174 THE BEST SEASON OX RECORD. 



lias generally been recognised as an off day and as more 

 in keeping with renovation after damage than as fitting 

 occasion for fresh hurt. So, as a matter of custom and 

 fact, a saddle is very seldom ordered out of Melton on 

 that day ; and wheels become the more ordinary and 

 safer medium of quiet exercise. It is by no means 

 against the code, though, to try a new one between the 

 shafts on the day of rest — and, moreover, it has lately 

 become quite an approved practice to put a half-broken- 

 down fovourite into harness and " drive him sound." 

 The Marquis was taking his recreation in this wise a few 

 days ago ; and old Lottery apparently took very kindly 

 to the job — stepping along as sedately as if his field of 

 vision had all his life been limited by a pair of blinkers. 

 All went well till he arrived at the gate of the residence 

 at which the noble coachman proposed to lunch, when 

 Lottery was pulled up short to allow of John jumping 

 down. But the gate opened towards him, the unaccus- 

 tomed bearing rein had already chafed Lottery's mouth 

 and temper, and the old horse began impatiently to sidle 

 and back. The buggy in a moment hung on the very 

 verge of the ditch, causing the affrighted owner to give 

 a sharp tug to one rein and a smart cut to Lottery's back. 

 This summary mode of proceeding brought the old horse 

 exactly opposite the side fence, and to his understanding 

 could mean but one thing. Accordingly, he took the 

 office at once — the bit and the hated bearing rein between 

 his teeth, and the fence in his stride — landing himself, the 

 gig, and the gallant marquis all into the next field in un- 

 disturbed safety, though tlie binders were fully four feet 



