THE M.F.H. 7 



strongly expressive of canine contempt, ardently long- 

 ing to be drafted off to a country where things are 

 differently managed. 



It is needless to say that in the Marquis of Wilt- 

 shire's country nothing of this sort has been heard of 

 from time immemorial. The hunt know that a perfect 

 knowledge of woodcraft, together with an absolute 

 genius for the "noble science," direct the governance of 

 the chase, and they are too good sportsmen not to 

 comprehend their luck ; to say nothing of personal 

 esteem and regard for their leader, 



A long time has passed since Lord Wiltshire was 

 called upon to give proof of the good account to which 

 he had turned the lessons learnt on the backs of the 

 pony and the cob. One day, for reasons which it is not 

 necessary to detail, the well- mounted field found them- 

 selves with an excellent pack, three efficient whips, a 

 master, and no huntsman ; and the question arose, who 

 is going to hunt the hounds ? " I will," exclaimed the 

 Marquis : and the patience, skill, and cunning with 

 which a wily fox was killed close upon three hours 

 afterwards established for his Lordship a reputation 

 which has ever since continued to increase. 



This was long ago. Since then many years have fled 

 to what the versifier, eagerly searching for some sport- 

 ing metaphor, has called 



" The stables where Time's steeds are stalled 

 When they have run their races ; 

 Whence never one was e'er recall'd — 

 Eheu ! antti ftigaces P^ 



