114 '^^HE BEST OF THE FUN 



their hounds meet no longer, and very likely till their 

 horses have not a sound leg left among them. Hunting 

 in these countries after the middle of March is a lottery, 

 often a very expensive one. If hounds run, it is seldom 

 without the tale being told over again next day in stable 

 bucket and bandage ; while if the ground jumps up in 

 your face at such a time, believe me, it hits you wuth 

 venom and malice, and leaves a sting then that in Decem- 

 ber it never possessed. In Northumberland, meanwhile, 

 they are moving on comfortably, with never a jar in the 

 ground, and apparently with that gratifying immunity 

 from peril to horse and man — comparative immunity, at 

 all events — that I have been persuaded to accept as one 

 of the most pleasing characteristics of the country. Here 

 quite a month's hunting is a tolerable certainty after the 

 date in question. Newcastle, with help of the train, will 

 proffer five days a week ; Stamfordham, an excellent base, 

 the same number by road ; and Corbridge or Hexham, on 

 the riverside, some three or four. It would take a large 

 number of people to make a congested field in this open 

 country. At present their muster, even at such a favourite 

 fixture as Hallington, is a very limited one. Sociability 

 suggests increase of numbers ; and, though it is far from 

 my business to issue invitations broadcast on behalf of 

 other people, I believe I am safe in saying that the very 

 sociable hunting folk of Northumberland would gladly see 

 their field somewhat increased. You cannot do much 

 damage to stone walls and banks by jumping over them ; 

 and your horse's feet do not sink deep enough into the 

 grass to do it harm, while the pastures are so wide, and the 

 fences so even along their length, that riders need seldom 

 get in each other's way. On the other hand, hunting the 

 fox — and the consequent riding to hounds — cannot take 

 up the whole of each and every day. At least it is so in 

 the Grass Countries of the Midlands ; and how dull it 

 would be there for the remaining hours, but for the large 

 and sociable company. Man never displays his gregarious 

 instinct to such pleasing advantage as in the hunting field. 

 It is seldom that he there cares to prove himself altogether 

 independent of his fellow-men. And how few would care 



