MR. JOHN COUPLAND 47 



that of the Rev. Bullen, who was then in his eighty- 

 fifth year, and, according to my account, " looking 

 as well as ever." His hard riding days were over, 

 but I can remember him going well a year or two 

 earlier, though his style did not get him often to the 

 end of a long run. 



The best day we had in November of that season 

 was on the 17th of the month, but on looking 

 through my account I find we did not kill a fox. 

 I remember the occasion well, and can see now the 

 dull, leaden sky as we rode to the meet at Rearsby. 

 There was a great scent, and hounds raced from 

 Brooksby Spinney to Barkby Holt. Somewhere 

 near the Gaddesby brook another fox jumped up, 

 and part of the pack went in pursuit. The Duke of 

 Portland, Mr. Walter Peake, Downes, and the writer 

 happened to find themselves following the erring 

 division. It was too late to join the main body 

 then, and we therefore determined to make the 

 most of our mistake. The run fox had gone straight 

 on, whilst ours bore left-handed, and I remember 

 took us over a very stiff country by Barsby to South 

 Croxton. I think we only had about five couple of 

 hounds, but with a burning scent and the fox hardly 

 out of sight it took us all our time to live with 

 them. Naturally we did not say much about it at 

 the time, but my companions will probably remem- 

 ber that stirring little gallop now. 



Mr. Walter Peake — Colonel is, I believe, his title 

 now — ^belongs to Leicestershire, and is the possessor 

 of exceptionally good hands, an article which many 

 of our best riders lack. Downes was rough-rider to 

 Mr. Julius Behrens, and an accomplished horseman 

 as well as a very quick man to hounds. 



