, and should any gentleman decide to take it, it will be a great pleasure to me to offer for his acceptance my hounds; and as I have contributed my mite to every subscription pack that has hunted the country since I was seventeen years old I hope to continue to do so to the end of my life." Mr. ASKEW, continuing, said: I think we should carry our minds back to the time when Sir John Marjoribanks resigned the Mastership of the hounds in this country, when we were placed in considerable difficulty, no one seeing his way to come forward and carry on the hunting of the country as before. You will remember that Berwickshire was severed from the Northumberland country, and Major Baillie Hamilton united that with the country he had. There was a difficulty in finding somebody willing to hunt the whole of this part of Northumberland. The Duke of Buccleuch undertook to hunt the country up to the Till and the College, and Lord Percy undertook to hunt that portion of the country up to Ford Bridge, bounded by the Lowick and Cornhill turnpike. Major Baillie Hamilton undertook to hunt what may be called the Berrington Dene country, up by Longridge, which he could easily get to by train. All the country around was left perfectly vacant. Further arrangements were made. Lord Percy and the Duke of Buccleuch undertook to give bye-days in the neutral portion of the country at specified times. It was soon found, however, this arrangement was not likely to work satisfactorily. The Duke of Buccleuch did not see his way to hunting the hills. Mr. Grey undertook to hunt the hill country, and formed the pack which has shown such good sport. He hunted the country for two seasons, and then it was found Lord Percy could not come up into his part of the neutral country, and by further arrangement Lord Percy lent that part of the country to Mr. Grey, who has been the means of showing good sport. I think we may say that one piece is hunted by permission, and the other by loan. When the country was given up the Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Percy, and Major Baillie Hamilton undertook to accept it, but whenever anybody came forward to hunt the whole to give it up again. Therefore I think it is desirable we should ascertain whether we can get anybody who will come forward and assume the whole of this piece of country, and revive to a considerable degree the glory of the hunting in those olden times. I may say we cannot look forward to having more good sport than what Mr. Grey has shown last year and this year in that piece of country which he has hunted; but we may return to a three or four days a week pack, instead of two. I believe some correspondence has taken place with Lord Waterford on the subject of hunting this country, but other people know more about it than myself. I believe the state of things is this – that Lord Waterford has intimated that he would be very glad to come forward and hunt this country if he did not see his way to return to Ireland. I believe it is a fact, although he did not pledged himself in any way, that he proposes to come to this country in the month of February and judge for himself how far it would suit him, if the country was willing and anxious he should do so. I think most of you in this room will agree with me that it would be very advantageous to this country if his lordship did come and remove his establishment from Ireland to here. I am perfectly aware that both the Duke of Buccleuch and Lord Percy would be most anxious to facilitate any arrangement, not only with him, but with any other gentleman who was acceptable to the country, and who was willing to come forward and hunt it. I think that as correspondence with the Lord Waterford has taken place, and this subject been broached, and as we have a large and influential meeting here to-day, it would be desirable that a letter should go to him from this meeting to ascertain, if we can, what his views on the subject are , and if he seriously would think of undertaking to hunt this country; also point out to him we understand he is coming here in February, and that it is desirable that as little time as possible should be lost in making up his mind. With regard to a paragraph in Mr. Grey's letter, I may say I quite agree with him that it would be more satisfactory if the whole of the portions of Northumberland now hunted by these three packs were re-united and made one. (Applause.) We are all aware there is a good deal of difficulty in consequence of days clashing. I think if the country is re-united in that way there ought to be a stipulation that it be hunted at least three days a week. Thus everything would be restored, except the Detchant and Middleton Woods. I think that when the country was given up by Sir John Marjoribanks reservation was made by Mr. Leather of these woods, and he announced his intention of giving that part to Lord Percy. If I remember rightly, some correspondence took place with Mr. Leather, and he was extremely anxious that they should be hunted by Lord Percy’s Hounds. The whole of the country would, I think, come back with this exception. Probably we might claim them also. But I do not think we could do so if the proprietor did not want to give them to us. You would thus get a most admirable three days a week; and whatever arrangements are made it should be hunted, at any rate, three days a week. I therefore propose that we, from this meeting, send a letter to Lord Waterford, saying that he would be very welcome here, and that we hope he will see his way to come down and undertake to hunt the country at least three days a week. Sir JOHN MARJORIBANKS proposed that the Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Percy, and Major Baillie Hamilton should be communicated with. He also thought they might leave the matter in Mr. Askew's hands to get it arranged. This was seconded by Mr. Culley. Mr. Albert Grey said he had come from Howick, and although not a hunting man in this country, he took an interest in it. He had come not only on his own account but also as the representative of his cousin, Mr. Lambton. Both of them agreed it was desirable that the three parts of the country should be consolidated. He knew nothing about Lord Waterford going to take it, but he felt certain that no man in England or Ireland would be more popular than the noble marquis if he could be induced to come. It was unanimously agreed that Lord Waterford be communicated with. Mr. ASKEW: It is clear we cannot separate to-day without moving a most cordial, warm, and hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Grey for the very successful and handsome manner in which he has hunted this country. It is the deep regret of all that he has to retire from the Mastership. I think everyone in this room will join with me in thanking him for what he has done and in trusting that, although he cannot continue to act as Master, many years of health and happiness may be in store for him, and that he may be long spared to contribute to, and assist in, promoting sport in this country. (Applause.) Mr. ASKEW then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. George Grey for the excellent manner in which he had hunted the Glendale Hounds. (Applause.) Mr. G. Grey suitably responded. Mr. SMITH, sen., Melkington, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and the meeting terminated.

THE ROOKS QUESTION. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE “NEWCASTLE DAILY JOURNAL.") Sir, – More than two years ago, some letters appeared in your paper, from my pen and others, calling attention to the very large number of rooks in the county, and to the enormous damage occasioned by them to the farming community, as also to the preservers of game. The direct outcome of these letters and some correspondence which followed, was perhaps the largest and most enthusiastic meeting of agriculturists ever held in Alnwick. An association was there and then formed to deal with the question, and a price was put upon the heads of the bird pests of the farm. The funds for carrying out the work were obtained by a voluntary rate, or, more properly speaking, by subscriptions from landlord and tenant farmers. The first year all went well; funds were forthcoming, and good work was done in the reduction of the number of the pests. Last year also, even more rooks, wood – pigeons, &c., were destroyed; but, alas, funds have not kept pace with the increased expenditure. The reason of this is difficult to state, seeing that nearly every farmer is fully impressed with the necessity of waging war against the depredators of agricultural produce, and most farmers admit that considerable good has already been done. However, be the reason what it may, the fact remains that the subscriptions received have not been sufficient to defray the expenses; and this being so, renders it imperative either to wind up the association, or to make more strenuous efforts to obtain further pecuniary aid. To abandon the project, I believe, would be most disastrous to the farmer, and I therefore desire most earnestly to appeal to both landlords and tenant farmers to give their aid, and so enable the association to be continued. At the same time I wish to point out to those who have not hitherto assisted, that it is no large individual subscription that is asked for; if everyone interested would contribute a small sum, a sufficient amount would result for all requirements. Such a small subscription would never be felt by the donor, and I feel sure would be repaid him manyfold. I would urge upon all landlords and farmers in Northumberland to shake off that apathy under which they have been labouring, and rouse themselves to the vital importance of the subject, lest the moment for action be allowed to glide by, and it becomes too late by the dissolution of the association, to move further in the matter. – I am, &c., GEORGE GREY. Milfield, Wooler, 3rd February, 1891.

 

The following letter by R. J. G. Simmonds, Esq., appeared in the Newcastle Daily Journal: – SIR, – After the very exhaustive statements made in the letters of Mr G. Grey and Ald. Scott it is useless to occupy your columns with further details of a similar kind. But there is one point which seems to have escaped the notice of most persons, including the above gentlemen, which should be added for general information, and especially that of game preservers. It is that rooks are beginning a further course of depredation, in a manner hitherto almost untried by them – viz., searching even the thickest coverts for eggs. Hitherto it has been a rare thing to see rooks settling in coverts, except at the edges of plantations, but now they are constantly to be found during the nesting time, deliberately searching for, what appears to be so great a delicacy to them, eggs. If carefully watched it will be found that these birds are not especially hungry, and they pass over any quantity of grubs and insects – being intent on their object, and carrying it out in the most business-like and persistent way. The destruction of grouse, black game and partridges nests in open places have been remarked on already, and now pheasants’ nests – even those hitherto protected in plantations – will suffer in a greater degree than formerly, owing to this new characteristic developed by the rooks. The letter of "Anti- Humbug" in the Journal of the 13th inst. can hardly be taken seriously by anyone who knows the facts; and such persons will, I feel sure, regret that the writer did not take the trouble to ascertain something, at least, about the subject before he wrote. I congratulate him on one point, and that is his adopting the anonymous style instead of putting his name. Might I suggest that until he takes the trouble to find out something accurate about the subject on which he writes he should drop the prefix to the signature? The statement in his letter that farmers do not favour the movement is inaccurate. They do so completely, but object to pay hard cash for the assistance which the Rook Association gives them. It seems just as if they knew exactly what 10s or 20s in hard money means, and the parting with a certain amount like this is a tangible thing; but as yet (I speak as a rule, to which, like every other, there are exceptions) farmers do not realise the amount in shillings and pounds of damage done to a newly sown field, or to a ripe crop. When it is pointed out to them that one bird will contain so many grains, say of wheat, and, therefore, so many thousands contain so many quarts, and so on to bushels, representing hard money in value, they are amazed at a fact they have over-looked, but still the other fact remains, it is not hard money, paid as such, it is only indirect damages. If the same rooks came indoors and took up penny pieces, the outcry would be great and the remedy swiftly applied; yet the pence are as surely picked off the farmer’s fields as if they were taken from his pockets. The statement in the same letter that rooks only do harm for "a week or two in the year," puts the writer again completely "out of it" with all practical men. From the time crops are sown until they are one-quarter grown, the evil goes on, and also when corn is half ripe, until harvested, and in the stacks after. So long, also, as swedes remain in the ground or in the heaps the damage continues to be done – periods of months, not weeks, as alleged. The last sentence of "Anti-Humbug’s" letter puzzles one completely. I repeat it. "It is strange that these gentlemen cannot see that they are now reaping the reward of attempting to legislate for nature by a plague of rats over which many, with justice bemoan." I did not know that members of the association were "attempting to legislate for nature by a plague of rats. This must indeed be seen to and "rough on rats," or some other remedy applied. Will "Anti-Humbug" be good enough to say whether it is the reward which is being reaped, which he bemoans, i.e., the successful efforts of the Rooks Association, as borne out by statistics, or the plague of rats? Or does he imply that in his view the balance of nature is the respective equilibrium of, say, a rat at one end of the balance and a rook at the other! This seems the logical inference, and so the fewer the rooks, the more of the rats, but how this is the reward of those who have not attempted, but "legislated" most successfully for a good many of the rooks seems rather hazy, except by adopting the above inference – that where a partial vacuum is established by decrease of rooks, it is filled up by rats. Can “Anti-Humbug" explain another natural phenomenon, i.e., that when the law prevented the trimming of terriers’ ears and the docking of horses’ tails, there has been so great an increase of donkeys! Is this, too, the balance of nature?

ROOKS. The following article appeared in the North Country Notes of the Newcastle Daily Journal, on Feb. 21st: – Apropos of the rook question, here is a nice little calculation for Mr Grey, Ald. Scott, and Mr Simmonds. On Monday a Durham farmer sowed a five- acre field with wheat. The following morning we noticed an army of rooks in possession of it. "What are they after?" we inquired of a hind who was ploughing in an adjoining field. "Picking out the corn," was the reply. "Are they not looking for grub?" we suggested. "Aye, they will eat grub – when they cannot get corn," was the naive response. The birds was so spread over the field that we took the trouble to count them. We counted to 360, and there would be a few more. On Wednesday afternoon they were again in the field, the original number being apparently augmented. Having Ald. Scott’s letter in our mind, we called on a neighbour and asked him to shoot one of the birds. He did so, and on opening that the crop found 78 grains of corn in it. There was no grub discernible. Now, assuming that each bird had on an average seventy in its crop (probably a low computation), this would give a total of 25,200 grains devoured by the rooks at one meal. It would be interesting to know the exact measure or quantity of corn represented by 25,200 grains. In passing the same field yesterday morning we observed that the rooks were still there.

THE ROOK QUESTION. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE "NEWCASTLE DAILY JOURNAL.") Sir, – your "North – Country Notes" correspondent asked a question on Saturday as to the amount of damage done by rooks to a newly-sown wheat field in the county of Durham. The following calculations may be of some interest to your readers. In the field mentioned by your correspondent there were 360 rooks, and in the crop of one which he shot there was 78 pickles of wheat. Assuming (as did your correspondent) that there was 70 pickles in the crop of each rook, we get a total of 25,200 pickles devoured at one meal. If the whole of these were to germinates and arrive at maturity I think they would each produce on an average four heads, with about 37 pickles in each head, or a total of, say, 150 for each one planted. The 25,200 which the rooks actually took would therefore have produced 3,780,000, (25,200 x 150). A bushel of wheat will contain about 700,000 pickles. Divide 3,780,000 by 700,000 and we have 5.4 bushels as the produce of corn taken by the rooks. A very considerable deduction must, however, be made for non – germinating seeds and for losses from other causes. I think the following mode will be found to show more accurate results. The usual quantity of seed sown per acre is 2 ½ bushels. From this sowing we would expect, say, 42 bushels, or a rate of increase of 16.8. Now, multiply the quantity consumed by the rooks, viz., 25,200 pickles, by 16.8 and we get 423,300 pickles as the produce. This (on the supposition that there are 700,000 grains in a bushel) is equal to about three – fifths of a bushel. If we take the price of wheat as being for 4s 4d per bushel, then three – fifths of that would be about 2s 8d, and this last mentioned sum represents the cost of allowing 300 rooks to have one free breakfast. – I am, &c., GEORGE GREY. Milfield, Wooler, 23rd Feb., 1891.

THE ROOK QUESTION. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE "NEWCASTLE DAILY JOURNAL.") Sir, – Anent the discussion in your columns on the farmers’ enemy (?) the rook, and the quantity of bushels of grain the capacious crop of this bird has stored in it during the year, I am rather a little mystified. I deplore my ignorance as to the habits of birds in general, and the rook in particular, but perhaps the distinguished and learned naturalists who form the anti – rook brigade will kindly enlighten me a little. In one of my old grass fields there are daily to be seen hundreds of rooks digging with their beaks into the roots of the grass, and devouring something or other. What can it be? Probably Mr Grey will kindly inform me. - I am, &c, ROBERT DONKIN. Haw Hill House, Rothbury, Feb. 25th, 1891.

THE ROOK QUESTION. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE "NEWCASTLE DAILY JOURNAL.") Sir, – In reply to Mr Donkin’s letter in yesterday's paper, no doubt the rooks in question must have been eating some sort of worms; but the simplest way would be for Mr Donkin to shoot one and see. There being little too tillage land in the neighbourhood of Rothbury, I presume the rooks have sometimes to resort to worms as a diet; but let Mr Donkin sow, as an experiment, say a quarter of an acre of the grass field in question with wheat, and then shoot a rook. He will then see which food is preferred by that bird. – I am, &c., GEORGE GREY. Milfield, Feb.27, 1891.

THE ROOK QUESTION. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE "NEWCASTLE DAILY JOURNAL.") Sir, – Allow me to thank Mr Grey for the lucid information he has given to my query. I will now ask him another question, and it will altogether depend upon the answer he gives me whether or not I plough up a quarter of an acre of old grass and sow it wheat. The question is simply as follows: – If the kind of worms he alleges the rooks were eating were left in the ground, would there be any danger to of the grain, after germinating into a young plant, being devoured by the worms? – I am, &c, ROBERT DONKIN. Haw Hill House, Rothbury, Feb. 28th .

THE ROOKS QUESTION. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE "NEWCASTLE DAILY JOURNAL.") Sir, – Mr Donkin appears to misunderstand the matter at issue. No one has ever denied that rooks do a certain amount of good, but many of the farmers and landowners of this county held that there are too many for the work to be done, and consequently "Satan finds" &c. I presume that Mr Donkin does not keep twenty or more times the number of servants in excess of the number required to do the work he has for them to perform, then why keep many times the number of rooks required? for which there is not a sufficiency of legitimate food. As to Mr Donkin’s rooks in particular, in all probability as they were on old grass land, they were feeding on the common earth worm, for whose use I beg to refer him to Darwin's book on the subject. The contention in my letter was merely that if Mr Donkin scattered grain on his grass land he would find that the rooks would prefer that feed to whatever they were getting. I am, &c, GEORGE GREY

Sir, – I see in your issue of Saturday a letter regarding the "North Northumberland Association for controlling the number of bird pests of the farm." I endorse all Mr Grey writes, and I would like to emphasise the appeal he makes to the landowners and tenants for their support. Throughout the operation of the association it appears 5,016 old rooks, 5,367 wood pigeons, and 6,336 sparrow eggs were destroyed during the year. Perhaps I may be excused in reminding the land owners and tenants of the damage done by these bird pests. First, in regard to the landowner. He has, no doubt, the interest of the tenant at heart; but he has surely another very direct interest in the matter – it may be assumed he wishes to preserve to a more or less degree the game birds on his estate, and, in doing so, is probably at considerable expense in maintaining game watchers to preserve the game from men poachers. Now I am convinced that it would take very many poachers to do as much harm as the rooks do by taking the game eggs, and if the landowner were over his fields and moors as often in spring as he is in autumn I am persuaded he would be of the same opinion. In truth, I feel sure that one shilling spent in destroying rooks is equal in results – so far as game preservation is concerned – to nearly twenty shillings spent in any other mode of preserving. I may mention a convincing proof. I happened last spring to ride out to a shepherd’s house at the Shank (I farm the land, but have not the game). I asked the shepherd (Renwick) how the grouse and black game were nesting. His reply was, "They were at one time doing very well; but since the rooks came out from the rookeries they had taken about all the eggs – the shells are scattered all over the moor." On my way back I rode over part of the hill, and found the statement only too true – the egg-shells were lying about in all directions, and the rooks were still spread over every acre, searching the ground yard by yard. From the testimony of shepherds and keepers, it seems that only about one-third of the grouse nests – they now of – escape, and as regards black game, a still smaller percentage escapes. Indeed, the last mentioned birds must soon be exterminated; there is not one for every five there were twenty-five years ago. The destruction of the eggs of pheasants and partridges is scarcely less than that of the moor game. Any one can see in May and June the rooks hunting the hedge rows in the most industrious manner. I quoted on a previous occasion the saying of a head-keeper in the district, "I know of dozens of partridge nests, but scarcely one has escaped the rooks." Now, in regard to the damage the bird pests do to the farmer, if it is not great, and not evident, I must be crazed, and only fit for an asylum. The farmer has to calculate how much of the seed corn, seed potatoes, and turnip seed is abstracted. It is not the value of the seed itself; but it is the results that are so disastrous – the crops being irregular and thinned – and what is left to grow continues to pay a heavy tithe to the bird pests until garnered. The corn is eaten as it grows, or as it stands in the stooks; potatoes are dug out of the drill; swedes are stripped of their shaws when young, and when matured are pecked and broken, with the result that the pecked ones rot – and this is all after the farmer has expended freely, but ineffectually, in providing bird-herds. He expends many pounds in this way; if he would only spend a few shillings to assist in thinning the birds he would more effectually save his crops and his pocket. Some years ago, I made rather minute calculations to determine the actual loss I suffered from these bird pests, and I found that in my case it came to rather over four shillings per annum per acre of land in rotation. Allowing that other farmers suffer to only one- half the extent, viz., two shillings per acre, still, that is nearly as much as the local rates, which are only more evident to him because they are a direct payment. The only reason why I can imagine a farmer should continue to suffer such losses is, that he has got accustomed to them gradually from the cradle, so that he does not appreciate fully the evil inflicted. It is the increase in numbers we have to combat; I do not advocate extermination, but a reduction back to a moderate number. When I came to Northumberland, 31 years ago, the comparatively small number of rooks were not demoralised. Egg-eaters were then the exception, and there is no doubt that then a considerable portion of their food was grubs, worms, &c.; but now anyone watching the habits of these birds must become convinced that they subsist very much by eating the farm crops and the eggs of other birds. I know there is a stereotyped phrase often quoted, that we should not interfere with the balance of nature. Why the balance of nature has been and is being disturbed every day. Probably if the beasts and birds of prey natural to the country had not been destroyed, there would now have been no necessity for forming an association for controlling the number of certain birds. It is quite clear that man once having taken the responsibility of altering the balance of nature, he must continue to regulate it. We kill rats, moles, rabbits, hawks, carrion crows, &c., and is there any reason why we should consider the life of the rook and sparrow more sacred? It has been said that if rooks and sparrows were destroyed grubs and insects would multiply; my answer is, that it has not been noticed in parts of the country far removed from rookeries, and where these birds are comparatively scarce, that there is any more injury to crops by grubs and insects than in portions of the country where rooks are plentiful. The agriculturist loves to see and hear the thrushes, blackbirds, starlings, robins, larks, swallows, and lapwings; all these are true grub or insect-eating birds and should be fostered; but no man who appreciates the harm done by rooks, wood pigeons and sparrows, can complacently see his efforts towards success frustrated by a cause so easily remedied. I appeal to landowners and farmers to come forward and help the association. During the two years of its existence is has done good work. It has caused to be destroyed, of old rooks alone, over 9,000; if the families of these rooks had been added, the number would have been probably 30,000, and the rooks in North Northumberland would have been more numerous than they are by that number. Some may say they have not joined because the rules and modes adopted by the association do not satisfy them. If that is so, then give us the benefit of their ideas; if they are an improvement we will be glad to adopt them; all we want is to work together, and with a will, to mitigate an existing evil. The rules of the association at present are as follows; – "That the association finds funds by asking each occupier to subscribe at the rate of a ½d for each acre of arable land occupied by him, and that the landlords be asked to subscribe as may seem best to them." "That the owners of rookeries be asked to name men to shoot the rooks." "That the association will pay 3d per head for old rooks shot." "That each occupier be asked to name a man to be instrusted with the collection of sparrows’ eggs, and the association will allow at the rate of 2d per dozen." A farmer having 300 acres of arable land is only asked to subscribe 12s 6d per annum. Why, the birds will often do harm to that amount in a few hours. On account of want of funds this year, we have had to give up wood pigeons; if funds are forthcoming they can be again included. I saw in your paper a few days ago that a correspondent wishes us to include rats. The association is quite willing to do so, provided the money can be raised, and I hope the correspondent will come forward and help us with further advice as to the best manner of carrying out his wishes. – I am, &c., HENRY H. SCOTT. Hipsburn, Lesbury, Feb, 9th. 1891.

