drag." We did not much fancy Streatham Common, it was just a little too cockneyfied, and we could not help picturing poor puss heading for London, with the "gallant little pack" in full cry along the Paragon and down Brixton Hill. Woodside Green, the next fixture, seemed more hopeful. There was a sound of the country about it, and it was described as being situated between Croydon and Norwood junction-a part that is pretty free from houses. There was only one train from Kensington that at all suited us, so of course we were late, and had the pleasure of sprinting down one side of that long fence leading to the station, just as the train steamed up the other. An examination of the time-tables showed that the only possible way of getting to the meet was to go to the Palace, and walk from there, and even that plan would leave us very short of time. However Woodside Green was described in the notice of the fixture as "about half a mile from Norwood junction" (what a wonderful elasticity there is in that word "about!"), and so we calculated it could not be more than two miles from the Palace. Indeed, in setting it down at that distance, we fancied we were rivalling that accommodating gentleman well known to certain members of the Civil Service, who-to quote his own oftrepeated words" owing to the painful necessity of leaving a margin," is compelled to charge 40 per cent. " for value received." We crossed the Thames during one of the highest of the very high tides of last month. The towing path was completely submerged, and the occupants of some of the houses on the banks seemed to have unpleasant anticipations of being flooded out. "Rather better nor three miles," was the answer of a Crystal Palace flyman, of whom we asked the distance to Woodside Green; and when this statement, which we fancied might not be wholly unbiassed, was confirmed by a policeman, things began to look hopeless, as there was only twenty minutes to get to the meet, and the card of hunting appointments implied that punctuality was one of the ruling principles of the Surrey Foot Beagles. A desperate run to Anerley junction, where we hoped to catch a train to Norwood, only landed us just in time to be too late, and there was no resource but to walk the rest of the distance, or rather to "make the best of our way," by what would be termed in a report of a modern walking match, "judicious mixing." The cabman had not exaggerated the distance, and by the time we arrived at the kennels, otherwise the back yard of the "Jolly Sailor," we did not feel in much condition for a run. The first indication of the hunt was a worthy paterfamilias jogging to the meet with his whole family, the three eldest appropriately got up in leather gaiters, and the youngest on his back; so we fear that his pleasure was sadly mingled with toil. No one appeared to know the exact rendezvous, and all our labours seemed in vain, when we fell in with the drag boy. led us for nearly a mile on to the racecourse, but then seemed at fault, and, after a conversation with a friend, who drove us in a "one-horse shay," jumped into the vehicle, and departed, leaving up to our fate. This was the "last straw," and we had just determined to return to the "Jolly Sailor" for a quiet game at billiards, when three members of the hunt appeared, and pioneered us across country to the meet, where, after a few minutes waiting, the pack appeared. And such a pack! The four-and-a-half couples ranged from the gigantic Woodman (an immense favourite with the hunt, apparently on account of his size) down He to a little rough beagle, which provoked a warm discussion between three ragged sportsmen, and was finally pronounced a "tarrier!" No two were of a size, and the only decent hound was a bitch, named, if we remember rightly, Melody. The huntsman and whip were attired in ordinary walking costume, and carried short dog whips, which they occasionally used when they could inveigle a hound within reach they did not look at all like going over a heavy, or indeed any, country. After walking a short distance down the road, a simultaneous burst of music from the pack proclaimed a find (by the way, the aniseed was so strong that we scarcely needed the assistance of the hounds in following it), the whole field tumbled over a five-barred gate, and the run began. We have heard of scent being breast high; this must have attained an altitude of many yards, as the hounds never put their heads down, but went as hard as they could go from start to finish The second field, a ploughed one, disposed of the huntsman, who was not seen again till some time after the end of the run; but the whip went a little longer, and, determining to perish in the execution of his duty, exhausted his last breath in a despairing cry of "Ware wheat!" and rolled helplessly over the third hedge. The hounds were thus left to their own devices, and, from the pace they were going, would soon have had the fun to themselves; but about every second field they overran the scent a hundred yards or so, and gave us time to come up with them. The country was very good, but heavy; and the pace was too fast for enjoyment, as a man must be in wonderful condition to stand a succession of sharp spurts, only broken by momentary checks. The field, which soon grew very select, was