84 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



distance, her majesty was employing her time in 

 taking horse exercise, galloping across the park, and 

 visiting the training-ground that has been laid out for 

 the exercise of the stud. Hurdles have been set up, 

 and banks and fences made, over which the Empress 

 rides in order to keep herself in good practice. After 

 galloping round the park, I crossed over the bridge 

 that spans a narrow part of the mere, pulling up to 

 observe the many coots and divers that were disporting 

 themselves on the bosom of the lake. 



On Tuesday the meet of the South Cheshire 

 Foxhounds was arranged for Groldbourne's Farm, 

 Wilkesley, one of their best fixtures. When I 

 looked out at daybreak I found a heavy fall of snow 

 had covered the roofs of the houses. As the morning 

 advanced the snow-fall increased, until it was evident 

 that there could be but little sport, even if the hounds 

 should put in an appearance ; and as there was a 

 distance of nearly seven miles to be traversed ere 

 Wilkesley was reached, I decided that it would be a 

 waste of time and energy to attempt gaining the 

 trysting - place ; an opinion which was shared by 

 several sportsmen who had travelled a considerable 

 distance by train to join in the chase. A message 

 had been despatched to Mr. Corbet, conveying the 

 intelligence that the Empress would not attend the 

 meet in consequence of the severity of the weather,, 

 which rendered riding to hounds both difficult and 

 dangerous. 



After drawing for some time a fox was eventually 

 found in Wilkesley Cover, which went away in the 

 direction of Audlem, giving those who were hardy 

 enough to ride on such a dismal day, and over ground 



