THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 305 



spirited article, entitled " A Day with the 

 Devon and Somerset Staghounds," contributed 

 to Baily's Magazine of September, 1874, the 

 writer (" E. K.") alludes very pleasantly to one 

 of the numerous instances in which Russell 

 has taken children under his especial tutelage, 

 and literally guided their first steps in the 

 hunting-field. It runs thus : 



"Then comes the parson of the hunt — what 

 west countryman does not know, without my 

 naming him, the best and keenest of sports- 

 men ? Up he comes, with a smile and a joke 

 for all. As he answers the numerous greetings 

 he receives, I catch his cheery acknowledgments : 

 'Very well, thank ye.' 'How's the missis? Long 

 ride for an old fellow like me, eh ? rode all the 

 way from home this morning — a good thirty 

 mile, and more.' ' Going to ride all the way 

 back too ? ' ' Yes, the old horse looks well, 

 don't he " Doesn't change much more than his 

 master — last my time, anyhow. Hullo ! that's 

 your little girl ? Your first day, my dear ? 

 Then we must blood you ; follow me, and you 

 shall see the kill. Oh ! I'll take care of her, 

 never fear ! ' So I see the plucky little girl 

 made utterly happy — she is to be piloted over 



the moor by the Rev. , and her joy is 



complete." 



And as to women, it boots not where, how, 

 or when ; but his gallantry to them, in the field 



V 



