2 28 Hark Away, 



pad of tlie fox which we had rolled over on this 

 wintry day having been presented to me in memo- 

 riam of the event, was in my greatcoat pocket, 

 which being winded by the hounds, I soon found 

 myself the centre of attraction ; the hounds press- 

 ing round me, anxious evidently to make friends 

 with a person possessing such a relic, recalHng many 

 a merry chase, and suggesting future sport when 

 the winter is over. 



There is no prettier sight than that of a lot of 

 handsome foxhounds, some sitting on the benches, 

 some strolling over the flags, and others sleeping 

 after their work ; and whilst looking at these noble 

 animals the thought came across my mind that I 

 had recently seen a picture by " Carter " of some 

 hounds in pursuit of a stag at the residence of Mr. 

 Tattersall, which surpasses in drawing and finish 

 any work of a similar character tlian I have ever 

 seen, placing the clever artist quite at the top of the 

 tree as a painter of animals. 



After taking leave of Bollen and his pack, we 

 trotted briskly away along the ice-bound roads, the 

 Avind blowing savagely the while, until Otford Castle 

 was reached, and I soon found myself beneath that 

 hospitable roof, with my legs well beneath the ma- 

 hogany. The following morning, notwithstanding 

 the state of the land and roads, I accompanied my 

 host for a ride. Our nags being well roughed, we 

 got along pleasantly enough, but the gloomy state 

 of the atmosphere prevented my obtaining anything 

 more than a limited view of the country. 



One of the singular facts of this season has been 

 the total absence for lengthened periods of a single 



