Foxhunting and Steeple Chase Diary 1859-68 [Manuscript]

12mo. Near Fine. Item #2243

[1859-1868] Foxhunting and steeple chase diary. Bound in black pebbled leather, marbled endpapers. 180x120mm. Approximately 150 pages of handwritten details of hunts and chases, much of the activity being in Sussex and East Kent. The hunts mentioned most often are the Southdown, the Crawley & Horsham, and the East Kent. Some later writing may be that of a different hand. Contains two loose sheets of paper (1861-3) on which are listed the dates on which certain horses have been ridden. A newspaper clipping ("Southdown Hunt Steeple Chases", 13 April 1862), attached to one page. The diary bears the name of H. F. Davies, almost certainly one of the distinguished military family serving in the Grenadier Guards, at least some of whom have lived at Elmsley Castle near Pershore, Worcestershire. There was a general H. F. Davies extant in the early years of the twentieth century, and there is a small chance this may be him. A number of the foxhunt entries are preceded by details of location and hunt, for example: Southdown, The Kennels, Ringmer, Topsy Turvy (horse's name), followed by details of barometer readings, temperature, wind direction, weather and scent, and the number of people taking part in the hunt. The accounts give details of the courses and successes. Comments on horse, for example: "My first day on Topsy Turvy. I liked him very much but there was very little foxing to try him". There are also comments on some of the riders, reference to killing a leveret and much more. A few pages give a summary of the season's hunting. Steeplechase details: "horse went well over the first 3 fences, then refused the brook either through Mr. Parker's bad riding or the horse's temper."

Price (CAD): $500.00

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