BEAUFORT HUNT: PAST AND PRESENT. 75 



Over Bushton's strong fences continued the game, 



And grief was the lot of both Blues and outsiders. 



As we ran past a covert, Black Dog is its name ; 



(Not so black as the garments of some of the riders !) 



Yet our guests, although here anel there prostrate they lay. 



Did credit to Berks on the " Visitois' Day." 



An ex-M.F.H., and his daughter so bold, 



Helme, and thiee of " The Boyals " were there to the fore, 

 Sclater-Booth, with a hat prematurely made old. 



Which its shape shall recover, ah ! never no more ! 

 But he came up ejuite Learning, as one who should say, 

 " What's a hat more or less on the Visitoi-s' Day ? " 



By the ladies from Draycot we all were impressed. 



And the lady fioni C'oisham that i-ides the grey cob ; 



And the lady from Birdrup was going hei' best 



When most weie l.'eginning to sigh and to sob ; 



While Wroughton's fair Queen, and of course Easton Grey, 



Held their own in the run on the " Visitoi's' Day." 



Clyffe Wood is behind us ; again does our fox 



Treat the notion of rest with derision and laugh; 

 Biishton hangings are gained, and we look at our clocks; 



By the points on the map seven miles and a half 

 In thirty-six minutes, deny it who may. 

 Though deep was the going on " Visitors' Day." 



Still forward, past Stanmore, a field to his left. 



Fresh foxes on foot, and diminished the pace ; 

 But our " gees " are well nigh of a struggle bereft. 



As again to the valley our steps we retrace — 

 At the mouth of a drain the hounds clamour and bay — 

 Ninety minutes to ground on the " Visitors' Day." 



Space forbids me to offer an accurate score 



Of those who went best when the pace was " a hopper " ; 

 Owen, Wilson, t'otes, Donovan, Harford, and more 



Went well, though they " took " an occasional " cropper" ; 

 While many men found that " Macadam " will pay 

 If used with discretion on " Visitoi-s' Day." 



Nor must I omit the full merits to state 



Of two Ncstors, oft mentioned in Badminton lays ; 



For the Duke anel the Colonel were giving such weight 

 As woulel tax Major Egerton's brains to appraise — 



You must bring out a nag that can gallop and stay 



If you ride sixteen stone on the " Visitoi-s' Day." 



And what shall be saiel of the Badminton pack. 



Those " ladies " that raced from the moment they found ? 



Those twenty-three couple that led the attack. 



Each one of them there when they ran him to ground ? 



Like leeches to blood they stuck to their prey. 



The pride of Charles Ham))lin on " Visitors' Day." 



But by no means the least, tho' it may be the last, 



Comes he who inherits the ken of his race ; 



Though for thirty-six minutes hounds never were cast. 



Lord Worcester, the huntsman, was there in his place. 

 His motto is " Sport," and we all of us pray 

 That he'll show the same sport on next " Visitors' day." 



Our guests are departing, " Farewell " they exclaim, 

 May never worse fortune South Berkshire betide 

 Than to visit a eountry whose timc-honour'd name 



Me.ans a welcome to all who like sportsmen will ride, 

 A welcome alike from November to May, 

 Farewell to the Duke and the " Visitors' Day." 



P. K. BLAm-OLiruANT. 



