RIDTNC; TO HOUNDS 3-35 



sticking place." Like most otlier things, however, tliere are two 

 ways of doing it — one in comparative safety and supreme enjoyment ; 

 the other, Hke Damocles at the feast, in the midst of pleasm'e, but in 

 constant apprehension of destruction. All this depends on the 

 goodness of the horse we ride, and our skill in riding him. " Hand 

 without head " will not do, neither will head without hand. Judg- 

 ment, here, must be combined with execution. 



Independent of the pleasure arising from tJic chase, I have always 

 considered a covert's side with hounds that are well attended to be 

 one of the m_ost lively scenes in nature. The pride of the morning, 

 the meeting of friends, and the anticipation of diversion, contribute 

 to raise the spirits and expand the soul. In my experience in life, I 

 have found, or heard of, but few friendships formed on the associa- 

 tions of very early years ; and for one lasting friendship founded at a 

 school or college, I have known a dozen proceeding from fox-hunting ; 

 and I have no hesitation in adding, that the best introduction for a 

 young man of fortune and fashion of the present day is to be found 

 at Billesdon Coplow or Oadby toll-bar. 



Leicestershire is the place of all others where riding to hounds is 

 put to the test. The excuses of " I was the wrong side of the 

 covert — I did not get a start, or the hounds slipped away from me," 

 will seldom serve here, as every man can get a fair start if he is 

 aivake, and every man has an opportunity of distinguishing himself. 



It is a remarkable fact, and a striking proof of the difficulty attend- 

 ing it, that, barring Leicestershire, there are not in other countries 

 more than half a score men calling themselves sportsmen and well 

 mounted who can ride to hounds — that is to say, who can live with 

 them for an hour over a strong country and at their best pace. 

 There are, however, I will venture to assert, in each of these 

 countries twice that number of men whose nerve is equal to any 

 fence that the others will ride at ; yet, from certain causes, they 

 cannot get near hounds. Now, how are we to reconcile this ? Here 

 are two men, w^ith nerve equally good and equally well mounted, get 

 a fair start with hounds : one of them shall never be a held from them, 

 and the other shall be dead beat, or perhaps lost, before he gets half 

 through the run if it is a good one. Nay, I will go one step farther 