At Middle Ord, on the 6th inst., John Clark. Farm steward, aged 49 years.

At Milfield, Northumberland, on the 20th inst., George Annett Grey, J. P., D. L., aged 70 years. Internment at Kirknewton Churchyard, on Saturday, January 23, at 2 P. M. All friends, exalted and humble, please accept this notice.

WOOLER PETTY SESSIONS. – The Chairman (Mr Askew), on the opening of the court, addressing the Clerk, said – Mr Middlemas, before proceeding to the usual business of the court, I cannot but express a deep regret I and the Bench must feel at the great loss we have sustained by the death of Mr Grey. A month that day he occupied the seat I now fill, and on that occasion took great pains to decide the several cases before him. I saw him shortly afterwards, and he then expressed to me the reasons for his decision in several cases which had been tried at the last court. A fortnight that day he was suddenly, unexpectedly, and without any warning, called to cross the narrow chasm which separates this life from that to come. I had the pleasure of sitting with Mr Grey for 30 years, and I can say that no one took greater pains to bring his vast experience, derived from many sources, to bear upon the several cases brought before the court.

NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND FOX COVERT CLUB. – A meeting of the members of this club was held at Berwick on Saturday, Mr W. Askew, Pallinsburn, in the chair.– On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Major the Hon. R. Baillie Hamilton, it was agreed that the meeting convey to his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch their sense of the great loss all classes had sustained by the lamented death of his father, and the obligations all hunting men were under to him for his great kindness, courtesy, and consideration in allowing his hounds to hunt Cornhill district for the last four years. – On the motion of Mr G. Rea, Middleton, seconded by Mr A. Thompson, Kirknewton, it was resolved to accept the offer of the Hon. F.W.Lambton to hunt that part of North Northumberland which has hitherto been occupied by Earl Percy, Mr G. A. Grey, the Duke of Buccleuch, and Major Baillie Hamilton; the Middleton Woods being reserved to Earl Percy and the Kyloe Plantation being declared neutral. At the suggestion of the chairman it was also resolved to subscribe for a testimonial to Mr G. Grey, Jun., for his services in hunting the hill district during the last four seasons.

ACCIDENT IN THE HUNTING FIELD. – We regret to learn that Mr Nicholson, of Murton, when hunting with the Glendale pack on Thursday, met with an accident. The hounds drew Lord Durham’s hill at Fenton, where they found a fox, and just as they started Mr Nicholson's horse, while galloping very strongly, unfortunately put both his fore feet into a rabbit hole and came down, breaking the rider’s left arm about an inch above the wrist. One of his ribs is also injured, and a scratch or two about the head completed the mishap. After getting over the first shock to his nerves, Mr Nicholson rode to Lowick, where his arm was attended to by Dr Lambie, from which place he drove to his residence. Mr Easton kindly placing his gig at Mr Nicholson's disposal. We understand that Mr Nicholson is progressing favourably. April 6. 83.

THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. – These hounds have been prevented from hunting by snow and frost for a fortnight up to Saturday, on which day the master, always anxious to show sport, came to Twizel Mill, but after drawing a number of plantations and river banks blank, and the day being stormy, with hail and snow showers, and most of the ground being inches deep in snow, he gave it up at two o'clock; the first blank day I believe he has had during the three seasons he has hunted the country. Monday, 26th , the meet was to be Humbleton, but the hills being in deep snow, a messenger was sent on to bring men to the Red Scar Bridge to draw the Ford plantations. There a scent was very soon hit on, but the fox having been disturbed early in the morning by the rabbit catchers, the hounds could only walk after him for two miles, and finally give up. Then the Ford Hill and Colliery Covers and Ford Moss were all drawn blank, and no fox found till we reached Fenton Hill, the property of the Hon, F. Lambton, where the hounds got on good terms with a fox, who ran fast to the north and back, and by Keminton Dean, but turned, and was raced into while coming back to Fenton Hill. That large cover was drawn again, and at the south end a fox broke at view, and with hounds not far behind, ran very fast towards Wrangham Farm, and galloped down from the hill to the woods Barmoow Turnpike. I saw a horse galloping riderless next moment, and was horrified by seeing our good old master (Mr. Grey) lying on his back in the snow; in a minute half the field were on foot by his side. His mare had put her fore foot into a hole full level with snow, and had gone over with him. However, it was only a stun, and he turned over into a whin bush, and said, "Go on, lads, I am not broken, only a shake." No man would leave him till he was lifted on his mare, saying, "I am better riding then lying here." So he rode the run— a stern chase, as the hounds ran hard and straight. Still we all fear, and deeply regret to think, that from his seriously failing sight we shall never again see him cut out his own work from find to finish, over rough or smooth, which we were all and always so proud of; yet his heart is as true as ever, and with the help of his son in hunting the hounds he will, no doubt, show much sport yet. The hounds ran on by Wrangham Farm and Hetton Limekilns and Holborn Grange, over a rocky hill and across a moss called Holborn Moss. Some were obliged to take the right side, some the left, the fox making for a large wood, Detchant, but turning short to the left towards Kyloe Road, for some reason of his own turned short back to the wood, and was run very hard into the farm place of Holborn, where he was seen, but could be run at no further, although Mr. Grey, jun., cast all round and about on foot. No doubt he had some snug corner of his own in the stackyard or hen roosts. The ground was very heavy, in many parts the fences being deep in snow, and the line was a hard one, the proprietor of Hetton, Holborn, and Detchant (Mr. Leather) having newly fenced many of the fields, railed in both plantations strongly with timber. The distance after leaving Fenton Hill was eight or nine miles, and the time fifty minutes. A SPECTATOR

Mr. Grey’s foxhounds, comprising seventeen and a half couples of entered and nine couples of unentered hounds, are advertised for sale. Their breeding is unexceptional. and Belvoir, Cleveland, Cheshire and the Duke of Buccleuch’s sires are much in evidence.

Mr. Grey wishes to dispose of his pack of fox-hounds (17 ½ couple entered and 9 couple unentered) with which he has been hunting the country around Wooler and Cornhill in Northumberland. The entered hounds are Gaylass by the Belvoir Gordon from the Cheshire Gratitude, and Woldsman by the Belvoir Gorden from the Cheshire Waspish, 6 years; Farmer by the Tickham Ruler from their Fancy, Promise by the Blackmoor Vale Pasquin from the Cleveland Watchful, Wanderer by the Cleveland Wonder from their Rarity, and Warbler by the Cleveland Wonder from their Rachel, 5 years; Boisterous by the Tickham Bender from their Rapture, Ringwood by the Oakley Ringwood from the Cleveland Waspish, Soldier and Stranger by the Cleveland Smoker from their Rarity, Deputy by the Cleveland Galopin from their Destiny, Ranter by the Cheshire Rocket from their Prosy, and Rational by the South Notts Rustic from their Brilliant, 4 years; Twilight by the Dartmoor Boaster from the Tickham Tragedy, Saffron and Seagull by the Duke of Buccleuch’s Smuggler from the Tickham Abigail, Masterman by the Belvoir Shamrock from the South Notts Mistletoe, Screamer and Surefoot by the Belvoir Shamrock from the South Notts Crisis, 2 years; Barnacle and Ballad by the South Notts Beadsman from the Dartmoor Baroness, Medler, Mendicant, Mercury, Merlin, Mermaid, Minister and Minstrel by the Cheshire Singwell from the Dartmoor Maiden, Saracen, Saxon, Sentinel, Socrates, Sunbeam, and Syntax by the Cheshire Singwell from the Tickham Songstress, and Widgeon by Wanderer from the Tickham Racket. The unentered hounds are Blackcap by the Cheshire Singwell from the Dartmoor Baroness, Gadfly, Giant, Gleaner, Goblin, and Gunner by the Duke of Buccleuch’s Trident from Gaylass; Salesman, Samphire, Sergeant, and Solon by the Duke of Buccleuch's Smuggler from Songstress, Saturn Siren Standard and Stately by the Cheshire Singwell from Saffron, and Warden, Warlock, Warrior and Wildfire by Woldsman from Saucy. Apply to Mr. George Grey, Milfield, Wooler, Northumberland.

There was quite a festive gathering at the kennels last week, when the DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH’S puppy judging took place. Several neighbouring masters were among the company, and the judging was undertaken by Mr George Grey (who has had many years’ experience of mastership in the north, first of the Glendale, and then of a pack of his own) and Bevan, Lord Eglington’s huntsman. Seven couples of dog hounds and ten couples of bitches were put forward, and the first prize for dogs was given to Roman, by Glider – Rosamund, walked by Mr Tress; the second to Wonder by Lord Fitzhardinge’s Wanderer – Patience, walked by Mr Turnbull; and the third to Leveller, by Holderness Gaffer- Lustre walked by Mr Bell. The best of the bitches was Favourite, by Sportsman – Fervent, walked by Mr Barrie; Riot, by Lord Fitzhardinge’s Wanderer – Rustic, was second; and Priestess, by Belvoir Donovan – Panoply was third. As is usual on these pleasant occasions, all the pack were walked out, and then came the luncheon, at which Lord Dalkeith took the chair, and spoke of the good feeling existing in the hunt.

THE AFFAIRS OF MESSRS STOREY, ANCROFT. On Saturday a meeting of the creditors of the Messrs Storey, farmers, Ancroft North Farm, was held in the Kings Arms Hotel, Berwick. Mr Mathewson, New Haggerston, was voted to the chair, and there was a representative attendance. Mr C. D. FORSTER (of the firm of Messrs Forster & Co., solicitors, Newcastle), who represented Mr Albert Grey, Howick, the landlord, presented a statement of the accounts that have been rendered to Mr Grey. This showed the liabilities to be £1,320 18s 11d. The CHAIRMAN asked what Mr Grey proposed to do? Mr FORSTER said he wanted to hear what the meeting suggested. He had no proposal to make. The CHAIRMAN said Mr Grey knew perfectly well what he proposed. He had stated that if he would be good enough for £500 to divide amongst the creditors he could arrange with his tenant. Mr FORSTER said that was out of the question. Mr H. G. M’CREATH asked how much had been realised by the sale. Mr FORSTER said £931 7s 8d was Mr Grey's claim. Against that the sale realised £591 19s leaving a balance of claim of £340 8s 8d. The CHAIRMAN said he did not think Mr Grey could claim for more than a year and a half's rent. Mr FORSTER – Oh, yes. He can only distrain for a year and a half. The CHAIRMAN said that the sale realised £635 some odd shillings, and that was received in cash just within a fortnight. Ald. A. DARLING said he supposed the Chairman asked for £500 on behalf of the creditors. What was Mr Grey prepared to give? It now fell upon Mr Grey to say what he would do. Mr FORSTER said he was in a position if he liked legally to do nothing at all. The only question was Mr Grey was not anxious to press the Storeys severely, and he was willing to come to some sort of terms with the creditors, reserving, of course, his legal right in the matter. Mr Grey thought the assets would come to something like £105. Of the rent due at 12th May, only £32 had been got by Mr Grey. The CHAIRMAN said he had got much more than a year and a half's rent. Mr FORSTER said he only got £32 in respect of what would have been due had the tenants not quitted. Mr SMITH, blacksmith, asked if his claim had not preference as a workman. Mr FORSTER said he did not think so, but advised him to seek advice upon the matter. Some discussion took place on the estimate of Mr Grey for seeds, which was £10, those present stating that there would be between £30 and £40 worth of seeds, which should realise almost their full value. Mr. FORSTER afterwards said that from a strictly legal point of view Mr Grey had a large claim, and he was also due certain sums to the tenant. If he liked he could set the one against the other, and swallow up everything. That was his legal position. The CHAIRMAN said he thought Mr Albert Grey should be honest and honourable, and be something near the thing. He was not like the last gentleman he (the Chairman) had had to deal with. He had not done such a trick as that. Mr FORSTER said if a man came forward and offered them £100, they should not call it a trick. THE CHAIRMAN- But he has offered us nothing. Mr FORSTER – Oh, yes; he offers you 100 Guineas. The CHAIRMAN said he had kept the Storeys going for 17 years. At that time the debtor was due his uncle £1000, and he threatened to sell him off, and he would have done so had he not advanced him money. Mr FORSTER said that was very kind of him, but the result was that all those gentlemen present had lost their money. The CHAIRMAN said that was true, but Mr Grey had benefitted, and had received a much higher rent than he otherwise would, therefore he thought Mr Grey ought to do something now. In the succeeding discussion it was suggested that Mr Grey should make the entry to the farm a Martinmas one. The CHAIRMAN said the furniture when sold had gone for a mere trifle. They knew if a man was bankrupt the creditors ought to have some advantage from the things. At the sale the goods were put up and sold for practically nothing. The farm house furniture went for £13. If it had been sold honestly it would have brought about £100. Ald. DARLING said if Mr Grey was going to be kind to his tenant it should not be at the expense of the creditors. Mr FORSTER said Mr Grey had nothing to do with that. The CHAIRMAN said the auctioneer had expressed the hope that there would be no bidding against them. He thought Mr Grey now ought to be more liberal and generous towards the creditors. In reply to some questions, Mr FORSTER said Mr Grey was bound to distrain, or one creditor would have gone in and claimed everything. The CHAIRMAN said there was no doubt Mr Grey had been kind to the Storeys, but it was at the expense of the creditors. Mr J CAMERON said that was the usual thing now-a-days. It was not the first time that the landlord had gone away with everything. Ald. DARLING said it would be better if Mr Grey would pay them 2s or 2s 6d in the £ free of all expense, settling the whole affair and saving further trouble. Ultimately it was left to the Chairman to endeavour to arrange matters with Mr Grey.

December 19 1870 The Property of J. GREY, Esq., Micklegate, York, and Milfield, Northumberland. 18. GOLDBEATER, Chestnut Horse, 10 years old, 16 hands high, by Auchenleck. 19. IDLE BOY, Bay Horse, 10 years old, 16 hands high, by The Assayer, dam by Cardinal Wolsey, winner of the Hunts Steeple-chase. 20. THE WELCHER, Chestnut Horse, 6 years old, 16 hands high, by Damask, dam by Magpie, own brother to Golden Fleece, likely to make a good steeple-chase horse. 21. SIR HERCULES, Bay Horse, 5 years old, 16 hands high, by Musketeer, dam by Little Known. The above are very valuable, weight-carrying Hunters, and are believed to be perfectly sound; are well-known with the Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Wemyss’, the York and Ainsty, and the Branham Moor Hounds, and are to be sold in consequence of the owner leaving York. May be seen at the Wind Mill Stables, Blossom Street, on the 19th and 20th inst., and will be subject to veterinary inspection up to the time of the Sale. For Cards to inspect apply to Messrs. JOHNSON & WALKER, AUCTIONEERS, New Street, York.

DEATH OF MR G. A. GREY. – We are sorry to record the death of this esteemed gentleman, which took place at his residence, Milfield, Wooler, on Wednesday last, at the age of 70. He was the son of the celebrated John Grey of Dilston, whose management of the Greenwich Hospital estates in Northumberland was looked up to as an example by landlords all over the country. Mr George Grey inherited much of his father's skill as a land agent, and was largely employed in that capacity, having had the charge of almost all the principal estates in North Northumberland, which include an extent of fertile and well – farmed land such as could hardly be met with under any other man’s care. He was much respected by all with whom his duties bought him in contact, as he always endeavoured to act equitably and fairly between landlord and tenant. Some years ago he was induced, through failing eyesight and other causes, to relinquish some of his appointments, and his son George succeeded to the most of these. He was all his life an enthusiastic sportsman, and has long taken the lead in hunting matters in North Northumberland. When, a few years ago, the breaking up of the Northumberland and Berwickshire Hunt left the Glendale country without a pack to hunt it, Mr Grey stepped to the front, and offered to take the mastership of the Glendale Hounds, with which he showed good sport for some seasons. Latterly his eyesight became so bad that it had to retire in favour of the Hon. F. W. Lambton, under whom the district embraced in the hunt has been somewhat enlarged. Like many another of the generation that is now passing away, Mr Grey saw his best days in the saddle when Lord Wemyss reigned over the lower part of the Tweed Valley; but up to the last his heart continued to be in the sport, and a meet in the neighbourhood wore a strange aspect if he were not present. A few years ago Mr Grey sustained a severe blow in the death of his eldest son John, a young gentleman of much promise, who had a short time previously been appointed agent on the Earl of Carlisle’s Naworth estates, and whose prowess in the cricket field was often of services to the Kelso club. Like all his family, Mr Grey was a Liberal in politics. His remains will be interred to-morrow at Kirknewton, and those who wish to pay respect to his memory by attending the funeral will find their invitation in our obituary column.

