The Royal Bicckhounds, 293 



towards the portals of the castle^ within the precincts 

 of which no sounds of mirth or revelry are ever heard 

 in these, our days, for in truth the mode of life fol- 

 lowed by the Court is very much after the style 

 suggested by King Richard the Second, who in his 

 hours of fallen greatness, said to those who still 

 remained faithful to his cause, ^^ Let us make dust our 

 paper, and with rainy eyes write sorrow on the bosom 

 of the earth " — ^tis true, and pity ^tis, ^tis true. How- 

 ever it is not my business to moralize or descant upon 

 things that do not concern me — so to business. The 

 advent of several ^^ noble sportsmen," and a very 

 well appointed huntress, aroused me to action, and 

 remembering I had seven miles to go to cover, it 

 became necessary to know how to do it. 



The resources of the White Hart, however, were 

 not exhausted, and I was able to secure a first-rate 

 hack, a capital stepper, and a light-hearted and plea- 

 sant animal to ride. Then journeying through Eton, 

 leaving Slough behind, cantering through the quiet 

 village of Stoke, I arrive in excellent time at the meet. 

 There I find Goodall, whom I was glad to see looking 

 well and hearty, with his extremely fine pack of 

 hounds in blooming condition. As usual there is a 

 goodly assemblage at this popular fixture, and 1 

 observe amongst the ladies who ride regularly with 

 the Royal Buckhounds, Mrs. Herbert, who is a nailer 

 across country ; Mrs. Aitcheson, who looks as if she 

 could go well ; Mrs. Paget, who has distinguished 

 herself on many occasions, and Miss Worthington; 

 and amidst a host of strange faces I recognise some 

 of those whom I have known in former days, including 

 Mr. Douglas of Hounslow, Mr. Bowen May, and look- 



