A Rough Time at Rugby. 153 



any rate, in the counties of Devon, Somerset, Kent, 

 Essex, Berks, and Sussex, where I have had the good 

 fortune to see the various packs of stag, foxhounds, 

 and harriers in those locahties. 



As it was impossible to go out hunting, I took the 

 opportunity of visiting Mr. Darby, who, with his 

 usual liberality, had offered to mount me during my 

 stay, and obtained permission to look over his stables, 

 and inspect the one hundred or more first-class animals 

 that are collected together from all parts of Eng- 

 land, Scotland, and Ireland. There is no such estab- 

 lishment in my memory to be found elsewhere for 

 excellence of construction, style, neatness, and the 

 good order observable throughout the whole range of 

 premises. The stables themselves were executed 

 from the design of Mr. Darby, whose lengthened ex- 

 perience and great practical knowledge enabled him 

 to adopt everything in connection with ventilation, 

 drainage, and light and air that an acute perception 

 had taught him were necessary in such erections. 

 Whilst thus securing all these advantages, the self- 

 made architect never for an instant lost sight of the 

 important item, economy ; and I have no hesitation 

 in saying that, as regards cost of construction, and 

 the evident durability of the materials used, these 

 extensive and convenient buildings should be an 

 example for those outlaying capital. Box after box 

 was opened, each containing an animal of more than 

 average quality. Horses up to any weight were to 

 be seen, in prime condition, fit for immediate work ; 

 not simply made up for show. Then a customer has 

 one or two nags suitable for carrying 12st. brought out 

 for inspection, and it is a treat to see the horseman- 



