54 i885. 



were numerous, but I am glad to .say I did not 

 hear of any severe ones ; the country, too, rode 

 beautifully, and it is an unusual treat to us in 

 Dorsetshire to be riding on the top of the 

 ground in January. 



January 24th. — 



They say there is a charm in contrast, and 

 this must have been the charm of Saturday, for 

 the wind had changed, the rain had come, and 

 the scent had gone ! A moderate field met the 

 Master at Bagber Bridge, and many enquiries 

 were made about Orbell, who was reported as 

 going on well. Bagber Copse, Queen Copse, 

 and Sir Richard's big gorse and the adjoining 

 spinnies, as well as King's Mill Withybed, 

 were tenantless ; but Prior's Down sustained its 

 reputation, and more than one fox left its 

 shelter at the first sound of the horn. We 

 went away with one whose intentions were 

 good, for he led us that lovely line under 

 Stalbridge and by Bellman's Cross to Lady 

 Theodora's Gorse, which it is always a fresh 

 pleasure to ride over, and it was no fault of 



