268 KINGSCLERE 



well as a personally conducted tour of the stables, 

 are embraced in the visitors' entertainment. The 

 equestrians who desire it are mounted by their host, 

 while those who would be unable to qualify for ' The 

 Two Pins' Club,' 1 or who prefer another sort of 

 conveyance, can be equally accommodated. When 

 the work is done on the gallops nearest the house, 

 the walk there and back is within the capacity of the 

 pedestrian who does not fancy himself at a record ; 

 but Sydmonton, out and in, save to a walker who is 

 exceptionally fit, is rather a high trial. The journey 

 in the governess' cart is not without its spice of 

 excitement. Whether a nipper from the stables 

 holds the reins and takes you, after fording the 

 stream at the end of the village, by the more 

 circuitous route, or 'young Mr. John' strikes out 

 from the first summit of the road Overton way 

 across the Downs, you may depend upon ex- 

 periencing moments of probably unreasonable 

 trepidation. But after you have closely shaved 

 a gatepost or two, and the protruding roots of a 

 gnarled old tree have thrown a wheel up to an angle 

 of forty-five degrees, you skirt the clanging rookery, 

 mount an upland, and descrying the three strings of 

 sheeted thoroughbreds, two on the heights and one 

 in the climbing valley, with Porter mounted upon 

 Jack directing the work, you feel how delightful it is 

 to be there. In its way it is a most beautiful sight, 

 and when England possesses a Meissonier capable 

 of painting horses in action with his spirit and truth 



1 Dick Txar/rin and John Gil///*. 



