With the H. H. 19 



passengers, to use a legal phrase, is delighted to find 

 that there is no opportunity on this occasion for the 

 gathering of huckleberries; for Basingstoke Station 

 is reached to the moment. An exceedingly well- 

 appointed and sporting-looking turn-out is in waiting, 

 and bears the visitors promptly to " The Grove," the 

 pretty old-fashioned residence of Mr. Pain, a gentle- 

 man well known to every sporting man whose pursuits 

 have ever led him to the " Corner.-'^ 



It being a lawn meet, all comers are expected to 

 partake of the elegant breakfast provided for the 

 occasion ; and the only thing which seems to interfere 

 with the serenity of the host and hostess is a regret 

 that there are not many more visitors to partake of 

 their profuse hospitality. 



There are worse moments in life than those passed 

 at a hunt breakfast. Seated at a table decorated with 

 flowers of surpassing brilliancy and freshness, and 

 covered with viands which afford every facility for the 

 gratification of the more material tastes; the windows 

 overlooking the lawn, dotted all over with scarlet 

 coats ; the Master dismounted, and surrounded by 

 twenty-two couples of ^^ varmint "-looking hounds, 

 watching attentively his every movement ; the whips 

 now and again recalling some wandering members of 

 the pack, with an occasional and musical cry of 

 " Ware horse ! " as some straggler approaches too 

 nearly a fiery and impatient steed, who, in his eager- 

 ness to commence the business of the day, is lashing 

 out dangerously with his hind legs ; the arrival of men 

 on hacks and carriages of all descriptions — notably, 

 a four-in-hand wagonnette drawn by four very 

 neat cobs ; ladies mounted on likely-looking nags ; 



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