FOX-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 157 



''Nimrod" describes the circumstances of a 

 very severe fall he had with the Quorn. 



*' He was killing his fox at the end of a sharp 

 thing when an ox fence presented itself. Three 

 first-rate performers were going in the same line, 

 but they would not have it. Sir Bellingham 

 never turned his horse, and cleared all but the 

 rail on the opposite side, which probably his 

 weight would have broken ; but unfortunately 

 his horse alighted on one of the posts, and turned 

 over on the rider's chest. Strange as it may 

 appear. Sir Bellingham remounted his horse and 

 rode on ; but he had not proceeded many yards 

 when he was observed by Sir Harry Goodricke 

 to be in the act of falling to the ground, but which 

 he was fortunate enough to prevent. From that 

 period, about twelve at noon till nine the next 

 night. Sir Bellingham never knew what had 

 happened to him : and as he lay under the hay- 

 stack — whither his friends removed him at the 

 time of the accident — every moment was expected 

 to be his last. The pith of the story, however, 

 is yet to come. He was bled three times the first 

 day, and confined to his bed five. On the seventh, 

 to the utter surprise, and indeed annoyance, of 

 his friends, he was seen in his carriage at Scraptoft, 

 merely, as he said, ' to see his hounds throw off.' 

 The carriage not being able to get up to the 

 spinney. Sir Bellingham mounted a quiet old 

 horse, placed there, no doubt, for the purpose, 

 muffled up in a great coat and a shawl, and 



