A BRIDGE OF SIGHS. 557 



sell pencil or flower. E'en the beauty-pictures of the photo- 

 graph shops seemed to shrink and tremble in their semi- 

 nudity, and to enter mute protest against their exposure, 

 while in flesh and blood the originals whisked by, wrapped 

 brow-high in fur. 



But the cold passed away from the Midlands sooner than from 

 the Metropolis ; and, as I have said, the Grafton were out on 

 Monday with no great result, however the best item being a 

 late little scurry between Maidford and Plumpton. 



Dare I tell it ? Yes, I must even though I expose myself 

 to a charge of ungallantry or frivolous impertinence. You 

 know that one of the most recognized characteristics of a 

 Northamptonshire field is its courtesy. E'en itself would allow, 

 perhaps, that its very haute politesse is reserved for or at all 

 events is most prominent when hounds are not running, and 

 particularly when the first rush is not on. It was at a placid 

 moment that on one day this week a concourse arrived on the 

 Avon's bank with a view to crossing that river. The bridge 

 was narrow, with a hand-gate at either end : and the field pro- 

 ceeded to defile slowly across. Hounds, as I have said, were 

 not running ; and polished courtesy ruled the day. (It was not 

 exactly so, I remember, a month ago but then a fox was before 

 us on that occasion.) Now, it was quite a case of " our skipper 

 ashore " with his off-duty manners. " Ladies, please ! Let 

 the ladies go ! " And they were passed into the pen, a string 

 of them together. The pen would just hold three couple, in 

 single file. But by some accident the leading couple went 

 abreast ; the gate in front slammed to ; and the gate behind at 

 the same moment closed on the last, thus enclosing seven in all ! 

 The leaders, being wedged tight together, could not get at the 

 latch with their right hands ; their education did not reach to 

 using a whip with the left ; nor could they change their position 

 an inch. So there the whole party stood, lamb-like, for several 

 minutes, (while 200 waited too), till a gallant youth alighted, 

 and scrambled past them along the outside of the bridge. I 

 leave you to suggest what seven men would have said during 



