1 88 The Chase 



of my absence. Immediately on my arrival I 

 bought another, and settled myself down to hunting 

 from London three days a week. At first I went 

 back to Essex, my old country, but finding that to 

 be inconvenient, I took my horses to Leighton 

 Buzzard, and became one of that numerous herd of 

 sportsmen who rode with '' the Baron " and Mr. 

 Selby-Lowndes. In those days Baron Meyer was 

 alive, and the riding with his hounds was very 

 good. I did not care so much for Mr. Lowndes. 

 During the winters of 1873, 1874, ^^id 1875 I had 

 my horses back in Essex, and went on with my 

 hunting, always trying to resolve that I would give 

 it up. But still I bought fresh horses, and, as I did 

 not give it up, I hunted more than ever. Three 

 times a week the cab has been at my door in 

 London very punctually, and not unfrequently 

 before seven in the morning. In order to secure 

 this attendance, the man has always been invited to 

 have his breakfast in the hall. I have gone to the 

 Great Eastern Railway — ah ! so often with the fear 

 that frost would make all my exertions useless, and 

 so often too with that result ! And then, from one 

 station or another station, have travelled on wheels 

 at least a dozen miles. After the day's sport, the 

 same toil has been necessary to bring me home to 

 dinner at eight. This has been work for a young 

 man and a rich man, but I have done it as an old 

 man and comparatively a poor man. 



Autobiography, 



Some Past Dianas 



<:> >£> 



HERE and there in the old writers we find 

 allusions to ladies who hunted and took a 

 forward place. There were, for example, Lady 



