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16 April 1881 — Inwood, Henstridge, Somerset | |
Saturday. 16th April [1881]. A beautiful sunny almost hot day more so than pleased those who were going to hunt. Merthyr drove me & Major Mansell to the meet at Caundle in the waggonette thro’ Stalbridge Park. It is a lovely park wh Lady Westminster gave her son Ld Richard Grosvenor on condition that he should build a house & settle there. It is an estate worth abt £11000 a year. The house was pulled down when the place belonged to Ld Anglesey– Some say because it was supposed to be haunted by the bride of a Ld Anglesey. It is said that Ld A. would marry a lady his mother disapproved of– When the deed was done the treacherous old woman asked to see his wife alone– In a few minutes the bride ran screaming out of her mother in law’s room in flames– The old lady had set her on fire & she was burnt to death. We found a large assembly at the meet & I recognised Mr W. Portman. Theo drove Henry to the meet in her Victoria in wh vehicle Henry & I both afterwards followed to see the hunt. We were most successful as the 1st fox ran round in a circle and was finally caught in a cottage garden close to us. Merthyr made us get out of the carriage & go with him to see the “breaking up of the fox” wh consists of cutting off his head & brush & then giving the carcass to the hounds. I then saw the Master of the hounds Sir Richard Glyn & also Ld Ilchester. The next fox that was found went totally in an opposite direction so we gave up the chase & were driven home for luncheon. Dr Webblin arrived for 2 o’cl. luncheon & went out directly after to see Revd Mr Barrett who is dying near here. It is the same man who came to see us at Madrid—& is connected with the Burney family & has much of their cleverness & strangeness. He is a very good man but has a curious belief in spirits. Henry & I took a stroll in the garden stopping to pick primroses and to sit in the sun. Abt 4 we heard the distant hounds & in abt ½ hour Theo & Merthyr appeared. Major Mansell left after 5 tea with a Mr Gordon who called for him. Major & Mrs Bridges, Merthyr’s Lifehead tenants dined at Inwood & they brought beautiful photos of Japan where they have lately been travelling. Capt. & Mrs Luttrell also dined. He took me to dinner. He is a retired Naval officer living near Sherborne. | |
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