328 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



quite the ultra pace. Found again : ran into rather a wild country 

 and whipped off, having no scent. 



Major St. Paul — brother to the gentleman of that name who 

 formerly was conspicuous in Leicestershire — was out on this day. He 

 rode a clever young horse of his own breeding, and I liked his 

 method of putting him at his fences. "But," said the Marquis, 

 " did you see a gentleman with the hounds this morning by the 

 name of Trotter? " On my answering in the affirmative- — " Then," 

 said his Lordship, " ijou have seen the best horseman I ever saw in 

 my experience in the field. Mr. Trotter has been all his life, not only 

 a most superior rider over a country, but he has ridden with admir- 

 able temper and judgment, and never pressed upon hounds." Mr. 

 Trotter must ride at least fifteen stone. He resides at the Deanry, 

 at Staindrop. 



Saturday, 24th. — The Eaby pack met at Crag Wood, a wild place 

 to look at, but likely to hold a good wild fox. We found immediately, 

 and a beautiful find it was ; but our fox w-as headed by the foot 

 people, and our chance here was lost. We found again in Etherley 

 Wood, and lost on the banks of the Wear. — A bad day's sport for 

 the hard riders, but a deal of good hunting. 



The turn-out from the Castle this morning was good — in all, I 

 think, nearly twenty red coats and scarlet habits, and the Marchioness 

 was mounted on Eaby. Mrs. Wilkinson also joined us at the 

 covert's side, and I had seen this lady once in the field before. Lady 

 Augusta Milbanke rode a thorough-bred horse, formerly in Mr. 

 Maxse's stable, and one which but few women would have nerve for. 

 He likes to go quick at his fences ; but her Ladyship's hand was 

 quite a match for him, and I saw him very well piloted over two or 

 three awkward places. The Marquis rode the bay mare he purchased 

 of Sir Hed worth Williamson, and rode her over a very dangerous 

 place towards the end of the second run. She had to spring at a 

 bank faced with stone, having her footing on large flag-stones in a 

 water-course, which had been rendered slippery by the current. A 

 slip might have been awkward to legs and thighs ; but his Lordship 

 will get to his hounds if possible, and that mare is particularly 

 careful and steady. 



Billy Williamson was also out this day ; and, I am sorry to add. 



