176 FOX-HOUNDS. 



chestnut in blooming condition, the whips equally well 

 mounted on thoroughbreds, all dressed in ample scarlet 

 coats and dark cord breeches — a style of dress in much 

 better taste than the tight, short dandified costume of 

 the fashionable hunt, where the huntsman can scarcely 

 be distinguished from the " swell." 



Of the Earl's family there were present a son and 

 daughter, and three grandsons, beautiful boys, in Lincoln 

 green loose jackets, brown cord breeches, black boots, 

 and caps ; of these, the youngest, a fair, rosy child of 

 about eight or nine years old, on a thorough-bred chest- 

 nut pony, was all day the admiration of the field ; he 

 dashed along full of genuine enthusiasm, stopping at 

 nothing practicable. 



Amongst others present was a tall, lithe, white-haired, 

 white-moustached, dignified old gentleman, in scarlet 

 and velvet cap, riding forward on a magnificent gray 

 horse, who realised completely the poetical idea of a 

 nobleman. This was the Marquess of H— — , known 

 well forty years ago in fashionable circles, when 

 George IV. was Prince, now popular and much esteemed 

 as a countiy gentleman and improving landlord. There 



was also Mr. H , an INI. P., celebrated, before he 



settled into place and " ceased his hum, " as a hunter of 

 bishops — a handsome, dark man, in leathers and patent 

 Napoleons ; with his wife on a fine bay horse, who rode 

 boldly throughout the day. 



In strange coimtries I usually pick out a leader in 

 some well-knowing farmer ; but this day I made a grand 

 mistake, by selecting for my guide a slim, quiet-looking, 

 young fellow, in a black hat and coat, white cords, and 

 boots, on a young chestnut — never dreaming that my 



quiet man was Alec , a farmer truly, but also a j^ro- 



vincial celebrity as a steeplechaser. 



