lo HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS. 



His lordship was pleased, he gave me a crown. 



Now Smiler was praised, by man and woman; 



She leaped gate and pit at Laindon Common — 



She did them well, upon my word, 



And brought smiles and praise from Thorndon's lord, 



For he said her like could not be found, 



Although you searched the country round. 



And more than that, I can tell you what, 



Thirteen miles an hour she oft did trot. 



And many a large one she defied ; 



Though broken-kneed and single-eyed. 



She'd deep ribs, short legs, and full of fire; 



And I never knew poor Smiler tire — 



She was so good in every pace. 



Whether on the road or in the chase. 



But hold, my muse, cease rhyme and punning, 



For Cross has stopped my Smiler's running; 



Yes, Death, that everlasting spoiler. 



Has robbed me of my good old Smiler. 



But though she's dead and out of sight. 



Her fame shall live, my favourite ; 



Long may her deeds in memory last, 



Although her sporting days are past; 



And as we tread around life's ball. 



Let's know that Death will stop us all. 



F.B. 



MR. OFFIN. 



For the account of the great run which took 

 place in the Union Country, 1856, I am 

 indebted to my old friend, Mr. Offin. I have 

 heard him tell the story so often that I almost 

 feel as if I had been there myself. It seems to 

 have been the usual practice at the end of the 

 season to invite a pack of harriers, kept by 

 one named Fred Preston, to have a day in 

 what is now the Union. By all accounts it 

 must have been the longest hunt that ever 