BRILLIANT RUN WITH THE GLENDALE FOXHOUNDS. Some days ago we had intimation that these hounds would meet at Thompson’s Walls on the morning of the 24th inst., at 10.30 a.m. The morning came with grey cloud, and a mild dewy atmosphere. It was a question whether to go or not; but the prospect was too good, and we mounted, determined at least to have a gallop, whether short or long, amid the grassy hills of Cheviot. Slowly we made our way along Haddon Rig, past Presson Mill, up to the height of Horse Rig. There we tarried but a moment to glance behind. We were leaving the vale of Tweed, with its wooded landscape. A gentle haze, almost imperceptible, still hid the Lammermoors from our view; but as we speed on our way we strike, as if by magic, another scene so beautiful and peaceful, that even the dullest heart warms to the sound of Bowmont vale. Down a quiet valley, shut out, as it were, from the rude world by glorious hills, lie Mindrum, the mill of that name, and Pawston. Deep tints, that have lasted long this year, make the foliage rarely beautiful, while on the hill-side ferns of richest brown are diversified by grass that seems greener than that of April. Silent hills guard this rare landscape, and this morning it seems as if all were still asleep. Rip -Van-Winkle might have dreamed away his long solitude here, for nothing disturbs the lonely vale save the curlew’s cry or lowing herds. All seems at peace, and we trot along in this frame of mind, cross the Bowmont, take a glance at Pawston house in passing, and note the fine old trees that stand amid finer the old grass. Then we turn up the hill, cross over Kilham Moor, and not long after we see Thompson’s Walls below us. Four red-coats, a lady, and another gentleman are with the spotted pack. Twenty couple or thereabout are standing on the grass, and as we approach the face of the master lights up with pleasure. It is many years since we knew George Grey, whose name is almost a household word wherever hunting is known. Rarely made for riding no man perhaps has ever followed so assiduously the mimic warfare of the chase. Though mounted on many fields, still he comes forward with cheery word and pleasant smile. No ordinary man is this. Decided in business, he takes his own way in hunting; and meeting with but scant support, and hampered by jealousy that is cruel if not malicious, he has hunted a wild hill country with unvarying success. To-day was but an example of a long career of brilliant runs that has stamped the Glendale hounds as a pack of the highest merit. Mr Grey, jun., handles the horn with rare judgement, and as he cheers his hounds to the quarry there is a true ring in his voice. Half-past ten is marked on our watch, and away we go to the whinnie braes of Pawston, dearer to the sportsman’s heart than those of Yarrow or Balquidder. We stand on an opposing hill and watch the hounds search for the game. A few brief moments, a "tally ho," and at once a deep note from an old hound came floating in the air. Three foxes, at least, hear that sound, and two of them at once break cover. One takes a south – west course, and soon 14 couple have cleared the wall, and are trying to hit off the line. The scent seems indifferent, but they pick it out, the whole pack challenging to the leading hounds. Gradually they settle to their work, and scarce a mile from the cover they begin to dash forward with great spirit. The fox, from all appearance an old stager, takes a tortuous way across the moor; then he turns into some cultivated fields on Kilham below Thompsons Walls; through these the pack run at racing pace, and, crossing the gulley, they face Kilham Hill. The way is long and steep, but we manage it by skirting the side. Experience has taught us many a lesson here, and we cross the shoulder to see the hounds racing down the hill. There is a wall behind Kilham and West Newton, and here for a moment or two the gallant pack have to hunt for the line. But away they go up the hill, pointing a little westward. We take the chances, climb again the shoulder of the hill, and meet the pack racing along the ridge. They are dashing along, every hound adding to the musical confusion. "Never did I hear Such gallant chiding; for, besides the groves, The skies, the fountains, every region near Seem’d all in one mutual cry." Westward we trace along the high ground, sound turf and grand for horses; take a stone wall, and see the hounds making towards a shepherd’s house. They are busy with sheep, and evidently the fox has been headed. A slight check takes place, but in a minute or two they are making the hill ring once more. The huntsman has viewed him down the glen. Down the steep hillside we go, regardless of weak forelegs and mighty boulders. The blood is flowing fast, and hound, horse, and man are straining every nerve. Elsdonburn is passed; then we cross a boggy vale where half a dozen collies have done their best to commit a vulpine murder; for who can imagine a gallant fox worried by such an animal? Then the line leads up the hill once more. The sheep dogs have marred the foil, but the hounds work it out, and we see them disappear over the hill. Beyond this lies Harrow Bog – that vantage ground of many a well-tried fox. Gradually the hounds pick out the line, through brush and bracken, up a deep glen, where the wily quarry has evidently rested. He has crossed and re-crossed to baffle his pursuers; but it is of no use. They follow it out, and make for Kirknewton Torrs. A light – coloured hound, Talisman by name, leads the pack across the stoney hill face. But the fox is evidently tired, for his way leads down the hill once more to the Colledge water. The horsemen keep the base of the hill, and we watch the hounds bring down the line. They have entered the banks of hazel, brush and stunted wood that guard the water, when a "view holloa" proclaims that the fox has been seen. We are all excitement. The Master cheers on his hounds, and they take the line along the side of the stream; but whether scent has failed or not we cannot make out. Mr Grey, jun., who has stuck, along with Miss Grey and another horseman, to the pack throughout the whole run, gets off his horse to try for an earth. He is examining the bank, when a young hound, Valiant, working out for himself with rare perseverance the track of the fox, and stirs him from his lair amid some ferns. Then comes a wild chase, like hare and hound; but the fox twists in vain. The hound must have blood, and with a wild dash the fox is rolled over. Another hound joins this one, and the fox pays him the attention of closing his teeth through this dewlap. But the agony is soon over, for the main body of the pack are at him; and then there is a worry, worry; and the gallant fox has breathed his last. The time was an hour and a quarter from find to finish, and never in all our experience have we seen a more sporting run. It was neither too fast nor too slow – a rare old – fashioned run, such as one reads about, but scarce ever sees. Thanks are due to Mr Grey; and with his new country east of the Till we shall hope to hear of many brilliant runs added to the annals of the Glendale pack. GONE AWAY.

50. The Reclamation of Holy Island from the Newcastle Daily Journal, Thursday, January 1st, 1866. (Meeting held in Holy Island school room attended by G. A. Grey and J. G. Grey, Milfield, James Grey, Bewick, among others to discuss reclaiming the land between the island and the coast), Holy Island Reclaimation, From The Daily Journal, Thursday December 9 1865, Annexation of Holy Island, Extract from Newcastle Daily Chronicle Thursday, December 14th, 1865 and Holy Island Reclaimation From the Newcastle Daily Journal, Friday February 2nd, 1866. (Proposal to shut sea out of 5,000 acres of land and build branch of North Eastern Railway line to harbour. Petitions in favour of the reclamation bill would be prepared for presentation in Parliament. Fishermen are concerned over the loss of places to dig bait and mussel-beds.)

Poem: "OUT OF THE GAME" about Wm. Shore huntsman with Buccleuch Hounds.

Extracts from January 1st 1866: “they had from Mr G A Grey the fullest information and the clearest statement as to the nature and the prospects of the undertaking, and as to the manner in which the interests attached to it were concerned, that they could have had from anyone. Mr Grey was a man known to them as a public man, and in private life: and he was perfectly certain any explanation or statements he had given, were received by them with that respect which was due to him; for they well knew that, from his position in the North of England, he was not likely to make any statements, or advocate any undertaking in that district, in the neighbourhood of his own home so to speak, by which any damage or possible violence could be done to any interest, public or private. (Hear Hear).”

51. Holy Island Reclamation, From the Newcastle Daily Journal of Thursday December 14th 1865, Northumberland County Council, Crookham District, George Grey notice to electors of district January 25 1889, ("returned unopposed" written in margin) The late Marquis of Waterford (Obituary of 5th Marquis,Lord Tyrone, estate, hunting and politics, illustrated.)

Extract from: Holy Island Reclamation, From the Newcastle Daily Journal of Thursday December 14th 1865,"“A remarkable instance of recent reclamation in Holland was mentioned by Mr G. A. Grey, in his lucid and interesting remarks on this subject at the meeting on Holy island on Tuesday and we make no apology for reproducing this portion of his very valuable address. “He might just mention,” said Mr. Grey, “that, in his capacity as inspector under “the Lands Improvement Company, he had a good deal to do in other parts of England, especially on the coasts in Lancashire, with embanking and reclaiming districts of land from the sea, and from estuaries of the sea. He had been engaged on the banks of the Dee, where he had had to value large estates, which had been reclaimed some two hundred or three hundred years ago, and were now of great value. There were other large tracts of land in the country which were being reclaimed, and which he hoped in a short time to see bearing crops. Last year, his son and himself travelled near Peterborough over some fine land which had been previously under water; and in this district a large extent of country, which in Midsummer, 1861, was under the sea, was last summer growing as fine crops as could be found in any place in the kingdom. He had also been in Holland last year, where large tracts of land had been reclaimed from the German Ocean, where the storms raged as severely as any that we had ever experienced in this country. He drove over a piece of ground some thirty miles in length, over which, some years previously, he had sailed in a ship. The whole of this space had been drained dry by means of embankments and pumping, and was now bearing crops of corn and roots. The crops of corn were large, but were not what we would call profitable crops, the land being fresh, and not sufficiently worked down. A great portion of the land, however, had been laid down in grass; and was now letting at high and profitable rents”

OTTER-HUNTING. For one man in the country – house smoking – room who knows and can talk about otter – hunting, there are twenty who have something to say about fox – hunting, fishing, and shooting. Even of the country – bred only a small minority have ever seen an otter in their lives, and the wildest ideas are current about the habits and history of the beast. Nor is this to be wondered at if we take into account that, besides being nocturnal, the otter is the shiest and wariest of our fauna. The race is also much more migratory than could be believed by anyone who was not studied it, as I have done, for hunting purposes. As a matter of fact, an otter never remains long near one pool, but travels hither and thither as the fish serve. When a gamekeeper tells the master of a pack of otter – hounds that a river is full of otters the statement has to be received with the greatest reserve. The ordinary observer may think so; but when the expert comes to look at the prints he soon finds out that they have nearly all been made by the same animal in his nightly rambles. An otter will swim and fish nine or ten miles in a night, and afterwards is likely either to return to the holt from which he started or to travel ten miles further to another. It often happens, therefore, that a number of keepers all claim to have an otter on their water, whereas each and all have seen the prints of the same animal. Keepers, however, are great enemies to otters (more’s the pity!), for they kill them from pure ignorance. It is their belief that the otter does great damage to the fishing: but this is not so. On the contrary, he is rather a help to it. My reason for saying so is one with which otter – hunting men will agree, although it is contrary to common belief. It is that he prefers eels to any other kind of prey, and the destructiveness of eels to spawn and young fish is well known. I have myself started Master Otter from a breakfast of eels, and have often found eels half - eaten by him. Otter-hound men are divided as to the best class of dog. Some are all for the rough otter – hound, and others swear by the fox – hound; but the opinion seems to be gaining ground that a mixed pack is the best. The otter – hound wants the dash of the fox – hound, but he has a finer nose, and sticks closer to the water, and he also has a far fuller and more sonorous tongue. On the other hand, the smooth-haired fox – hound dries quicker, and therefore stands the continued wetting better than his woolly – coated rival, and is a better traveller to and from hunting on roads. As a rule it will be found that now most packs are composed principally of otter- hounds proper, with two or three couples of fox-hounds. Rough-coated Welsh fox-hounds, such as the old Vale of Towy breed, make a very useful pack; and several of the Welsh fox-hound packs, after fox-hunting in winter, do otter-hunting in the summer. There should also be at least a brace of terriers in the pack; and these should be no show-bench lot, but grit to the back-bone and capable of standing any amount of punishment, which an otter is eminently qualified to give, either in a close drain or under a root. They are of no particular breed: in fact, many are mongrels; for they are judged by their work, not by their jackets. As a rule, after bolting an otter the terriers are picked up, lest they should be worried by the pack in the excitement of the mêlée. Otter-hunting differs very materially from fox-hunting. Instead of drawing a covert where probably a fox is instantly on foot, there may be and they very often is a tramp of miles along the river before you can even find a drag. Then the drag, when you have found it, may be stale, and you may have to go many miles more, the hounds owning him here and there, and gradually growing fonder of the drag, until at last they begin to run, and eventually oust him out of some withy bed or mark him beneath an overhanging bank or some old stump of tree. A fox gone a quarter of an hour is usually a fox lost; but such is the enduring quality of the otter’s scent that hounds will own it three days after date. The distance travelled during a day’s otter hunting is often from twelve to fourteen miles, if we count the windings of the river, and a run from two to three hours may be called a good one – i.e., from the bolting or viewing of the otter to the killing of him. The usual weight when killed is from 14 lb. to 18 lb., but sometimes they run to over 28 lb., though one of this size is rare. Cubs of a few pounds weight are frequently killed. The hour of meeting to hunt is early – say from 5 A.M. to 7 A.M. – as it is of great importance to get a drag before the day grows hot or the sun powerful. In summer weather this hour should deter no one from joining in the sport, and I am convinced that the charms of the early morning, the beauties of a river, now seen for the first time under a new aspect, to say nothing of the deep musical note of the otter-hound and the excitement of the chase, will amply compensate for the sacrifice of an hour or two of bed. I know many cases in which a single experience has resulted in the production of an enthusiastic otter-hunter, and the sport has still another virtue: it needs no expensive stud, no elaborate equipment, but places rich and poor on equal footing, all that is wanted being a good pair of legs. Formerly the spear was carried and used to transfix the otter if an opportunity offered, but now I could pity the man who put in an appearance with one. Masters are strict in the license they allow their field, and do not permit an otter to be struck or meddled with in any way except by tailing. Tailing, which is customary, needs a certain amount of pluck as well as skill. Pluck because a good deal of risk is run in the operation, and skill to minimise that risk to the smallest possible point. An otter, if tailed rashly by a novice, will probably make his teeth meet either in his enemy's arm or thigh. The expert, however, avoid this, by imparting a wobbling motion, sometimes done on top of the water, sometimes at arm's length in the air. The spear has now given place to the otter-pole, which is about six feet long, and is made of hazel for choice, that wood being light, springy, and tough. It is shod with a blunt ferrule, and is used for trying depths, steadying the owner in heavy streams, prodding or feeling for holts under water-banks, and so forth. It is not seldom required in helping a struggling comrade out of the water, and once this season I was very grateful for a proffered pole when struggling in a mill-race. There are some seven or eight packs of otter-hounds in this kingdom, although with good preservation of otters there is room for raising more. Mr Wilkinson, who hunts from the Yorkshire Swale to the Tweed, has this season with his pack, obtained from Lord Bandon, shown some excellent sport, and so, too, his neighbour, Sir Charles Legard, on the south. Of the Carlisle and the Dumfries seasons, there have been brilliant accounts. In Berwickshire and the Lothians, formerly hunted by Mr Waldren Hill there are (I am sorry to say) no hounds; but it may be hoped that by next season some good sportsman will come to the fore, and undertake to do by that country as it deserves. GEORGE GREY

53. Reproduction of an illustration of hounds captioned “In the Cotswold Kennels- A Few favourites", signed S. .L Williams 1893. A Fungus Foray (varieties and how to eat them) by John T. Carrrington. How to Frighten Tramps (a guide to traveller's signs), Agonies in Cypher (codes), Rubbing the Mane, (recipes for skin irritation to stop horses rubbing their manes) by Bono.

54. Hand written unsigned poem: "Advice to Bachelors" (Accounts on back), 7 old receipts: J. Fretwell Crown Inn Borough Bridge, Brodie Newcastle, Wm Shotto (some illustrated at top), 6 missing.

GREY.-Milfield, Wooler, 24th inst., JOHN NEIL. Eldest son of the late GEORGE GREY, and Mrs Grey of Milfield. May 24-1924 died

MR J. NEIL GREY OF MILFIELD The death occurred with painful suddenness on Saturday at Milfield, of Mr John Neil Grey, eldest son of the late Mr George Grey and of Mrs Grey of Milfield. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 45th year, recently returned from a holiday visit to the West Indies. He was a grandson of Mr John Grey, Dilston once so well known in agricultural circles. After his school days, the deceased was trained and served his time as a seagoing engineer, taking a second-class certificate; then, changing his profession, became a mining engineer. After spending some time with the Stella Coal Company, Mr Grey was appointed manager of the Naworth Coal Company at Brampton. He retired from that position, however, soon after his father’s death, when he succeeded the estate, which has been in the hands of the family for many generations, but occupied a seat on the board of the company until the time of his death. The late Mr Grey’s chief outside interest was in archaeological and antiquarian research, and he was a member of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Society. He was unmarried. (MAY 24 1924)

Captain J. W. Brack Boyd. -We sincerely regret to record that Captain James Wilson Brack Boyd, York and Lancaster Regiment, attached to the Trench Mortar Brigade, was killed at the front on the 16th inst. by a chance shell while on his way to his battery. He was the only surviving son of Mr. William Brack Boyd of Faldonside, Roxburghshire, and was 46 years of age and unmarried. Educated at Cargilfield and Fettes College, he was afterwards for some time in the office of the late Mr James Brunston, chamberlain to his Grace the Duke of Roxburghe. From Broomlands he proceeded to the office of Mr George Grey of Milfield, Northumberland, and left there to become factor to Lord of Fyvie. He was afterwards in charge of Mr Grey’s business at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and ultimately he became agent on the Yorkshire estate of Lord Allendale, and for the last seven Years had resided at Bretton, near Wakefield, where he was held in high esteem by all with whom he came in contact. In September, 1914 -shortly after the outbreak of war- Mr Boyd received a commission in the 3rd Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, and was wounded at the second Battle of Ypres in April, 1915. Following his recovery, he was in command of the Machine Gun School at Sunderland, and re- turned to his battalion only a few weeks ago. Caption Boyd was a man well liked by all who knew him, and especially in the Border district, with which his family has long been honourably identified, where his loss will be sincerely deplored.

