194 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



fox ? and I only mention his name because it occurs to 

 me at the moment, and because, notwithstanding the 

 formidable hills of his wild country and the pace of 

 his flying pack, he is always present at the finish, to 

 render them assistance if required, as it often must be, 

 with a sinking fox. 



"The first blow is half the battle" in many nobler 

 struggles than a street-brawl with a cad, and the very 

 speed at which you send your horse along for a few 

 furlongs, if the ground is at all favourable, enables you 

 to give him a pull at the earliest opportunity, without 

 fear lest the whole distant panorama of the hunt should 

 fade into space while you are considering what to do next. 



Not that I mean you to over-mark, or push him for 

 a single stride, beyond the collected pace at which he 

 travels with ease and comfort to himself; for remember 

 he is as much your partner as the fairest young lady ever 

 trusted to your guidance in a ball-room : but I do mean 

 that you should make as much haste as is compatible 

 with your mutual enjoyment, and, reflecting on the 

 capricious nature of scent, take the chance of its failure, 

 fb afford you a moment's breathing-time when most 

 required. 



At all periods of a fox-chase, be careful to anticipate 

 a check. Never with more foresight than when flying 



