CHAPTER VI. 



BAG GRAVE. 



^1^ MUST be allowed to go back beyond tlie storm- 

 (^m^ beaten experiences of the past few days for the 

 ^f|p_^ main subject of my weekly theme. Till the rain 

 clonds disperse, till the driving wind stays its hand, and 

 weather and barometer return to steadier courses, we 

 dare scarcely hope for a renewal of sport. Already the 

 ground is wetter than it usually is in January ; every 

 furrow is a small canal, every hollow is a pool ; and 

 brooks and rivers have been constantly over their banks. 

 At present the wet slush has little holding power, and 

 liorses move through it easily enough. But as the ground 

 sucks the water in, and the turf, as it soon will, becomes 

 like peat over a bog, we shall speedily hear the old cry 

 of " The (leepcsf season on record." 



Friday, November IGth, witli the Quorn. — The very 

 name of Bairsrrave Hall on the fixture-cards could not 

 but su2:2:est vivid memories of the late General Burnabv. 

 How much more then did thought recur in this direc- 

 tion as hounds once more clustered in front of the grey 

 building, whence for years past the kindliest and most 

 hospitable of men was wont to offer greeting and cordial 



