98 HOUND AND HORN ; 



drunk, and the toast duly honoured. The old man 

 had his one glass, and I was obliged to practise a 

 deception on him as to the rest ; for seeing an empty 

 bottle standing on a table , behind me, after a while 

 I got hold of it, and letting him feel that it was what 

 is termed, I believe, " a dead man," I took the one from 

 which the two glasses were gone, down stairs for the 

 skirls, and left it for them to finish at their leisure, 

 under 'the promise they would not betray me. 



I believe I have stated that upon his birthday the 

 old huntsman always appeared in his red coat. It was 

 on his completing his ninety-first year, that he wore, it for 

 the last time ; though I have still something to tell 

 respecting its last appearance, for we shall see it no 

 more. Perhaps I can hardly do better than give the 

 paragraph relating to it, which appeared in the County 

 Gentleman, of December 8th, of that year : " On 

 Thursday, November 29th, old George Carter, the 

 veteran huntsman, completed his ninety-first year, and, 

 as usual on his birthday, came out once more in the 

 red coat and white waistcoat at dinner, which he 

 said he could still enjoy. In the evening the toast 

 ' Fox hunting,' was given, and ' we have accounted 

 for the ninety- first fox, old friend, and with God's 

 blessing we will handle the ninety-second this day 

 twelvemonth;' and then came in reply, 'Very good. 



