4o8 LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



wishing to follow them, declined two or three times, showed 

 temper and reared, but by quiet treatment took the double 

 cleverly, and his speed soon enabled me to resume my place 

 before we ran up to our deer in a farmyard belonging to 

 Surborough Castle. 



The stag was eventually taken in the river Eden, at the 

 identical spot to which he had run on the last occasion of his 

 being hunted. But then, he had been uncarted at Crawley, 

 and the run (in which I was most fortunate enough to share) 

 was one of the best of the season. 



Taking farewell of Heathcote, and thanking him for the 

 capital sport he had shown us throughout the season, I rode 

 quietly on with an agreeable party, consisting of Nickall, 

 Metcalfe, A. Warner, Telford, &c., to Limpsfield, when at 

 the snug little inn, we had a capital luncheon of ham and eggs, 

 and mutton chops, after grateful ablutions al fresco, as a wind 

 up to the season ; and our horses were equally fortunate, in 

 revelling upon white carrots, which the "Clipper" ate as fast as 

 I could slice them. He and " Repealer," a great bony horse 

 of Follet's, stood in one narrow stall, and in attempting to pass 

 between them, they closed together upon me, and it required 

 all my strength and dexterity to extricate myself, the raw hip 

 bones of " Repealer " making themselves acutely sensible 

 between my shoulder blades.* 



An easy and delightful ride home up Botley Hill, over 

 Worms Heath and through Sanderstead, with hedges budding, 

 birds singing and rejoicing, banks lined with primroses and 

 violets, finished the day as it finished the season — most 

 agreeably. 



Season 1854-55. 



The last twelve months have been as noticeable for a 

 prevalence of dry weather as those preceding them were 

 notorious for heavy rains. Wales, however, must be excepted, 

 for there wet seems to be the normal state, and fair weather 

 the exception. The past summer has been characterised by 

 three chief events, which have influenced one's feelings and 

 actions; (i) contemplated change of residence; (2) opening of 

 the Crystal Palace ; and (3) war with Russia. The first event 

 is never an agreeable one either in contemplation or reality, 

 and was rendered especially awkward and disagreeable in our 

 case by a combination of awkward circumstances. The chief 



* Mr. Vickerman describes these details so graphically, that one can almost picture him 

 wriggling away from the raw hip-boned brute that was squashing him. — Ed. 



