FOX-HUNTING 



necke's footsteps. Look at Virginal, five yards ahead of the 

 rest, as her stern flourishes, and her pace quickens. Hark 

 to Virginal ! as after one whimper, she bursts out full-mouthed, 

 and the rest dash up and away in chorus, madder than ever, 

 and we after them up the ride. Listen to the hoof-tune now. 

 The common time is changed to triple ; and the heavy steady 

 thud — thud — thud — tells one even blindfold that we are 

 going. ... 



' Going, and " going to go." For a mile of ride have I 

 galloped tangled among men and horses, and cheered by 

 occasional glimpses of the white-spotted backs in front ; and 

 every minute the pace quickens. Now the hounds swing off 

 the ride, and through the fir trees ; and now it shall be seen 

 who can ride the winter-garden. 



' I make no comparisons. I feel due respect for " the 

 counties." I have tasted of old, though sparingly, the joys of 

 grass ; but this I do say, as said the gentlemen of the New 

 Forest fifty years ago, in the days of its glory, when the forest 

 and the court were one, that a man may be able to ride in 

 Leicestershire, and yet not able to ride in the forest. It is one 

 thing to race over grass, light or heavy, seeing a mile ahead 

 of you, and coming up to a fence which, however huge, is 

 honest, and another to ride where we are going now. 



' If you will pay money enough for your horses ; if you 

 will keep them in racing condition ; and having done so simply 

 stick on (being of course a valiant man and true), then you 

 can ride grass, and 



" Drink delight of battle with your peers," 



or those of the realm in Leicestershire, Rutland, or Northamp- 

 ton. But here more is wanted, and yet not so much. Not 

 so much, because the pace is seldom as great ; but more, 

 because you are in continual petty danger, requiring continued 

 thought, promptitude, experience. There it is the best horse 

 who wins ; but here it is the shrewdest man. Therefore, let 

 him who is fearful and faint-hearted keep to the rides ; and 



D 25 



