78 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



graceful seat, and the way in which she handled her 

 reins, it was evident at a glance that the Empress is an 

 accomplished horsewoman. The nag selected as her 

 first mount appeared at first sight to be rather slight, 

 but as the Empress is a light weight, riding only about 

 nine stone, there was no doubt that the thoroughbred 

 could carry her in proper form. The dark-blue habit, 

 having a trimming of fur round the collar, was per- 

 fection, fitting her elegant figure with the utmost pre- 

 cision, not a crease nor a wrinkle being observable, 

 and cut to the precise length that a well-made habit 

 should be. Then Captain Middleton leads the way, 

 and the Empress, followed closely by Sir Watkin 

 Wynn, entered the paddock, looking at the hounds 

 and addressing the huntsmen in gracious and pleasant 

 style. Prior to the hounds being thrown into cover 

 there was time to observe the large number of persons 

 assembled, riders and lookers-on, among whom I 

 noticed Lord Combermere and Lady Paget, Lord and 

 Lady Rocksavage, the Hon. Edward Kenyon of Mace- 

 fan, Mr. Hay ward Lonsdale, Major Bulkeley, Captain 

 Beatty, Captain Cote, Mr. Poole of Marbury, Mr. 

 Oliver Ormerod, Mr. Cross of Wirswall, Mr. and Mrs. 

 Briggs, Mrs. Godsell and Miss Thompson, Mr. Hill 

 (well known with the North Shropshire hounds), Mr. 

 Reginald H. Corbet (Master of the South Cheshire 

 hounds), Captain Baldwin, Mr. Parker, Messrs. 

 Harrison, etc. Churton Vernon, Mr. Richard Cox, 

 of Malpas, Master Black, and a host of others hailing 

 from far distances. Then the hounds were trotted off 

 to a cover close at hand, which, it was said, was sure 

 to hold a fox. Payne promptly throws them into the 

 gorse, and " Halloo ! halloo ! yo have at him ! " such 



