instinct has not wliolly deserted them. Hero vre would faia pourtraj' the meet, but it 

 may not be ; and great as the charm such a locality thi'ows around the scene, vfc must 

 pass it by ; and making our exit from the domain (on wbich we have been trespassers, 

 by the way, though himting men arc ncA-er called to account for laches of this descrip- 

 tion), join the busy throng iu the village beyond. 



Ilere wc find a crowd of boys, shopkeepers and others ; a few grooms in livery 

 walking theii' masters' horses about opposite the King's Axms or some other hostelry. 

 Then a dog-cart or two from the neighbouring barracks, probably with a shaky wheeler 

 and queer bo-kicker in the traces, will make tlieii- appearance. Then a yoimgster comes 

 up "bloody with spiu'ring, fiery hot with speed," on a clever galloping hack. To him 

 succeeds a jolly green-coated yeoman, bestriding his nag that takes him to market and 

 round the land, while his hunter, more probably than not a fine five-year old with some 

 Sledmere or Bishop Burton blood in his veins, has been "sent on." Doubtless he cost 

 his owner tlu'ce figures, and by the time he has had a couple of seasons' fun out of him, 

 will, with luck pay liira a good percentage for the investment, and perhaps, some daj-, 

 come out as a finished himter " iii the shires." Biit hold hard, and make room !— for here 

 is Will and the pack. Truly, a parlous chance for them you will fancy, as daintily trotting 

 beside and around his horse, they thi'ead their way through the crowd. But the 

 first whiji is in advance^ and, "By your leave, Sir," or "hounds, gentlemen, please," 

 clears a ready track; while the outstretched crop and suspended thong is signal 

 enough to keep them clear of danger. And so wheels and fidgetty hacks arc safely 

 passed ; and with the pack grouped around him, Old Will sits iu the centre of the village 

 green, the hero of the hour. Aid to the rustic mind at least he is a hero. W ho knows 

 how many a youthful heart, iuspii-ed by the scene, may not then and there resolve to 

 go to the stables; and how many embryo huntsmen and whips may be gazing from 

 that admiring crowd. Sec the blue-eyed yoimgster, who has edged himself within the 

 scarlet-coated triangle, and is renewing his acquaintanceship ^vith his old playmate 

 Slasher, who was Avalked at Cleaver's the butcher's, last summer. As he pets and 

 fondles him, who can tell what visions of future glory in pink and pigskin are not floating 

 through his youthfid brain. Not a little delighted is the comely dame, his mother, 

 to point out to her neighbours how little Bob takes it "quite natm-al-liko ; " and 

 even the fii'st whip overlooks the encroachment, as he receives a good-humoured smile, 

 and gently %varns Bob to keep back. Perhaps were the good dame less comely, the 

 urchin would be dismissed more promptly and unceremoniously. But the scene 

 thickens, and. the hounds are by no means the only objects of attraction. Pinlvs are 

 crowding in apace, and, better still, the bright smiling faces of England's daughters arc 

 mingling in the scene. Not as years ago, when Fielding wrote "Tom Jones," and Di 

 Vernon was an exceptional instance of the fairer sex joining the chase ; they are now 

 to be seen at the covert side, happily in good numbers ; and any meet of importance 

 wUl be favoured by the presence of at least ten or a dozen, often far more. This is as 

 it should be ; and while ladies sanction the sport by then- presence, fox-himting must 

 floui'ish. The battle between common sense and prejudice has been a strong one, and 

 many a thorough gentleman of the old school have we heard say: " No wife or daughter 

 of mine shall hunt ;" but common sense has carried the day, and a man may now 

 enjoy his gallop without being debarred an approving glance at the prowess he exhibits. 

 Though place aux dames is om* motto on the present occasion, there is one more important 

 personage still ; and when the Master arrives hats are doftcd, and we bow to the autocrat 

 of the horn-. No matter be he old or yoimg, his word is law (or should be) ; and it is 

 only when he has exchanged his hack for the three-huudi-ed guinea himter that the 

 signal to " thi'ow off"" is given, and the crowd put in motion. Let us hope he is one of 

 those who try to please all classes, and that he will select a covert where horse, foot, and 

 artillerj^ — or in other words both the carriage company and pedestrians — will stand an 

 equal chance of seeing the fun. At any rate, with his nod the crowd is dispersed; and 

 the meet for the day is over, while, kaleidoscope-like, another section of the ever-changing 

 chase must occujjy our pen and pencil. 



