FOXHUNTING IN EARNEST. 183 



gated terror and dislike towards those Fawsley doubles, which 

 can surely only have been planted there for the pronounced 

 purpose of interfering with foxhunting at some period of 

 the 18th century. No farmer and no landlord of the present 

 day could afford so extravagant a means of marking his dislike 

 towards his neighbours or to the popular sport (were such 

 a feeling possible), for they cover a width of in many cases at 

 least ten yards apiece. More often the first fence alone is 

 repellant enough to turn all comers aside. But should you be 

 deluded enough to accept an apparent opening and make your 

 way on to the bank, you are likely to find yourself in a far 

 worse plight yet surrounded by thick jungle that forthwith 

 lays hands on your hat and face, and confronted by new oak 

 rails or an impossible bullfinch, with a ditch of unknown 

 dimension beyond. You are at once, in fact, on the horns and 

 thorns of a cruel dilemma. You must elect between the 

 agonies of physical cowardice or the humiliation of moral 

 pluck. For the way out points to the certainty of a cropper, to 

 be taken at a stand or walk (ugh !), while to go back must 

 entail upon you the well-merited jeers of comrades in waiting. 

 Some men may like the situation. I admit that such few 

 trials as I have ventured upon have brought for me anything 

 but a sensation of perfect happiness, but on the contrary left me 

 firmly determined to try no more till I am younger. 



FOXHUNTING IN EARNEST. 



Saturday, November 20th. As the leaves drop off, how the 

 crowd drops in ! To-day's attendance on the Pytchley at 

 Welton Place has been as ten to one compared with their 

 Badby meet of a fortnight previous. Racegoing is nearly a 

 dead letter ; half the tame pheasants of the British Isles have 

 been already gathered ; half the best guns have been sent into 

 store, and as many new coats brought out. Has not the long 

 swinging stride of a bold fox leaving his lair power to raise 



