Hunting in the Isle of Thanet. 171 



Park, near Dover, and being desirous of seeing 

 the East Kent hounds at home, I started on a lovely 

 morning for a ride of some 16 or 17 miles, in order 

 to carry out my desire. Riding by way of Pegwell 

 Bay, the abode of the shrimp and shrimper, I galloped 

 along until the exceedingly quaint town of Sand- 

 wich appeared in sight, and, crossing the drawbridge 

 without let or hindrance, I hastened through the 

 narrow ways and quiet streets of that tranquil place, 

 and, following the Dover road, made for Waldershare 

 at a hand gallop wherever I could find a piece of 

 soft ground. 



Upon reaching the well-wooded park, which abounds 

 with fine old timber, a large range of buildings, 

 standing on the high ground was pointed out as 

 being the kennels of the East Kent, and I at once 

 made for the village of Eythorpe, where I found 

 stabling for my steed, who was nothing loth to 

 receive a dressing and a feed after the merry little 

 spin across the open, though having had only a 

 feather-weight of 16 stone or thereabouts to carry 

 — a weight which is scarcely worth mentioning. 

 Then, having seen my nag properly attended to, I 

 proceeded on foot to the entrance of the park, where 

 I learnt from one of the whips that his lordship was 

 from home; but that I was expected, and that he 

 had kindly left instructions that I was to have the 

 privilege of inspecting the wonders of Waldershare. 

 A few minutes^ walk across this noble old park, over 

 the racecourse which is placed in the hollow, along 

 which the hunters' stakes are run for in due season, 

 under the noble spreading beech trees, now clad in 

 their russet suit of many and glorious tints, pausing 



