230 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



to be the kingdom of the horse. Here you may 

 meet representatives of every nation and language ; 

 looking for the pearl of great price, in a hunting 

 paradise. There in the distance is the farm with 

 its jumps, and the private pack of harriers kennelled 

 close by ; the big riding-school electrically lighted, 

 where a horse can be extended in his gallop or 

 jumped at any hour of the day or night. Square 

 after square of stabling meets the eye, with weather 

 vanes of life-size hounds and foxes ; to remind new- 

 comers that their hunting instincts must be up 

 to concert pitch. The walls of the office are covered 

 with winning rosettes ; for successes in the show-ring 

 with hunters, average over £1000 a year in prize 

 value since 1899 > reaching £2000 in 1905, 1907 

 and 1908. Among Mr Stokes' patrons he numbers 

 representatives of all the great hunting families in 

 England, His Gracious Majesty, King George head- 

 ing the list, together with the late King Edward 

 VII. And among foreign potentates are H.M. the 

 Emperor of Austria, King Alfonso of Spain, and the 

 late King Humbert of Italy. Masters of hounds 

 include the Duke of Beaufort, the Earl of Lonsdale, 

 and Sir Gilbert Greenall. 



But there is Mr Stokes himself absorbed in 

 trimming the tail of a magnificent grey weight- 

 carrier ; which was to be our mount. As a boy 

 the world-known dealer of hunters had a passion 

 for the chase, when at home on the farm with his 

 father in Northamptonshire. His earliest recollec- 

 tions are riding a pony in Rockingham forest with 

 George Carter, hunting the Fitzwilliam hounds. 

 Happening to get in front of the old huntsman, 

 who had rough and ready methods of tuition, he 

 roared at him, " Confound your impertinence, boy, 

 what do you mean by getting in front of me ? " at 



