HUNTING, AND RIDING TO HOUNDS. 25 



and tlioir pictures now adorn the Avails of my 

 dining'-room. When I use the phrase that I liad 

 ^^ two hunters," I v/ish to convey the moaning that 

 though I have had a great many very good ones, 

 these two were out-and-out the best of all. They 

 were very unlike each other in shape and make, 

 and in their favourite modes of fencing and 

 keeping with hounds ; they each were as sensible 

 as the dog, knew what I said, divined what I 

 wished through my hand when the fence was 

 coming, and, let the fence be unexpectedly severe, 

 double, or even treble, they always had their wits 

 as well as their legs and a second sjmng about 

 them, and strength and activity to. spare on any 

 unexpected or dangerous emergency. Brutus 

 always, whatever was the pace at which he 

 crossed the field, slackened his speed, heaved a 

 deep sigh to catch his wind, and took all his fences 

 in a shortened canter or a trot. He was the 

 widest jumper I ever sat on ; but even at a brook 

 he invariably broke into a trot, never thought of 

 refusing, and was ever ready to face an even 

 apparent impossibility. 



Jack o' Lantern, save in the similar resolution 

 to face anything, was just the contrary. He was 



