176 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



close upon the seor-shore, and with a railway station 

 within a quarter of a mile. It was a magnificent 

 day for a picnic, with a bright sun and a cool air, so 

 that tlie temptations to come, over and beyond that 

 of hunting, were great. About two hundred men 

 were assembled in a tent pitched behind the house 

 of the master of the festival, of whom perhaps a 

 quarter were dressed in scarlet. Nothing could have 

 been done better or in better taste. There was no 

 speaking, no drinking, so to be called, but a violent 

 clatter of knives and forks for about half an hour. 

 At about two we were out on a common, smoking 

 our cigars in front of the house, and remained there 

 talking to the ladies in carriages till nearly three, 

 when we started. I found the horse provided for 

 me to be a stout, easily-ridden, well-bitted cob ; but 

 when I remembered what posts and rails were in 

 this country I certainly thought that he was very 

 small. No doubt discretion would be the better part 

 of valour ! With such a crowed of horses as I saw 

 around me, there would probably be many discreet 

 besides myself, so that I might attain decent obscurity 

 amidst a multitude. I had not bedizened myself in 

 a scarlet coat. 



' We were on a heath, and I calculated that there 

 were present about two hundred and fifty horsemen. 

 There was a fair sprinkling of ladies, and I was re- 

 quested to observe one or two of them, as they would 

 assuredly ride well. There is often a little mystery 



