42 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



but to be a safe conveyance, your horse must be a 

 " tip-top " bank jumper, and a bold fencer. 



The number who comprise the "field" average 

 about 150, including many who would be regarded 

 as first-flight men in any age or in any country. I 

 have given in my reminiscences of other hunts the 

 names of those who comprised the leading brigade in 

 the days of " auld lang syne," as well as those of the 

 present. But in this instance I will not presume to 

 make selections,there are so many worthy of honourable 

 mention, that I could scarcely make up my mind as to 

 who are deserving of being included in the schedule. 

 Although I have had very many good days hunting 

 with these grand hounds, and ample opportunity of 

 seeing, and, I may add, did see them often race, " head 

 up and sterns down," when in the front rank were 

 gathered the "good and the true ones." The field, too, 

 invariably includes visitors from Meath, Dublin, 

 Queen's County, and an occasional pleasure seeker 

 from the Shires, and other " birds of passage,'" such as 

 officers of the Dublin and Newbridge Garrison. The 

 thought may strike some that I might mention a few of 

 the flyers who have ere now gone to ground without 

 fear of giving offence. I thought of doing so, but I have 

 not yet lived to comb a gray hair, my *' tatch " is 

 unstained by those silvery indications of the flight 

 of youthful days, so my recollection does not extend 

 very far back, and I will not add to the few I have 

 already particularised. 



Several of the best men of the present day are named 

 the "Men of Kildare," which I may add was com- 

 posed by me after a good run with the Kildares in 

 1876. 



