362 Appendix. 



but not daring^to join. He would, too, if I did not look 

 very sharp after him. His fat old mother waddles along, and 

 probably goes back to the time when she and other old dogs 

 like her were having their day. And so we go on our way 

 rejoicing ; and return with an enormous appetite for break- 

 fast." 



In the above letter every word is alive with the spirit of " all 

 out-of-doors," marking the true appreciator of the handiworks 

 of the Almighty ; and evincing an unaffected enjoyment of 

 nature in" all her moods. 



LETTERS FROM SIR F. B. HEAD, BART. 



1. 



" February, 1862. 



"I was glad to get your note, which made my fingers itch to 

 shake the hand that wrote it. I always like to hear from you 

 — but especially when you can feed me with a few dainty details 

 of l!^orthamptonshire Hunting. Indeed I can truly say that 

 the hours I spent within the dominions of the ' Pytchley,' in 

 riding and writing, formed the happiest ten years in my 

 chequered life. On Saturdays I always read in the Times your 

 Meets for the ensuing week ; and think of them as I ride by 

 myself over the Surrey Hills. 



" I am very glad to learn that ' Waterloo ' continues to do 

 its duty. Ever since I j^ut the sticks in it, it has ^ honoured all 

 the bills ' Charles Payn has drawn upon it. The fences around 

 it would now be a trifle too big for me ; but anywhere else, I 

 should greatly enjoy a gallop over the grass-fields. I am sorry 

 that Bevan and Charles Cust are in hospital." &c., &c. 



2. 



"February, 1863. 



"Do write me half a line, and tell me how the Prince 

 of Wales went with, the 'Pytchley.' How I should have 

 enjoyed seeing you all assembled to meet him. Now that he 



