330 REMINISCENCES OF 



where we can creep as much as jump, is only barely 

 rideable, and before the last two days it was fearfully 

 hard. How do you like the hounds and Charles 

 Payne ? I heard from Harry that you would like 

 to know if I had anything to part with in the dog 

 line. I have two — a two-year-old dog, ' Bluecap,' 

 very ugly, but a very hard worker, and ' Graceful,' 

 rather a fine young bitch. They both want plenty 

 of work to keep them steady, as they are apt to be 

 in a hurry. If you care about them they are much 

 at your service. 



" We have done very little ; our scents lately 

 have been very poor. We were obliged to give 

 up cub-hunting for a fortnight, as all the hounds' 

 feet were raw. I am very sorry to hear a bad 

 account of Lady Harriet St. Clair. How is her 

 knee? 



" Pray remember me to Mrs. Thomson and, 



** Believe me, 



" Yours very sincerely, 



" Hugo F. Meynell Ingram. 



" You don't know of a horse in your country that 

 would carry Tom Leedham ? " 



" Cross Hayes, 

 " Burton-on-Trent, 1864. 



" My Dear Jack, — 



"It is ages since I heard from you. I 

 should like to know how you are getting on in the 

 * shires,' and whether the flying columns you com- 

 mand are in decent order or no. What kind of scents 



