186 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



farmers will ride the country — and farmers can if " foxhunter " 

 can't — whether the shepherd has remembered to unlock his 

 gates or has left the keys at home. 



Monday, Nov. 22. — The Grafton opened the new week on a 

 bright frosty morning at Preston — or rather Little Preston, for 

 custom has it in Northamptonshire, where two hamlets of 

 similar insignificance adjoin, that they shall be clubbed to- 

 gether under one title (possibly as one parish) but allowed to* 

 retain each its separate measure of importance under the 

 heading of Great and Little. Perhaps it was owing to the fact 

 that only the lesser Preston was named as the meet, that so- 

 remarkably few robes of red lit up the gathering ? Far be it 

 from me to commit the impertinence of cavilling at a fashion 

 that depends solely on personal choice on the part of the 

 people most concerned. But it is indisputable that on the gay 

 hues of the dress of its worshippers depend all the bright 

 aspect and half the fascination of an assemblage about to pay 

 practical homage to foxhunting. Afterthought almost bids me 

 erase such comment at the lips of one steeped to the throat in 

 the oldest of black. But let it stand. It was prompted by a 

 due regard for truth ; and as for its author, " please, sahib, my 

 very poor man." 



The coverts of the Prestons are a little wood of that name, 

 another of similar class known as Hogstaff — and in the latter 

 was found the first fox, who led us for ten or fifteen minutes 

 for a half circle on the green sward, returning to be killed at 

 the entrance to the Park. A second fox, in duplicate or 

 triplicate, was forthcoming at Charwelton Osier Bed. Over 

 the wide Fawsley pastures the pack fairly flew for twenty 

 minutes ; and gates made progress not only very possible, but 

 quick enough to enable all who did not mind wetting their boots 

 at a deep early ford, to keep hounds in view or reach. Glorious 

 ground for hounds is this rich grazing district ; but, as I have 

 said before and repeatedly, acceptable from a rider's point of 

 view chiefly when its many gates come handy. In the clear 

 sunlight of to-day many a weak spot was discoverable in these 



