YORKSHIRE 26 



returned to Sedgefield, hoping the frost would not last long, but not 

 without some unpleasant forebodings. Our party at the Club, in 

 consequence of the weather, was small, but everything extremely 

 comfortable and correct ; and in the secretary (Mr. Benjamin Ord, 

 well known in the school as Ben Ord, and very handy with his lists) 

 I recognized an old Rugbeian, although he quitted half a year after I 

 entered the school. 



Wednesday, 6th. — The goddess of the morning appeared in a 

 doubtful garb ; not in her saffron-coloured robe — as the poets 

 elegantly describe her — expanding with her rosy fingers the gates 

 of light, and scattering the pearly dew ; but with a complexion 

 dark and lowering, suitable to the month of December, and sur- 

 rounded by a dense fog. In the night there had been what we call 

 in England a black frost ; but the wind blew from a more genial 

 point, and hopes were entertained of a change. About twelve 

 o'clock drops fell from the roofs of the houses, and before two it 

 rained. 



The disappearance of the frost put us all in high spirits, and the 

 rest of the morning was passed in the kennel, where I had the 

 opportunity of seeing Mr. Lambton's first performance as a hunts- 

 man in the act of feeding his hounds. This he did (and he never 

 neglects the duty) with the minutest attention ; and his pains are 

 requited, for his condition is perfect. He is here assisted by an 

 excellent feeder, who has been many years in his kennel, and 

 doubtless he contributes his share towards perfection. 



In whatever capacity we view him, man is very much the product 

 of his situation ; and really, beyond a fox-hound or a boiler, this 

 boiler of carrion does not appear to have a thought. I should 

 have tried to have got a wrinkle from him, but he was so strong of 

 the Durham that I could scarcely comprehend two words he said. 

 His hounds, however, are not so dull, for he has them in most 

 excellent order : they fly from the troughs at the word of command ; 

 and well they may; for when he sings out "Wanton, Wanton! 

 gang along, Wanton!" I am certain he might be heard at the 

 distance of a mile on a still day. 



Thursday, 7th. — We might have hunted this day ; but as Mr. 

 Lambton's earth-stoppers do not stop from the Newspapers, no 



