CHASING AND RACING 71 



become acquainted with him when, just after I had 

 come down from Trinity, I inaugurated the Fox 

 Terrier Club ; for he was an enthusiastic breeder and 

 exhibitor of this most charming of the smaller canine 

 breeds. Later on I hope to have something to say 

 about this industry and pleasant hobby, but I am now 

 on the hunting lay ; though it is convenient here and 

 now to remind all and sundry that Fred Burbidge was 

 one of the very best all round " sports " of " the old 

 brigade." He was a member of the early " All 

 England Cricket XI," and could hold his own at any 

 game. As a boxer, he was practically supreme at his 

 weight — that which is now styled ** light heavy," or 

 perhaps " cruiser " — and was a skilled cuest. He and 

 " Aunty Emmy," his better half — an accomplished 

 horsewoman, though somewhat handicapped by rheu- 

 matoid arthritis — often patronized the M. and H.V.H., 

 and he it was who now approached the committees of 

 the two O.B.H. divisions with the suggestion that 

 they should amalgamate, and that the mastership of 

 the whole country should be offered to my unworthy 

 self. 



A meeting was convened at the Euston Hotel, 

 which I was invited to attend. A long conference was 

 held, the while I cooled my heels in the passage. At 

 last ** Uncle Punch," who held an unofficial brief on 

 my behalf, came out. 



** Cockie," he began, ** the committee wants to 

 know whether, in the case of its deciding to offer you 



