146 THE HOUSE AND HIS EIDER. 



some of the young ones diverging as usual from their 

 path of rectitude to lark over a fence or two. Along 

 the turnpike and country roads, drags' with four horses, 

 light dog-carts with two, post-chaises and gigs, each laden 

 with men muffled up in heavy clothing, showing no pink, 

 save a little bit peeping out at the collar, are all hurrying 

 onwards to the same goal; and as these living bundles, 

 with cigars in their mouths, are rapidly landing in the 

 park, it will be advisable that we also should descend 

 there to observe them. 



By about & quarter before eleven the grass in front of 

 the hospitable hunting-box of one of the late masters 

 of the Pytchley who, take him all in all, is one of the 

 very best riders in the hunt becomes as crowded as a fair 

 with sportsmen of all classes, from the highest rank in the 

 peerage down to not exactly those who rent a 61. house, 

 but who can afford money and time enough to " hoont," 

 as they call it. While two or three well-appointed ser- 

 vants in livery are very quietly, from a large barrel, 

 handing glasses of bright-looking ale to any farmer or 

 groom who, after his long ride, may happen to feel a 

 little thirsty, and while others from white wicker- baskets 

 are distributing bits of bread and lumps of cheese to any 

 man who may feel that beneath his waistcoat there is 

 house-room to receive them, the honourable and gallant 

 proDrietor of the brown barrel and white baskets, lounging 



