" And Gilpin, in his description of a Mr. Hastings, remarks,
"he kept all sorts of hounds that run buck, fox, hare, otter, and
badger; and had hawks of all kinds both long and short winged. His
great hall was commonly strewed with marrow-bones, and full of hawk
perches, hounds, spaniels, and terriers. On a broad hearth, paved with
brick, lay some of the choicest terriers, hounds, and spaniels."
I regretted to find that the ancient furniture of the hall had
disappeared; for I had hoped to meet with the stately elbow-chair of
carved oak, in which the country squire of former days was wont to
sway the sceptre of empire over his rural domains; and in which it
might be presumed the redoubted Sir Thomas sat enthroned in awful
state when the recreant Shakspeare was brought before him. As I like
to deck out pictures for my own entertainment, I pleased myself with
the idea that this very hall had been the scene of the unlucky
bard's examination on the morning after his captivity in the lodge.
I fancied to myself the rural potentate, surrounded by his
body-guard of butler, pages, and blue-coated serving-men, with their
badges; while the luckless culprit was brought in, forlorn and
chap-fallen, in the custody of gamekeepers, huntsmen, and whippers-in,
and followed by a rabble rout of country clowns.
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