CHAPTEE XXII. 



THE SURREY STAGHOUNDS. 



^FTER experieDcing a frost of more than or- 

 dinary severity, a sudden transformation 

 has been effected by the most thorough 

 and rapid a thaw that ever remember. So 

 sudden was the change, that there was no time to go 

 far a-field for a day's hunting, and chance leading 

 me to Epsom, I determined to have a ride with the 

 Surrey Staghounds, in order to witness the way in 

 which the thing is done in that part of the world. 

 The fixture on Tuesday was Effingham, and a 

 pleasant ride of eight miles, on a clever hack, 

 passing through Leatherhead and Great Bookham, 

 brought me to the appointed place, where I found 

 a considerable number of workmanlike performers in 

 readiness, after their enforced abstention from the 

 noble sport, for a clinker with this clipping pack of 

 staghounds. 



Prominent amongst the number was the new and 

 popular master, Mr. T. Nicholls of Nutfield, who 

 succeeded Mr. Robinson ; Mr. J. Bovill, a first-rate 

 performer, and a very regular and old attendant 

 on the Surrey, accompanied by his son ; Mr. Fred. 

 Gregory, Mr. J. Page, of Epsom, Mr. Norris (the 



