MR. THORNHILL.— 1835. 329 



The fox then led them away through Weston and 

 Waverly Woods^ pointing for Ryton j and althoiagh only 

 two couple and a half of hounds remained, they beat their 

 fox and killed him. 



Mr. Russell threw reynard across his horse, and 

 found the Field with the rest of the pack running a vixen in 

 Waverly Wood. The hounds were then whipped off, and 

 Mr, Russell was congratulated on his success. 1 



1 In enjoying the sports of the chase, the true lover of foxhunting 

 knows no fear, he encounters the greatest difficulties and dangers, and 

 heedless of every obstacle still moves forward to satisfy his ardent 

 wishes. Those attempts, wliich at other times would seem hazardous 

 and impracticable, are now achieved, sometimes without even a thought, 

 in the most gallant manner. It is the inspiring note of the hound, the 

 delightful enjoyment of the sport, and the indescribable pleasure which 

 attends it, that at once takes possession of the foxhunter, and in the 

 rapture and ecstasy of the moment his mind is above all other consi- 

 derations, and the excessive delight which inspires him makes him 

 dead to every sense of danger. In the honourable and glorious exploits 

 of the Soldier, in the dangerous and enterprising voyages of the Sailor, 

 and in the perilous attempts of many to achieve noble actions, the 

 pleasing hope which each entertains, that — 



' Forsan et hsec olim meminisse juvabit !' 



invigorates them with fresh ardour, and excites them to greater 

 exertions, to attain their object ; but in the intrepidity and extreme 

 ardour of the foxhunter no such excitement can be said to exist. For 

 although the recital of exploits in the chase, and the happy recollection 

 of younger days, revives the dull eye of a veteran foxhunter, and 

 although no .pleasure can exceed it, still, at the moment he overcomes 

 the dangerous difficulties which oppose his course, the maddening 

 joy of triumphantly joining in the ' whoo-whoop' cry alone compensates 

 him for all that he endures. 



Y 3 



