136 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



excepting, of course, speed, and the knowledge of how 

 to negotiate big fences, brawling brooks, and cramped 

 places qualities which I am told he possesses in the 

 highest degree. Norman, a chestnut horse, is another 

 of G-oodall's favourites, and is a handsome, gentle, 

 well-mannered nag, thoroughly up to his business. 

 Conjurer and Comet are two useful-looking horses, 

 seeming likely to be found in the front rank, after a 

 rattling gallop, if inquired for at the finish. 



I think I shall not be far wrong if I predict a 

 good time for both huntsmen and whips during the 

 coming season. With unsafe, irritable, awkward horses, 

 the attention which should be paid to the hounds is 

 expended in controlling a wayward, ill-conditioned 

 brute, going with his head up in the air, and requiring 

 skilful guiding ; so that the servant, be he huntsman 

 or whip, has no chance of performing his duty in a 

 satisfactory way. It is too much the fashion, I think, to 

 deem any horse good enough to carry a whip. A great 

 mistake, indeed, in my opinion. A good fencer, even 

 if slightly troubled with " the slows," I should prefer 

 to a rushing, eager, over-jumping brute, with a mouth 

 as hard as a blacksmith's anvil ; but perhaps I am 

 particular. Mr. Miles was good enough to show us 

 the grandest vine in the world, one that dwarfs that of 

 Hampton Court to insignificant proportions, extending, 

 as does the Cumberland Lodge vine, over a space of 

 150 feet, or, to be precise, 160 feet, which is, I believe, 

 the exact measurement. The product of this vine is 

 very great, being computed by the ton, the sort being 

 the black Hamburg. The schools initiated by the late 

 Prince Consort were next pointed out. Every employe, 

 be his rank what it may, enjoys the privilege of 



