54 



HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS. 



crossing the line and Melton Road, skirted 

 Rearsby, which was on the left. Here hounds 

 checked, but pug had had his last run, and 

 whilst Tom Firr was casting in front, was killed 

 by the tail hounds in Mr. Hassell's shrubbery. 

 So ended the day — alas! the last one of the 

 Quorn ; and everyone went home keener than 

 ever, and looking forward to the time when we 

 shall see our beauties again, and hear the cheery 

 voice of Tom Firr. 



VISITS OF THE BENSON FAMILY 

 TO THE LAWN. 



We got a letter from my sister saying they 

 had taken second leave, and would like to come 

 to The Lawn on a three months' visit. We 

 repHed to the effect that nothing would give us 

 more pleasure than to receive the whole party. 

 We were taken at our word, and in due course 

 there arrived at Southend Station my sister, 

 her husband, and her only son. I regret to say 

 this boy was one of the many victims of the 

 South African War. He was a Captain in the 

 Coldstream Guards, and just before he went 

 out he passed an examination at the Staff 

 College, which was described to me by Sir 

 Evelyn Wood in the following words : " He has 

 not gone through a gap but jumped a stiff post 

 and rails." But I must return to our visitors. 

 Four horses and a pony, man and maid, two 

 soldier servants, one goat, three dogs (one was 

 a white poodle, named " Zulu " by my sister 



