196 THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEASON 



seen at the very next meet held in the district ; 

 thus proving that foxhunting, even under difficulties, 

 is still a most fascinating diversion ; and there were 

 the same snug-lying goi^e coverts, from which a 

 run was sure to be obtained over a flat well-enclosed 

 country, wliich gave both man and horse as much 

 as ever their united efforts could accomplish, to 

 be there or thereabouts at the finish. ISTor were 

 the meets of the Easyallshire Muggers, adver- 

 tised in The Field, dissimilar in any respect 

 to those of other packs of hounds, for there were 

 an equal number of cross roads, turnpike gates, 

 public houses, gibbets, woods, sign-posts, and mile- 

 stones, as elsewhere. Well, to enjoy a season's sport 

 with this so distinguished hunt was my intention ; 

 and no sooner had I completed the requisite arrange- 

 ments with regard to my hunting toggery, which a 

 residence of some half dozen years in India had ren- 

 dered necessary, than I took up my abode in the 

 little town of Surlyford, at the comfortable hotel 

 rejoicing in the mythological sign of the Silent 

 Woman, a fabulous personage surely, to be classed 

 with Swans with Two Necks, Green Men, and other 

 creatures who never had any existence. The first 

 meet of the Easyallshire Muggers was settled, so 

 said the county paper, to take place at the fourth 

 milestone on the Surlyford road. Thither I re- 



