278 H.I.M. The Empress of Austria. 



Mandeville, where there assembled the largest 

 Field, perhaps, which was ever seen in that hunt. 

 Lord Valentia was Master, and Stovin huntsman. 

 With the first fox we had a scurry, but were 

 altogether rather unlucky. It turned out to be 

 one of those days when Master and huntsman are 

 anxious for sport hut cannot succeed in obtaining 

 it. Mr. Slater Harrison of Shelswell, piloted the 

 Empress. 



Her Imperial Majesty could hardly be con- 

 sidered so fortunate in her stud as the ex-Queen. 

 During the day with the Bicester the Empress 

 came to me and said that she wished to give her 

 sister a horse. I remarked : "A very nice gift, 

 your Majesty, if the Queen can ride it ; if not it 

 would be a " white elephant " to her; allow me to 

 suggest that the Queen should have a day on it 

 as a trial." This was acceded to, but the hunter 

 was found to be too headstrong, so the kind offer 

 was declined. 



The Empress was possessed of great physical 

 strength, which enabled her to ride a pulling 

 horse ; in fact, I think she liked the strong exercise. 

 Great liberality was shown throughout, and the 

 Empress gave a large sum of money to be run 

 for, which started the Grafton Hunt Steeple- 

 chases, which have been an annual fixture ever 



