230 



THE BEST OF THE FUN 



been just cleaned out, also very deep. Now, I think we 

 dislike this combination, when hounds are going at top 

 speed, almost as heartily as a large section of the steeple- 

 chase world hate the Open Ditch, over which there has 

 been so much controversy and so many broken collar- 

 bones. Give us time for a pull, and for that skilful hand- 



h 





^^,. 



The open ditch 



ling which we all believe ourselves to have acquired, we 

 may lift a good-couraged horse with tolerable security- — 

 always supposing that we don't employ that judicious 

 " lift " at the wrong moment, and thereby plant him 

 inconsequently into the thorny ditch towards him. But 

 going fast at these spring products is simply a venture — 

 the toss of a coin. Believe me, I have seen more imperial 



