HENRV ALKEX I 3 



engraved by the artist himself and published by 



Ackermann in 1837. 



"Fox Hunting" was a series of four pictures 



painted in 1844, engraved by Harris and published 



by Rudolph Ackermann in the same year. The 



scenes illustrate well-known verses from Somer- 



ville's poem, and the artist has added a description 



of the incident represented in each picture. 



(i) The Meet. 



Delightful scene 

 WTien ail around is gay — men, horses, hounds, 

 And in each smiling countenance appears 

 Fresh blooming health, and universal joy. 



The meet is at the Cross Roads, where the finger-post, 

 pointing to " Mehon Mowbray," teUs the whereabouts. 

 There, surrounded by the hounds, stand the huntsman and 

 his two whips. The rough rider of the county lays down the 

 law for the benefit of the rural Boniface. The country squire — 

 my lord in chariot and four — and the sporting parson are 

 coming down the hill, the chawbacons are tucking up their 

 skirts for a run, and all is expectation and exciting hope. 



(2) A Change, and We're A way ! 



Hark I what loud shouts 

 Re-echo through the groves 1 — he breaks away : 

 Shrill horns proclaim his flight. — Each straggling houod 

 Strains o"er the lawn to reach the distant pack ; 

 'Tis triumph all — and joy. 



The hounds have gone away, somewhat stragghng perhaps, 

 but the huntsman on his grey is well up with them. The 

 parson has got a capital lead, and is taking the rails in style. 

 The thistle-whipper in green too, is well handicapped — the 

 squire is going at the rails in a quiet and workmanlike 

 manner, and the crowd are emerging from the cover here, 

 there, and everywhere. The game's alive. 