The Alnwick Guardian. COMING OF AGE FESTIVITIES AT MILFIELD. On Tuesday the village of Milfield was “en fete” in celebration of the coming of age of Mr John Neil Grey, the eldest son of Mr Grey of Milfield. The whole village was gay with bunting and from the flagstaff floated the red ensign which the villagers subscribed for a year ago for use on such special occasions as the present. Mr J. N. Grey was born on Nov. 7th, 1879, and had therefore completed his 21st year nearly two months ago, but on account of his absence from home on professional duty, the festivities in connection with the event were postponed until now. In the evening the tenants on the Milfield estate and the villagers and employees were entertained to supper, which was followed by a ball in the schoolroom, opened by Mr J. N. Grey and Miss Henderson. Both supper room and ball room were profusely decorated, the ball room especially being very gorgeously got up under the superintendence of Mr Hunter. Supper was laid for 120 and fully 200 people attended the dance. In addition to the other guests, the following house party sat down to supper: – Mr and Mrs Grey, Mr J. N. Grey, Mr G. H. I. Grey, Mr Eric Grey, Mr Boyd Grey, Mr Gervase Grey, Miss Grey and Miss Mary Grey, Mr J. W. B. Boyd, Mr C. W. Dixon Johnson, Mr G. Denton, Mr W. H. Dowson, and Mr J. B. Harrison. After supper Mr Grey, who presided, gave "The Queen," followed by "The Navy and Army," the latter being replied to by Lieut. G. H. I. Grey, of the Northumberland Artillery. Mr Clark then rose to present to Mr J. N. Grey with a handsome silver bowl subscribed for by the inhabitants of Milfield. He said: Mr Grey, Ladies and Gentlemen, I feel very conscious indeed, that there are many persons in this room much better able than I to perform the duties which I have undertaken. Some while ago I read in the “New York Herald" of a States girl, who, with a full measure of the bounce which is so characteristic of the people of that important and interesting Republic, ran into the presence of her mother after stealing berries from the garden. "Jeannie," said her mother, "you have been in the garden again eating currants?" "Yes mother" replied the girl, "but I really could not help it." "How was that?" said her mother. "Well, replied the girl, the devil tempted me." "But you should have resisted the devil and said: Get thee behind me Satan." "Exactly what I did mother. I resisted the devil and said to him: Get thee behind me, and he went behind and pushed me right into the middle of the bushes." (Laughter) Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been pushed into this position to-night, but by very different force. The force which has brought us together is the coming of age of Mr John Neil Grey, the eldest son and heir of the respected gentlemen who presides over this magnificent banquet. We congratulate Mr Neil Grey on the attainment of his majority and we signalise the event by asking him to accept from us this bowl which is before me, and which will, I hope serve to commemorate this occasion for generations to come. He has been moving about in our midst for many years, and his deportment has been such as to entitle him to receive our ready confidence and warm respect. (Loud applause.) There is no observable sign of any intention on his part to wriggle in the mire of conceit; there is no surface indication of that imbecility of mind which unfolds vanity; there is in him none of that arrogant presumption which at the present time is so prevalent in all ranks of society from the blatant statesman right down to, I was going to say, the "turnip dickey." (Applause). He has filled up the first page of the book of his life, and he has, I am happy to say, a transparent record, and there is not a cloud to dim the azure of his sky. He is a very fine son of a worthy father and excellent mother. (Loud applause). We know a little more of course about the father than about the son; perhaps some of us knew more also about the grandfather and great-grandfather. The great-grandfather of Mr John Neil Grey – the late John Grey – was a man of sterling character – a patriot, philanthropist and a man who had a firm faith in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. (Applause). He was a good man and therefore a noble man. It is not leagues of pedigree or miles of lineage which make the man, but goodness, and it is in goodness only that true nobility is to be found. I have a clear remembrance of the great – grandfather when I was at school in my early teens. I sometimes used to cross his path, when he would speak kind words of encouragement and give bits of valuable advice for use in after life, and I have a vivid recollection of a place on the banks of the South Tyne where he gave me the first shilling I ever possessed. We have had something said about the Army and Navy. Mr Grey is going to the front and we are here to give him a hearty send-off. But he is not going to any distant region to engage in sanguinary conflicts. He is going to nobler and better work than this for he is going to practice the arts of peace. The great Northern City of Newcastle where his work at present lies has produced many remarkable men – men of science and of the arts – and men of great industrial enterprise, who have niched their names high in the temple of fame, and won deathless reputation. May he catch something of the spirit which animated these men, may he share a portion of their ability and achieve somewhat of their success. (Loud cheers). I think it is Emmerson says "Live high, hitch your wagon to a star." Therein lies a secret of life's success. I will now proceed to what is the most important part of the business of this evening that is the presentation of this beautiful bowl. Mr Grey (addressing Mr J. N. Grey) I have the honour and the pleasure, on behalf of the subscribers to offer for your acceptance this handsome bowl. Its worth is not to be measured so much by its artistic beauty or by its commercial value, but rather as representing the respect which the subscribers entertain for you, and as expressive of their best wishes for your future welfare. We hope that your life and may be long, prosperous, peaceful and happy (loud applause). Ladies and gentlemen I beg to propose to you the toast of Mr John Neil Grey’s very good health. (Tumultuous applause and the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow"). Mr J. N. Grey was very heartily cheered as he rose to reply as follows: – Mr Clark, ladies and gentlemen, – I feel quite overwhelmed by the kind of way in Mr Clark has proposed and you ladies and gentlemen have drunk my health. I cannot find words to thank you sufficiently for the magnificent silver bowl which you have presented to me to-night. It is indeed very kind and generous of you, the inhabitants of Milfield, to subscribe to such a handsome testimonial to me on attaining my majority, and I shall always, whenever my eye rests on it, remember with feelings of pride the generous and kindly spirit which prompted it. (Applause). Ladies and gentlemen, the 7th of November was a very important day in my life, it is the day which only falls to a man once in a lifetime, it is the dividing line, as it were, between boyhood and manhood, and I enter upon this new phase of my career buoyed up by the splendid encouragement I have received at your hands to-night as well as by the kindly way in which I have been greeted by all my friends and the members of my own family. (Loud applause). As I have been trained so I hope to continue, and I trust that I shall always uphold the best traditions of my family and continue in the path of rectitude which has ever been held before me by my parents. (Cheers.) We cannot tell what the future has in store for us, but whatever the future may be, whatever my lot in life, whether at home or abroad, I shall endeavour to fulfil my duties and obligations to the best of my abilities, and strive to preserve untarnished the honour of the name I bear. (Loud cheers). I cannot say how much of my life will be spent at Milfield, but I can assure you my thoughts will ever fly to my home and surroundings, and should it so happen in time to come, that I take up my abode at Milfield, I confidentially ask you to extend to me that support and unfailing goodwill which you have ever extended to the members of my family. (Cheers.) My boyhood has been spent amongst you, and the kindness and good feeling which has been extended to me during that period of my life, gives me confidence in believing that the same good feeling will be extended to me in the future. Ladies and gentlemen, let me again thank you for this splendid token of your esteem, and for the good wishes and encouragement which you have given me to-night. I value and appreciate them in the highest degree, and I shall find great encouragement in them at all times. In times of difficulty and doubt I shall hesitatingly let my thoughts wander back to this night, when the encouragement I am now receiving will help me to overcome them (Loud cheering). In a humorous speech Mr Harrison proposed "The Ladies" which was responded to by Mr Denton. Mr Hunter then proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Grey. He said; Ladies and gentlemen, I have a very pleasant duty to perform and that is to propose to you the health of Mr and Mrs Grey. You will agree with me that they are as husband and wife, as father and mother, a model which all of us would do well to copy. We congratulate Mr and Mrs Grey on the attainment of their son’s majority. It is a very great pleasure to a father to see his son reach manhood. It is a blessing denied to many, and when the blessing is granted as in the present case it ought to be a ground for sincere congratulation, such as we now offer to Mr and Mrs Grey. And it is a great advantage to a son to have his father with him as he grows to man's estate. The loss of his father while a boy yet is in his infancy, entails a break in the family traditions, and in fact to a certain extent the family has to begin anew. The name of Grey is one which we in Northumberland are very proud of, and in many walks of life we have the name continually before us. (Applause.) The history of England is not complete indeed without the name of "Grey." (Applause.) In olden times the Greys of Wark used to turn the tide of invasion from over the Tweed, no doubt they, in turn, were not unaccustomed to retaliate by carrying their forays across the Border. Not to go beyond our own time, we have Earl Grey who has thoroughly at heart the social welfare of the people,and who busies himself in doing all that he can to promote the well-being of the people. And there is Sir Edward Grey, already a famous statesman and of whom I need to say no more, so well-known is he to all of us. The branch of the family from which our worthy chairman has sprung has not perhaps given to the country any great statesmen, but it has given what is not less important, famous agriculturists with world-wide reputations. (Loud applause.) I ask you ladies and gentlemen to drink Mr and Mrs Grey’s very good health, and we wish them every happiness in the years to come and hope that 21 years hence they may be as young as they are today. (Loud and continued applause and "He's a jolly good fellow.") Mr Grey, who was again loudly cheered on rising to reply, said: Mr Hunter, ladies and gentlemen, Mrs Grey and myself are deeply grateful for the very eulogistic terms in which Mr Hunter has proposed our healths, and for the way in which you have drunk them. I fear we would run the risk of becoming unduly proud if we took all these exceedingly kind expressions as being strictly in accordance with the truth. Yet I will say that as far as our married life is concerned, it has been all that Mr Hunter says. It has been an exceedingly happy one, and we are very grateful that we have been permitted to see our eldest son come of age. I sometimes am half inclined to wish – in these disastrous times especially – that I could go back to the times Mr Hunter spoke of, when my ancestors were wardens of Wark and Norham. It would have been an exceedingly handy way of replenishing one's foldyards to slip across to the rich Merse of Berwickshire or to the neighbouring county of Roxburgh and take what we wanted, instead of having to go to Berwick market and pay big prices out of empty pockets, and, moreover, the cattle we used to get so easily in those days were grand beasts, not the stirks we have to be content with now-a-days. We cannot afford to buy such animals now, and we dare not go over the border to fetch them, more’s the pity. (Loud laughter). I sometimes doubt whether with all the civilisation which we now possess, we are as happy now as were our forefathers in the rieving days. They lived from hand to mouth, it is true, but there were no class distinctions – all were hand and glove with one another – all formed one large family. If the chief fell, the whole clan fell with him. There was in those days no wages question, and none of the many ills which now bother us. Foreign lands possessed no attractions, and all were content to spend their days where they were born, harrying and thieving and getting what they could. (Applause) Ladies and gentlemen, for Mrs Grey and myself I thank you most heartily for having done us the honour of coming here to celebrate this event with us. I assure you that we are deeply grateful, and I hope that on some future occasion, when we may possibly be having another son coming of age, we may again have the pleasure of seeing you here. (Loud applause). The following presents were received by Mr J. N. Grey: – Mrs Rea, silver flask; Mr Rea, cigarette case; Mr Grey, silver flask; Mr Boyd Grey, silver match box; Miss Mary Grey, knife; Miss Grey, cigarette case; Mr Eric Grey, gold studs; Mr Gervaise Grey, silver pencil; Mr G.H.I.Grey, cigarette case; Mr Harrison, box of mathematical instruments; Earl Grey, silver inkstand; Mrs Grey, bicycle and camera; Miss Calvert, cigar cutter; Mr C.W. Dixon Johnson, silver sovereign box; Miss Brunton and Miss Mitchell, silver cigarette case; Mrs Whillis, silver napkin ring; Mr R. Bruce, gents’ dressing bag; Mr Brand, silver mounted pocket book; Mr Stevenson, Wallsend cake; Mrs Twedell, dispatch box; Mr John Lee, inkstand; Mr J. W. B. Boyd, clock and aneroid; Mr W Lyall, ram's head; Mr G. P. Druton, a pipe. The silver bowl from the inhabitants of Milfield, was a very handsome article supplied by the Goldsmiths’ and Silversmiths’ Company. It bore the family crest and coat of arms together with the following inscription: "John Neil Grey, presented by the inhabitants of Milfield on attaining his majority, 7th Nov., 1900." on a silver plate attached to the plinth appeared the names of the subscribers which were as follows:-J. Clark. W. E. Henderson, R. Lowrey, C. Pentland, T. A. Robson, J. Gillie, R. Fleming, J. Cleghorn, G. Marshall, R. Swan, J. Atkinson, T. Dunn, J. B. Harrison., Jane Robson, Jessie Robson, E. Taylor, M. Young, J. W. Lee, A. Telfer, J. Robson, W. Curry, R. Hardy, C. Robson, E. Rogerson, H. Walker, J. Simon, J. Marshall, C. Marshall, Jane Marshall, John Steel.

Mr J. N. Grey Attains His Majority ( January 11, 1901) The New Year was ushered in at Milfield with great pomp and rejoicings. A stranger passing through the village could not but be struck by the expectant looks observable on the faces of the inhabitants, as well as by the display of bunting which met his eye at every turn. To the question-“Why all these signs of jubilation?” the reply would have been “We are celebrating the coming of age of Mr George Grey’s eldest son and heir.” Mr John Neil Grey was born on the 7th November, 1870, and the jubilation which took place on the first day of the New Year, although some couple of months late, were in celebration of that most auspicious event in his life. The villagers and residents of Milfield were astir at an early hour putting out flags, which were seen flying at the houses of such well known residents as the Messrs Henderson, Cleghorn, Hunter, Steele, Weddell, Dunn, Telfer, Marshall, Robson.etc.,etc. Mr and Mrs Grey gave a big dinner and the dance, which was held in the schoolroom, was a still larger function, being attended by no fewer than 200 guests. The guests were invited to dinner at 6 p.m., at which hour there was to be seen a big moving mass trooping into the capacious room. The room in which dinner was laid was handsomely decorated, a long table across the top of the room, with two very long tables running the whole length of the room on either side, with another table across the bottom. The table at the top of the room was occupied by Mr and Mrs Grey, Mr J. N. Grey, Mr Clark (who sat on Mr Grey’s right hand), Mr G. H. I. Grey, Mr E. I. Grey, Miss Grey, Miss Mary Grey, Mr C. B. Grey, Mr Dixon-Johnson, , Mr J. W. B. Boyd, Mr J. B. Harrison, Mr W. H. Dowson, and Mr G. Denton, The remaining guests, who sat at the other tables, consisted of practically the whole of the inhabitants of Milfield- Messrs Henderson, Cleghorn, Robson, Hunter, Steele, Weddell, Telfer, Marshall, Gihie, Swan, Lowrie, Dunn, Fleming, Trotter, etc.,etc. The toasts which were proposed and drunk in champagne, were most enthusiastically received and applauded. The courses over, and the inner man, as it were, appeased, Mr Grey, amidst tremendous applause, proposed "The Queen," which was greeted with rounds of ringing applause and cheers, quickly followed by a second toast proposed from the chair, "The Navy and Army and the Auxiliary Forces," which was replied to by Lieut. G. H. I. Grey, who, after alluding to the fact that he had been lately honoured by a commission in one of Her Majesty’s regiments, said, amidst great applause, that whatever difficulties our Army had to overcome in South Africa, and they were many, that no Continental army could have done better. After this toast a very interesting ceremony took place. It might not be out of place to say that the inhabitants of Milfield had previously subscribed towards a handsome testimonial to Mr J. N. Grey, in the form of a magnificent silver bowl, supplied by the Goldsmiths’ and Silversmiths’ Company of Newcastle. The bowl, which measured twelve inches in diameter was handsomely fluted and chased, and bore his crest and coat of arms on one side, whilst on the other side were engraved the words- JOHN NEIL GREY “Presented by the inhabitants of Milfield, on attaining his majority.” “7th November, 1900” On the plinth was a silver plate on which was neatly engraved each subscriber’s name. To Mr Clark, Milfield, had been assigned the honour of presenting the testimonial, which in a very able speech, he did, rounding off his speech very nicely by proposing the health of Mr J. N. Grey. He said-Mr Grey, ladies and gentlemen, I feel very conscious indeed, that there are many persons in this room much better able than I to perform the duty which I have undertaken. Some time ago I read in the “New York Herald" of a States girl, who, with a full measure of the bounce which is characteristic of the people of that important and interesting Republic, ran into the presence of her mother after stealing berries. "Well, Jeannie," said her mother, "you have been again in the garden eating currants?" "Yes mother" replied the girl, "but I really could not help it." "How was that?" said her mother. "Well, replied the girl, the devil tempted me." "But you should have resisted the devil and said: Get thee behind me Satan." "Exactly what I did mother. I resisted the devil and said to him: Get thee behind me Satan, and he went behind me, and pushed me right into the middle of the bushes." Ladies and gentlemen, I have been pushed into this position to-night, but by very different force. The force which has brought us together is the coming of age of Mr John Neil Grey, the eldest son and heir of the respected gentlemen who presides over this magnificent banquet. We congratulate Mr Neil Grey on the attaining of his majority and we signalise the event by asking him to accept from us this bowl which is before me, and which will, I hope, serve to commemorate this occasion for generations to come. He has been moving about in our midst for many years, and his deportment has been such as to entitle him to receive our ready confidence and warm respect. (Loud applause.) There is no observable sign of any intention on his part to wriggle in the mire of conceit; there is no surface indication of that imbecility of mind which unfolds vanity; there is in him none of that arrogant presumption which, at the present time, is so prevalent in all ranks of society, from the blatant statesman right down to, I was going to say, the "turnip dickey." (Applause). He has filled up the first page of the book of his life, and he has, I am happy to say, a transparent record, and there is not a cloud to dim the azure of his sky. (Applause.) He is a very fine son of a worthy father and an excellent mother. (Loud applause). We know a little more, of course, about the father than about the son; perhaps some of us know more also about the grandfather and great-grandfather. The great-grandfather of Mr John Neil Grey – the late John Grey – was a man of sterling character, a patriot, a philanthropist, and a man who had a firm faith in the fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man. (Applause). He was a good man, and therefore a noble man. It is not leagues of pedigree or miles of lineage which make the man, but goodness, and it is in goodness only that true nobility is to be found. I have a clear remembrance of the great – grandfather, when I was at school, in my early teens. I sometimes used to cross his path, when he would speak kind words of encouragement, and give bits of valuable advice for use in after life, and I have a vivid recollection of a place on the banks of the south Tyne where he gave me the first shilling I ever possessed. We have had something said of the Navy and Army. Mr Neil Grey is going to the front and we are here to give him a hearty send-off. But he is not going to any distant region to engage in sanguinary conflicts. He is going to nobler and better work than this, for he is going to practice the arts of peace. The great Northern City of Newcastle where his work at present lies ,has produced many remarkable men – men of science and of the arts – and men of great industrial enterprise, who have niched their names high in the temple of fame, and won deathless reputation. May he catch something of the spirit which animated these men, may he share a portion of their ability, and achieve somewhat of their success. (Loud cheers). I think it is Emmerson who says "Live high; hitch your wagon to a star." Therein lies a secret of life's success. I will now proceed to what is the most important part of the business of this evening; that is the presentation of this beautiful bowl. Mr Grey (addressing Mr J. N. Grey), I have the honour and the pleasure, on behalf of the subscribers, to offer for your acceptance this handsome bowl. Its worth is not to be measured so much by its artistic beauty, or by its commercial value, but rather as representing the respect which the subscribers entertain for you, and as expressive of their best wishes for your future welfare. We hope that your life may be long, prosperous, peaceful and happy (Loud applause). Ladies and gentlemen I beg to propose to you the toast of Mr John Neil Grey’s very good health. (Tremendous applause, and the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow"). After the presentation and toast Mr J. N. Grey, who was greeted by rounds of applause and cheering, and who was kept standing quite a little time until the cheering had subsided, said: – Mr Clark, ladies and gentlemen, – I feel quite overwhelmed by the kind way in which Mr Clark has proposed, and you, ladies and gentlemen, have drunk my health. I cannot find words to thank you sufficiently for the magnificent silver bowl which you have presented to me to-night. It is indeed very kind and generous of you, the inhabitants of Milfield, to subscribe to such a handsome testimonial to me on attaining my majority, and I shall always, whenever my eye rests on it, remember with feelings of pride the generous and kindly spirit which prompted it. (Applause). Ladies and gentlemen, the 7th of November was a very important day in my life. It is the day which only falls to a man once in a life-time, it is the dividing line, as it were, between boyhood and manhood, and I enter upon this new phase of my career, buoyed up by the splendid encouragement I have received at your hands to-night, as well as by the kindly way in which I have been greeted by all my friends and the members of my own family. (Applause). As I have been trained, so I hope to continue, and I trust that I shall always uphold the best traditions of my family, and continue in the path of rectitude which has ever been held before me by my parents. (Loud cheers.) We cannot tell what the future has in store for us, but whatever the future may be, whatever my lot in life, whether at home or abroad, I shall endeavour to fulfil my duties and obligations to the best of my abilities, and strive to preserve untarnished the honour of the name I bear. (Loud applause). I cannot say how much of my life will be spent at Milfield, but I can assure you my thoughts will ever fly to my home and its surroundings, and should it so happen in time to come, that I take up my abode at Milfield, I confidentially ask you to extend to me that support and unfailing good-will which you have ever extended to the members of my family. (Cheers.) My boyhood has been spent amongst you, and the kindness and good feeling which has been extended to me during that period of my life, gives me confidence in believing that the same good feeling will be extended to me in the future. (Applause). Ladies and gentlemen, let me again thank you for this splendid token of your esteem, and for the good wishes and encouragement which you have given me to-night. I value and appreciate them in the highest degree, and I shall find great encouragement in them at all times. In times of difficulty and doubt I shall hesitatingly let my thoughts wander back to this night, when the encouragement I am now receiving will help me to overcome them (Loud and ringing cheers). Then followed in quick succession another toast proposed by Mr Harrison. He said – Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour and privilege to propose a toast. Several toasts have been proposed and drunk to-night, but there’s yet another which I feel sure will be enthusiastically drunk by all present. I remember, once, sir, being at a public function when a friend of mine was suddenly pounced upon and asked to propose the health of the ladies. Well, he became very nervous and anxious, and in a hurried whisper turned to me and said, "I say, Harrison, what do you know about the ladies?" (Laughter.). I forget my reply now, but I think I muttered "Tell them they're all jolly good fellows," or something to that effect. At any rate, whatever I said, it seemed to act like magic upon him, for he immediately jumped up and said – "Ladies and gentlemen, the pleasure and honour of proposing the health of the ladies has fallen upon my unworthy shoulders, but I think there must have been some mistake in asking me to do this, as, in the first place, I am quite a novice at speech-making, and in the next place being a bachelor – (laughter) – I don't know anything about the ladies. (Laughter.) How can you expect a single man to enter into a description of so wide and embarrassing a subject?" (Turning to the Chairman) – Well, Mr Chairman, that's just how I feel. (Roars of laughter.) But although I am a single man, still we bachelors know how to appreciate the ladies, and I ask you married men, and I see a large number here to-night, "what on earth you’d do without them?" (Loud laughter.) If we poor, misguided, and isolated individuals feel a great emptiness and void somewhere in the region of the heart – (laughter) – what on earth would you married men feel if the ladies no longer existed? The fact is we all love them, whether we are married or single, and the world, in my opinion, would be a very poor place to live in were it not brightened by the smiling, cheerful, and loving faces of the opposite sex. (Loud applause.) In proposing and asking you to drink to the health of the ladies, I feel sure that the toast will be drunk with enthusiasm. Gentlemen I give you “The Ladies,” and at the same time I have much pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Mr Denton. (Loud cheers.) Mr Denton in a neat little speech, replied on behalf of the ladies. The last toast proposed was “Mr and Mrs Grey” by Mr Hunter, who said-Ladies and gentlemen, I have a very pleasant duty to perform, and that is to propose to you the health of Mr and Mrs Grey. You will agree with me that they are, as husband and wife, as father and mother, a model which all of us would do well to copy. We congratulate Mr and Mrs Grey on the attainment of their son’s majority. It is a very great pleasure to a father to see his son reach manhood. It is a blessing denied to many, and when the blessing is granted as in the present case, it ought to be a ground for sincere congratulation, such as we now offer to Mr and Mrs Grey. It is a great advantage to a son to have his father with him as he grows to man's estate. The loss of his father while a boy is yet in his infancy entails a break in the family traditions, and, in fact, to a certain extent, the family has to begin anew. The name of Grey is one which we in Northumberland are very proud of, and in many walks of life we have the name continually before us. (Applause.) The History of England is not complete, indeed, without the name of "Grey." (Applause.) In olden times the Greys of Wark used to turn the tide of invasion from over the Tweed, and no doubt they, in turn, were not unaccustomed to retaliate by carrying their forays across the Border. Not to go beyond our own time, we have Earl Grey, who has thoroughly at heart the social welfare of the people, and who busies himself in doing all that he can to promote the well-being of the people. And there is Sir Edward Grey, already a famous statesman and of whom I need to say no more, so well is he known is he to all of us. The branch of the family from which our worthy Chairman has sprung has not perhaps given to the country any great statesmen, but it has given what is not less important, famous agriculturists with world-wide reputations. (Loud applause.) I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to drink Mr and Mrs Grey’s very good health, and we wish them every happiness in the years to come, and hope that 21 years hence they may be as young as they are to-day. (Loud and continued applause, and "He's a jolly good fellow.") Mr Grey, who was loudly cheered on rising, said- Mr Hunter, ladies and gentlemen, Mrs Grey and myself are deeply grateful for the very eulogistic terms in which Mr Hunter has proposed our healths, and for the way in which you have drunk them. I fear we would run the risk of becoming unduly proud if we took all these exceedingly kind expressions as being strictly in accordance with the truth. Yet I will say that as far as our married life is concerned, it has been all that Mr Hunter says. It has been an exceedingly happy one, and we are very grateful that we have been permitted to see our eldest son come of age. I sometimes am half inclined to wish – in these disastrous times especially – that I could go back to the times Mr Hunter spoke of, when my ancestors were wardens of Wark and Norham. It would have been an exceedingly handy way of replenishing our foldyards to slip across to the rich Merse of Berwickshire or to the neighbouring county of Roxburgh, and take what we wanted, instead of having to go to Berwick market, and pay big prices out of empty pockets, and, moreover, the cattle we used to get so easily in those days were grand beasts, not the stirks we have to be content with now-a-days. We cannot afford to buy such animals now, and we dare not go over the border to fetch, more’s the pity. (Loud laughter). I sometimes doubt whether, with all the civilisation which we now possess, we are as happy now as were our forefathers in the reiving days. They lived from hand to mouth, it is true, but there were no class distinctions – all were hand and glove with one another – all formed one large family. If the chief fell, the whole clan fell with him. There was in those days no wages question, and none of the many ills which now bother us. Foreign lands possessed no attractions, and all were content to spend their days where they were born, harrying and rieving and getting what they could. (Applause) Ladies and gentlemen, for Mrs Grey and myself I thank you most heartily for having done us the honour of coming here to celebrate this event with us. I assure you we are deeply grateful, and I hope that on some future occasion, when we may possibly be having another son coming of age, we may again have the pleasure of seeing you here. (Loud applause). After the tumultuous cheering had somewhat subsided, Mr Grey proposed that the assembly should adjourn to the dancing room, and thus the dinner, which was of the liveliest description, and which passed off without one single hitch, came to an end. It did not take the guests long to reach the ball, which as before stated, was held in the schoolroom. This room, which is some 20 yards by 10, and has recently been re – floored, was handsomely decorated by Mr Hunter and Mr John Steel. Festoons of ivy were hung from each corner to a large hanging lamp in the centre of the room, while wreaths and festoons of ivy and mistletoe were nicely arranged round the windows and walls, and flags were hung from a line, extending the whole length of the room, in the centre, from the ceiling. The Grey Crest and Coat of Arms was done in ivy and placed in the centre of the wall opposite the entrance, the seats round the room were coloured with a gay coloured chintz, whilst the ladies’ dresses added to the bright and cheery appearance of the ball room. A tent was erected at the south entrance of the room which was nicely decorated, and in which the guests had supper and refreshments. The dance commenced at 8.30, and was led off by Mr J. N. Grey and Miss Henderson. The programme was a most elaborate one, consisting of about 30 dances. Triumphs, reels, hoolicans, polkas, waltzes, followed in quick succession. The guests dispersed at about 4.30 a.m., and thus ended one of the most enjoyable functions which has taken place in Milfield for many a long day. It is no light or easy task to arrange for the entertaining of such a large number of guests to dinner, and a dance, and Mr and Mrs Grey are to become congratulated on the brilliant success of the whole achievement, and last, but by no means least on the happy event, viz: the coming of age of their eldest son amidst such favourable auspices. The following presents were received by Mr J. N. Grey: – Mrs Rea-Silver flask, Mr Rea- Silver cigarette case, Mr Grey-Silver flask, Mr Boyd Grey-Silver match box, Miss Mary Grey-Knife, Miss Grey-Silver cigarette case, Mr Gervaise Grey-Silver pencil, Mr G. H. I. Grey-Silver cigarette case, Mr Eric Grey-Gold studs, Mr Harrison-Box of mathematical instruments, Mrs Grey-Bicycle and camera, Mr Dixon Johnson-Silver sovereign box, Miss Calvert-Cigar cutter, Earl Grey-Silver inkstand, Miss Brunton and Miss Mitchell-Silver cigarette case, Mrs Whillis-Silver napkin ring, Mr R. Bruce-Gent’s dressing bag, Mr Brand-Silver-mounted pocket book, Mrs Stevenson, Wallsend-Cake, Mrs Twedell-Dispatch box, Mr J, Lee-Tortoise inkstand, Mr G. V. Denton-A pipe. Mr J. W. B. Boyd-Clock and aneroid, Mr W Lyall-Ram's head.

