454 The Book of the Horse. 



the Marchioness of Salisbury, grandmother of the Cabinet Minister of 1874, who was burned 

 to death in Hatfield House on the 13th of November, 1833, '^ her eighty-fifth year. 



" Old Lady Salisbury," says Tom Raikes, " was one of the leaders of ton in the fashionable 

 world. She was a half-sister of the late Marquis of Downshire " [misprinted " Devonshire " in 

 the Diary];* "was one of the beauties of the day, famed for her equestrian exploits. In 

 early hfe she hunted with Mr. Meynell's hounds at Quorn, in Leicestershire. Till a late period 

 she constantly hunted with the Hatfield Hounds, in a sky-blue habit, with black-velvet collar 

 and a jockey cap, riding as hard as any sportsman in the field. Her Sunday (card) parties 

 and suppers in Arlington Street continued for nearly half a century to attract all the most 

 distinguished society of London. She was the last remnant of what may be called the ' old 

 school ' in England, who for many years gave the ton to society. Remarkable for her fine 

 figure, with the high-bred manners of a grande dame, Lady Salisbury scrupulously adhered 

 to the state of former days. She always went to Court in a sedan-chair, with splendid liveries ; 

 she drove out in a low phaeton, with four black ponies, postillions, and outriders. At night 

 (after the introduction of gas) her carriage was known by the flambeaux of her footmen." 



The grandes dames are all gone. A peeress who attempted Sunday card-parties visible 

 to beholders walking in the Green Park would be likely to have her windows smashed. There 

 is not one sedan-chair in London. The only relic of flambeaux is to be found in the iron 

 extinguishers still remaining over the doors of a few town mansions ; while ponies, postillions, 

 and outriders, are rarely seen, except on the carriages of royalty ; but hunting flourishes 

 more than ever, and the manners and customs of the hunting-field are softened by the presence 

 of numerous noble matrons and virgins. Unfortunately, on the other hand, the multiplication 

 of pheasant preserves has reduced the fox-hunting merits of Herts to a low scale ; and the 

 two last noble owners of Hatfield have not been fox-hunters. 



In order to encourage the enriched mothers of the middle class, I venture making an ex- 

 ception from the rule of this book, and name, amongst the noble mothers of families who have 

 been distinguished as accomplished horsewomen in the hunting-field — the Countess of Maccles- 

 field, from whom, during his residence at Oxford, the Prince of Wales received his first lessons 

 in the art of fox-hunting ; the Countess of Coventry, seldom second when she rode with her 

 husband's hounds ; the Countess of Yarborough, whom the scarlet-coated wold-men of 

 Lincolnshire swear by. A list might be compiled which would fill a page of other mothers 

 and daughters of high position and stainless character. 



When a lady hunts it is absolutely essential for the peace of mind of her friends that she 

 should be properly equipped, provided with a horse she can control — " up to her weight," " up 

 to the country " — and clever enough to leap any reasonable obstacle. Courage is important 

 in the lady's hunter for her comfort, but docility is essential for her safety. 



A young horseman is not fit for a second' season of the hunting-field if he has not pluck 

 and enthusiasm enough to take his chance on any horse that looks like a hunter, leaving the 

 perfectly-finished animal for the aged, the cripple, the nervous. 



It is youth's business — 



" To tame the wild young one, inspirit the old ; 

 The restive, the runaway, handle and hold," 



but that is not the part or the place of a lady. It is quite sufficient, if she has hands, seat, 

 and courage enough, on a perfectly-made hunter, to follow the lead of a judicious jiilot. 



• " Diary .iml Reminiscences of Social Life, from 1831 to 1S47, by Thomas Kaikes, Esq." 



