The Warwickshire. 297 



considerably — as we sliall see as we go on to details of 

 its geography. On the Shuckburgh side in the far 

 east you must have as good a horse as you can buy > 

 for a stiffer country (being a feasible one) is not to be 

 found anywhere. Much of the south of the Warwick- 

 shire domain too, is a fine grass country , requiring a 

 horse of quality. The poorest part — as riding and 

 scenting ground — is, perhaps, close to the head centre, 

 Leamington. But as your horse, like yourself, must 

 be prepared to take his turn in rough and smooth, and 

 as every mile, south or east, brings you on better 

 ground, you will scarcely be safe at Leamington in 

 keeping an inferior animal for the home circuit. 

 Besides which, as one goes through Country after 

 Country, the fact daily impresses itself more strongly, 

 that if you would be carried really ivell, and go field 

 for field with hounds throughout the day, you want an 

 even better horse for an inferior country than for a 

 first-rate one. You may not require as brilliant fencing- 

 qualities — nor perhaps the same turn of speed. But 

 to be galloping continually through the deep, and 

 jumping out of sticky ground, takes twice as much 

 out of a horse as skimming lightly over sound ridge- 

 and-furrow, and ^'^ flicking" from field to field upon 

 firm and springy foothold. The question is merely 

 whether the game is worth the candle — the game 

 being bad sport, and the candle no farthing rushlight 

 but a two hundred guinea dip into your pocket. Most 

 of us will decide for a modest half light ; lay aside all 

 hope of dazzling eS'ect, and plod steadily on with the 

 certainty of seeing a great deal. But these remarks 

 apply to little of the Warwickshire country. 



