80 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



there is still less doubt, as shown by her energetic 

 mode of proceeding, having hunted three days in 

 succession, after a long and tedious journey. By con- 

 stant exercise and, I am told, by a regular course of 

 gymnastics, a state of health is maintained which 

 enables her to ride long distances, and to enjoy with- 

 out fatigue her favourite sport. Those who witnessed 

 the management of her horse on this occasion could 

 not doubt her nerve, and those who followed her over 

 this difficult country could not fail to admire her skill 

 and judgment in riding to hounds. I have seen many 

 ladies who ride boldly and gracefully to hounds 

 notably Lady Grey de Wilton and Mrs. Sloane 

 Stanley, whose performances across the broad pas- 

 tures of Leicestershire are well known to all fre- 

 quenters of Melton ; but it is no flattery to say that 

 for elegance of style, undaunted courage, beautiful 

 seat, and light hands, the Empress of Austria is not 

 to be excelled by any one of our boldest and hardest 

 riding horsewomen. 



Combermere Abbey is situated within four miles 

 of Whitchurch, and great is the satisfaction of the 

 tradesmen of this quiet town at the fact of the 

 Empress having selected their locality for enjoyment 

 of hunting, instead of again visiting Ireland, as 

 originally intended. It was not clever on the part of 

 the inhabitants of that country to have driven away 

 so distinguished a visitor. The large expenditure of 

 her establishment would, I should have thought, been 

 valuable, but as the fashion of " Boycotting " those 

 who rode the hounds in certain counties was adopted, 

 it became necessary to change the venue, and hence 

 the selection of this part of Shropshire, where oppor- 



