Pseudonymous Foot Beagles 61 



a despicable misnomer they still retained the 

 name of Foot Beagles. Can one wonder 

 that all classes of hunting men sneered, and 

 that the better class were disgusted at such 

 gaucherie ? But what does it matter to our 

 mushroom Master? He can now ride-a-cock- 

 horse. Ride, did I say ? Well, I will qualify 

 that by saying that he can stay on a horse 

 until, by the sweet will and gentle effort of 

 the animal, he is deposited either in a furze 

 bush or the mud from which he sprang. 

 "To the West to the West!" hasten, 

 gentlemen, I pray you, if you possess hunting 

 proclivities, and you will witness such a parody 

 a burlesque of a good old English sport 

 such as you cannot possibly imagine or con- 

 ceive. If you cannot go, you will miss a 

 unique revelation. But come, let us en- 

 deavour to describe, ever so lamely, one 

 day's experience for your edification. 



"The Beagles will meet at the 