KILLED IN ACTION. Private C. W. Dixon-Johnson. We regret to record that Mr C. W. Dixon-Johnson, Croft House, Croft-on-Tees, and Hethpool, Wooler, was killed in action at the Front on October 9th. Deceased who was 43 years of age, was serving as a Private in the West Yorks, married adaughhter of the late Mr George Grey of Milfield, Wooler, and was the second son of the late Cuthbert Greenwood Dixon-Johnson, of Oakwood Croft. He leaves a widow and three children who reside at Leeside, Berwick, and with them the deepest sympathy is felt.

Berwick Hockey Club’s Mixed Team was not at full strength against Glendale on Saturday, notable absentees being Miss King, Miss Dodds, and Miss Dunlop. The game started fast, but the ground was soon found to be very heavy. Berwick pressed at the outset, and made a couple of promising attempts at goals, both of which the custodian, Miss Deedes, ably negotiated. The visitors then assumed the aggressive, and after twenty minutes play, Captain Grey succeeded in scoring. Berwick attacked again, but the Glendale defence remained unbroken until the interval, when the team crossed over with the visitors leading 1-nil. On the re-start Berwick at once took up the running but Miss Deedes still held the citadel in a masterly manner, warding off hard shots from all points. At last Dodds scored through a fine pass from W. R. McCreath on the right-wing. Berwick strove hard for the lead, and were as busy as bees round their opponents’ goal. The visitors got away by an occasional spurt, but were invariably held in check by the stout pair of backs, J. A. McCreath and Caverhill, and the centre- half, John Laing. Eight minutes from time, Berwick came away in grim earnest, and the ball trickling out to the right wing, W. R. McCreath got in a hot shot, which put the result of the game beyond a doubt. Play was of a give and take character until time was called, the homesters winning by the odd goal in three. The man of the hour was John Laing at centre- half, who never played a better game in his life. Praise is also due to the two backs and W. R. McCreath of the men, and Miss Harrison of the ladies. It strikes one very forcibly that Alan Caverhill is far better at back then in the forward line. For Glendale, Miss Deedes in goal, and Miss Ward at back, were especially conspicuous. The defence as a whole was extremely good, and further criticism of the team is superfluous, because it was an admirably balanced eleven. Teams-Glendale-Goal, Miss Deedes; backs, Watson and C. Grey; halves, Cuthbertson, Grey, and Miss Grey; forwards, Capt. Grey, H. P. Deedes, Miss Lunn, Miss M. Lunn, and Waldie Berwick-Goal, Miss L. Purves; backs, W. A. Caverhill and J. A. McCreath; halves, Miss H. Harrison, J. Laing and C. H. Tripp; forwards, W. R. McCreath, Miss Gladys Thompson, R. H. Dodds, Miss N. Caverhill and the Rev. H. B. Tower.

Occasional Notes. "A chiel’s amang ye takin’ notes." OLD KELSO CRICKET. It is curious how mental records relating to men and incidents which had apparently become entirely obliterating from the memory are unexpectedly revived with almost photographic distinctiveness by the most trifling of circumstances – sometimes by the mere mention of a name which had not been present to the minds for years. Border cricketers, and particularly those who took an interest in the game in Kelso some thirty or more years ago would have experience of such resurrected memories on learning of the death of Mr W. Nesham, which took place at Newcastle-on-Tyne last week. Mr Neshem was a keen cricketer all his days, whether as a player or a spectator, and in the days above referred to – his palmy days – no great Northumbrian or Border combination was considered complete in which he did not figure. His post was at the wicket, and woe betide the batsman who ventured too much or took any liberties when he stood with the stumps almost within his embrace. Mr Neshem and his brother, the Doctor, often played in Shedden Park, both for and against Kelso as circumstances decreed. In these days cricket held the field in popular esteem – football, as now played, was practically unknown. There was good cricket then too. The Kelso club was somewhat of a county institution, drawing its players from a wide area, not a few of them coming from the English side of the Border. There were the Neashams, and there was Jack Grey of Milfield, who bowled puzzling ‘lobs’, and whose brilliant feats with the bat are still talked about. When Jack called for his ‘tree’, as he styled his favourite big bat, the field anticipated lively times, and they were not disappointed. There was no clustering round the wicket then. There was also a Mr Atkinson from the Northumberland side, who made a good mate for Mr Grey. When they got together and had their ‘eye in’, tall scoring was the rule. At Dalkeith once, when playing for Kelso, they seemed inseparable, knocking the ball into and over the ancestral trees near the Palace in such a fashion as was never seen before or since. Mr Grey, playing for Northumberland beat the All England Eleven, his score exceeding that of the whole eleven. Nat Grace was another of the giants of those days who came from over the Border. Nor must the name of Dickins be omitted from the same list. The Major is one of the few survivors. He was always there, and did most of the shouting. He had also a way of playing upon the nerves of awkward opponents which perhaps was not quite legitimate cricket, but had a certain effect upon the result. The Major’s game was tricky, and particularly so his underhanded trundling, which seemed as erratic as a butterfly’s flight, but usually made direct for the stumps in the end, or tempted the batsman to risk a stroke which had equally fatal consequences. The Major was a bit of a ‘ped’ too; as also was Donald Ross, another of the survivors. A sprint over a 100 yards was not infrequently the result of the Major’s post-luncheon talk; but we rather think Donald usually had the best of it. At any rate he would have now; for while the Major is somewhat the worse of the wear, Donald still goes strong, and looks as if he could yet make good time over a short course. C. J. C. also had some notion of his speed in these later days, and could cover the turf with the best of them, but he showed his steeplechasing predilections in the way he could clear a fence when in pursuit of a ball over the ‘boundary’. The Major had two sons who promised well in the cricket field. They used to play with the Merchiston boys.

A marriage has been arranged between Kathleen Selina Douglas, eldest daughter of Sir Francis Blake, Bart., and George Henry Ivor, second son of George Grey of Milfield. Sept. 1909

The Northumberland Royal Field Artillery have lost the senior captain by the resignation of Mr G. H. I. Grey, who got his lieutenancy nine years ago and his captaincy in 1905. He served with the regiment at Plymouth when it was embodied during the Boer War.

We understand that Sir F. D. Blake of Tillmouth, the new owner of the Seghill estate has appointed Mr Grey of Milfield as his agent for that estate. Mr Grey already holds the agency of Sir Francis’s Tillmouth and Twizel estates on Tweedside.

Local News Engagement.- An engagement is announced, and the marriage will shortly take place at Entebbe, Uganda, between Gervase M. Grey, youngest son of the late Mr George Grey and of Mrs Grey, of Milfield, Northumberland, and Ruth, daughter of the late Rev. Edward Gordon, of The Rookery, Mundesley, Norfolk, and of Mrs Gordon, of 1, Merchiston Crescent, Edinburgh.

GREY-BLAKE A picturesque wedding took place in St Cuthbert's Church Norham-on-Tweed on Sept 14th when Mr George Henry Ivar Grey was married to Miss Kathleen Selina Douglas Blake, daughter of Francis and Lady Blake, of Tillmouth Park, Northumberland. The Rev. John Erskine Campbell-Colquhoun and the Rev. Charles Green officiated at the service, which was fully choral, and the duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Eric Grey, brother of the bridegroom, who is son of Mr and Mrs George Grey of Milfield, Northumberland. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore an exquisite gown of white satin charmouse covered with ninon, which was bordered with lace and embroidered with pearls. The satin Court train, adorned with true lovers' knots in pearls, was caught at the waist by a pearl girdle, and a tulle veil surmounted a wreath of orange blossom, myrtle and white heather. Master Patrick Blake (brother of the bride) and Master John Collingwood in "Little Lord Fauntleroy" suits of white and pale blue made an ideal pair of pages, and the seven bridesmaids were in charming gowns of white satin mousseline veiled in ninon and trimmed with silver lace and chene ribbon. Instead of hats they had pretty Juliet caps in pearls, and they carried bouquets of pink carnations. The bridegroom gave each one an amethyst and pearl-blister pendant. Lady Blake held a delightful reception at Tillmouth Park before the bride and groom left for the Highlands by motor, Mrs Ivar Grey going away in a tailor-made navy blue gown and coat to match and dark green hat.

To A Town of "Lost Opportunities".

Rouse Ye! from your fatal slumbers, Shake the dream dust from your eyes, Fight the Spirit of Inertia, Till it from your Council flies. Cease your dreams of ancient warriors, Clanging through your cobbled streets, Know, that now you're only famous For some cream and pinky sweets. Town that once was held in honour, Town once held in high renown, As the key of either nation, Fighting for the other's crown. Sitting there like whining beggar, Holding out your palsied palms, Hoping that kind fate will fill them, With some territorial alms. Shame upon you! – Sons of Norsemen, That you are content to be Sleeping by an uncurbed river, Dreaming by an unused sea. Where are now the many grain boats That passed outward on the tide To return from Southern markets Heavy laden, to your side? Where are now the gray tramp colliers, Sent by you to distant seas, That, returning , piled before you There rich cargoes on your quays? Now no more the clanging hammers Echo from the building slips, And no more the rattling winches Tell of heavy laden ships. All is dead. Your commerce strangled ‘Case it spoil your pretty views, And no ship comes in your harbour But you kill with harbour dues. Wake, oh town of Small Endeavour! Cast your self-conceit away! Lest your "Dolce far Niente" End you in the senile decay. Sieze the skirts of fleeting Commerce, As your town she passes near! Open wide to her your harbour, Clear the sand spit from your pier! Then once more your rusty forges Shall awake to glowing life, To the sound of running winch chains And the hammer’s busy strife. And your quays be full of bustle, And your harbour full of freight, With your timber ships from Norway, And your cargoes from the Plate. Then that demon Unemployment Soon will haunt your streets no more, And work for every worker Will be waiting at his door. And you'll think with shame and blushes You were once content to wait, Ready with your whine and almsbowl, For the stranger at your gate. A Seer.

(C. M. Grey, May 1909, From “Advertiser” Berwick-on-Tweed added in pen.)

LOCAL MILITARY WEDDING. LIEUT. E. I. GREY AND MISS DOROTHY WARDROPER. The marriage of Second-Lieut. Eric I. Grey, R. F. A., third son of the late Mr George Grey and Mrs Grey of Milfield, Northumberland, to Miss Dorothy Wardroper, third daughter of the Rev. A. S. Wardroper and Mrs Wardroper, The Vicarage, Walker, took place yesterday afternoon at Walker Parish Church. The officiating clergy were the Rev A. S. Wardroper, father of the bride, and the Rev S. T. Waugh, and during the service, which was fully choral, hymns songs were "the King of Love my Shepherd is" and "Perfect Love." Mr J. McCartney, the organist, played Mendelssohn's Wedding March and other appropriate music. The bride, who was attended by the Misses A. and E, Wardroper, her sisters, was given away by her brother, Captain Wardroper of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers. Lieut. Edward C. Blake, Northumberland Yeomanry, was the best man, and Capt H. Reader, R. G. A., acted as groomsman. The bride wore a simple gown of ivory satin meteor and chiffon, trimmed with silver galon and diamante, with a white tulle veil and wreath of myrtle and orange blossom, the charming toilette being completed by a bouquet of white exotics and pearl and sapphire necklace, gifts of the bridegroom. The two bridesmaids wore frocks of Liberty blue chiffon velvet, with skunk-trimmed hats of brown velvet, and carried sheaves of bronze chrysanthemums, their brooches of pearls and diamonds, set in platinum, being the gifts of the bridegroom. The bride's mother was dressed in a gown of wine – colour chiffon velvet with a touch of old lace and a velvet hat, with feathers to match. Mrs Hardcastle, sister of the bride, wore a smart suit in a lovely shade of green gabardine, the coat being plainly cut with full basque and heavily stitched with silk to tone. Her hat of silk, trimmed flowers and skunk, was of the same shade. After the ceremony a reception was held at The Vicarage. Later, Mr and Mrs Grey left to spend their honeymoon in the south, the bride travelling in a tailor-made coat and skirt of navy striped coaching serge, cut in semi – Russian style, with full basque and short full skirt, with a dark hat. She also wore skunk furs and a motor wrap of mole- colour Otterburn blanket tweed. The wedding gown, travelling coat and skirt, and trousseau garments, also the costumes worn by the bride's mother and Mrs Hardcastle, were designed and made by Messrs Fenwick, Ltd., Newcastle. Included among the numerous presents were a silver butter dish from the teachers of the Walker Church Sunday School; a china rose bowl and vase from the ladies of the church working party, sidesmen and mothers’ union; a silver butter dish from the choir boys; a silver spoon from the bride’s Sunday School class; a silver salver from the tenantry of the Milfield estate; and a salad bowl from the villagers of Milfield.

THE NAWORTH COAL COMPANY LIMITED Telegraph Offices:- HALLBANKGATE Telephone No:- Brampton Junction 5 BRAMPTON Carlisle 30th May 1924 Dear Mrs Grey & Family. At a Directors meeting held today I was asked to write you and state that the Directors express their most sincere sympathy with you in your recent sad bereavement. Mr N. Grey was highly respected in the Company and liked by all who knew him. He will be a great miss to us all. I am Yours Very Sincerely Mr Riddell Secretary

THE NAWORTH COAL COMPANY LIMITED Telegraph Offices:- HALLBANKGATE Telephone No:- Brampton Junction 5 BRAMPTON Carlisle May 26th 1924 Mrs Grey Milfield Wooler Dear madam I have been asked by the officials of the Collieries to convey to you our sincere sympathy with you in your bereavement. Mr Grey earned the highest regard of us all and we share with you the great loss you have sustained. Yours truly, THG Adams

Haigs dispatch 1917 In the remaining pages of his dispatch, which are devoted to a recognition of the work of the various Services, Sir Douglas Haig renews the expression of his profound admiration for the indomitable courage, tireless energy, and cheerful endurance of the troops, and the skill, stedfastness, and devotion of the artillery. He relates the following incident, which occurred during the preparation for the attack of July 31, as typical of instances of individual heroism on the part of the artillery: "A howitzer battery had received orders to cut a section of German wire in the neighbourhood of Hooge, and 400 rounds had been allocated for the purpose. The battery, situated in an unavoidably exposed position in the neighbourhood of Zillebeke Lake, had already been subjected to constant shelling. On the occasion referred to not more than 50 rounds had been fired at the German wire when a hostile 15 cm. battery opened a steady and accurate fire in enfilade. Each time the British battery opened, salvos of 15 cm. shells raked its position. Four of its six guns were put out of action and two ammunition dumps were blown up, but the remaining two guns continued in action until the last of the 400 rounds had been fired. A few days later, when our infantry advanced over the sector this battery had shelled, the enemy’s wire was found to have been completely cut." “?”Fig 8 batteries” added in pen “

Dec 3 HOCKEY. 1909. MIDLANDS V. SOUTH – TRIAL GAME. – The trial game between the Midland and Southern districts of Scotland, held prior to the selection of a team to meet the Eastern combination, was played at Murrayfield on a fairly hard pitch. The first portion of the game was a very one-sided affair, the Midlands for the most part monopolising the play. Shann on the right wing was their most useful man and his desires were invariably perfect. The first goal he scored himself by following up his own cross, and a further two, scored by McIntyre and Orchard, were the result mainly of his work. The defence was the strong point of the Southern team. Just before the interval, a raid by the South resulted in a surprise goal scored by Heriot. The second half was the reverse of the first, the South playing a fine game, especially forward. Their continual attacking showed up the many weak points of the Midlands defence, of whom are Harley alone could be accounted safe. A bad blunder by Pringle allowed the South to score a second goal. The equaliser was not long in coming, however, Heriot scoring. It was not a game of brilliant individual play, and only Harley, McIntyre, and Shann on the one side, and Grey, Thomson, Herriot and Caverhill on the other, were conspicuous. Result: – Midlands, three: South, three. Teams: – Midlands. – T Pringle (Collegiate); R. J. Logie (Collegiate) and F. Y Sutherland (Kirkaldy); W. Geddes (Arbroath); R. B. Harley (St Andrews University;, and W. Sadler (Montrose); E. W. Shanks (St Andrews University); J.F. McIntyre (Collegiate) R. Officer (Montrose); A.C. Orchard (Kirkaldy) and S. W. Brodie (Compay Angus). South.-H. Toplis (Kelso); J. Patrick (Coldstream) and E. Grey (Berwick;) S. Clark (Kelso);H.Thompson (Melrose); R. C. Jones (Kelso); J. A. Heriot (Berwick); W. A. Caverhill (Berwick) and R. W. H. B. Tower (Berwick) Referees -H. M. Hannay and J. D.Grieve.

