FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 281 



of being repeatedly called to heel. I overheard snatches of 

 an evidently exciting conversation. Notes of an excellent 

 breeding season were being freely exchanged. ' Chez nous,' 

 said one, ' ce qu'il y a d'extraordinaire c'est le faisan ' ; in our 

 part of the world said some one else, ' le lievre est en masse.' 

 It is true that the arrival of my linen apron created some 

 little interest in favour of horse and hound, but although 

 it was quite courteous, I cannot flatter myself that it was 

 altogether respectful. Even in England, outside a twenty- 

 mile radius of Melton, the compulsions of leathers in this 

 matter of aprons are but imperfectly understood. 



I arrived at the Hotel de France in ample time for a 

 capital breakfast. Here things looked more like business, 

 and the waiter recommended me a Graves which he assured 

 me was much esteemed by the gentlemen of the hunt. The 

 meet was at the Belle Croix, within half an hour's ride of 

 Fontainebleau, and at the telephone-appointed hour I was 

 informed that my horse was at the door. I have never yet 

 got over the pleasurable feeling caused by this familiar 

 announcement — I hope I never shall — so I rushed out full 

 of curiosity. ' Le cheval de Monsieur ' proved to be a fine 

 bay Prussian. A brand-new bridle with many buckles 

 caparisoned his lusty neck ; a glossy ultramarine frontlet 

 adorned a pensive brow ; a burly saddle surmounted his 

 thick withers. The manager of the livery stable had cour- 

 teously ridden round in order to show me the way, and we 

 looked him over together before mounting. I remarked 

 with deprecation upon his very German appearance, at the 

 same time paying a flattering tribute to the nice horses bred 

 in France. ' Now this horse,' I said, ' was never bred in the 

 Nivernais ' — this happened to be the only district which 

 occurred to me at the moment ; ' a heavy horse like this can 

 only be a Prussian.' I saw at once that I had made a point. 

 ' ^a se voit que Monsieur est connoisseur. Dame, c'est un 



