44 Iji^ Scarlet and Silk 



the Grafton country, and, speaking for my- 

 self, I never heard the noble Master use even 

 a sharp expression. He was invariably cour- 

 teous to all — but no one ever thought of 

 disobeying him. 



Mr. Sheffield Neave's Staghounds go, about 

 three days a fortnight, over much the same 

 country as the Essex Foxhounds, and though 

 the pack is hardly an ornamental one, they 

 have shown good sport for many seasons past. 

 Mr. Brindle now whips in to them, vice Mr. 

 Edward Neave resigned, whilst the Master 

 most ably carries the horn in ]yyoprid "persona. 



It was in the Essex country that Major 

 Foster met with his fatal accident several 

 seasons back. His horse refused, and then 

 fell with him, at a deep ditch. Some time 

 elapsed before the animal could be got off 

 his prostrate rider, and then it was found 

 that, unhappily, the pommel of the saddle 

 had pressed him down, and literally choked 

 him. 



I commenced this chapter by saying that 

 Essex was always a sporting country. This 



