HUNTING TOURS. 337 



it was accomplished, and Mr. Baker's gallantry- 

 was duly appreciated. Apart from sporting 

 conventionalism it was a glorious scene. To 

 attempt an approximate idea of the number 

 of pedestrians assembled would be far beyond 

 my powers of calculation ; but, on the autho- 

 rity of a renowned military officer present, 

 best enabled to form an estimate, there were 

 between 30,000 and 40,000 — a number, I 

 believe, never previously collected on a similar 

 occasion, and, as it was said, exceeding the 

 number who were present to do homage to 

 our gracious Sovereign when Her Majesty 

 visited the city of Coventry. Enthusiastic 

 foxhunters might cavil at such an unusual 

 interruption to a portion of their morning's 

 sport, but generous dispositions would, with 

 unbounded satisfaction, for once sacrifice 

 their own temporary pleasure with Avilling- 

 ness, in contemplation of the happiness 

 afforded to so many thousands; and more 

 than that, with what heartfelt gratification 

 would they behold the beaming countenances 

 present. Whether it was that the exciting 

 scene banished for the time all the despon- 

 dencies of care and woe, or whether the con- 

 viction that brighter days were in store, an 



Q 



