HUNTING FROM LONDON 



229 



on. I am also particular in not allowing the animal to 

 stand about while a railway carriage is turned to the 

 siding to load him. This I get arranged before the 

 horse leaves the stable ; and to these little precautions 

 I attribute the good luck that has always attended my 

 horses travelling. 



"And having now told my story, I trust you will 

 not again attempt to argue against my plan; but, if 

 you feel inclined to have an occasional day from 

 London, I shall be delighted to meet you at the railway 

 station, and assist in superintending your travelling 

 arrangements. 



Ever yours, 



Both these letters are so thoroughly explanatory of 

 the means which a sportsman residing in London may 

 avail himself of to enjoy his hunting, that any 

 additions from me would be superfluous. I must, how- 

 ever, introduce a few words on the effect which 

 travelling by rail produces on the condition of horses, 

 and the treatment which they require. In the case of 

 a horse being conveyed by rail to the vicinity of the 

 place of meeting on the morning of hunting, it entails 

 the necessity of his being disturbed at an early hour 

 to go through the regular process of dressing and 

 feeding. On returning, if the distance from London 

 exceeds fifty miles, it is scarcely possible to reach the 

 terminus before eight o'clock in the evening, unless a 

 fox is found and affords a run early in the day, or that 

 the day's sport is abbreviated by leaving before the 

 hounds have finished drawing, a mortification which 

 few persons would inflict upon themselves, having 

 incurred the expense and trouble of a journey to enjoy 

 a full day's sport. 



When time will permit, it is very desirable to have a 

 horse thoroughly dressed at the stables connected with 

 the railway station prior to his being placed on the 

 line; and by all means his legs and feet should be 

 washed, and afterwards bandaged. To perform all 

 this, I think it is almost imperative to take a servant 



