RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



With all stag-hounds, the same rules would 

 seem to apply. Never care to view it, and above 

 all, unless expressly requested to do so for a reason, 

 avoid the solecism of " riding the deer." On the 

 mode in which this sport is conducted depends the 

 whole difference between a wild exhilarating pas- 

 time and a tame uninteresting parade. Though 

 prejudice will not allow it is the real thing, we 

 cannot but admit the excellence of the imitation, 

 and a man must possess a more logical mind, a 

 less excitable temperament, than is usually allotted 

 to sportsmen, who can remember, while sailing 

 along with hounds running hard over a flying 

 country, that he is only " trying to catch what he 

 had already," and has turned a handsome hairy- 

 coated quadruped out of a box for the mere 

 purpose of putting it in again when the fun is 

 over ! 



Follow every turn then religiously, and with 

 good intent. You came out expressly to enjoy a 

 gallop, do not allow yourself to be disappointed. 

 If nerve and horse are good enough, go into every 

 field with them, but, I entreat you, ride like a 

 sportsman, and give the hounds plenty of room. 



This last injunction more especially applies to 

 that handsome pack of black-and-tans with which 

 Lord Wolverton, during the last five or six 

 seasons, has shown extraordinary sport for the 

 amusement of his neighbours on the uplands of 



204 



