1,2 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIEID. 



or at any rate, as a very general rule, fidgets consider- 

 ably and uncomfortably when he joins his companions ; 

 and as the whimper which hints at a find swells into a 

 chorus of conviction, gives such tokens of exuberant 

 delight as efiectually prevent me from criticising with 

 Mr. Checkley the manner in which the hounds are 

 working. 



There was no vulgar whipping, spurring, and shout- 

 ing on the Major's part when premonitory symptoms of 

 unruliness set in. His gentle admonitions were imper- 

 ceptibly conveyed ; and, reduced to perfect quietude, his 

 young horse appeared to share his rider's desire to get 

 away without any fuss or nonsense on a good line of his 



own. 



Evidently the INIajor preferred schooling young ones, 

 for his green-coated groom was invariably mounted on 

 a finished hunter, which always appeared to the best 

 advantage in his skilful hands. The Major's stud was 

 endless, and the number of young horses he had for his 

 own riding, and of made hunters for his groom or 

 grooms — sometimes there were two of them — would 

 apparently have filled the stables of the master of the 

 Meadowmere and of his two neighbouring brethren. 



At times, moreover, the Major was accompanied by a 

 young lady, for whom, amongst his resources, he was 

 always able to find a mount whose appearance matched 

 her pretty face, and whose good qualities were abun- 

 dantly evident under the gentle but firm hands of its 

 accomplished mistress. 