" An exceedingly pretty and interesting wedding took place at St Cuthberts Church, Norham, on Wednesday, the contracting parties being Miss Kathleen Selina Douglas Blake, eldest daughter of Sir Francis and Lady Blake, Bart of Tillmouth Park and Mr George Henry Ivar Grey, eldest (crossed out) son of George Grey, Milfield. The happy event created a great deal of interest in the county of Northumberland, and further afield, and there was in consequence a large and distinguished company of guests at the ceremony. The ordinance was performed by the Rev. Erskine Campbell Coquhoun, Chartworth, Kent ( cousin of the bride), assisted by the Rev C. Green, vicar of Norham. It is an interesting fact that Mr Cambell Coquhoun performed the the nuptial ceremony at the wedding of the bride's father and mother. The service was fully choral and the hymns, "The voice that breathed o'er Eden" and "O perfect love, all human thought transcending" and Psalm lxvii, " God be merciful unto us and bless us" were sung. The old church at Norham with its stately pillars was prettily decorated with groups of liliums and other blossoms hidden among palms and other foliage, the whole forming a very striking and effective scene. The decorations and wedding bouquets were supplied by Messrs. Wm. Anderson and Sons, florists, Hide Hill, Berwick. Mr Geo I. Grey was the groomsman, and the bride was attended by two page boys in the persons of Master Patrick Delaval Blake and Master John Henry Francis Collinwood, who were attired in white fauntleroy suits. They also wore pearl and turquoise safety pins, the gift of the bride. The bride who was given away by her father, was attended by seven bridesmaids- Miss Marjory Blake, Miss Mary Grey, Miss Francis Burton, Miss Joan Bannerman, Miss Elsie Paget, Miss Marion Eccles and Miss Flora Parker. The bride looked handsome in a gown of white satin charmeuse, veiled with a overdress of ninon bordered with lace and embroidered with pearls in a design of true lovers knots. The court train was of satin charmeuse embroidered with pearls, which hung from each shoulder with pearl butterflies and was held at the waist by a pearl girdle. The veil belonged to the bride's mother. She wore a wreath of orange blossom and myrtle and heather and her only ornament was a sapphire and diamond crescent broach, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids wore charming gowns of white satin mousseline with over dresses of Ninon trimmed with silver lace and caught up with chene ribbon shades of china blue and pink. They also wore embroidered pearl Juliet caps and carried bouquets of of pale pink carnations. The bridegroom's gifts to the bridesmaids were pendants of amethyst and pearls set in silver and worn with silver chains. The bride's mother was attired in a lovely gown of pale grey cashmere de soi, which was embroidered in soft shades of grey. She also wore a black chipstraw hat with ostrich feathers. The brides travelling dress was a tailor made gown of navy blue cloth with a coat to match, trimmed with pretty oriental embroidery and she wore a dark green hat with wings. All along the roads leading to Norham bunting was to be observed while in the village itself every available flag was in use and displayed at some advantageous point. Long before the hour of the ceremony people began to arrive, and securing good positions patiently awaited the arrival of the guests and principal parties to the days proceedings. On the bride and bridegroom leaving the church and proceeding to to join their motorcar, they were victims of an old village custom. They were "roped" or, in other words, a number of stalwart villagers with a rope gaily decked with ribbons barred their progress until they had conformed to custom. The bridegroom smilingly paid toll, the rope was withdrawn and with the good wishes of the"ropers" the happy pair were allowed to proceed. After the ceremony the wedding supper was held at Tillmouth Park, where the health of the couple was cordially pledged. Mr and Mrs Grey left by motor for their honeymoon which is to be spent in Scotland. The workmen on the estate had erected a handsome triumphal arch at the entrance to Tillmouth Park. Lady Blake's cook made the wedding cake, which was a splendid specimen of the confectioner's art. The presents were costly and numerous, numbering over 300. The bride's present to the bridegroom was a miniature of herself and the bridegroom's presents to the bride were a gold bracelet watch and pearl and aquamarine pendant. From her father the bride received a turquoise ring and cheque, and from her mother, furs, household linen and piano, while from her brothers and sisters the bride received silver spoons and forks. The tenants on the Tillmouth estate sent a pair of silver entree dishes, while the servants presented a silver salver. The GUESTS. The list of invited guests was as follows:- Lord and Lady Inverclyde, Mary Lady Inverclyde, The Hon. A Caroline Burns, Rev. C. and Hon. Mrs Corfield, Mr and Mrs Cambell-Coquhoun, Capt Julian Campbell-Coquhoun, Capt and Mrs W. Campbell Coqhoun, Lord and Lady Napier and Ettrick, Hon Lennox Napier, Major and Mrs L. Bosanquet, Lieut. and Mrs H. Bosanquet, Mr and Mrs George Grey, Messers, Neil, Boyd, Eric and Gervase Grey, Mr and Mrs Dixon Johnstone, Lord and Lady Howick, the Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Mr George Butler, Mr and Mrs Anthony Bell, Mr and Mrs Arthur Blake, Mrs Steele, Miss Blake, Liet-Col Steele, Mrs Clay, Miss Clay, Mr George Meuricoffor, Mrs Conrad Leopold, Mr and Mrs Montague Godfrey, Mr and Mrs George Rea, Mr John Rea, Mrs Leather, Mr and Mrs Cambell- Bannerman, Capt. and Mrs Allenby, Col. and Mrs Foster, Hon. Mrs Askew- Robertson, Sir Gainsford and Lady Bruce, Mrs Pelly, Mr and Mrs W. Askew, Major and Mrs Sinclair-Wemyss, Mr David Askew, Hon. John Gordon, Mrs Gordon, Mrs John Long, Captain and Mrs Gartside Tippinge, Miss Tippinge, Mr F. Tippinge, Major and Mrs Sellar, Mr and Mrs Patrick Sellar, Miss Orde, His Excellency the Governor General of Canada (godfather to the bridegroom) and Countess Grey, Mr and Mrs Boyd, Miss Boyd, Lord and Lady Douglas, Admiral Sir Charles and Lady Hotham, Miss Milne Home, Mr Frank Edward Blake, Mr. and Mrs Thorburn, Miss Thorburn, Mr and Mrs Collinwood. Mr and Mrs Campbell-Renton. Mr and Mrs John Trevelayn, Lord and Lady Joicey, Hon Marguerite Joicey, Hon Drevon and Sidney Joicey, Mr J. R. Blackett-Orde, Lady Marjoribanks, Sir Lindsay Wood, Mr Arthur Wood, Mr and Mrs Hale, Mr Charles C. Grey, Col. and Mrs Boswall-Preston, Major Baldwin, Sir Hubert Jerningham, Judge and Mrs Hans Hamilton, Mr J. Kirsopp, Mrs Robertson Ross, Major and Mrs Wilkie, Lady Laing, Miss Laing, Miss Houstoun-Boswell, Mr Griffith -Jones, Mr and Mrs Fawcus, Dr and Mrs C Henderson, Lady Elliot, Lord and Lady Low, Doctor and Mrs Hodgkin, Mr and Mrs Lambton, Mrs Arbuthnot, Rev Father Smythe, Mr and Mrs Villiers, Major and Mrs Metcalf, Mr and Mrs Robert Mills, Dr and Mrs Hardcastle, Mr and Mrs Stephenson, Mr Harold Ward, Mr and Mrs Redvie, Archdeacon and Mrs Hodgson,Mr and Mrs Helme, Miss Campbell-Coquhoun, Mr Beauchamp Selby, Mrs. Selby, Mr. A B Boyle, Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders; Mr Gordon Campbell-Colquhoun, Mr Tom Campbell -Coquhoun, Mr Hugh Campbell-Coquhoun, Miss E. K. Campbell-Coquhoun, Mr and Mrs A. Campbell-Colquhoun, Major and Mrs Browne, Col. Pennyman,Mrs Cough, the Misses Cough, Mr C. and W. A. Boswell -Preston, Mr John Cough, Mrs Liddell-Grainger, Mr H. Liddell-Grainger, Capt. and Lady Clementine Waring, Mr and Mrs Scott-Fox, Mr and Mrs Mitchell- Innes, Colonel and Mrs Bates, Canon and Mrs Holland, Mr and Mrs Younger , Mr and Miss Atkinson-Clark, Mr Fred Bell, Lord and Lady Francis Osborne, Mrs Phipps-Hornsby, Capt. and Mrs Napier, Col and Mrs Paget, Hon Mrs Baillie-Hamilton, Mr and Mrs Thomas Taylor, Mr Francis Douglas, Miss Douglas, Major and Mrs Hunter-Blair, Capt and Mrs Halsey, Miss Noel, Mr and Mrs Sterling-Newall, Mr and Mrs Geoffrey, Mr and Mrs Cambell-Renton, Mrs Campbell-Renton, Mrs Tweedell, Mrs Arnold, Lord and Lady Tankerville, Rev M. Culley, Capt and Mrs Frank Sitwell, Mr and Mrs Charles Forbes, Mr Gordon Wilson, Miss McBrayne, Rev and Mrs B. Boyle, Mr and Miss Hunt, Mr and Mrs Bell-Simpson Capt and Mrs French, Capt Kinsman, Capt and Mrs Staniford,Mr and Mrs Sanderson, Mr G. Cranston, Miss Waterson,Mr C. Waterson,Mr and Mrs Wardropper, Miss Scott-Kerr, Major and Mrs Wilkie, Mr T. Parker, Capt and Mrs Burrell, Mr and Mrs Leyland, Mr and Mrs Fenwick, Mrs and Miss Reed, Rev C and Mrs Green, Mr and Mrs Arthur North, Miss Keightley, Mr and Mrs Campbell-Swinton, Capt A E Marrow K.O.S.B. Capt. Youngson K.O.S.B., Mr and Mrs Tower Robertson, Capt. Norman R.N., Mrs MacBraine, Major and Mrs Craig, Dr and Mrs Fleming, Mrs and Miss Creet, Mr and Mrs Donnelly-Warren, Mr and Mrs Greenshields-Leadbitter, Capt and Mrs Rofe, Mr H Peedes, Professer and Mrs Butler, Miss Dulcibelta Barrett, Mrs E. P. Taylor, Rev. A. and Miss Stogdon, Col and Miss Roddam, Lord and Lady Low, Miss Manisty, Miss Cunningham, Mrs Murray Hurry, Mr Hopbug, Mrs Hugh Boyd, Mr Hitchins, Miss Kitty Straker, Mr and Mrs Clayhills, Mr and Mrs J. W. Rand, Mr W. Hoyle, Mr R. J. Aynsley, Mr C. J. Bell, Mr J. M. Clarke."

SUPPER AND PRESENTATION AT RYTON. MR. J. N. GREY HONOURED BY ADDISON OFFICIALS AND DEPUTIES. INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS. The officials and deputies connected with Addison Colliery held a supper at the Ryton Hotel, Ryton on Saturday night. The primary object of the gathering was to make a presentation to Mr. J. N. Grey, back – overman at the Addison Colliery, on the occasion of his appointment as manager of Roachburn Colliery. Mr William Rochester made an excellent chairman and was supported in the vice-chair by Mr. William Cuthbertson sen. There was also present Mr. J. N. Grey (the guest of the evening), Mr. E. B. Forster, Mr. Edgar Holmes (who had charge of the arrangements and carried the same out in an official manner), Mr. John Marrs, Mr. G. Elliott, Mr. Wm. Lock, Mr. A. Halliday, Mr. H. Yielder, Mr. L. B. Robson, Mr. W. Milburn, Mr. Robert Moody, Mr. J. Lee, Mr. M. Clark, Mr. W. Liddle, Mr. T. Milburn, Mr. W. Cuthbertson, jun., Mr. R. Hutton, Mr. John Watson, Mr. J. Newsome, Mr .W. Barnes, Mr. A. Cameron, Mr. G. Forster, Mr. M. Errington, Mr. W. Saunders, Mr. John Noble, Mr. Joseph Jude, Mr. R. Noble, Mr. Shield Rochester (Ryton), Mr. John Mullen, Mr. Shield Rochester (Crawcrook), Mr. J. W. Rowe, Mr. T. Watson and Mr. D. Rowe. A first-class supper was provided by the popular host and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brinton), and ample justice was done to the spread. The usual loyal toasts having been honoured Mr. Robert Moody gave the toast of "the Stella Coal Company." He said he thought he could hardly say anything new about the toast which it had been his privilege to submit so often. However, it gave him great pleasure to be associated with such a toast. The Stella Coal Co., had an honoured and respected historical connection with Tyneside, and without going into any of the details he might add that they had a character which would bear examination both in respect of its industrial, economic and personal aspect as compared with that of any other company. He had very many happy reminiscences of this thirty-two (year) connection with the Stellar Coal Company. Mr. Moody afterwards quoted a little incident to show the kindly feeling that existed between the respected head of the concern, Dr. J. B. Simpson and his workmen. The heads of the company had always taken a deep interest in the social and intellectual development of their workmen. They had ever been ready to respond to any demand made upon them. The Stella Coal Co., had developed into a gigantic concern, thanks to the intelligence and business acumen of the Simpson family. It therefore gave him greater pleasure to submit the toast of "the Stella Coal Co.," and at the same time to wish Dr. Simpson many more years of health and to express the hope that Mr. Frank and the family would also enjoy good health and prosperity in the coming years. (Applause.) The Chairman responded. As the representative of the Stella Coal Co., at that gathering he said he desired to thank Mr. Moody for having proposed the toast, and also the company for the enthusiastic manner in which they had received it. He was sure it would afford the heads of the company, from Mr Simpson downwards, the greatest satisfaction and pleasure to know they had the goodwill and respect of the Addison officials. (Applause.) Mr. Moody had referred to the concern which the Stella Coal Co., had for the intellectual welfare of their workmen. Well, speaking to the older hands, he thought it would be old news to say that had been Dr. Simpson's motto during the whole of his life. (Applause.) When Dr. Simpson was a young man he took the greatest interest in evening classes and – at least he was told so – even taught an evening class himself. In those days secondary schools were unknown. Turning to the humane side, the chairman said they heard a lot nowadays about cruelty to animals. While it might be said of Dr Simpson that he was the pioneer of the aged miner’s homes in that county – (applause) – he was not afraid of also saying that the Stella Coal Company had been the pioneers so far as encouraging kindness to dumb animals was concerned, especially towards the ponies working at their various pits. (Applause.) Of the Stella Coal Company it could be said that they were not a money making concern entirely. While it might not be altogether a philanthropic institution, yet if they did make profits the company took care that such profits were not taken out of the bones of the human beings or the animals in their employ. He was sure a toast like that coming from one of their workmen must be very gratifying to the company. As the representative of the Stellar Coal Company he thanked them most heartily for the manner in which they had received the toast (Applause.) Mr. John Watson, who had a cordial reception, afterwards rose to make the presentation to Mr Grey, the gifts consisting of a handsome silver-plated spirit stand, case of pipes, and a silver – mounted walking – stick. In making the presentation Mr. Watson said he thought they were acting in a sensible manner that night. He did not believe in waiting until a man was gone before they showed their appreciation of that man's work. Let them show that appreciation while the individual lived, instead of indulging in posthumous panegyrics. And on that point he felt that evening a little bit elated. He felt he enjoyed the very action they were performing. Whenever he saw the fellow feeling in mankind aroused, let it be touched by whatever circumstances it might, it always roused the man to the level of the dignity of his being. They never reached the higher plane until they were touched by the fellow feelings which lay slumbering in mankind. Mr Grey’s departure from amongst them had touched the finer feelings of their nature; and he was glad of the response. They appreciated Mr. Grey as a man, and he might say this: it was his solid conviction that Mr. Grey carried the dignity of the Border man in all its good form. Of a cheerful disposition, the more they knew of Mr Grey the more they liked him. He expressed the hope that Mr. Grey would succeed as a manager and a leader among men. He thought they would agree with him that the position of manager of a mine was an important post to hold. However, he believed Mr. Grey would have a successful career. The presents which they were handing over that night would enable their friend to have a good smoke, a good walk – and they did not object to him having a good drink. Laughter and applause) They were sorry to part with Mr/ Grey, but they hoped he would succeed. (Applause.) Mr. Grey, in returning thanks for the handsome presents, said he was sorry to have to leave them. During the time he had been at Addison Colliery he always received the greatest kindness, and he felt very much to leave his old friends. They are all welcome to come and sample the bottles, but he beseached them not to all come at once. (Laughter.) The gifts would ever remind him of the numerous friends he had at Addison Colliery. (Applause.) Mr. Grey concluded by submitting the toast of "the Addison officials and deputies," and expressed the hope that he would find similar officials and deputies at Roachburn Colliery (Applause.) Mr. R. Hutton replied to the toast. Speaking for himself he said he had never any complaint to make with regard to the officials. A spirit of harmony existed between the officials and the deputies, the general feeling being to work as amicably and as pleasantly as they could. As far as Mr. Grey was concerned they were sorry to lose him, and he believed it would be a hard task to find a man who would fill the position as satisfactorily as Mr. Grey had done. Everyone connected with Addison Colliery held Mr. Grey in the highest esteem. (Applause.) It was grand when they had a character of that description – when they had the goodwill of everyone connected with the colliery. It was the wish of all that Mr. Grey would succeed in the new work he had undertaken. (Applause.) Mr Edgar Holmes gave the toast of the "Chairman and Vice – chairman" and spoke of the many excellent qualities of these two gentlemen. The Chairman, in responding, alluded to the serious illness of one of their old and valued workmen Mr William Rowe, who had been connected with the colliery for a period of something like 36 years. They were all exceedingly sorry to learn of Mr. Rowe’s illness, and on their behalf he asked the secretary, Mr. Edgar Holmes, to convey the sympathy of that gathering with Mr. and Mrs. Rowe and family in the serious illness that had overtaken Mr. Rowe. The Vice-chairman also responded to the toast. The health of the host and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Brinton) was also toasted. They were heartily thanked for the splendid supper which they had provided with such excellent taste. Mr Brinton suitably acknowledged the compliment. During the evening a capital programme of harmony was contributed by Messrs. E. B. Forster, W. Cuthbertson, jun., H. Yielder, Fred Brinton, J. Mullen, A. Cameron, Jos. Jude, M. Errington, Geo. Forster, R. Hutton, John Lee, and others. Mr G. Forster was the accompanist. The proceedings were of a most enjoyable character. A correspondent sends us the following lines: – ‘Twas a merry party that met on Saturday To make a presentation, and say "good-bye" to Mr. Grey, Who has left the Addison and gone up further west – There to manage a colliery; and we know he’ll do his best. All the Addison deputies and officials they were there, Mr. Cuthbertson was in the vice; Mr. Rochester in the chair. John Watson made the presentation, and a splendid speech he made, He's just the one to do it; when he speaks he’s not afraid. He said everyone they met, they could hear them say – From putter lad to manager, how they missed Mr. Grey; A thorough gentleman he had been, and a good man too all round, Men like him are bad to get; they are not so easy found. Big Edgar, he was busy, his duty was, I think, To see no one died of thirst, and each one got a drink. Messrs. Forster and Cameron, the music did provide, To keep everything up to concert pitch their very best they tried. The tipplers and teetotallers all agreed, and so they might. And said how they’d enjoyed themselves and spent a happy night. I have spent many a jolly evening in the same room, I can say, But none to beat the night we said "Godspeed" to Mr. Grey! THE OLD FIRM.

