2IO THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



generally equalled by his judgment, indulged in the luxury 

 of a cold bath. We trust that neither this- keen sportsman, 

 nor his horse, was any the worse for their gallant, but un- 

 successful, attempt to pound the field ; although, to use the 

 language of a popular game, he may fairly be said to have 

 been ' rubiconed.' The rest, with more caution and better 

 success, cross by one or other of two convenient fords, in 

 time to see hounds pour across the Ongar road for Sir 

 Charles Smith's coverts. Streaming on by these, a momen- 

 tary check occurs ; but Bailey, with his accustomed skill, 

 sets them right, and they are soon in the recesses of that 

 vast expanse of woodland — Ongar Park. But, alas for the 

 fox ! it is of no avail that he has gained this usually safe 

 haven. The hounds stick to him with relentless pertinacity, 

 and he is compelled to succumb to such remorseless pursuers. 

 Mr. Green, who went in his well-known style, must have 

 been pleased to see the grand way his bitches ran ; and, as 

 for Bailey, he beamed with delight when he handled the 

 varmint. Time, forty minutes in the open, fifteen minutes 

 in covert. Among so many thrusters 1 dare not, without 

 giving offence by inadvertent omission of a name, particu- 

 larise ; but I may, perhaps, be permitted to say what a real 

 pleasure it was to watch Lady Brooke, on almost her first 

 appearance on this side of the country, seeing the run 

 so well." 



