154 The Hunting Field With Horse and Hound 



entirely witliin its shell, except its head, and it draws that in if 

 a stranger looks at it. You can generally ride hundreds of 

 miles alone with an Englishman in a compartment and he will 

 never speak to you. If you have a letter of introduction or they 

 know who you are and where you come from, it is all right. I 

 once found myself in Kent, and thinking that I would hke to 



visit Sir Thomas G 's hackneys, I hired a livery and drove 



four miles to liis place. I rang the bell and told the servant 

 what I wanted. I was directed to go to the bailiff (farm man- 

 ager). I said, "I came to see Sir G 's horses." 



"Did you have an apiJointment ?" asked the bailiff. 



"No," I said: "I was in the neighbourhood and am inter- 

 ested in hackneys, etc. Can I see them?" 



"Well, yes, but you had better have an appointment." 



"To whom shall I apply?" 



"Oh, simply write to Sir Thomas and you will soon receive 

 a reply." 



I could scarcely see the necessity of tliis, as I knew Sir 

 Thomas was at home. I returned to London wthout accom- 

 phshing my purpose. A friend to whom I told my experience 

 said, "Yes, in this country they never like to have anyone come 

 in on them without notice. You write Sir Thomas a letter 

 telling him who you are, where you came from and what you 

 want to see." At first I said "I came to tliis country to buy 

 some hackneys, and Sir Thomas can go where the woodbine 

 twineth." Finally, to please my English friend and to see how 

 it would turn out I wrote to Sir Thomas, and by return post 

 received a letter from his secretary saying that Sir Thomas 

 would be pleased to see me at the Hall any day that suited my 

 convenience. If I Avould let him know the day and train, he 

 would send to the station for me. I went and was met at the 

 train by a coachman in Hvery. Sir Thomas showed me all 

 about the stables and took me through the wonderful old manor 

 house, gave me a nice lunch and returned me to the train. 



