RIDING AT STAG-HOUNDS. 219 



means going, is not often to be pounded, even in the 

 Blackmoor Vale. 



Nothing is quite perfect under the sun, not your own 

 best hunter, nor your wife's last baby, and the river 

 Stour, winding through them in every direction, some- 

 what detracts from the merit of these happiest of 

 hunting-grounds. A good friend to the deer, and a sad 

 hindrance to its pursuers, it has spoilt many a fine run ; 

 but even with this drawback there are few districts in 

 any part of England so naturally adapted to the plea- 

 sures of the chase. The population is scanty, the 

 countrymen are enthusiasts, the farmers the best fellows 

 on earth, the climate seems unusually favourable ; from 

 the kindness and courtesy of Sir Richard Glynn and 

 Mr. Portman, who pursue the legitimate sport over the 

 same locality, and his own personal popularity, the 

 normal difficulties of his undertaking are. got over in 

 favour of the noble master, and everybody seems equally 

 pleased to welcome the green plush coats and the good 

 grey horses in the midst of the black-and-tans. 



If I were sure of a fine morning and a safe mount, 

 I would ask for no keener pleasure than an hour's 

 gallop with Lord Wolverton's blood-hounds over the 

 Blackmoor Vale. 



