296 Tally ho. 



sport, and no wonder, for it is impossible that it should 

 be otherwise under existing conditions. 



A Royal Huntsman in these days should have an 

 amount of patience that is not usually meted out to 

 mortals. With every exertion, it appears to me 

 almost an impossibility to overcome the many difficul- 

 ties that present themselves. Within thirty miles of 

 London the chance of sport must be slight. The 

 country is cut up by railways, small enclosures abound, 

 wire fencing is not unfrequently met with, large fields 

 assemble, and many ardent sportsmen, disdaining 

 to follow even the hounds, ride in advance, like so 

 many " Uhlans/^ apparently in hopes of catching the 

 stag themselves. In vain is remonstrance, conse- 

 quently the stag is badgered and bewildered, the 

 chance of a run spoilt, and real sportsmen dis- 

 appointed. 



With a remembrance of the many good runs I have 

 had from Gerrard^s Cross in days of old, I own to 

 a feeling of regret on this occasion, and sighed for 

 the times when Charles Davis was in his prime, when 

 Lord Chesterfield was Master, and the country was 

 open, and the stag had a chance of getting away ; 

 then you might go your hardest, and yet find that you 

 could not give the go-by to such men as the Coxes 

 of Hillingdon (as they were familiarly called). Captain 

 Howard Vyse, Jem Mason, Philpots, Captain Best, 

 Mr. Newdigate, and a host of others who have passed 

 away, who used to go the pace, and take a deal of 

 beating. Of one thing I am perfectly certain, that 

 is, that no exertion is spared by Goodall to show 

 sport. 



A visit to the kennels will satisfy any one who has 



