234 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



with studs of hunters. Any number of horses may be 

 engaged either for the season, for a month, or even for 

 a day, which obviates all anxiety. The purveyor 

 undertakes to provide a certain number of horses for a 

 stipulated sum, and to have one at the appointed place 

 of meeting when required. He runs all risks of 

 accidents, provides servants, and exonerates the hirer 

 from all trouble, which, to those who have other 

 engagements, is often of considerable importance. If 

 it is practicable for a man to have his horse frequently 

 under his own inspection it is certainly more agreeable ; 

 but, as that is generally a subject of some difficulty to 

 a gentleman who has engagements in London, the 

 custom of hiring hunters may be adopted with success. 

 Lend me thine ear, courteous reader, if you are an 

 inhabitant of the great metropolis, and I will whisper 

 a secret to you, not to be imparted to your dearest 

 friend. Perad venture you would delight to take your 

 pleasure with the merry harrier ; to see the hare trailed 

 up to her form, started and hunted through her 

 intricate mazes ; to compare the steady close working 

 of the harrier with the dashing style of the fox-hound. 

 Whither would you lead me ? I think I hear you 

 exclaim. To Brighton, to meet the far-famed harriers 

 of that marine metropolis, or the Brookside ? No ; 

 within five miles of Oxford Street, at the rural village 

 of Neasden, you will find a most superior, well- 

 appointed pack of harriers, admirably hunted by Mr. 

 Hall ; and although they do not advertise their ap- 

 pointments, they will be most courteously supplied to 

 any gentleman who will leave his card with Mr. Hall. 

 Within ten miles of the General Post Office, if you 

 choose to go further afield, point your horse's head for 

 Stratford, proceed through Snaresbrook to Woodford, 

 in Essex, and there you will meet as complete a little 

 pack as your most fastidious notions of rural pastime 

 can devise. They hunt twice a week — Tuesdays and 

 Saturdays. As I am credibly informed, they are con- 

 ducted on the most quiet and gentlemanly principles 



