406 REMINISCENCES OF 



Henry Dixon, " The Druid," came to Charleton 

 on 4th February, 1 864. I had made his acquaintance 

 at the Redcar Hound Show. He was a very clever 

 fellow, and was the first who instituted the practice of 

 " interviewing ". He bought a pony in Shetland, and 

 rode it all the way to London. It did not kill the 

 pony, but it caused his own death, for he got an 

 attack of bronchitis from which he never recovered. 

 I met him at the New Inn kennels. I don't know 

 where he left his pony. He had a very light kit, for 

 he bought a pair of worsted stockings in the village. 



He gives a description of the Fife Hounds in Field 

 and Fern, published in 1865, and in the preface says 

 he returned home in the snow on a February night 

 with an Orkney garron, fourpence in his pocket, and 

 two fat little note-books. He was collecting materials 

 to write Saddle and Surloin. It took him three 

 summers, one winter and one spring. He travelled 

 8,000 miles, and was away from home 250 nights 

 before he wrote a line. He was at Charleton the year 

 before the book came out. During the I slington H orse 

 Show he was brought into the secretary's room speech- 

 less and in a fainting condition. He whispered to me, 

 "I shall be better presently ". I got him some tea, 

 and remained with him till he somewhat recovered. 



Letter from " The Druid " : — 



" 10 Kensington Square, 

 "London, W., 22nd January, 1866. 



" Dear Sir, — 



" Would you kindly drop me three lines to 

 say how sport is with you. Field and Fern gets on 



