Handley Cross or Mr Jorrocks's Hunt I-II. [antikvár]

HANDLEY CROSS;or,MR. JORROGKS'S HUNTCHAPTER Ithe olden times" I respect hunting in whatever shape it appears ; it is a manly and a wholesome exercise, and seems by nature designedbe the amusement of the Briton." Beckford.When Michael Hardey died, great vs^as the difficulty in the Vale of Sheepwash to devise how the farmers' hunt was to be carried on. Michael, a venerable sportsman of the old school, had long been at the head of affairs, and without paying all expenses, had enjoyed an uninterrupted sway over the pack and country.The hounds at first were of that primitive sort, upon which modern sportsmen look down with contempt. Few in number, uneven in size, and ill-matched in speed, they were trencher-fed* all the year round, and upon any particular morning that was fixed on for a hunt, each man might be seen wending his way to the meet followed by his dog, or bringing him along in a string." There was Invincible Tom, and Invincible Towler, Invincible Jack, and Invincible Jowler."Day would hardly have dawned ere the long-poled sportsmen assembled with their hounds. Then they would trail up to puss. Tipler would give the first intimation of her erratic wanderings o'er the dewy mead. Then it was, " Well done, Tipler ! Ah, what a dog he is !" Then Mountain would throw his tongue, and flinging a pace or two in advance, would assume the lead. " Well done, Mountain ! Mountain for ever "would be the cry. Tapster next* Unkenneled, or kept at farm-houses and cottages.vol, i.1