Visits to Althorpe, 137 



after wliat Jolm King had said, he migM rely- 

 on receiving every assistance that it was in his 

 power to give. His lordship closed his letter 

 with a cordial invitation to Althorpe, of which 

 Mr. Smith subsequently often availed himself. 

 The days were given to shooting, and the even- 

 ings to cheerful conversation. His lordship 

 took great pleasure in speaking to his visitor 

 about the various public characters who had 

 borne a part in passing the Eeform Bill; and 

 he had the portraits of many of them hung up 

 in his hall. After good John King had taken 

 his leave, the hounds were led home. The 

 way was mainly through pastures, where there 

 was no trace of a road; and old Hayes was 

 obliged to ride first to point out the way. 

 They had to pass through Brixworth, where 

 Derry and his two whippers-in lived. They 

 were standing at their door; and when' they 

 saw the fox's head hanging from the saddle, 

 if they were pleased, they did not look so. On 

 the contrary, one bawled out savagely, ^' I'll 



