Letter from a yotcng Lady-Naturalist . 361 



respect to nationality than sex, it is called " Taffy " — lady 

 though she be ; she proceeds thus : " You would have laughed 

 to have seen my sister Agnes and me the other day. We 

 were out in the cart when we came across the hounds. We 

 instantly joined the glad throng, and followed in spite of all 

 obstacles — short of fences — much to the amusement of the 

 lucky ones on horseback. 



^' We jerked bumpily across a very mole-hilly meadow — up 

 a grass-hill about as straight as a wall — shaved through broken 

 hurdles — laboured through a plough-field. I got out, and while I 

 walked behind the cart^ holding the reins, Agnes hung on to 

 one of the shafts, and lent a hand to Taffy, who was pulling 

 like a brick. We were rewarded for our toil by being well up 

 with hounds for a long time, and saw all that there was 

 to see — which was little enough. We were accompanied by a 

 smart fox-terrier, who got immensely excited, and lifted up his 

 harmonious voice in season and out of the same ; so we worked 

 to music — a great incentive, as you know. 



"My birds are prospering fairh^ but we have just been 

 bereaved of a 'Shore-lark/ a 'Snow-bunting^' and a 'Bull- 

 finch,' To all appearance they died content and happy ; so I 

 suppose that they had lived virtuous lives, and just closed their 

 eyes for ever on this most delightful of all possible worlds. 

 In their place I have got a pair of 'Cirl-buntings ' and a ' Eeed- 

 sparrow ' for my aviary. 



"We are out every morning soon after six. I first let out Sir 

 William and Lady Gull — two large seagulls — who skim over 

 the wet grass, and go off in search of ' wums.' Then I let 

 out the dogs — two Retrievers — mother and son — and two Fox- 

 terriers — no relations. Then we go off for a walk, and tell 

 each other we have the best of it over the people in bed. We 

 watch the sun light up the sea, till it looks like a sheet of 

 silver ; then turn into a wood, and step quietly along, keej^ing 

 eyes and ears well open as we go. A fat Wood-pigeon claps 

 out of a big tree, and disappears somewhere in the shade ; a 

 brace of Partridges, in all the glory of their spring plumage, run 

 along in front a little way, and then turn off into the wood — 

 probably intent on the cares of setting-up house. 



*' A shrill yelping apprises us that the Terriers are hunting a 

 too-inquisitive Rabbit : and they have to be called to order ; 

 while the young Retriever trembles with excitement — longing, 



