1876-77.] THE TWO GREAT RUNS OF THE SEASON. 193 



stirring lines in last month's Bailij will wake responsive echoes 

 in every heart that beats under scarlet '? Are we not riding to 

 its truest illustration now in *' this bright and happy gallop 

 from Eanksboro' Gorse ?" On, on, 



.... For the bitches are racing before iis— 

 Not a uose to the earth — not a stern in the air ; 

 And we know by the notes of that modified chorus 

 How straight wo must ride if we wish to lie there ! 



Formnl along the brookside. There's no country to compare 

 with the wild pastures of Twyford and Owston. Take your 

 fences anywJiere, gentlemen. There's room for half a dozen 

 whole hunts to compete over such a lin€ ; and there are not a 

 dozen of you here altogether. Heavens, wliat's this ? Surel}' 

 not the new railway once more ? It is though ; for the lines 

 of reynard and railway have again converged. Providence has 

 been tempted already — 3'ou Avon't try her again ? Oh, agony, 

 hounds are slipping away hand over hand, and they have led 

 3'ou to this infernal impediment a second time. Look right 

 and look left, there's no way out of it ! "A fall's a hawful 

 thing ! " said the best of lecturers, and the quotation rises 

 mibidden to your lips as the situation strikes desperate. 

 " Come up, old boy, neck or nothing ! " and Mr. Tomkinson 

 rides upliiU at what this time looks a sheer five feet — the ridge 

 and furrow lying horribly crossways, and a fresh-cut trench 

 beyond the timber. " Ashby's " infirmity is no lack of jumping 

 power. The old horse lands with a grunt, and scuttles over 

 the opposite barricade with another, whisking his tail merrily 

 as he leaves them behind. Lord Huntly bucks over them ten 

 yards higher up, so does Mr. Frewen — floundering, but reco- 

 vering on the best of shoulders as he knees the wooden wall 

 beyond. Lord Manners is in with a flourish, and Mr. Pryor 

 with a somersault, while the navvies cheer and holloa as if 

 they were at Astley's. Lord Carington, Messrs. Whyte-Mel- 

 ville and Eussell have meanwhile turned over the brook at a 

 likely place — only to encounter the railway diflficulty at another 

 spot. The first-named — who, if I mistake not, is riding the 



