286 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



the Thursday which falls nearest to the 1st of 

 November. A splendid conservatory containing choice 

 plants leads from the house to the stables, which are on 

 these occasions thrown open for the inspection of the 

 visitors. There is a covered ride, appropriated to the 

 use of the stud in bad weather, rather more than a 

 furlong in extent a convenience of great advantage ; 

 and everything which wealth and good judgment can 

 suggest is carefully provided both for hounds and horses. 



A similar practice was observed by the late Sir John 

 Cope during the time he hunted the Bramshill country, 

 and is still continued by his successor Mr. Wheble. 



Gloomy associations are wont to be connected with 

 the month of November ; but the pleasures of the chase 

 are well calculated to remove them. The cheering 

 sound of the horn rouses the sportsman from his reverie, 

 and gives new life to his soul. " The echoing hills and 

 chiding hounds invite;" and fox-hunting dispels all our 

 cares. Wonderful changes have taken place within the 

 last few years in our social policy. Trade has flourished 

 to an unprecedented extent ; and the enjoyments of the 

 chase are available among a vast number of her Majesty's 

 liege subjects who in former days were precluded from 

 participating in the amusement. None have derived 

 greater benefit from these changes than those whose 

 inclinations or occupations involve the necessity of a 

 residence in the metropolis. Nothing can more effectu- 

 ally minister to their health and pleasure than fox- 

 hunting. It is an acceptable relaxation from daily 

 occupations; and the clear atmosphere of the country 

 is an agreeable change for the murky clouds of London. 



When railways were first introduced grave forebodings 

 were expressed that they would be the cause of exter- 

 minating fox-hunting, and several masters of hounds 

 expressed their intentions of giving up their establish- 

 ments ; intentions which, it is almost needless to observe, 

 have not in any one instance been put into effect. Fears 

 were anticipated that foxes would run the line, and the 

 hounds following them, in the event of a train coming 



