70 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



countries named, you are likely to fall with much less disagree- 

 able result to yourself and beast, for the reason that in very few 

 districts are the blackthorn binders as strong or timber as stout 

 and frequent. Add to these considerations that the grass of 

 the Bicester generally carries a rare scent, and that the Hunt 

 under present management (the Mastership of Lord Yalentia) 

 is in a rich vein of sport — it is little to be wondered at that a 

 stream of popularity now flows sturdily in this direction. Fox- 

 hunting indeed must be at the present day — do not let us say 

 at its zenith, for that might infer an approaching decline — but 

 in huge and universal favour ; for no diversion or increase in 

 any new direction would seem to affect in the slightest degree 

 the stability or proportion of crowds where already established. 

 No good pack, and no good country, can in fact limit itself 

 nowadays to edifying the small circle of its original supporters. 

 Every pack is looked upon as public property, every country as 

 a public playground — and I fear the newspaper correspondents — 

 whose name is now legion — have no little to answer for, that 

 such is the case. 



Well, Onlooker who went for a day's holiday with the 

 Bicester (much, possibly, as a playactor invariably takes his 

 recreation at a theatre), very quickly — and not altogether 

 unnaturally — came to the conclusion that the Bicester grass 

 rode a trifle deep ; and, looking about him, he soon discovered 

 that the natives and habitues also had evidently found that 

 out, and had mounted themselves accordingly — for their horses, 

 as a rule, were remarkable for strength and breeding. He 

 noticed, too, that the hounds looked like going, and working, 

 all day ; for the lady pack was full of bone and power. He 

 saw enough to verify for himself the widespread reports of 

 Stovin, the huntsman's, patient and sterling capabilities ; and 

 he could not but be struck with the quick sharp system with 

 which the whole staff helped hounds out of covert on their fox. 

 The charming plurality of the habited fair was as evident as 

 their prominence in pursuit. Allah be praised ! — and yet it 

 was said that fewer ladies than usual graced the field. That 



