92 LEAVES FROM A HUNTIN(; DIAKV 



some seventeen miles from rail. Had a fall, and poor ' Bully ' had to be 

 dug out, but wasn't hurt. Sir Henry down on ' Phantom.' " — R.L. 



Over the steeplechase course, on Monday, December 22nd, was the run 

 from Latton, Harlow Park by Potter's Lane and the Cross Keys, and a 

 pretty run it was and a pretty line of country up to Maries as one could 

 wish for, so says the diary. With Mr. Charles Green (how he will hate 

 the sight of his own name if he wades through all these scraps) cutting 

 the work out, ably seconded by his fidus Achates, Roly Bevan and 

 Messrs. Ball and Miller." The last named — on one of his own cab horses — 

 was making light of gates, taking every thing as it came, showing that after 

 all it's not so much the money that makes the mare to go as the heart in 

 the right place. Unluckily for us, another fox broke towards Parndon, 

 causing the loss of a valuable five minutes, which doubtless saved his 

 comrade, as he beat us near Orange Wood. The Mate riding a hireling of 

 Kett's failed to appreciate the hack seat for which he had paid. 



Mr. Miller [sec p. 91) deserv^es a book to himself, but he is 

 mentioned so often in these pages that I will add little. A 

 thoroughly good-hearted fellow and keen sportsman from the 

 crown of his head to the sole of his foot, I only wish that 

 he farmed 2,000 instead of 200 acres, and that men of his 

 kidne)' were as easy to meet with as a fall in the Roothings 

 when the sun shines bright and the autumn is late. Mr. 

 Miller has hunted so long and ridden so straight with stag and 

 fox hounds that there are few fences that he has not been into 

 or over in the Essex countr}-, and no |)art of it that is not as 

 familiar to him as his own farm. Wa has two sons, chips of 

 the young block, and one of them, " Jack," has the hands of an 

 Archer, and the neatest seat I e\'er clapped eyes on. 



A real good day too was Monday, December 15th, 18S4. For had those 

 who did not see the first run, not the chance of a second and third run 

 almost as good ? By no means so large a field as we usually get at this 

 popular fixture moved off from Abridge, where all had the opportunity of 

 partaking of the hospitality of Mr. Hargreaves. Hardly had Bailey left the 

 road leading from Abridge to the Bishop's Hall coverts before he received 

 intelligence that sent him galloping down towards the belt of trees that runs 

 almost up from Ape's Gro\e to Bishop's Hall ; he capped his hounds on 

 the line, which they took up at once. With hardly a whimper they settled 

 to it. The field, or rather the few who grasped the situation, divided, Mr. 

 Sworder going off to the left with one party, while others followed one who 

 ought to have known his way about those parts — Col. Lockwood — and were 

 fortunate ; but they had to go at something a good deal quicker than a hand 

 gallop to keep hounds in view, as they streaked through the plantation 

 on a burning scent. The dogs did not hesitate a moment as they reached 

 Bishop's Hall, but, leaving it on the right, drove their fox at a clipping pace 

 over a decidedly cramped country ; but the day was balmy, horses were 

 fresh, and there was little disaster, but a lengthening line by the time they 

 reached the Forest. Here a good many, including the whips, went the 

 Havering side, and needless to add, did not see any more of the run. 



Mr. H. J. Miller, in addition to his farm, had a livery stable at that time. 



