i84 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



was out that I did not see three or four persons re- 

 joicing in the style of "Reverend," and distinguish- 

 able from the rest of the habitues by wearing a black, 

 instead of a red, coat. They were among the fore- 

 most in the field. Once we came to a very stiff rail 

 fence ; the hounds were not in full cry ; there was 

 a general stop to see how the different horses and 

 riders would take it. Many were afraid, and several 

 horses refused it. Soon, however, the Rev. Mr. Nash, 

 a clergyman of some fifty years, came across the 

 field, and the cry was raised : " Hurrah for Nash ! 

 Now for Nash ! " I need not say he went over it 

 easily. It was the Rev. Mr. Nash who caught my 

 horse. None of the clergymen who were out were 

 young men; they were all more than forty-five, if 

 not fifty. 



' Dinner was early because the sportsmen return 

 fatigued, and without having tasted a morsel of food 



since an early breakfast We do not sit long 



at table, but return to the library, which opens into 

 two or three drawing-rooms, and is itself used as the 

 principal one, where we find the ladies already at 

 their embroidery, and also coffee. Conversation goes 

 on languidly. The boys are sleepy, and Lord Fitz- 

 william is serious and melancholy ; and very soon I 

 am glad to kill off an hour or so by a game at 

 cards. About eleven o'clock I am glad to retire to 

 my chamber.' 



