70 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



tliink, as we followed the Empress sailing triumphantly 

 over the Woore country, what a sad and tragic fate was in 

 store for her. The double tragedy of the mysterious 

 death of the Crown Prince, her only son, and then her 

 ovm deplorable murder some three years ago at Geneva, 

 were mercifully hidden from every one. And now all 

 that remains to us is to add our tribute of respectful 

 sympathy over the sad grave of one so lovely, so accom- 

 plished, and so unfortunate. 



The Warwickshire Hunt poet-laureate, in the second 

 volume of the " Annals of the Warwickshire Hunt," has 

 contributed some stirring verses, in which the Empress's 

 visit to the Warwickshire country is thus happily described : 



"The bright star of Europe her kingdom has left, 

 And Austria mourns of its Empress bereft. 

 Firm seat in the saddle, light hand on the reins, 

 As e'er guided steed over Hungary's plains, 

 She has come, with her beauty, grace, courage, and skill, 

 To ride with our hounds from old Shuckburgh hill." 



