226 STAG-HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS 



but he only writes to Mr. Chute, ' Not finding or hearing 

 anything of you I have returned home. I regret this 

 exceedingly, particularly as I feel you will have waited for me,' 

 Only a strict disciplinarian would have put up so uncom- 

 plainingly with such an annoying misunderstanding. A five- 

 pound subscriber in these days would have at once written 

 to the papers and asked leave to publish the correspondence. 



In spite of some very hunting-like and perceptive stanzas,^ 

 Lord Byron himself was no great horseman. Lady Blessing- 

 ton gives an amusing account of their first ride together 

 and of his get-up. Accustomed to the irreproachable ap- 

 pointments of Count d'Orsay, who always went up to the 

 front with the best of them in the Harrow country, she was 

 amazed at the variety of his riding gear — ' trappings, caves- 

 sons, martingales, and heaven knows what else,' overlaid 

 the very moderate hack he rode, whose stumbles frequently 

 discomposed his rider very much. His dress was quite as 

 unusual as the Duke of Wellington's. A short-waisted 

 nankeen jacket, much shrunk and very narrow in the back, 

 embroidered with three rows of buttons ; nankeen gaiters, 

 a black very narrow stock, and a dark blue velvet cap with 

 a rich gold braid and a tassel, and blue specs. He gave 

 Lady Blessington the idea of being an exceedingly timid 

 rider. Sometimes, she says, the nankeen jacket gave place 

 to a green tartan tunic. 



Although he writes to his sister from Southend in 1834 



' He broke, 'tis true, some statutes of the laws 

 Of hunting : for the sagest youth is frail. 

 Eode o'er the hounds it may be now and then. 

 And once o'er several county gentlemen. 



He also had a quality uncommon 



To early risers after a long chace, 

 A quality agreeable to woman 



When her soft liquid words run on apace ; 

 Who likes a listener, whether saint or sinner, 

 He did not fall asleep just after dinner. 



