RIDING A T STAG-HOUNDS. 2 1 1 



provocation than a complete turn over by the strength 

 of a gate or stile. 



To mention " the Honourable Robert " brings one by 

 an irresistible association of ideas into the wide pastures 

 of that grassy paradise which mortals call the Vale of 

 Aylesbury. Here, under the excellent management of 

 Sir Nathaniel Rothschild, assisted by his brother Mr. 

 Leopold, the carted deer is hunted on the most favour- 

 able terms, and a sportsman must indeed be prejudiced 

 who will not admit that " ten mile points " over grass with 

 one of the handsomest packs of hounds in the world, are 

 most enjoyable ; the object of chase, when the fun is 

 over, returning to Mentmore, like a gentleman, in his 

 own carriage, notwithstanding. 



Fred Cox is the picture of a huntsman. Mark 

 Howcott, his whip, fears nothing in the shape of a 

 fence, and will close with a wicked stag, in or out of 

 water, as readily as a policeman collars a pickpocket ! 

 The horses are superb, and so they ought to be, for the 

 fences that divide this grazing district into fields of 

 eighty and a hundred acres grow to the most formid- 

 able size and strength. Unless brilliantly mounted 

 neither masters nor servants could hold the commanding 

 position through a run that they always seem to desire. 



In riding to these hounds, as to all others, it is 



P 2 