63. Mary Grey engagement to Drever Joicy Jan. 6 1915 (with 2 photographs) Engagement announcement and Birthday Honours OBE in 1918 for Mary Grey.

Cunard Line LUSITANIA & MAURITANIA

R.M.S. “MAURETANIA” OCTOBER 22ND, 1907 MENU Caviar Green Turtle Potage a l’Ecossaise Turbot, Sauce Hollandaise Whiting, Sauce Tomate Salmi of Duckling Sweetbreads, Toulouse Sirloin and Ribs of Beef Roast Leg of Mutton Boiled Turkey, Wiltshire Ham Brussel Sprouts Vegetable Marrow Boiled Rice Boiled Potatoes Potato Croquettes Pheasant Apple Tart Champagne Jelly Genoese Fancies Bavaroise Cream George Pudding Tapioca Pudding Lemon Ices Dessert Cheese Coffee

64. Elsdon poem

65. Mr Greys Unentered Hounds 1896, (handwritten list early form of blue copying), 1908 Exchange and Mart:Friday march 20, 1908, "The Use and Abuse of the Union Jack, "To the Newspaper Man at Newcastle":Long printed letter in dialect about election April 24 1826 (J. Grey handwritten at end) Passing of Mauritania (newsprint poem 1907 by Queenie Scott-Hooper).

HAE YE IVVER BEEN AT ELSDON?

Hae ye ivver been at Elsdon, The World’s unfinished neuk? It stands amang the hungry hills And wears a frozen leuk. The Elsdon folk, like dein stega, At ivvery stranger stare; Heather broth an’ curlew’s eggs Ye’ll get for supper there. One night I went tae Elsdon, Sair tired, after dark, I’d travelled mony a weary mile, Wet tae the very sark. Me legs were aching fit to break An’ empty was me kite, But neither luv nor money Could get either bed or bite. At ivvery hoose i’ Elsdon I telt me desperate need, But ne’er a corner had the churls Where I might lay me heed. Then in a public hoose I boozed Till A’ was turned away; Then tiv a stable loft I crept An’ coiled amang the hay. Shud a Frenchman land in England, Just gie him Elsdon’s fare; By George! He’ll quickly hook it back, An’ never come ne mair. For such a hungry hole as Elsdon I nivver yet did see, An’ if I’m back at Elsdon The deil ‘ll carry me.

To the Newspaper Man at Newcastle. SIR, – I notice how ye prent a Paper every Week End, fu' o' Letters and Speeches ‘at's been made about the ‘Lection, and if ye’ll prent this o’mine, I’m sure it'll be the first ever I wrate in prent; but may be I knaw mair about the ‘Lection, and see and hear mair about it than ye think for, for the Business o' the Candidates as they ca' them, tacks them to a' the Market Towns, just as ma Business does me, that's a Drover frae the North Countrie, and taks Lots far into England at the right Seasons; but at by Times, taks a Job frae a Fair or Market, as I light on. And this is the Way ‘at I fa’ in wi’ the Candidates at sundry Places and gets acquent wi’ them, and hears the Country’s talk about them. There’s a Squire Bell ‘at I saw at Halt-whussel, to look at him nae’body wad say he was ony Thing mair nor just an ordinar; Man, and hardly that if Sense ga’ed by Size; but to see the Crowds that gathered round him, and hear the Shouts ‘at they raised, and how they drew the Coach theirsel’s, instead o’ Horses, to the Door o’ the Publick, and how pleased and hearty they look’d when he stood up to talk to them, and ca’ them his kind Frien’s, ye wad hae thought the King was comed back to Ein’bro agen. He spak to them loud enough, and they were pleased whan he ca’d them the Lads o’ the Wast, that aye stood true to the Blue, and wad bear the Bell at the Meeting o’ the Shire agen.- But I hae heard better Orators I’ ma’ Day, for I was ance summoned to gie Evidence to a Case tried at Ein’bro, and pleaded baith for and against by ane Jaffrae and Cowbrun, twa unco’ Chaps at the Gab, but I need na enter on that Story, or I wad na’ be dune the Night. B-ll had nae Chance wi thame, but he luked like an honest Cheild for a’ that, and many thought he might do for the Parliment Man; but some said (ye can’na please a’) ‘at he was intolerant about religious Faith; noo’ this is a Pity, for the Time’s ga’en by for Bigotry and Persecution; but I hope if B-ll gets in, as they say, he’ll learn Sense and Liberality in wise Company, for he had an honest like luke, as if he might tak’ up something gude if it cam in his Way. Then, whan I cam farther down the County to Hexham, there I fell in wi’ the Lad wi’ the White Flags and Ribbons, and a bonny Dust they raised about him; but the were a’ the riff raff Kind o’ Set, just sic’ as ye may see o’ the Hallow Fair Night, at the Fit o’ the Grass Market, gathered frae their Dens and Closes I’ the Cowgate and Cannygate. And he raze I’ the midst o’ them and bluster’d and talked wi’ great Confidence and Brag; his Speech was na’ that remarkable fluent for ane that had been lang, as he said, their Parliment Man, for he often brack down i’ the Middle o’ his Sentence, and then had to try to make out his Say in another Set o’ Words, that did na’ always answer his Porpose nowther. But I larnt how this happen’d too, for a decent luking Man ‘at stud nigh me, and as I noticed, ne’er tuke off his Hat nor shuted at their Hurras, whisper’d I’ mi’ Lug, ‘at when he gat awa South, and thought the Folk o’ Hexham wad ne’er hear tell, he tuke aff to France wi’ bad Company, and ne’er luked nar the Parliment for mony a lang Day; and this was the Way, I reckon, ‘at he lost the right Use o’ his native Tongue, if ever he had larnt it. But he seemed no a Whit daunted at this, but raved on about his Independence and their Independence, and how he wad oppose the King and his Ministers Night and Day, and how the Stockracy (as he ca’d the Gentry) was naethin’ now; that he wad pull thame frae their high Seats; that if the Men o’ Sense and Spirit, sic’ as he saw aroun’ him, wad but stick till him and do their Duty, they wad shew whar’ the Strength o’ the County lay; if they wad send him to the Parliment, he wad tak’ aff the Taxes and pit awa’ Slavery and religious Restrickshuns, and mak this great Land the happiest and free’st I’ a’ the Yearth,-Here my quiet Nie’bur whispered a’gen, “Poor daft Cratur, he had better been I’ France yet, for he tramples baith Religion and Morals underfit.” And then the Crowd shooted as if he had been the varra Son o’ Diana o’ Ephesus, a’ made o’ Siller himsel’. And then cam sic’ a Scene o’ Confusion, Barrels o’ Drink i’ the Streets, Men and Women like wild Beasts, roarin’, and cursin’, and fightin, till some could nither see nor stan’, and some lay dead Drunk i’ the Dirt; “truly,” said I, “he had made ye an Independent Set, independent o’ a’ that’s decent and gude.” An I could na’ but think, whan I saw their white Cockades come black frae the Kennel, ‘at noo’ they had on the Colors o’ their true Maister – and I said to mysel’ “If this is County ‘Lection and popular Represenshun, as they say here, I’m glad we hae naethin’ o’ the Sort i’ my Kintry, at least I ne’er me wi’ ony i’ the gude Shire o’ Bamff.” And just when I was leaven the Place wi’ a heavy Heart to think o’ the Folly o’ the Folk, and was saying hafflins to mysel’ “O but he’s an awfu’ Cheild that, what he has to answer for,” whan wha should come up and tap me on the Shouther but the littlest and whitest faced o’ the twa ‘at gaed off wi’ him wi’ the white Cockade, and look’t like as they might be his Scribes, for I noticed he had nae Gentry lookin’ Folk wi’ him at B-ll had; well, wha should tap me on the Shouther but this same white-faced Body, and O whan I saw what hands I was in, I shook frae Head to Fit—He said, “What Word was that I heard you use?” “O I meant nae Offence, Sir,” said I, “believe me, I did’na think ony one heard.” “But,” said he, “I heard a Word that sounded strange in my Ears, I am curious about old Words, I think it is one I have not in my Glasserie” (as I thought he cau’d it). “Oh weel, if its only that ye’re speerin,” said I, gathering my Breath, “What’s your Wull, Sir?” “I wish to know the Meaning of a Word I caught the Sound of (said he) Cheil, or something like it, what does it signify and where is it used?” “O, if that’s a’, Cheild means a Kind o’ a wild young Chap, and yae may hear it used frae A’ston to Maffit.”—“ Thank you,” (said he) “it shall be in my next ‘Dishin,” and off he went to dine at the Public, and awaw’ I cam’ like Lot out o’ Sodom, right glad ‘at I was nane o’ his Independents. Sune after this as I cam’ nar Corbrigg, I hard the shoots risin’ agen afar off, and thought, if I sude stop, or gang on, no carin’ to meet the White Cockades and aiblins get a broken Head I’ the Riot. But I sune spyed the reed and white Colours, that I ken’d belang’d till a different Candidat, sae joined mysel’ to the thrang, and hastened my Step, but, “Pride o’ Man,” said I to myself, “what’s that I see?”—a kind o’ a Coach open’d at the top, and twa young Chaps sittin’ at their ease, the tane at I saw at anither Toon makin’ his Speech to the Folk, and the ‘tither the Lad at claps his Back when he talks, to hound him on like; but what think ye, Maister Prenter, drew this Coach, and thae twa Youths ‘at had soople enough Shanks o’ their ain to walk on, and ‘at sude hae carried me, had I been abune them, to Lunnon and back, or I wad hae degraded the fair Form o’ Woman, and brought Shame on the Name o’ man, wi’ letting them do the Wark o’ Beasts, and draw this Coach wi’ four Wheels, and that twa Youths laughin’ at their want o’ Sense. I was wae to the Heart to see sic a Sight, but there was nae Sorrow among the Crowd, for some cried Bonny L---l, and some cried Canny L----l. and a’ shouted up wi’ L-------l, and wad hae paved the Street wi their Bodies, gin he wad prefar to walk upon them, rather than hae his Coach pulled wi thae glaiket Lasses. And whan they cam to the Door o’ the Publick, the Lad wi’ the sandy Face and muckle Whiskers stude up and waved his lilly Hand, as a sign for mair Shouts, and then he fell till his Speech; and some were set here and there I’ the Crowd to gi the Word for the Shout, when maist ’at shouted ne’er ken’d what at. But I was maist diverted at some Women ‘at stude ni’ me; “O (says ane) he’s a bonny Lad, and he talks sae saftly, if ever ane deserved to be a Parliment Man, that’s him.” “Aye, (said a young Lass) and his Dress is sae smart, and his Ribbons sae bonny, and he aye Smiles and has nae Pride aboot him, for he wags Hands wi’a’ the puir Folk, and kisses the Lasses, I wad na’ care to meet him I’ the Entry mysel’.” “Aye, (says a third) hear that now, he talks as fine and as fast as the Lunnon Man ‘at had the Monkeys at Stainshy-Bank, and wheedled us out o’ Saxpence a-piece to look at thame, and than he’s nae humble, I’m certain he look’d at me when he said, ‘Thank you, thank you my dear, kind Friends for that Welcome Cry.’ “ –“Hout, (says a little Fellow ‘at cam up just then, wi’ a Pack o’ Hardware at his Back,) he may weel speak that Speech off Hand, for I hae been travelling and selling my Wares I’ this County for some Weeks, and hae hard that same Speech three Times afore now.” “Haud ye’re Tongue, (said a Woman close by) he’s sae clever ‘at he can make up a Speech and speak it aff Hand that vara’ Minute, better nor our Minister ‘at studies his for sax Days afore.” “Weel, weel, said the Packman, but the next Thing ye’ll hear ‘ill be, how they ca’d him a Forener, and he’ll ask if ye’ll ca’ him a Forener now, and how some cam’ on him unexpecket afore ‘at had nae right to oppose him, and how he wad hae ga’en into honourable Retirement had nae the Voice o’ kind Friens’ call’d a Call ‘at his Patriot Heart coud ‘na resist—and how it’s for the Interests o’ this great County, an’ to keep up what he ca’s its Independence, ‘at he maks’ this Parade, and ca’s it a Sacrifice, and for nae Benefit to his sel’ ‘at he undertakes a Business o’ hard Study and heavy Duty—and then he’ll gar ye’ believe ‘at ye’r the vara’ Folk ‘at ‘il get him the Victory.”—And, troth, it cam up just as the Pether said, and’ they shouted, an’ he boo’d, an’ boo’d, as if he had na a Bane in his Body, an’ cam frae his Carrich, smilin’ and lookin’ as pleas’d as if he had seld sax Score o’ Runts at 8s. the Stane, ower head at Northamton. “Weel,” said an elderly Woman ‘at had been listening to the Noration, “I’ll be sorry if he does na’ get in after a’, for they say his Means ‘ill be a’ spent wi’ the last ‘Lection and the new ane.—As for him I’ the white Ribbons, they say he can leeve where he likes, and no be behadden to the Parliment.” “But, gude Wife, (said I,) how mean ye, ‘at that young Chep wad be behadden to the Parliment?” “I canna say I understand it (said she), but I hard Tam the Smith sayin,’ how ‘at, gin he could but get in, he wad do a’ he could to please the King and his head servants, and than they wad gi’ him some bit Place, or Job ‘at he could manage, and he wad get his Pay for little doin’, and sae he could haud up his Head amang the First o’ the Land; and I’m sure, for my Part, I would like to see him weel put up.” “But that canna be true; the lad says its for nae Benefit to him, but just for the Country’s gude, ‘at he wants to get into the Parliment for: wad ye believe ‘at them, ‘at hae the Taxes a layin’ on and takin aff, sude live on them theresels; na, na, that wad ne’er do; than they wad aye lay on, and ne’er tak aff.” “And tak my Word for’t (said the Pether) there plaguy swore to tak aft ony ‘at they can get Folk to pay: no but some in the House hae the right Sort o’ Independence, and watch for the gude o’ the People—and we’re greatly behadden to the honest anes amang them: and if your Road lies by Morpeth the Morn, ye’el may be see ane o’ that Kind, for I heard ‘at they expect young Howick there.”—“That’s just whare I’m ga’en too,” said I.—Weel, Mr Prenter, I waited I’ the Street I’ Morpeth till the Croud brought in a Carriage wantin’ Horses, but no drawn by Women, and troth, I thought the Lad, at first Sight, a smally Lad for doin’ Parliment Wark, but may be it disna’ require much Strength, and he’s young yet, and ‘ill come to. They tell’d me he was weel bred, too, I’ baith Sides, and that’s a great Matter; cross-breedin aften turns badly out. His forbears, they say, hae been kenned in this Pairt o’ the Kintry for Years and Ages, and aye noted for their bold straight-forward Conduck, baith I’ publick and private. Now, it’s a gude Thing for Youth to hae a gude Example, and to hae the Pride o’ keepin’ up a high Carackter I’ their Family; a Man dar’ na’ do a dirty Thing in that Case, gin his ain Mind was e’en stoop till’t, for the Reproach o’ mony Generations wad be on his Name; an’ I canna think at ony Man ‘at luked I’ the Face o’ that noble young Lad, and heard him speak, could think ‘at he wad ever let doon the Carackter o’ his Father’s House. He lookit sae modest and gentle, ‘at showed he had a Mind no to be puff’d up with the Pride o’ Rank; an’ spak to the Folk wi’ sic sober Dignity and good Sense, ‘at show’d ‘at Ripeness comes on early I’ some Soils, wi’ gude Cultivation, and ‘at Wisdom dinna’ aye lye aff for gray Hairs. There was nae mountebank Trick about him, to catch the Fry o’ Fules wi’; nae Encouragement to Debauchery; but like a Man hae’ing his Mind fu’ o’ the heavy Charge he was meaning to undertake. He tald then honestly ‘at he would not hae their Votes if they could only be had by sic’ like Practices as some adopted, and no thro’ the Approbation o’ their sober Senses; it was nae his Ambition to represent a County by ony Means, but he had a great Ambition to represent a Body o’ intelligent and upright Men, wha knew their Rights, and wished to support the Candidat ‘at would defend them. I could na but remark, how far nobler the Feeling is, ‘ats raised i’ the Breast by the simple Sincerity o’ Truth, than a’ the garnishin’ and parade o’ Sentiment can produce; as for the Yell o’ Drunkeness and Sensuality, let it never be named I’ the same Connexion. Every Man o’ gude Sense and honest Mind rejoiced to hear this young man’s Speech, and found his Heart warm wi’ true Admiration o’ his noble Principle; an’ for my ain Pairt, little as I had to do with the Maitter, I cude na’ keep back frae grippin’ him by the Hand as he went awa’ and, wi’ the Tear i’ my E’e, saying, “God bless young Howick.” An’ I hope, Sir, to hear tell, whan I come thro’ again, ‘at he’s been first, let wha may be second. I hae troubled ye wi’ a lang Letter, Sir, but as I ne’er did it afore, nor e’er will, likely, again (without ye sud particularly wush to hear frae me as I come out o’ the South) ye’ll may-be forgie me. Sae nae mair at present frae Your humble Well-wisher, SAUNDERS Mc QUEY. Traveller’s Rest, April 24, 1826 (From the Newcastle Chronicle, April 29, 1820) (Signed in his own handwriting J . Grey)

DEATH OF MR. GEO. GREY OF MILFIELD. News of the death of Mr George Grey, Milfield, near Wooler, which occurred on Saturday at his Border residence, near Foldden Field, will be received with regret, particularly in North Northumberland, where he was well-known and held in high esteem. Mr Grey was a member of an old Northumbrian family and, as lord of the manor of the district in which he resided for many years, came in contact with all classes of community. He was an extensive landowner, and took an active part in all matters relating to agriculture. He served for many years as Justice of the Peace, and in that capacity, as in others, bought to bear upon his duties great ability and tact. Foxhunting has had few more enthusiastic supporters. He was for 8 years M. F. H. He will be missed in many walks of life, but by none more than by those who knew him intimately and had special opportunities of realising his rare qualities as an English gentleman. He was a son of the late Mr George Annett Grey of Milfield, a Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland, who died in the year 1886. Born in Milfield in 1851 Mr Grey was educated at Cheltenham. He was a Surveyor of the Board of Agriculture, Chairman of Glendale Guardians and Rural District Council, and a County Councillor. He was one of the largest land-agents in the county, acting for the following owners among others – Earl Grey, Lord Joicey, the Hon. F. W. Lambton, Sir F. D. Blake, Blackett-Orde Trustees, Selby Trustees, Mr H. A. Laing, Mr W. D. Cruddas, Mr G. D. Atkinson-Clarke, and Mr G. G. Butler. We are safe in stating that Mr Grey was one of the best-known men in Northumberland. In agricultural circles his name was familiar far outside the confines of his own county. He was known also in Ireland. The reason for this was his profound knowledge on all matters pertaining to agriculture. To his care was entrusted land chiefly in Northumberland, approximating 100,000 acres. He enjoyed the confidence of all large land owners in the country and of the War Office and Board of Agriculture besides. As an individual land agent he had probably the largest business in the whole country; and he certainly looked after some of the richest agricultural land in the country. Milfield Hill, where Mr Grey lived, and where he passed away on Saturday, has been in the possession of the Grey family for several generations. The estate is a fairly large one in a Akeld district, where the family has all along been held in the highest esteem. Mr Grey was a nephew of Josephine Butler, the reformer, and great nephew to the famous agriculturist Mr John Grey, of Dilston.He succeeded his father in the management of business, which he has since by his ability and knowledge improved and extended. The head office is still at Milfield, but there is now a branch office at Newcastle, managed by his second son, Mr Ivor Grey (who is married to a daughter of Sir Francis Blake, Bart., and lives at Middle Ord, near Berwick). Another son, Eric assisted his father at Milfield. As an arbitrator his services were much in request. He acted for the Board of Agriculture in nearly all the arbitrations in this part of the country, in which, under the terms of the Agricultural Holdings Act of 1908, the Board were asked to appoint an arbitrator. In private arbitrations his services were also greatly in demand, but the extensive nature of his own private business, and the demands it made upon his time caused him to decline many of the requests he received. All arbitrations which he decided were characterised by the business like and expeditious way in which they were conducted. Mr Grey had a faculty for grasping at once the various points raised, and his knowledge often enabled him to get through in a day, an enquiry which most other men would have taken a couple of days to get through. Born and brought up amongst the Cheviots, he was a keen shot, and an enthusiastic follower of hounds. Mr Grey established what used to be known as the Glendale Hunt, and with a very useful pack showed excellent sport in a two- day- a- week country adjoining the Percy and Northumberland and Berwickshire.He was Master for about 8 years prior to his resignation in 1895-6. Since then he has been President of Northumberland and Berwickshire (afterwards North Northumberland) Hunt Committee. As a sportsman he had few equals. His knowledge of woodcraft was of invaluable service to the field, often when the quarry had given the hounds the slip Mr Grey's knowledge of the habits of birds and of nature generally was the means to finding the correct trail again. Mr Grey had a frame of extraordinary strength, and even a few years ago he could out walk a man of about half his years. His death will be a great loss to Northumberland, and to agriculture. And in the scattered community amongst whom his home had been, he will be much missed. Kindly and genial, he was hail fellow-well-met with farm hind as well as with duke or lord. He did good by stealth. In a quiet way he did much to relieve the lot of his less fortunate brethren. To his widow, who was his cousin, and is daughter of the late Mr John Grey, Middle Ord, and to his family, the sympathy of the whole of the agricultural community of the Borders, will be extended.

