192 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



a mount in the hands of such artists as Capt. Smith and 

 distance. But such a class of horse is wofully unsuitable to 

 six feet of leggedness, however limber, while to a duffer of any 

 build he constitutes a source of positive unseaworthiness when 

 difficulties run strong and high. But ignoring all argument as 

 to choice, it is a matter of apparent fact that average sports- 

 men, as produced hereabouts, ride more powerful horses now 

 than they were wont to when we were ten years' better men. 

 Yet, as long ago as 1842 Mr. Apperley put in the mouth of 

 Captain Barclay (who, however, was of athletic rather than of 

 riding fame) : " Purchase your hunters with more strength than 

 merely required to carry your weight. Never buy horses that 

 are not at least a stone above it ! " And now having brought 

 out my text at the end of my little sermon, I may let you go. 



Saturday, December ^th, opened with pouring rain ; and 

 Goodall brought the pack to Bad by Wood. But it must have- 

 been a perilous journey from kennels and back. Hunting was- 

 out of the question ; for even the turf had not given a bit. It 

 was better towards afternoon, and at least allowed exercise and 

 rumination which at least is as profitable as " the feast of 

 reason and the flow of soul," provided at this merry season for 

 stay-at-horne sportsmen, in the shape of complete and exact 

 report on the backslidings of their fellow creatures in sin.* 

 The meets of the week to come had just arrived ; and a softened 

 atmosphere gave prospect of our yet going through a truly- 

 choice programme. The country wears its pleasantest aspect as- 

 one views it longingly and expectantly from a hack saddle. The- 

 hedges have cast off the last shred of their autumn clothing 

 and relapsed into the becoming scantiness of seasonable attire. 

 As compared with the heavy dark structures of a month or six 

 weeks ago, they are positively tempting when contemplated 

 from a position of safety. ('Tis a very different thing when 

 they stare you straight and grimly in the face with a " No, sii\ 

 you don't come this way ! ") And in fact we ought to be riding 

 to hounds there can be little doubt of that. 



* Allusion to certain causct ctlebrcs in process of being thrashed out. 



