1 84 THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



retired, evincing predilections in favour of the classics. 

 Unfortunately, his deadly foe, ophthalmia, constantly 

 interfered with his studies, and in mathematics he had 

 to be content with the humble place of "wooden 

 spoon." At this critical time he proposed to Miss 

 Caroline Lynes, third daughter of Thomas Lynes, Esq., 

 of Hackleton House, Northampton, and was met with 

 a refusal. This so deranged his health that brain fever 

 ensued. But upon further acquaintance Miss Lynes 

 was induced to change her mind, and they were 

 married on May 12, 1847. At this time "The Druid" 

 was settled in Doncaster, where he was presumed to be 

 reading in an attorney's office ; but, like his old friend, 

 Mr. Daley, long the clerk of the course at Carlisle, he 

 did not enjoy calf-skin, and soon settled down into a 

 sporting writer, much to his father's annoyance, though 

 he did not stop his yearly allowance. At last, however, 

 a book appeared from his pen, entitled "The Law of 

 the Farm," which so gladdened the old man's heart 

 that he sent him a cheque for ;^ioo. This book, how- 

 ever, did not appear till 1858, or nearly eight years 

 after " The Druid " had moved to London, which he 

 did during 1850. But his Doncaster life had brought 

 out the salient features of his writing. From con- 

 tributing articles on all sorts of subjects to the Don- 

 caster Gazette, he rose to the position of manager of 

 that journal and was by many regarded as its avowed 

 and acknowledged editor. However, technical editorial 

 work was the least important thing that he learnt, for 

 it was at this time that he really began to study Nature 

 and more particularly men and horses. Country lanes 



