296 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



In the hunters' stables were seven first-rate horses, but 

 not looking to advantage, being stripped of their clothing, 

 and, in the language of the grooms of that day, " put out 

 of condition," previously to being turned out for the 

 summer, the Baronet not having quite relinquished the 

 grazing sytsem, although his stud remained abroad for a 

 much less time than that of his neighbour did, and were 

 allowed a certain portion of corn. They appeared to our 

 hero to be just the sort of horses to carry thirteen stone, 

 which they did carry, whilst under their owner, let the 

 country or pace be what they may. In short, they were 

 ridden by one of the first horsemen England ever saw. 

 Amongst them was Watchmaker, the Baronet's favourite 

 horse, and of which we have already spoken as having 

 signalized himself on the Bosworth day, in one instance ; 

 in the struggle between the orange and red, in another ; 

 and also as having been depictured in the " Sporting 

 Magazine," in the act of taking a desperate leap, and 

 setting the whole field. He was a grey gelding, sixteen 

 hands high, of singularly fine form, and a delightful horse 

 to ride over every description of ground. 



The next thing that attracted the eye of the party was 

 the Baronet's driving coach, which stood in the yard, with 

 the bars on the head of the pole, great-coats on the box, 

 and behind ; lamps in the irons, with the slides down, but 

 fresh trimmed everything, in short, ready for a start. 

 The fact was, the Baronet was going to dine with a friend, 

 residing about twelve miles distant from Townley, with 

 the intention of returning at night. The coach-stable was 

 then entered, and a gratifying sight was presented to 

 by far the majority of the party. It contained thirteen 

 coach-horses, not, perhaps, remarkable for their fine 

 figures, but coming under the denomination of very useful 

 horses for road work, of which they had no small share, 

 scarcely a day passing, in the summer, but they took their 

 turns in harness ; and when the locality of the fixture 

 suited for wheels, they were generally seen at the cover's 

 side in the winter. The colour was grey, with the 

 exception of one piebald, but the Baronet was not partial 

 to piebalds, having, for the most part, found them soft, 

 and not strong in their harness. Lastly, the harness-room 

 was greatly admired, not only for the cleanliness of the 

 tackle, but for the real business - like appearance of 

 everything which it contained. Among the items were, 



