34 



HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS. 



undoubtedly foxes are the most mischievous 

 animals possible, and seem to know where they 

 are not wanted, and take a special delight in 

 going there. Should a funeral be anywhere 

 handy which it is particularly desired to avoid, 

 Mr. Fox is bound to make that his point. 



THE SOUTHEND CHEMIST. 



He was the son of a Gloucestershire farmer 

 which perhaps accounted for his love of the 

 chase, and also for the fact that he was a first- 

 rate man with hounds, and knew exactly where 

 to go and how to get there — and many a gate 

 have I seen him fly over; but it was quite a 

 shock to meet him in his Southend shop (and 

 one could hardly believe that the man in a long 

 black frock coat, with the smooth soft manner 

 natural to all chemists when they are recom- 

 mending some particularly effective pills) was 

 the ardent sportsman of a few days previously. 



Once upon a time we w^ere crossing Creek- 

 sea Ferry at low water, when your only means of 

 arriving on terra firma after leaving the boat is 

 to be carried on the backs of the watermen. 

 What possessed our friend to loose his hold 

 round the man's neck I am at a loss to say ; but 

 certain it is that this is what he did, with the 

 result of finding himself flat on his back in the 

 water. We were horrified, as we moved in slow 

 procession through the water, to see our 

 Chemist suddenly disappear ; and so ended his 

 hunting for the day. History does not relate 

 how he was received on his return home. He 



