AN IMPERIAL HUNTRESS. 77 



are the characteristics of this country. Arriving at 

 Macefan, I found Charles Payne, who has hunted Sir 

 Watkin Wynnes hounds for the last fifteen or sixteen 

 years, with nineteen and a half couples of useful 

 hounds, which showed evident signs of hard work, 

 "being rather fine drawn, though looking fit to go the 

 pace, as I found they could do. Awaiting the arrival 

 of the pack, we paraded in front of the house, out of 

 the way of the immense crowd that had assembled in 

 an adjoining field, through which it was arranged that 

 the imperial huntress should pass, so that the many 

 who had travelled from far and near might look upon 

 the royal visitor. Sir Watkin Wynnes hounds hunt 

 the extensive district around Wrexham, Ellesmere, 

 Whitchurch, and Oswestry four days a week, and are 

 kennelled at Wynnstay, near Ruabon, in Denbigh- 

 shire, and have a world-wide reputation as one of the 

 crack packs of the country. Sixty couples of hounds 

 -are* maintained, in order to show sport to the inhabi- 

 tants of this district. The whips, J. Blower and W. 

 Finder, were well mounted, and looked neat and efficient 

 workmen. Close to time the Empress, attended by 

 several of her suite, drove up, and, having alighted, 

 entered the house. The clever-looking bay thorough- 

 bred horse which had been selected to carry her 

 majesty was quickly brought up to the door, and, 

 after a short delay, this ardent votaress of the chase 

 proceeded to mount her steed, whilst her grooms were 

 instructed by her to alter the saddle to suit her require- 

 ments. In immediate attendance were Sir Watkin 

 Wynn and Captain Middleton, who pilots her majesty 

 on such occasions ; nor could any better man be found, 

 being'a first-rate performer across country. From her 



