174 Tally ho, 



after one of the sturdy -^looking foxes which I am glad 

 to hear abound in East Kent. Having had the young 

 hounds drafted out for special examination, and, time 

 pressing, I am next shown over the splendid range 

 of stalls occupied by nearly fifty useful nags, all in ex- 

 cellent condition, and looking extremely fit to go ; 

 and I have rarely seen so good a lot of horses pro- 

 vided for a huntsman and his whips as those which 

 are to be seen in the stables of Waldershare. Those 

 reserved for his lordship^s own use are a powerful lot 

 of animals, but I was told that Lord Guildford had 

 the bad luck to lose two of his best and most prized 

 horses during the summer; and, as he is a heavy 

 weight, animals suitable to carry him to the fore are 

 not very easily picked up. Nevertheless, there are 

 several which I should not be afraid to trust myself 

 on, however big the fences might be. Having taken 

 a look at the riding school, which is a grand place, of 

 sufficient extent to accommodate the whole stud at 

 exercise, I bid farewell to Waldershare, as the shades 

 of evening were closing o^er me, and I had a long- 

 ride to perform between sunset and dinner time. 



A brisk walk speedily brought me to the village 

 inn where my steed was stalled, and I was soon in the 

 saddle jogging towards home, passing along the same 

 route that I traversed in the morning. The rooks 

 were hastening to their haunts in the park, whilst 

 large flocks of starlings and other wild birds were to 

 be seen congregating together, betokening the advent 

 of winter and cold weather. Lights began to twinkle 

 here and there in the cottage windows ; and night 

 closed in ere I had completed my journey, at the con- 

 clusion of which I felt as fresh as a four-year-old after 



