THE SOUTH DURHAM.
“GONE AWAY”
(THE SOUTH DURHAM).
THE SOUTH DURHAM FOXHOUNDS.
Fill! fill! ye brave fellows that rode in the run!
May the pack add new laurels to those they have won;
At my toast how each bosom with ecstasy bounds,
Long life to Ralph Lambton! success to his hounds!
Ballanamona ora,
The hounds of Ralph Lambton for me!*
After the retirement of MR. RALPH LAMBTON, and subsequently, on the division of the country previously noticed, MR. JOHN HARVEY, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, took the mastership of the “South Durham” pack, having with him as huntsman TOM DOWDESWELL, who was afterwards succeeded by WM. CLAXON. The Hounds were kept at the Hardwick kennels, near Sedgefield. To the great regret of all lovers of hunting in the neighbourhood, MR. HARVEY, in 1878, retired, having been connected with the Lambton and the Durham Hounds for more than fifty years. Few men, if any, enjoyed such popularity amongst members of a hunt and residents in the country hunted, as well as amongst others, as did MR. HARVEY. Great was the regret when the weight of years caused him to retire from the management of his beloved Durham Hounds. He had hunted with SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY’S (the old Northumberland) Hounds and other packs, but it was with RALPH LAMBTON and his Hounds that MR. HARVEY was most identified.
Before the existence of the railway, keeping his horses at Sedgefield, he used to hack from Newcastle to the meets, and back again at nights, having usually about five-and-twenty, but frequently thirty miles or more, to ride each way. It was in those days that the “Club” at Sedgefield was in its glory.
On his retirement from the mastership of the “South Durham,” MR. HARVEY was presented with a large picture containing portraits of himself, CLAXON, his huntsman, and JACK BEVAN, his whip, with Horses and Hounds. This picture was presented to him at a Banquet at Stockton-on-Tees, the late MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY being in the chair, and seldom has more enthusiasm been shown than was on that occasion.
SIR WILLIAM EDEN, of Windlestone, took the mastership after MR. HARVEY, removing the Hounds to Rushey Ford, near Ferryhill, and kept them three seasons, when he retired, being succeeded by MR. RICHARD ORD, of Sands Hall, who resigned three years afterwards. SIR WILLIAM EDEN then again took the Hounds, and kept them until last year (1890), when the HON. HAMILTON RUSSELL became master.
* Concluding verse of a song describing a famous run in 1828, written and sung by MR. GEORGE W. SUTTON, the same day
