SADNESS IN SUNSHINE 243 



cart-wheels over the green ridge-and-furrow. The iirst 

 to arrive in this alarming fashion was one whose well- 

 matured appearance seemed almost to give contradiction 

 to the agility he displayed. He not only spun his wheels 

 faster than his horse, but, these completed, he was up in 

 a trice, and, flinging his arms round the neck of his prone 

 steed, proceeded to wrestle with him as if to pin him, in 

 proper ring fashion, both shoulders to the ground. Some 

 few yards from him, a curious competition was being 

 enacted. Two young farmers from adjoining parishes 

 raced for precedence, a closely-fought finish resulting in 

 a head victory on the part of the last to rise at the jump. 

 Both went down the field with their horses rolling after 

 them. But he who leaped last not only leaped farthest, 

 but, having concluded his double somersault, remained 

 stationary upon his head, heels erect in air, until his 

 competitor rose up confessedly beaten. The winner then 

 righted himself with a fmal kick, drew his head out of his 

 waistcoat pocket, and mounted his horse with an air of 

 well-proven superiority — while heartless men laughed, 

 after the manner of schoolboys. Such trifles are sent, 

 and received, with wicked welcome, on a dull day, such 

 as noted for Friday. 



Of Saturday I have yet to add that the Boddington 

 Gorse fox was lost near Hellidon : and that with a grey 

 fellow, outlying on a fallow, there was running and riding 

 for a dozen • minutes again on Priors Marston parish, to 

 ground. 



Thursday, March 16. — Contrary to my fortune gene- 

 rally during this winter, I find that the week past has in 

 some slight measure been punishing me for want of 

 ubiquity in the service of my readers. That is to say, 

 instead of luck taking me with the right pack, it has 

 twice sent me with the wrong, though on both occasions 

 I was quartering my ground widely, and working it fairly 

 according to prospect and precedent. Thus, though the 

 Bicester treated us in no niggardly fashion on Saturday, I 

 should dearly like to have seen the Pytchley killing their 

 Kelmarsh fox — him that they hunted far beyond Harboro' 

 the week before. On this occasion they were able to 



