88 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



his hounds, at any risk. And it has been asserted that 

 his falls averaged something like one hundred during a 

 season; yet I believe he never sustained very serious 

 injuries in the way of broken limbs, though doubtless 

 he must have received many very hard blows. This 

 proves two facts, Mr. Assheton Smith's superiority as 

 a horseman, and perfect coolness in the time of danger. 

 If an inferior horseman happens to meet with one 

 awkward fall he is 1 almost certain to sustain some 

 damage, more particularly if his nerve is deficient. In 

 fact the art of falling may be considered as forming 

 part of the science of equestrianism necessary to a man 

 who rides with hounds. 



In 1817 Mr. Assheton Smith transferred his title to the 

 possession of Quorndon Hall and the country to Mr. 

 Osbaldeston, a gentleman whose sporting exploits of all 

 kinds are generally known throughout all the civilised 

 districts of the globe. At one period of his life he would 

 have challenged any mortal breathing to a diversity of 

 achievements!; in fact he did so, but there was no 

 response. There were very few men who could compete 

 with him in individual enterprises; but it was not till 

 some years had elapsed, after his first appearance in 

 Leicestershire as a master of hounds, that he distin- 

 guished himself in the various accomplishments of 

 shooting, cricketing, steeple-chasing, race riding, cum 

 multis aliis. However, I must not get off the line to 

 describe them. 



About the middle of the season of 1821 Mr. 

 Osbaldeston sold the greater portion of his hounds, 

 horses, and the establishment at Quorn to Sir 

 Bellingham Graham, who at that time had just com- 

 menced hunting the Hambledon country in Hampshire, 

 where Mr. Osbaldeston succeeded the baronet, who 

 only remained in Leicestershire one clear season after- 

 wards. The Hambledon country was by no means 

 consonant with Mr. Osbaldeston 's taste or talent as a 

 huntsman. It was more suitable to one of the old 

 school, by whom brilliant bursts, distinguished for 