reinforced near the finish by an enthusiastic coachman, who ran very gamely, despite the impediment of a long waistcoat and cockaded hat. After about two miles of stiff country, the hounds ran among some half-finished houses; and three members of the hunt afforded the masons intense amusement by coming to dreadful grief in a mortar-heap. This was the last mishap, as, after getting over two or three more fields and a small brook we ran the drag-boy to earth in a public house. A brief conversation which we overheard between that worthy and the landlord explained the abrupt termination of the run. "They looks thirsty don't they, William? I know'd where to bring 'em to," said the former, inspecting the panting hunt with grim satisfaction. "You did, Tom, you did," replied the landlord, and we only hope he testified his gratitude in a substantial manner, as the penny "cap" which was made for the drag boy can hardly have paid him. When we had rested about a quarter-of-an-hour the huntsman arrived, and shortly after him a lady, who had followed the hunt along the road in a carriage-and-pair. She seemed to take the greatest interest in the hounds, and insisted on their being regaled with a stale loaf, to which she was most anxious to add "half-apound of butter or a little cheese," because "it's so dry for the poor things." A yell from Woodman being followed by an application of the dog-whip, the good lady interfered on his behalf, urging that "it's his duty to make that horrid noise," her impression evidently being that beagles are, or ought to be, in full-cry from morning till night. The huntsman apologized for not giving us another run, on account of the number of roughs who had collected, glancing vaguely, as he spoke, at four very dirty, but otherwise perfectly inoffensive, little boys; and as we left for home we saw him journeying towards the "Jolly Sailor," with as many of the pack as felt inclined to follow him. There is a "saddle" meet advertized at Addington shortly, which we are very curious to attend; for report says that the huntsman or whip, or both, failed hopelessly in negotiating a small drain on Streatham Common on a former occasion, and there may possibly be some equestrian performances worth witnessing. The Foot Beagles proving a decided failure, we determined to try a run with the Thames Hare and Hounds. That celebrated pack met on the following Saturday, and accordingly on that day we wended our way to the King's Head, Roehampton Bottom, which is their permanent fixture. Messrs. Evans and Woods were the hares, and among the pack were Messrs. Rye (the popular and energetic secretary of the London Athletic Club, who may be said to have formed the hunt), Burt, Cox, Gibson, and Rainsford. From the latter, who was with him when the accident occurred, we learnt the particulars of poor Mr. Strafford's melancholy death. It appears that the unfortunate gentleman, with a small party, was exploring a coal mine in Northumberland, when a mass of stone fell, and struck him on the back, the force of the blow breaking his thigh. For a week no unfavourable symptoms appeared, and he bore all his sufferings with the greateat fortitude, and was quite cheerful. After that time, having probably sustained some internal injuries, he grew rapidly worse, and died in intense agony. Though extremely fond of running, and much above the average of amateurs, he never greatly distinguished himself; but he did much to promote athletics in the Post Office, and is deeply regretted by his fellow athletes and Civil Servants in general. One great advantage possessed by the T. H. and H. is a permanent rendezvous, where comfortable dressing-rooms are provided; so that, instead of running in coat and trowsers as we were compelled to do with the Beagles, we could adopt a light and suitable costume. Fifteen minutes law was given to the hares, and then the pack started. It is not our intention to give a detailed account of the run, but we will merely mention that after describing a ring round Roehampton village, the pack crossed the Sheen Commons, through Richmond, over Ham Common, and traversing the whole length of Richmond Park, ran through the Robin Hood Gate home. The whole distance, rather over ten miles, was covered in one hour sixteen minutes; but though there were several checks at first, the last five miles were run from end to end at racing pace, and most of the pack were beaten off. Rye would have come in first, but for an unfortunate fall over a child (probably more unfortunate for the infant than Rye, as two more of the pack did it the honour of falling over it), and this disaster let Cox win, with Rainsford in his old place of second. Tea, which is always on the table half-anhour after the termination of a run, was a wonderful sight, and about the best part of the programme in our opinion. A couple of chops and four eggs seemed about the average share of each man-we know we held our own pretty well-and when these were disposed of, it was wonderful what a glowing account each man gave of his own performances. However, these were very harmless exaggerations, and the general necessity of "catching a train," broke up a pleasant party far too early. Like a rolling snowball, my wife's malady had accumulated strength, form, and weight enough