RECOLLECTIONS OF GEORGE CARTER. 101 



former years, and then gradually subsided into a calm, 

 the precursor of death. 



On the night of November 21st he passed away. 

 It hardly seemed death, but a simple stepping across 

 the boundary between time and eternity. He had 

 not quite reached his ninety-second birthday, but was 

 within view of it. Seven days more (for it was 

 'twixt night and morning that he died) would have 

 entitled him to another figure on his coffin lid ; but 

 it was not to be. 



His funeral, which took place in Milton church- 

 yard on the Wednesday following, was attended by 

 many from a distance, as well as by those who had 

 lived around him. 



Tli^ old red coat and hunting cap did duty for 

 the last time, as they lay upon the pall; and when 

 the form of the old huntsman descended to its last 

 resting-place, the livery of the chase went with him. 

 He had never disgraced them in life, and they were 

 no disgrace to him now. There let them lie ; and 

 when Hound and Horn shall be no more, ma}^ the 

 old huntsman be found ready. 



Somehow, as if by common consent, one by one, men 

 dropped into a dining-room not far from where they 

 had seen their old friend to OTound : a table was laid for 

 any who might wish to refresh the inner man before 



