THE RKF.VES. I 37 



return to the meet ciiul then pointed out that, as they had 

 not succeeded in keeping their elderly master in view, 

 hunting in such weather would clearly end in the loss of 

 the pack. 



At this period no such things were seen in the Essex 

 country as overgrown fields, which in more modern days 

 go so far to vex the souls of masters of hounds and farmers. 

 Thirty-five years ago the number attending even the most 

 popular fixtures rarely e.xceeded sixty, while often thirty 

 would have included all present. 



Amongst the hunting farmers the three brothers Reeve 

 were conspicuous. John, who lived at High Roding, was 

 very fat, and used to drive to covert in an old shandri- 

 dan, with a coachman in top-boots. Sam dwelt at Ingate- 

 stone Hall ; he was a hard man to hounds anci was very 

 well mounted, while Joe lived at Wardens Hall, Willingale. 

 Very strong horses were found in his stable, and one of 

 them passed to Sir Richard Wallace at the price of three 

 hundred guineas. Joe Reeve's domestic arrangements 

 were certainly peculiar, as among other unusual things he 

 carried on all conversation with his wife through the 

 medium of their son, in such fashion as this : — Mr. Reeve : 

 " Bill, ask your mother if she'll take some beef." A/rs. 

 Reeve : " Bill, tell your father I will, and a piece of the fat." 



