HUNTING IN ESSEX. 247 



stalwart owner of this fiery steed I should have de- 

 clined to ride; but the wonderful nerve and clever 

 coachmanship of my companion reconciled me to my 

 fate, though I admit to a certain amount of anxiety 

 when I thought of the possibility of a buckle or a 

 band breaking, and the probable result. On our 

 arrival at the hospitable dwelling of the veteran, who 

 for upwards of fifty years has ridden to hounds in 

 this locality, we found breakfast awaiting, to which all- 

 comers were invited by Mr. Eichard Patmore and his 

 son. 



A few minutes only elapsed before the Hon. Henry 

 W. Petre appeared on the scene with the pack. Dis- 

 mounting, he joined the large party assembled around 

 the table, many of whom had travelled long distances, 

 finding their appetites sharpened by a quick gallop to 

 the meet, and doing justice to the ample store of good 

 things provided for the occasion. In this number of 

 hard-riding sportsmen were to be found many noted 

 performers, amongst whom were Mr. Charles Page 

 Wood, Mr. Collinson Hall, Mr. Ralph Price, of Mar- 

 shalls, near Romford, Dr. Bodkin, Messrs. Thomas 

 Usborne, Colley, Percy Saunders, Harry Jones, James 

 Christie, John Tabor, Rainer, Patmore, jun., Maddox 

 Corrie, Henry G-arrett, Gibbon, and two gallant 

 plungers from Colchester Barracks, etc. 



As soon as breakfast was finished a hind was un- 

 carted at the customary spot on the north side of the 

 house, the usual law being allowed. Then the hounds 

 being laid on to the line of the deer, quickly picking 

 up the scent, go away at a splitting pace in the direc- 

 tion of the River Roden, but, turning sharp to the 

 right, they make for Waples Mill, crossing the road, 



