362 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



Plentiful enough, moreover, he still appears to be, thanks to 

 the appreciation of all who hunt and of all on whom hunting 

 confers boon, direct or indirect. So far in the Midlands he has 

 been found wherever sought — and now we only need rain, to 

 make things pleasant for all parties. Scent has been keen, in 

 the cold frosty mornings : and the young entry has caught up 

 the business readily. Now we want to be riding to them : and 

 the present week has been our first induction. 



On Saturday (Oct. 13) we had even a little scamper over 

 grass and fences ; aye, and relished it, under protest. The 

 most self-reliant broke their vows when others set the rash 

 example ; and while hounds were crossing the open they had 

 fully two score of followers. But the experiment was no 

 success ; and is scarcely likely to be repeated even by the 

 hardiest until some rain shall fall. This may be next week, 

 next month, or at the Greek Calends (which hereabouts is held 

 to be a date synonymous with the abolition of land burdens). 

 But the moment rain comes, we shall be in the thick of fox- 

 hunting. The interim may be employed in a dozen useful 

 directions — imprimis, by our good friends the farmers in 

 removing the wire-strands from athwart the path they so 

 courteously throw open to us ; by the hunting men of the 

 country in working variously in the same great cause, to 

 removal not only of wire but of grievances ; by gilded youth in 

 feathering itself afresh ; by rusted age in repair of its war- 

 paint ; and, lastly but very seriously, by ladies equipping 

 themselves in safety habits. It is not for me to puff this 

 habit-maker or that. But safety against the awesome feat of 

 hanging head downwards from the pommel can be easily 

 bought, and ought to be insisted upon in the case of every 

 woman who hunts. 



You have heard how baked and banefully hard is Northamp- 

 tonshire — its pasture ridges unyielding as the dry road, and the 



