The Merry Past 



originated with Oldaker on scientific principles. 

 He held, with a sure perception which after ex- 

 perience amply justified, that in any country, more 

 especially a woodland one, or where the coverts 

 were near one another, this difference of dress greatly 

 accelerated the work of the field : the hounds knew 

 the coat, and got much quicker to the men. 



There were many characters to be found amongst 

 the sporting retainers of the squirearchy of the past. 

 Such a one was the keeper of Mr. Leveson-Gower at 

 Limpsfield, in Surrey, in 1830. This man, notwith- 

 standing his calling, used to do all he could to pre- 

 serve foxes. 



One day towards the end of the season, however, 

 the hounds were unlucky in finding in some of the 

 gorse coverts on this estate, probably, as is often the 

 case, from their not being thoroughly drawn, and 

 some silly fellow, who knew nothing of Charles the 

 keeper's passionate love of fox-hunting, said in the 

 latter's hearing that the keeper must have destroyed 

 the foxes. 



Charles said nothing, but went thoughtfully home. 

 He did not come near the hounds again that season, 

 but appeared at the commencement of the next, 

 when the hounds came to draw his master's covert 

 where the reflection upon him had been made. 



On this occasion the hounds had found, and a 

 " Tally " was about to be given when, " Hold," said 

 everyone, *' it's a hare ! " " No," said an old farmer, 

 " it beant a hare ; younder be a fox's head." " But 

 where's the tail ? " exclaimed a cockney, to the 

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