APPENDIX 469 



serious results, occurred at this early period, and after the recent downfall 

 of rain, when these tumblers were once more reinstated in their saddles, 

 the words of the Roman bard came across me, " Quam mutatns ah illo." 

 Stubton was now in front of us. The fencing and heavy state of the 

 ground had told their tale, as the field when the first check ensued was 

 very limited. This temporary check, followed by a judicious cast, took us 

 in the direction of Stragglethorpe, where the scent over some grass land 

 was very good. Skirting Brandon, and re-crossing the Brant again by a 

 bridge, we ran once more in a line for Hough, swinging up the cliff, finding 

 ourselves on the beacon at Caythorpe. While Frank was making a cast 

 in a grass field, in which \vere some ewes, attended by some man — whether 

 owner or not I was unable to ascertain, who used very violent, not to say 

 unparliamentary, language — one remark struck my fancy, " If yar wants to 

 exercise yar dawgs, go to t'other side o' close, and not among these yeaws."' 

 I think that great credit is due to Gillard for the diplomatic way in which 

 he treated this irate rustic. The cast was successful, and rattling along, 

 we picked our fox up in the Beacon Plantation, from which the huntsman 

 and whip alone got on terms with the hounds, and after skirting Shield's 

 Gorse, a whoop from a well-known flyer announced that Reynard's " earthly 

 course was run," and I arrived just as this gallant sportsman, who had 

 killed the fox with a couple of hounds, was dismounting to save the brush ; 

 need I say it was Mr. John Welby ? Time, from find to finish, one hour 

 and forty minutes, with only two slight checks, and I may say, without 

 o'erstepping the bounds of veracity, over the heaviest going and stiffest 

 fencing in the Belvoir Hunt. 



After this satisfactory termination of an excellent run, we tried Hough 

 Gorse, which proved blank, as also did Barkstone Gorse. However, Bark- 

 stone Plantation, or fox covert, proved a find, and away went a select field 

 — some dozen all told, as the sun was beginning to decline, and the stillness 

 of nature denoted the waning of the day. Carlton Ashes were passed as we 

 flew along for Normanton. A nasty drop near the Ashes caused more than 

 one horse to come on his nose, but still without unshipping their riders. 

 Striking off at a tangent, we ran by Gelston, dipping below the hill for 

 Hougham ; but Reynard meant Barkstone Gorse, which he made, and the 

 shades of night compelled me reluctantly to leave, contented with the day's 

 sport, my horse and self. With feelings of great satisfaction I saw Lady 

 Florence Chaplin once more in the saddle, and, as usual, well to the fore. 



I am not naturally of a covetous disposition, but if ever anyone was jus- 

 tified in being so, your humble servant is the man, when he sees a thorough- 

 bred chestnut with 



A head like a snake, and a skin like a mouse, 

 An eye like a woman's— bright, gentle, and brown, 

 With loins and a back that would carry a house, 

 And quarters to lift him smack over a town, 



coming past him like a flash of lightning, ridden by a fair equestrian. But 

 hands are everything, and even if I were the happy possessor of this noble 

 steed, my place might be even worse than now, and my coat even more 

 besmeared with the splashes from eager riders passing me in their flight for 

 glory. Scout. 



The Belvoir Hounds.''' 



I awoke last Friday morning with the discordant notes of my bosom 

 friend ringing in my ears as he bellowed forth : — 



From 77ie Field, .March ist, 1S79. 



