50 EACECOUESE AND COVEET SIDE. 



agreed, and many anxious glances are cast at 

 the sky, the barometer, the gravel, and other 

 indications. 



But, after all, there is a sim, and he has not 

 had time to assert himself by half-past eight. 

 When he rises in his splendour, the grass softens 

 and the gravel-walks give way, and by the time 

 that the horses are announced, it is, at least for 

 a show meet, as perfect a day as could have been 

 made to order. Even one night of frost seems 

 to have had its effect upon the trees, never more 

 beautiful in their autumn fohage than at this 

 time, and in this delightful country, though, I 

 think, as we ride to breakfast, a little more 

 sombre in colour than they were yesterday after- 

 noon. To breakfast, for of course breakfast is 

 the feature of our opening day, it being well 

 understood that the hunting world in general is 

 to breakfast under strange but hospitable roofs 

 before the campaign against the foxes is begun ; 

 and here to the left, as we trot along the road, 

 is the most characteristic of English scenes. A 

 huge but compact and picturesque red-brick 

 house, with many gables and windows and a 

 capacious porch. A broad park runs in front of 

 it, separated from the residence by a well trimmed 

 lawn and garden, with a broad gravel walk ; and 

 in the park are the hounds, the great-great- 