A COUNTRY GENTLEMEN. Since the death of Mr Watson Askew Robertson of Ladykirk, we know of no one in the Border country who came so near the ideal of a country gentlemen as Mr George Grey of Milfield. He represented in his own person the three interests – landowner, land agent, and practical farmer. As a landowner he did his duty in public work –on the County Council, on local Boards, and on the Bench. As a land agent – one of the biggest in the country – his great assets were his personal knowledge and experience of the two interests to which he acted as intermediary; his straightness and his tact. As to his practical knowledge of agriculture, the confidence reposed in him as an Arbitrator, and his success as a sheep farmer, sufficiently testify; moreover he had the in inherited instinct of many generations of farmers. It would be difficult to find a man who knew North Northumberland – it's hills and plains, and rivers and woods – more intimately then did Mr George Grey. Add to these qualifications, the good sportsman, and the sturdy, generous personality, and we find all the essentials of the country gentleman.

THE GLENDALE HOUNDS A Good Run. HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. I took the opportunity the other day, for the first time, of seeing the new Glendale Hounds, writes a correspondent in a contemporary. They met at Milfield, and hunted over ground which used to be a veritable paradise for those who cared for hunting as I did. It was good to see them, and it made me feel younger than I have done for many a day. It is a grand hunting country, and second to none for providing good foxes and yielding good sport. And what a country it is for the "footmen," who are, or were at any rate, just as enthusiastic and as keen as any horseman could be! In the old days, every hill top for miles around had its stand of spectators, and the same "meet" which brought the Lowland men to Lanton Hill and Housden and Kilham, saw the hill shepherds on Humbleton and Akeld, on Yeavering Bell and Newton Tor. And far away on Hetha the "College" men would be seen waiting patiently for the chance, which often came, of hounds finding a hill fox in some "in-bye" cover, and racing him to Cheviot. At Milfield I saw these foot – hunters again, and I thought it a good sign. It' told me that the hunting spirit was re-awakening, and it led me to hope that old times would come again. Mr Fenwick, of Berryhill, the master and the huntsman, had, I think, nine and a half couples out. It was not a large pack, but real good sport does not always mean twenty couple. I understand they have been gathered together in singles and pairs from many hunts, and the work they did was rendered all the more creditable because of that. After some preliminary business they were put into the young portion of the Black Plantation on Milfield Hill. Twenty-five years ago, this was a thick, black mass of Scotch fir, straight and clean right up to the top. But now it is thin, and right in the middle is a great clear gap, cut out by the memorable gale in October 1881, which has been replanted largely with Corsican pines. These form now a fine young cover, several feet in height and thickened at the bottom with heather – an ideal place for finding a fox. And we did find one. Hounds spoke at once, and in a few minutes he was viewed, stealing out at the north end, with hounds following close behind. He pointed for what used to be called "The Lady’s Strips," a low-lying belt of spruce firs, partly on Milfield and partly on Flodden, and continuing well down the march between these two properties. But he did not enter this wood. Instead, he circled round the Rackside field, intending, evidently, to get back as quickly as he could into the thicket he had newly left. But he was scared, and swerved eastwards into the "old cover," and turned up through it to the southward. Leaving its shelter, he ran a fence connecting it with another strip on Milfield Demesne farm, and continuing south, entered Sandyhouse Dene. Then he turned west, keeping still to cover as much as possible, and followed the strip which climbs Sandyhouse Hill, and, at the top, looks down on Lanton Dene. Hard pressed, for hounds were perilously near, he attempted to cross Lanton Hill, but was obliged to double. Turning right round, he made for home, through the Sandyhouse hill belt, which he had lately left. Hounds were, however, only a few yards behind, running keen, and he soon found he could not keep in front. Then he doubled and dodged, and doubled and dodged again, but the hounds stuck to him gamely, and never left him in all his tortuous windings. And at the foot of the hill, he had to confess himself well beaten by the nine and a half couples. After this excellent spin, Mr Fenwick went off to the "Wilderness” at Ewart, and getting a good fox there, took him west by Coupland to Sandyhouse, then over to Milfield ground, and on to Flodden. They entered the wood on Flodden Hill, and turning west went on by Branxton Moor and Thornington to Downham, in which neighbourhood he had to be given up. This was a good and fast run, and I was only sorry that I saw so little of it being on foot I was, of course, soon out of it. The country covered by Mr Fenwick has had a somewhat chequered history. I can remember Lord Wemyss and Mr Askew, but have no clear recollection of their exploits, but I have often been out when Sir John Marjoribanks was master. He hunted the country after Mr Askew down to about 1880. It was, however, when Glendale took a pack of it's own that interest in hunting matters reached high water mark. The late Mr C. A. Grey, one of the finest horsemen this or any other country has ever seen, and one of the keenest and best of fox hunters, together with his son, Mr George Grey, got together the pack which was known as the Glendale, and which, during the next few years, made a name for itself by the character of the sport it showed. This was in 1881, after Sir John had given up hounds. The district assigned to the new pack was the southern part of the Northumberland country, including the big hills from Wooler to Cheviot. I well remember everything connected with the birth of the pack, and the names and faces of those who hunted with it. Several of the latter, I am sorry to say, have gone under, but most, I think, are still to the fore, and I hope may long continue so, though their heads are greyer than that they were then. One or two of these I saw at Mr Fenwick’s meet, but many I did not see. Doubtless however, they have not forgotten, and the memory of other days will attract them again, and bring them out to see what the new Glendale pack can do. About 1883 Mr Grey got the whole of the original Northumberland country, right from beyond Roddam to the Tweed, and from the Roxburgh border to the sea, which he hunted during 1883 and 1884. After that Mr Lambton became Master, and he kept the hounds for four seasons until 1888, and then he, too, gave them up and they were sold. But the glory had not yet departed, and after an interregnum of four years, during which the country was taken by Major Hunter with the "Berwickshire," the present Mr Grey again formed a pack and a grand little pack it was, known by his own name, which carried on and carried higher the reputation earned by the hounds of 1881 to 1888. But in four years they were discontinued, and until the present season, this part of the border country was without hounds of its own. From 1897 until now, the ground was included in Sir James Miller’s country. The doings of the young Glendale will be watched with much interest, and many will hope that they will go on and prosper. They have a high standard in front of them and a reputation attached to their name which they must endeavour to maintain. The sport shown when I saw them justifies the expectation that that name will not be dishonoured.

Photograph of large public meeting at Curraghmore, men waving hats, two women in centre. Invitation from Marquis of Waterford to Mr George Grey to lunch at Curraghmore to celebrate his coming of age on 2 Sept 1896. The late lady Joicy Funeral List of wreaths & Joicy Will. "A Border Autocrat", news article on Joicy turning people out of their houses at Ford, “ my bailiff Mr Grey”.

Two lithographs, one of cows and sheep in rural setting, The Annunciation, Sepia ink drawing of George Grey on a marble column, & coloured picture of two drunken mice.

Whole pages of newspapers: 2 copies of Berwick Journal, September 23, 1915 which carry the obituary of George Grey. (See page 66 above. )

The Alnwick Guardian (January 11, 1901, with the 21st Birthday celebrations of John Neil Grey. (See pages 58 and 67 above)

The Illustrated Chronicle September 15, 1910, Ivar Grey's wedding, (see pages 59 and 61 above)

October 1, 1914 Campaign in France a Complete diary of the war. (Left hand page of double spread)

DELAVAL: A song "Come all ye Worthy Freeman of Berwick" (political poem ) receipts: Sir John Hussey Delaval £1 5s for 5 hundred ounces of silver plate 22 Jan 1771, 22 Jan 1771 £8 for 2 4 wheel carriages 21 Jan 1772 £1 5s for 500 ozs of silver plate, 2 July 1772 Sir John Delaval Bart of Millbank in the parish of St John, Westminster £8 for 4 wheel carriage and 2 wheel carriage, May 21 1795 One guinea for living charity. See page 59 above and here.

The New Charter for the Workers. Reprinted from the "Herald" (The National Labour Weekly) of June 23, 1917.

King Charles I Poem

"The Glendale Foxhounds for Sale" printed leaflet with list of all hounds

Miscellaneous cuttings: Photograph of Biddlestone Hall for sale by E J Castliglione and Scott, "A Hundred Years Ago" article about 1814 in 1914 paper about Red Scar bridge falling on its architect, Mr Thomas Robson of Bellingham (obituary 1910)," "Dew Ponds History Observation and Experiment" by Edward Martin (Book review )Hand written poem “ha ye ever been at Elsdon” (see page 64 above), "The Old Blue Pye" (Hunting Poem written from hounds point of view), Berwick Journal August 19, 1948 "Floods leave devastation on Borders", Recipe for nettle beer, Evening Courant: Thursday September 16, 1852, Death of the Duke of Wellington.

Grey family: Drever Joicey's will, Letter from John George Grey to his father about winning prizes for races at Cheltenham, "Local will", Speech to Border Union Agricultural Society 1910 (by J.N.Grey?), Typed up photostat of speech by John Grey to annual meeting of Hexham Farmers' Club Jan 14, 1859.

CUNARD Poem on passing of Mauritania,(see page 65 above), Mr George Grey invitation to cruise on Mauritania 22 Oct 1907 from Wallsend to Liverpool, Launch of Mauritania invite to Mr. & Mrs and Miss Grey.

 

London, June 2 1780 "A Caution", leaflet about Keeping the peace at the meeting in St George's Fields.

"A receipt to Make Corn Cheap" (1760 written on it in pencil)

Photograph of 4 men in rowing boat on river, 2 other boats and other people watching from bank, captioned “The Royal Barge”.

Photograph of group ( mostly male dressed as women) in costume on board ship captioned R.M.S. “Llanstephan Castle”

GOOD SPORT WITH MR GREY’S FOXHOUNDS. On December 31st the meet was at Harrowbog, close at the foot of Cheviot in the College valley. A dense fog enveloped the big hills from top to bottom, through which it was impossible to see hounds or anything else half-a dozen yards away, and Mr Grey, therefore, decided to get on to the lower ground. In Sandyhouse Dene a fox was promptly found. He broke to the north over by Milfield Old Cover, then West as far as Crookhouse Hill, and circled round into Lanton Dene. He pushed on through Lanton Dene and tried Sandyhouse for a refuge. The hounds were, however, close up, and he had to leave. Reynard again went over by the Milfield old cover, and then through "The Lady's Strips," round by Kipy, along the face of the hill above Howtle, and over into Howsden. The hounds were running hard, and the fox had no time to loiter, so he was obliged to push on. He climbed the steep hill opposite Howsden on the south and turned his face again towards Sandyhouse Dene. He passed through without stopping and went for Lanton, and then, finding that there was no hope for him unless he adopted other tactics, he made up his mind to try further afield. He left Lanton Dene and ran down hill to the Glen side, turned to the west up the water side, and followed the course of the glen, and then the Bowmont, until he was almost opposite Canno Mill Bog. Here he crossed the Bowmont, cut the corner of the Bog, crossed the West Newton and Kilham road into the West Newton fields, then through these over West Newton Hill, along with the face of and round Kilham Hill. By this time – in fact, before this time – it was quite dark, but, after a while, the moon rose, and, in its fitful light, hounds could be seen now and again, keeping well together, and going fast on a good scent. They seemed like spectres as they emerged from the darkness of a glen, and struck across a patch of light, and then disappeared again in shadow. From Kilham Hill they went straight west over Longknowe Hill, and on in the direction of West Newton Whin. Here the fox turned to the right, and came down over Thompson’s Walls Hill, past Thompson’s Walls farm place and Longknowe cover, and then pointed north for Paston. He kept on by Paston, and round the face of Shotton Hill, and down by Shotton Whin. The hounds what taking the Coldsmouth Hill, when they were stopped at 6 p. m. Kennels were reached at 8. On January 3rd the meet was at Fenton; a fox was found at once in the Fenton wood. He was driven to the north end, but instead of going out he doubled and went on to the Moor at the back of Fenton Wood, and ran back about half way along the wood down onto the Wooler and Berwick road, and then round below the herd’s house on Doddington North Moor. He kept on by the Horse Bog Colliery and into Routin Lynn, over Routin Lynn Hill, and down into Kimmerston Dene. Hounds being close, the fox went up the Dene to the top end, and then broke over by Ford Wood House, up over Hunters Hill, and down into the Target’s Wood at Ford Moss. Here he turned sharp back over Hunter’s Hill, down past the north end of Routin Lynn, and across Fenton Hill Moor to ground in the Horse Bog Earths. Barmoor Moss being drawn a blank hounds were put into Fenton Wood again. A second fox was speedily found. He ran to the north end and broke into Routin Lynn, and then crossed the Fordwood House fields into Kimmerston Dene. He kept on straight though as if making for Red Scar, but being headed he doubled sharp back into the Dene and through it as if for Fenton Wood. Being a second time headed he turned down through the Dene again, over Hunter’s Hill and into the Ford Moss Targets Wood. From there he went straight up past Ford Moss, and through the south cover and down on to the Ford Moss turnpike. He ran the road for a quarter of a mile, and turned up a fence for Ford Wood House. He was hard pressed, and had to make another turn into the Fenton strip, and thence into Kimmerston Dene. He broke at the east end, went on to the Fenton Hill road and ran it, and then he struck over for the Fenton Hill farm place, near which he was run into after a capital hunting run of 50 minutes. Monday, January 6th – met at Akeld. There was a hard frost, and the big hills were dangerous. Hounds were taken up nevertheless, and they were not long in hitting the line of a fox which had been disturbed by foot people on Akeld Hill. Hounds hunted slowly on to the south side of Humbleton Hill, where the pace began to improve, and very soon hounds were fairly racing. They ran over above High Humbleton, turned to the left near Humbleton Mill, down over the Wooler turnpike near High Burn House, past noble lands, and over the railway on to the Turvelaws ground. Over these fields and the Humbleton Low Fields, hounds ran very fast on to Ewart. Then they continued up the Glen, crossed the Bender and Akeld Steads road, and over the railway, and over the Wooler main road into the fields which lie along the foot of the Akeld Hills. In the Akeld Dene the scent failed owing to the frost. The Wilderness was next drawn, and a brace of foxes were set on foot. Hounds got away on one and ran through the Galewood fields into the Galewood bog; thence to the west along across the Milfield road and up by the "Pocket Handkerchief" and Marleyknowe. Hound and fox were so near together that the latter found himself unable to tackle the straight run to Lanton, so he turned back sharp into the Coupland Drive. He ran down this and by the Akeld field into the Wilderness. He cut straight through the latter and made again for Galewood. He ran through the Galewood Garden and then across the Parks and again into the Wilderness. Scent began to be very bad at this point as it was getting late and the frost rind was settling in the valley, so the hounds were taken home. “WINDY GHILE”

Handwritten poem "The Squires last Ride". Addressed to W. Mattison Milfield Hill, Wooler. " James ?Macdardle/Macdondle, Prise dancer, Milfield" on outside cover.

The Squires Last Ride

 

It was a wild mad kind of night, as black as the bottomless pit

The wind was howling away like a Bedlamite in a fit.

Tearing the Ash boughs off and mowing the Poplars down,

In the meadows beyond the flour mill, where you turn off to the Town

And the rain (well it did rain) dashing the window glass

And deluging on the roof, as the Devil were come to pass:

The gutters were running in floods outside the stable door

And the spouts splashed from the tiles, as if they would never give o’er.

 

Lord!  how the windows rattled! you’d almost ‘a thought that thieves

Were wrenching at the shutters, while a ceaseless pelt of leaves

Flew at the door in gushes; and I could hear the beck

Calling so loud I knew at once it was up to a tall man’s neck.

We were huddling in the harness-room, by a little scrap of fire

And Tom, the coachman, he was there, a practising for the choir;

But it sounded dismal, anthem did, for squire was dying fast

And the doctor said, do what he could, Squire’s breaking up at last.

 

The death watch sure enough, ticked loud just o’er th’owd mare’s head,

Though he’d never once been heard up there, since master’s boy lay dead:

And the only sound, besides Tom’s toon, was the stirring in the stalls,

And the gnawing and the scratching of the rats in the owd walls,

 

Master had been a wildish man, and had a roughish life;

Didn’t he shoot the Bowlon Squire, who dared write to his wife,

He beat the Racks at Hindon Town, I heard in twentynine

When every pail in market place was brimmed with red port wine.

And as for hunting, bless your soul, why for forty year or more

He’d kept the Marley hounds, man, as his fayther did afore:

And now to die, and in his bed,-the season just beyond,

It made him fret, the doctor said, as it might do any man.

 

And when the young sharp lawyer came, to see him sign his will,

Squire made me ?blow my horse outside, as we were going to kill,

And we turned the hounds out in the court, that seemed to do him good;

For he swore and sent us off to seek a fox in Thornhill wood

But then the fever it rose high, and he would go see the room

Where missus died, ten years ago, when Lammastide shall come;

It might be two or half past two, the wind seemed quite asleep;

Tom, he was off, but I awake, sat watch and ward to keep.

 

The moon was up, quite glorious like, the rain no longer fell,

When all at once, clashed out and clanged, the rusty turret bell,

That hadn’t been heard for twenty year, not since the Luddite days

Tom he leapt up, and I leapt up, for all the house ablaze,

Had sure not scared us half as much, and out we ran like mad,

I, Tom and Joe, the whipper-in and t’little stable lad.

 

“He’s killed himself” that’s the idea that came into my head,

I felt as sure as though I saw Squire Barrowby was dead;

When all at once the door flew back, and He met us face to face

His scarlet coat was on his back, and he looked like the old race.

 

The nurse was clinging to his knees, and crying like a child,

The maids were sobbing on the stairs, for he looked fierce and wild;

“Saddle me Lightning Bess, my mare”  that’s what he said to me,

“The moon is up, we’re sure to find at ?Slop or Ellerby.”

“Get out the hounds I’m well tonight, and young again and sound

“I’ll have a run once more before they put me underground;

They brought my father home feet first, and it never shall be said,

That his son Joe, who rode so straight, died quietly in his bed.”

 

“Brandy” he cried “a tumbler full, you women howling there”

Then clapped the old black velvet cap upon his long grey hair:

Thrust on his boots, snatched down his whip, though he was old and weak

There was a devil in his eye, that would not let me speak.

 

We loosed the hounds to humour him; and sounded on the horn;

The moon was up above the woods, just east of Hasgard Bourne;

I buckled Lightening’s throat lash fast; the Squire was watching me

He let the stirrups down himself, so quick, yet carefully.

Then up he got and spurred the mare, and ere I well could mount,

He drove the yard gate open, wide, and called to old Dick Blount

Our huntsman, dead five years ago—for the fever rose again,

And was spreading, like a flood of flame, fast up into his brain.

 

Then off he flew, before the hounds, yelling to call us on,

While we stood there all pale and dumb, scarce knowing he was gone;

We mounted, and below the hill, we saw the fox break out,

And down the covert ride we heard the old Squire’s parting shout.

And in the moonlit meadow’s mist we saw him fly the rail,

Beyond the hurdles by the beck, just half way down the vale;

I saw him breast fence after fence—nothing could turn him back,

And in the moonlight afore him streamed out the brave old pack.

 

Twas like a dream, Tom cried to see, as we rode free and fast,

Hoping to turn him at the brook, that could not well be past;

For it was swollen by the rain, but lord, ‘twas not to be!

Nothing could stop old Lightening Bess, but the broad breast of the sea!

The hounds swept on, and well in front, the mare had got her stride;

She broke across the fallow land that runs by the down side;

We pulled up on Chalk Lindon Hill, for as we stood us there,

Two fields beyond we saw t’owld Squire, fall down dead

from the Mare