164 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



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. Now at last, in April, 1876, 

 I do think that my resolution has been taken. I am 

 giving away my old horses ; and anybody is welcome to 

 my saddles and horse furniture. I think that I may say 

 with truth that I rode hard to my end. 



" Vixi puellis nuper idoneus, 

 Et militavi non sine gloria ; 

 Nunc arma defunctumque bello 

 Barbiton hie paries habebit. 



" I've lived about the covert side, 

 I've ridden straight and ridden fast ; 

 New breeches, boots, and scarlet pride 

 Are but mementoes of the past." 



He adhered to his decision, and never again spoke 

 willingly on hunting matters — having resolved to give up 

 his favourite amusement, and that, so far as he was con- 

 cerned, there should be an end of it. But the recollections 



