84 REMINISCENCES OF 



forward. Mrs, Russell was not well and did not 

 come down to dinner. Next morning it was snowing 

 hard. He came into my room at eight o'clock, and 

 said, " There is not a pack of hounds within twenty 

 miles to-day. Ever seen the Doones Houses? 

 Well, let's go there." 



After breakfast he mounted me on an old 

 thoroughbred mare with one eye and a long coat, 

 and off we trotted. After going a couple of miles, 

 I said, " Don't go so fast, I can't keep up with you". 

 He said, " Change with me, I know her ways," and 

 I got on his little black horse, the one he was painted 

 on. 



The Doones Houses were about twelve miles over 

 the moor, and the snow melted by degrees. When 

 we got there he said, " May as well see Lynmouth, 

 about six miles further," so on we went and had lunch 

 with a charming lady, whose name I forget. When 

 we got out of the village he started and galloped 

 the whole way back to Dennington, view-holloaing 

 like a boy. 



Mrs. Russell came down to dinner to meet me — 

 I believe the last time she ever dined downstairs. 

 After dinner I got into a post-chaise, drove to 

 Barnstaple, got into the train, and arrived at Torquay 

 at 1 1 P.M. 



20th March. — Poltimore's Hounds, last day they 

 hunted. Melbury drive end, 12.45. Went to Exeter 

 on Tuesday. Sold Lady Erskine's horse to Pedrick. 

 He gave me a mount on a one-eyed grey horse. 



Met Lord Digby and Marker at the meet at 



