The Close of the H tinting Season. 289 



such as I have rarely, if ever, met the equal of 

 amongst the many first-class nags I have had the 

 good fortune to lay my leg across during the last 

 two or three seasons. 



Returning to the George, I found congenial com- 

 panions and the best of everything, and I am more 

 convinced than ever that there are no better hunting 

 quarters, or a more accessible and cheery place to 

 enjoy sport than the pleasant town of Rugby. 



Having received a pressing invitation to be present 

 at one of the last meets for the season of the West 

 Kent Hounds, I journeyed to Eynesford, where my 

 trusty friend, Richard Russell, the secretary of the 

 hunt, was in waiting, in order to drive me to " The 

 Franks " at Horton Kirby, a fine old Elizabethan 

 mansion, the residence of Mr. Power. The morning, 

 fortunately, was fine — a foretaste of spring, in fact — 

 and the river Darent, which meanders through the 

 beautiful grounds, sparkled in the merry, merry sun- 

 shine. Groups of men in scarlet, ladies in habits, 

 and lookers-on were dotted all over the extensive 

 and beautifully kept lawns ; whilst George Bollen, 

 the clever and persevering huntsman of this sporting 

 pack, sat on his horse on the farther side of the 

 rapidly flowing stream, whilst his hounds disported 

 themselves on the grass, or crossed the water and 

 mingled with the company, making up an exceed- 

 ingly pretty picture. An elegant breakfast was 

 prepared in the beautiful suite of rooms of this 

 magnificently furnished and venerable mansion, to 

 which the numerous visitors were bidden by Mr. 

 and Mrs. Power, who entertained their many guests 

 with profuse hospitality. Amongst the company I 



