354 THE WAEWICKSHIRE HUNT. [i876 



Stopped somewhere, but where I can't certainly state. 



And Lewtj (did ever you hear such a prank ?) 



Was last seen at work showing his steed down a bank. 



Alas ! that consumption, so ruthless and gi'im, 



Should have seized, ere next season, a victim in him. 



Fifield Pitt, too, I saw going straight as a bird. 



But where he stopped going I've never yet heard ; 



Though he says, and I doubt not his words are quite true. 



That he found, near the Holt, that he'd only one shoe. 



Next day a friend said, " My dear fellow, I think 



" That each glass of port wine which in future you drink, 



" Will improved be in flavour ; in fact, 1 may say, 



" You will find in each bottle a sweeter bouquet, 



" For, remembrance made sweet by the good rosy wine, 



"After dinner how oft you'll again ride the line." 



He was right ; and how oft, when the wine has been best, 



Has that good run imj^arted additional zest. 



As I've raised the bright glass to a toast of my own, 



And, quietly drinking, have tossed the wine down. 



And I've noticed sometimes that mine host's eyes will shine. 



As he thinks to himself, " Ah ! he likes the good wine ; 



" My best vintage is not lost on him, to be sure, 



" How he raises his glass like a brave connoisseur, 



" While the ruby wine sparkles so clearly and bright, 



" Just balanced midway 'twixt his eye and the light." 



But you're wrong, my dear fellow, most kind hearted host, 



For it was not your wine — I was di'inking a toast ; 



I was drinking " Grood luck to the hounds we all love, 



" Their master, his lady, and Eatington Grove." 



Now, to make my conclusion where others commence, 



I will venture, and hope I will give no offence, 



To dedicate this, now my scribbling is done, 



To the lady who rode to the end of the run. 



The Eev. William S. Miller's diary {continued) -. 



February 25th, Wroxton New Inn. — Rode Middletou. Found in Claydon 

 Hill, and ran well to Sliutford Clump, aud tlience by Slieimiugtou to Upton. 

 After a check here, got on a f resli fox, as I believe, and ran fast from Hornton 

 QuaiTies, across the Ratley Bottom to Arlescote Wood, and slowly to Perry's 

 Gorse, aud lost. 



March 9th, Whatcote. — Rode the Major. Drew Idlicote Coverts aud 

 Honuiugton Thorns l^lauk. Found in Spencer's Gorse, and ran by Ogdeu, 

 imder Compton Windmill, leaving Tysoe to the right, along the meadows to 

 the Oxliill Road, and lost. Found again at Compton Wynniates, ran round 

 Broomhill, close to the Tysoe and White House road, then to the right, 

 leaving the Tysoes on the left, under the old lodge, across Hardwick Farm, 

 close to Kiueton Oaks, nearly to the old turnpike road, roimd to the left, 



