46 



LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



deep pond behind the house. The local policeman was all there. Mr, 

 Millbank, on foot, arrived in time, and as for the maids, with their rosy faces 

 and snowy aprons, they had quite a field-day. Homeward bound we fell in 

 with Mr. Barclay's harriers, and learnt that they had had a most excellent 

 day's sport, killing no less than three hares, a bigger field than usual being 

 attracted by this popular pack to a popular meet, Thornwood Common, all 

 of whom were most hospitably entertained by that King of Sportsmen, Mr. 

 George Hart. 



Mrs. Upton and her favourite hunter " Fairyland " 



Writing in '97, Mrs. Upton says: — "I have hunted 

 ' Fairyland ' for ten seasons (and well may she have added), 

 I love him ; I am so grateful to him for the many happy days 

 he has given me, and hope that only death will part us." Not 

 to have been fond of a horse like " Fairyland " would have 

 been a confession that something was wanted that 'twere ill 

 fortune to have been without. The highest rails, the stiffest 

 banks, who ever saw " Fairyland" turn aside ? Rarely did he 

 ever make a mistake. I only remember one in the Kelvedon 

 country, and with his great pace and extraordinary jumping and 



