1 82 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



" It was a wonderfully good scenting day. Found in 

 White House Springs, and we had a clinking fifty minutes 

 round by Stebbing and across as if for Marks Hall, over 

 the road as if for Felstead, and racino- from scent to view, 

 rolled the fox over in the middle of a grass field. A 

 number of officers were out ; they did fall about." 



1883-4. September 14th saw the beginning of cub- 

 hunting at Latton Park. A few keen spirits were of 

 course there, o-lad enouo-h to see hounds aeain after the 

 summer of discontent, while the entry appeared to be 

 infected with the prevailing love for foxhunting, for they 

 took to the work like old hounds. Cubhunting went on 

 evenly enough, and in due course came the opening day at 

 the time-honoured Matching Green, when a divine afflatus 

 came over the spirit of a present secretary of the hunt 

 and moved him to record the events of the day in the 

 verses which will be found in the appendix. 



Good fortune so far favoured Sir Henry that his 

 exertions in the interests of the hunt were rewarded by 

 good sport ; but, in mid-season, just when men, hounds, 

 horses and foxes are at their best, the enjoyment of the 

 followers of the Essex was marred by the dark cloud that 

 settled over Down Hall. Lady Ibbetson was stricken 

 with a severe illness, and the master passed through a 



