1S2 Memoir of Tom Smith. 



the toils and pleasures of the expected 

 sport. 



Many a long day had passed since I had 

 had a turn with my old Eambledonian friends; 

 and so engaged was I in greeting a host of 

 well-remembered faces, that I had little leisure 

 to bestow for scrutinising the present estab- 

 lishment of the '' Hambledon hounds." I, 

 however, missed an acquaintance of '^ auld 

 lang syne" — Squires, and also the second whip 

 of former days. Champion, the present head 

 whip, had all the appearance of being of the 

 proper sort : light, wiry, active-made, and 

 was said to be a first-rate rider. The hounds 

 — about twenty couple — struck me as rather 

 small, but seemed to be well matched, and 

 in capital condition. The horses of the esta- 

 blishment showed work ; and though they 

 proved up to the mark, yet what can be ex- 

 pected on a subscription little exceeding GOO/. 

 a year, wherewith to keep forty-five couple of 

 hounds, nine horses, and two whips ? 



A 