by its mental rotation to defy probing, and it was evident to the commonest observer of human nature that the fall of the tottering avalanche would crush more parties than one, and that, however anticipated or guarded against as to its consequences, nothing short of a miracle could save us from the utter ruin and the serious break up which must accompany the catastrophe. Three weeks! three long and anxious weeks, that appeared to me like so many ages, passed away in gloomy doubt! I justly compared my miserable and precarious position to that of a man who sits smoking upon a barrel of gunpowder. Every moment was one of most exquisite anxiety and suspense. Now, all hope and promise of better prospects, followed immediately by causes for the deepest and bitterest despair. There was no peace or security for me, night or day. There is nothing so gnawing or galling, so thoroughly discouraging to the heart and its longings, as that of awaiting the uncertain termination of a malady in those we love. All the philosophy against the terrors of Death, and its universality; its inventory of sufferings; its attendant scenes of heroism and cowardice, and which, after all, are but the common lot-these, I say, are nothing in comparison to the pangs of watching a disease, the mysteries of which lie hidden in the background of the mind of the patient, and are unapproachable to all human skill and science, defying relief to those incomprehensible tortures which are as much closed against the sympathies and affections of their fellow-creatures as they are unyielding to all earthly remedies. If death be, as very many wise men have brought themselves and others to believe, either through a tedious and painful illness, in which sleep has appeared to them the greatest conceivable blessing, merely eternal rest, how doubly welcome-with what inexpressible delight ought its presence to be hailed by the insane, to whom all here is agitation, torment, dread, pain, passion, excitement, paroxysm, and restlessness! For my own part, I cannot agree with this fanciful doctrine, as, indeed, I should look upon death with much greater terror than I do, if I considered it as the final end of our being; the thought of annihilalation would make death most terrible. But that many learned people have thought otherwise is certain, as the following epitaph, written by GG one of them upon himself, only a few hours previous to his exit, fully proves : "Beneath this stone, to worms a prey In charity, let us hope that he is now enjoying his mistake. 66 However, there is nothing more true in general, than that those amongst us are the most averse to death who have had the least enjoyment of life; so, on the contrary, those who have enjoymed life the most are the least anxious about dying. Nevertheless, be the arguments on the "grand secret" what they may, to the lunatic, the idiot, the afflicted, the starved, and the broken down, "King Death" and the conqueror worm" must ever prove a great God's-send." However, let us quit this grim and ghastly subject, to resume our own, perhaps even a more gloomy one. During the three or four weeks which we passed in Brompton, after our return from Paris, I saw comparatively but little of Agnes. Her mother had in many respects usurped my place; still, domestic arrangements remained unaltered, all precautions against accidents were strictly adhered to, and the duties laid down for me I firmly carried out. I seldom or ever left the house; but I grieved to observe that John, my old butler, in whom I had hoped to have found a confiding companion and faithful friend, was so heart-broken at the sad and unaccountable turn of affairs, and the increasing ill health of his young mistress, that he shut himself up, secluded and alone in his pantry, and became about as communicative, but not quite so bright, as one of his own well-polished spoons. In fact a more melancholy or doleful household from top to bottom, it would have been utterly impossible to find or imagine. As for myself I was morally, and almost physically defunct, and felt myself vanquished and undone. My friends, by which I mean my family, appeared to desert me, and avoided even the commonest methods of consolation. My sisters declared themselves absolutely afraid of the trembling vacant Agnes; the effort was too much for their susceptible natures, so they vowed that they pitied me, which I thought contemptible enough; whilst my father, turning up his eyes, with an appealing expression to heaven, paternally assuring me of his extreme and sincere sympathy, said he was deeply sorry for both of us, acknowledged himself incapable of advising or assisting us, and wound up his touching harangue with the kind remembrancer that " run-away matches never turn out well." Mr. Nosyde, our trustee, cool and collected, owned himself puzzled for very life, trembled for the issue, but with full confidence in my patience and principles nobly trusted in my high sense of honour as the best and only means of bringing us all through this terrible affliction. Mr. Layhard, on the contrary, all heart, still stuck to me, was daily with me, frequently paying me more than one visit, offered in any conceivable way to serve and cheer me; but so painfully did his countenance betoken the tenderness of his feelings, |
