THE BADMINTON HUNT. 39 



equestrian exploits seem now-a-days to 

 evaporate by steam. The o^reat improve- 

 ment manifest in the kennels while they 

 were under Long's care — a period of 

 nearly thirty years — speaks volumes in 

 his favour, and no man could be more 

 anxious to show a run than he was. A 

 remark he one day made to me was 

 perfectly characteristic of the huntsman, 

 who is never so happy as when he sees 

 his hounds out-pacing the horsemen, 

 and by their condition enabled to main- 

 tain their advantage. It was in the early 

 part of the very w^et year 1853. They 

 met at . Worcester Lodge, and my nearest 

 road was across some meadows, but as 

 they were flooded I was obliged to go 

 round. Mentioning the circumstance to 

 Long, and observing how very deep the 

 country was in general, he said, " What 

 does it signify how deep the country is, so 

 that the hounds can run." It was so 



