466 The Book of the Hokse. 



were sent into the cover, and it was a grand sight to see so many handsome dogs all of a size, and all washed 

 before coming out, rushing into the underwood to start the fox. We did not get a scent immediately, and rode 

 from cover to cover; but soon the cry was raised, 'Tally-ho '—the horn was blown, the dogs barked, the 

 horsemen rallied, the hounds scented their way through the cover on the trail of the fox, and then started in 

 full run. I had originally intended only to ride to cover to see them throw off, and then make my way home 

 believing myself unequal to the probable run ; but the chase commenced, and I was in the midst of it, and, 

 being excellently mounted, nearly at the head of it. Never did I see such a scamper, and never did it enter 

 into my head that horses could be pushed to such speed in such places. We dashed through and over buslies, 

 leaping broad ditches, splashing in brooks and mud, and passing over fences as so many imaginary lines. My 

 first fence I shall not readily forget. I was near Lord Milton, who was mounted on a thoroughbred horse. 

 He cleared a fence before him. My horse pawed the ground and neighed. I gave him the rein and he 

 cleared the fence. As I was up in the air for one moment, how I was startled to look down and see that there 

 was not only a fence, but a ditch! He cleared the ditch too. I have said it was my first experiment. I lost 

 my balance, was thrown to the very ears of the horse, but in some way or other contrived to work myself back 

 to the saddle without touching the ground. How I got back I cannot tell, but I did regain my seat, and my 

 horse was at a run in a moment. All this, you will understand, passed in less time by far than it will take to 

 read this account. One moment we were in a scamper through a ploughed field, another over a beautiful 

 pasture, and another winding through the devious paths of a wood. I have said that I mounted at nine and 

 a half o'clock. It wanted twenty minutes to five when I finally dismounted, not having been out of the saddle 

 more than thirty seconds during all this time, and then only to change my horse, taking a fresh one from a 

 groom who was in attendance. During much of this time we were on a full run. 



" The next day had its incidents. The place of meeting for the hounds was about fourteen miles from the 

 house. Our horses were previously led thither by grooms, and we rode there in a carriage and four with 

 outriders, and took our horses fresh. This day I met with a fall. The country was very rough, and the fences 

 often quite stiff and high. I rode among the foremost, and on going over a fence and a brook together, came 

 to the ground. My horse cleared them both ; and I cleared him, for I went directly over his head. Of course 

 he started off, but was soon caught by Lord Milton and a parson who had already made the leap successfully. 

 The best and hardest rider in this part of the country is reputed to be a clergyman, and there was not a day 

 that I was out that I did not see three or four persons rejoicing in the style of ' Reverend,' and distinguishable 

 from the rest of the habitiiis by wearing a black instead of a red coat. They were among the foremost in 

 every field. Once we came to a very stiff rail fence ; the hounds were not in full cry ; there was a general 

 stop to see how the different horses and riders would take it. Many were afraid, and several horses refused it. 

 Soon, however, the Rev. Mr. Nash, a clergyman of some fifty years, came across the field, and the cry was 

 raised, 'Hurrah for Nash! Now for Nash!' I need not say that he went over it easily. It was the Rev. 

 Mr. Nash who caught my horse. None of the clergymen who were out were young men, they were all more 

 than forty-five, if not fifty. 



" Dinner was early, because the sportsmen return fatigued, and without having tasted a morsel of food 

 since an early breakfast. So after our return we only had time to dress, and at five and a half o'clock assembled 

 in the library, from which we went into dinner. You have in proper succession soup, fish, venison, and the 

 large English dishes, besides a profusion of French enirifes, with ice-crc.im, and an ample dessert — Madeira, 

 sherry, claret, port, and champagne. We do not sit long at table, but return to the library, which opens into 

 two or three drawing-rooms, and is itself used as the principal one, where we find the ladies already at their 

 embroidery and also coffee. Conversation goes on languidly. The boys are sleepy, and Lord Fitzwilliam is 

 serious and melancholy, and very soon I am glad to kill off an hour or so by a game at cards. About eleven 

 o'clock I am glad to retire to my chamber, which is a very large apartment with two large oriel windows, looking 

 out upon the lawn where the deer are feeding. There I find a glowing fire, and in one of the various easy-chairs 

 sit and muse while the fire burns, or resort to the pen, ink, and paper, which are carefully placed on the table 

 near me." — From Memorials of Charles Sumner. 



THE HUNTING SEASON. 



The hunting .season commences with the wild deer of Exmoor in tlie middle of August ; 

 in September the hare is hunted in those districts of n)onrland and down-land where there 



