130 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



handy than Bedfordshire. The hounds are fast 

 enough^ but where they are constantly impeded by 

 fences, the same sort of streaming goer is not 

 wanted for a hunter as in countries with large en- 

 closures, and often all but racing ground. But if 

 a man wants a perfect made hunter, let him get 

 one esteemed as such with the Oakley, and he 

 may rest assured he will get a very clever animal. 

 We now come close to London, and will speak 

 of Surrey, taking the country formerly hunted 

 by Colonel JollifFe. Here, and I mean it in no 

 disrespect to any pack who hunt it, or field who 

 patronise it, for I have had many most delightful 

 days in it — I should never think of riding any- 

 thing beyond a fifty pound hack; he will carry 

 you just as well from a meet at Chipstead as 

 would Osbaldiston^s never- to-be-forgot Clasher. 

 High breeding is not required, for foxes, at least 

 I found it so, usually run short ; you get a plea- 

 sant burst, have then time to collect yourself and 

 your horse ; you then get another spin ; and, for 

 those who do not ride expressly for fame, a very 

 pleasant hunt was JoUiffe^s, not a whit less plea- 

 sant from having so courteous, gentlemanly, and 

 pleasant a master as Colonel Jolliflfe was. The 

 only reason v>hy I say a fifty pound hack Avill 

 carry a man is this, the surface rides light and 

 dry, and there is not, figuratively speaking, a 

 fence in the country a good Gallo^vay could not 



