86 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



ship introduced far exceeded anything of the kind 

 heretofore heard of in the fox-hunting world. At 

 all events, it was introduced in a different light, in 

 accordance with the fashion of the day ; of which, it is 

 almost needless to add, the noble earl was the magnet 

 and the polar star. Driving four-in-hand was in great 

 vogue, and his lordship was a professor of the art. It 

 was not, therefore, an unusual thing to see Lord 

 Sefton's splendid team, as well as those of several other 

 noblemen and gentlemen, at the place of meeting when 

 available for wheels. 



Being a heavy-weight his lordship introduced the 

 fashion, which has subsequently become prevalent, of 

 having a second horse in the field; and it is a custom 

 which cannot be too strongly advocated, effecting, in 

 the long run a great saving of horse-flesh. Masters of 

 hounds will always find it conducive to economy to have 

 second horses for themelves and their servants. When 

 a horse is tired down, jaded, he requires some time to 

 recover, and may often not be fit to ride again under 

 nine or ten days ; at all events not under a week ; but a 

 horse that has only had moderate duty to perform will 

 come out again in four or five days and will go through 

 a season more satisfactorily than one which is ridden 

 till he is tired, if it be only once in a fortnight. Those 

 who only keep small studs may say they cannot do it. 

 With three horses a man may desire to hunt four days 

 in the week, which, barring accidents, he may do, pro- 

 vided also that they are of mature age, in first-rate 

 condition, and carefully ridden. Even with that small 

 stud when the hounds meet near home it will be most 

 desirable to have two horses out; but not exactly Uf>on 

 the system generally adopted with second horses, which 

 implies that the second horse goes to the place of meet- 

 ing and is kept out the day through. The plan which is 

 now frequently adopted in such cases is to have a fresh 

 horse brought to an appointed place, where the hounds 

 are expected to draw, about two o'clock, and to ex- 

 change the one that has been ridden up to that time. 



