252 Tally ho. 



few oysters, a slice or two of brown bread, and a 

 bottle of Ernest Irroy's finest and driest cbampagne ; 

 a frugal repast, I admit, but one I can recommend 

 to any one desiring to feel fit as a fiddle wlien intend- 

 ing to go across country tlie next day in proper form. 

 Leaving the George in good time, I crossed over 

 to Mr. Darby^s, who bad kindly proffered me a mount 

 on a splendid borse, wbicb I bad ridden during a 

 former visit ; and mounting this good-looking nag, I 

 was soon on my way to Lilbourne, a favourite meet of 

 the Pytcbley, distant between three and four miles 

 from Rugby. On my arrival I found a very large 

 "Field" assembled, many, like myself, having travelled 

 some distance to see the Empress perform across the 

 grass, but who also were doomed to disappointment on 

 this occasion. I was glad to find the noble Master, 

 Earl Spencer, at his post, looking exceedingly well, 

 after his sojourn for a while in foreign lands ; then 

 I observed a party of distinguished foreigners, con- 

 sisting of Count and Countess Larisch, their son 

 and daughter, and Prince Lichtenstein. Captain 

 Myddleton, who always pilots the Empress across 

 country — and no fitter man could be found to fill the 

 distinguished post — and a host of well-known riders 

 with the Pytchley, including Capt. Riddell, Major 

 Tempest, Capt. Pritchard Eayner, Colonel Fitzroy, 

 Sir Bache Cunard, Colonel Gosling, Messrs. E. Ken- 

 nard, Arthur Byass of the Mount, Buckingham, Laing, 

 Herbert of Langham, and the Hon. F. Henley ; Capt. 

 Elmhirst, well known in Leicestershire, where I have 

 seen him go very hard, as well as in his own country ; 

 Major Pearson, Mr. Gillespie of Stainton, Mr. T. 

 Rhodes, Mr. Muntz, a welter weight, but a good 



