The Rev. E. A. Aldridge 143 



way ; so I still hold a brief for the elderly and adipose cleric on 

 the elderly and adipose cob, who, I maintain, has as much right 

 to enjoy himself in his own way as anybody else. 



Once, while hunting with Lord Middleton's hounds, Mr. 

 Aldridge remarked on the good influence of parsons on hunting- 

 fields to a pal of his, a Yorkshire squire. " I don't know about 

 the field," replied his friend, " but I do know it is very good for 

 the parson." 



Here I quote Mr. Aldridge : " The kindly and honourable 

 courtesies of hunting etiquette are so splendid. Its unwritten 

 laws are not those that are more honoured in the breach than in 

 the observance, and they should be specially upheld by the 

 parson, and he can do so by being the first to jump off and open 

 a heavy hanging gate ; help a friend in trouble ; ride clear of 

 vetches, beans, or swedes, and warn the young thruster to do 

 likewise. In the hunting-field I have never found anything 

 but kindness and good-comradeship shown and self-restraint 

 taught. I have never heard anything to give offence to a lady, 

 even when righteous indignation has fallen sharply on the man 

 over-riding hounds or injuring crops." 



A good example of courtesy and forbearance happened to 

 him one cold morning while the Vine hounds were drawing a 

 covert. The young cob he was riding lashed out, for the first 

 and last time in its life, and inflicted a deep cut on the shoulder 

 of the horse just behind. Its rider was almost a stranger to Mr. 

 Aldridge, whose consternation and concern can be imagined. 

 He had hardly time to begin expressing his regret, when the 

 other cut him short, " Don't worry about it ; it couldn't be 

 helped. Why, once while out with the Tedworth, my horse 

 kicked, and I heard a loud thud behind me. Looking round, 

 I said, ' I hope I have not personally injured you, sir ? ' I got 

 the consoling answer, ' No, no, it was only my wooden leg.' " 



In this manner Mr. Aldridge made a new friend who has 

 remained so to this day. The cut on the horse's shoulder was a 

 bad one, but luckily a local veterinary surgeon was out and at 

 once came to the rescue and sewed up the wound, refusing a fee, 

 although they had all lost a day's hunting. From first to last 

 there was not a word of complaint from anybody. 



Most of his hunting before the war was with the Vine, under 

 the mastership of Lady Portal, who seldom, gave the order for 



