272 Tally ho. 



in a first-rate style by Mr. Beard, and the going over 

 the elastic turf very pleasant for a well-mounted man, 

 who is not afraid to ride up and down these steep 

 ascents and descents, which to a stranger are a little 

 startling at first; and I must say I think a gallop 

 over this style of country is not to be despised, and 

 that any real sportsman who visits the Brookside will 

 hold the same opinion, when I say I consider them a 

 very fine and sporting pack of old-fashioned harriers, 

 well worthy of a visit from any one who loves hunting 

 for hunting sake, and especially those who, like 

 myself, are not quite so young or so ardent as we were 

 half a century ago, but who, nevertheless, can enjoy 

 a hunting run over an open country, leaving the 

 younger men to declare that twenty-five minutes across 

 Leicestershire is their idea of what a run should be, 

 and that hare hunting is only fit for old fogies. How- 

 ever, there is the consolation for the veterans, that 

 these fast young fellows, if they live long enough, will 

 find that there is yet much pleasure to be found in 

 the pursuit of the nutbrown hare, even when they no 

 longer relish the appearance of a yawning brook, or 

 an ox fence, or a stifi" flight of rails, over which they 

 used to pop so merrily in their youthful days ; and 

 when they come to this happy state they may find 

 that there are many worse things than a day with 

 a pack like the Brookside. 



After this, a pleasant ride over the downs, crossing 

 the racecourse on my way, I reached Brighton, on 

 excellent terms with myself, and a stern resolve to 

 enjoy another gallop " o'er the Downs so free ^' 

 wherever the opportunity ofiers. The following morn- 

 ing I mounted my hack and cantered away to Rotting- 



