44 Dick Simpson^ Huntsman. 



hedge with long upward growers, and a drop. 

 The Oxonians advanced in a body and took 

 possession. A most amusing scene ensued ; some 

 of their horses refused, others colHded, and a great 

 proportion fell. Most of the Field left. Mr. John 

 Roper, of Grafton, was watching the fun, when 

 Lord Southampton came up and asked him what 

 he was doing so far from home. "My lord, I am 

 watching these young gentlemen taking their 

 degrees," he replied. In time they crossed and 

 we followed. One of those large doubles which 

 necessitate a double stile came in front ; there 

 we found a young gentleman standing over his 

 horse, which had its head on one stile and hind 

 quarters on the other. Mr. Roper observed, 

 '' This is the last degree ! " A cut with the whip 

 made the horse plunge and get up. The day 

 ended as it began, with cub-hunting. 



Simpson was so good in the woods that the 

 foxes in Salcey Forest and Yardley Chase had a 

 bad time of it. The late Colonel FitzRoy was 

 very fond of going there, and gave directions 

 when required, Lord Southampton rarely hunting 

 on that side. On one occasion we met at 

 Cowper's Oak. Finding a fox handy to it, the 

 hounds were called together, and ran him for an 

 hour from one side of the Chase to the other. 



