72 OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 



them ; and their conversation after dinner usually 

 turns to the subject of riding only. To such as 

 these, I have often thought a few couples of curs, 

 running the drag of a red herring, (care being 

 taken that a torn cat should be turned out at 

 the end,) if they only went the pace, would answer 

 quite as well as the finest pack of fox-hounds. 



An anecdote, related to me by a friend, who 

 hunted constantly with the late Mr. IMeynell, is 

 very apropos to some riders of the present day, 

 and I give it you in his words. 



" Many years ago, I recollect a gentleman who 

 kept ten horses in Leicestershire, and who had 

 been riding near me often in a very fine run, in 

 which two of the most interesting and beautifid 

 things happened that I ever remembered to have 

 seen, and on remarking them to him when the 

 run was over, — ' Good God ! Sir,' said he ; 'I 

 saw nothing of them ! ' " This was a hard rider, 

 who, from his own account saw nothing, while 

 riding his horse as hard as he could go, and as 

 near the tail of the hounds as he could possibly 

 get ! And how should he ? For a man behind 

 the hounds cannot be a judge of what is going on 

 in front ; and is the principal cause (by pressing 

 upon them,) to bring them to a check. 



But still, as I have above stated, great as is 

 the mischief done by persons who over-ride your 



