90 REMINISCENCES OF 



Johnny Vivian and I were selected. We knocked 

 at his door and a gruff voice said " Come in ". He 

 was sitting on the side of his bed, with a shawl dress- 

 ing-gown on and his hair all dishevelled and standing 

 on end. He had not slept a wink, we had made such 

 a row. We stated our request, and he said " Cer- 

 tainly, certainly," so we thanked him and retired. In 

 the morning he put his head cautiously outside the 

 door and said, " Have all those d d fellows gone ? " 



We all assembled at Hampton Wick. I rode 

 " Prisoner " and mounted John Madocks on " Can- 

 nibal ". The stag was turned out near Maldon in 

 Surrey, and we had a good run of one and a half 

 hour. We were all riding as jealous as demons, 

 and crossed the Maldon River. I got to it first 

 at a very bad place at a bend in the river. I never 

 turned right or left, but went bang at it. In I went ; 

 " Prisoner " just landed his fore-feet on the bank and 

 scrambled out, and on we went. 



1 8th February. Marched from Colnbrook to 

 Watford. Next day to St. Albans, and got a hunt 

 with Harvey Coombe's hounds at Haresfoot, near 

 Berkhampstead. Will Todd, huntsman. A fine pack 

 of hounds, formerly Osbaldeston's. Ran first fox to 

 ground, second beat us, ground foiled by harriers. 



22nd March. Norfolk Hounds met at Hock- 

 ham, twenty-four or twenty-five miles from Norwich. 

 I sent " Prisoner " on and rode " Viceroy " to the 

 meet. I went to breakfast with Mr. Partridge. 

 They drew many coverts blank. Found in Braden- 

 ham Woods at twenty minutes to four. Ran to 



