Hztnting at Brighton, 139 



every atom of sceut ; then feathering their sterns 

 and speaking to every inch, as they traced the hne, 

 the hounds picked their way across the open, and 

 ran into the hare in a patch of gorse, after one of the 

 most beautiful runs I have ever seen. 



There was then time to observe some of the 

 ladies and gentlemen present on this occasion, who 

 rode well to hounds. First, Mrs. Morrell, a capital 

 horsewoman, mounted on a clever chesnut, for 

 which she gave a hatful of money ; Admiral Ran- 

 dolph, Mr. Maule, Mr. Gassiot, Mr. White, brother to 

 the Master of the Essex Union ; Mr. Morris of 

 Bedgrove, exchanging for a while the stiffly en- 

 closed Vale of Aylesbury for the Downs of Sussex ; 

 Mr. Dupont, on a clever dark brown or black horse, 

 which looked like carrying fourteen stone across 

 any country, ridden moreover in a snaffle bridle — 

 a far too rare occurrence, as, in my opinion, half the 

 horses are spoilt by being pulled about by severe bits. 



The Brookside Harriers I once heard pronounced 

 as the best pack of true harriers in the world. The 

 authority for this judgment was Mr. John Dai'by, 

 of Rugby — no bad judge of such matters — and, when 

 I looked them over on Monday last, I saw no reason 

 to challenge his verdict. In beautiful condition, 

 regular in size, of an even colour, all having a strong 

 family resemblance ; very fast when the scent is 

 good ; patient, diligent, and musical, when they 

 have to hunt inch by inch, I can safely afiirm I never 

 saw a more beautiful lot, or witnessed better sport 

 than on the occasion. Then a pleasant ride over 

 the downs brought us to Rottingdean. I felt then 

 that nature, exhausted by some hours' active exer- 



