LETTER XI. 115 



through it, by throwing his tongue once or twice in a short 

 concise way, and then coming away. This hound (one 

 of the first foxhounds I ever possessed) I obtained from 

 the kennel of Sir T. Mostyn, who hunted the Oxfordshire 

 country (now belonging to Mr. Drake) for many years — 

 his sire, the Duke of Beaufort's Rallywood, and his dam, 

 Mr. Ward's sort. I had him, with eiglit couples of other 

 hounds, in the autumn of the year 1822, when pursuing 

 my studies at Alma Mater. 



At the end of the term, instead of travelling by road, 

 I commenced my homeward journey across country with 

 these hounds, mounted on a fine old hunter, which I 

 picked up at Oxford. I had intended reaching Marlbo- 

 rough the first night, but the days then being short, I 

 was fain to ask a night's lodging at the farm-house of a 

 genuine old English farmer, where I had once before 

 passed a night, when on a shooting excursion. In a 

 cold disagreeable November evening the hospitable roof 

 of my friend, Mr. Thomas Palmer, of East Garston, near 

 Lambourne, presented itself to my view, and, although 

 I had only met him twice before, I felt assured of a wel- 

 come reception. Being but a lad when I first became 

 acquainted with him, I rather doubted whether he would 

 recollect me at all ; but there was no alternative, I must 

 either obtain shelter there, or pass the night in some 

 barn on the Downs, for the shades of evening were ga- 

 thering fast around me. I accordingly put a bold face 

 on the matter, and, approaching the house, asked if the 

 master were at home. He soon made his appearance, 

 but did not immediately recollect me. At this I was 

 not surprised, as a few j^ears had altered my appearance. 

 *' Well," I said, *' Mr. Palmer, if you do not recollect me, 



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