With Brice Pearse to a city stable. Ostler brought out an Irish chestnut mare just under fifteen hands. On my inquiring if she could jump, a six-barred gate was placed across the paved passage road leading to the stables, which she jumped without trouble or hesitation. I paid £23 for her, and named her “Ticket” because she cleared the gates. She could not walk, but persevered in a jog trot to the end of the longest day. End of season, sold her for £70 to the Pytchley Hunt for a whip’s horse. [Sidenote: Dec. 5.] An idle day; mostly passed in the stable. Rode Pearse’s pony to Harlow with Henry Seymour. [Sidenote: Dec. 6.] Henry Seymour and I posted twenty-two miles to meet of Puckeridge Hounds. Had sent “Heki” on; a good run well worth the distance. [Sidenote: Dec. 8.] By early train to London and on from Euston Square to Catton Hall. Fred Horton met us at the station. [Sidenote: Catton Hall, Dec. 9.] Catton, a nice old place. Pretty grounds--good stabling. Drove with Fred Horton in a dogcart. Granville Loch arrived. [Sidenote: Dec. 10.] Four guns. Bromley, Horton, Loch, and self to shoot. Pretty shooting: 42 head returned. I bagged 2 rabbits, 5 pheasants, and 11 hares. Fred Horton shot, as he thought, a hare creeping in a hedge, which proved to be a fox. Gave one of the beaters half a sovereign to bury it! [Sidenote: Dec. 11.] Stormy morning. Rode “Ticket” to meet of Meynall Ingram’s hounds at Gorsley Ley. Found immediately; was fortunate in getting well away. Pretty run for some twelve miles in an enclosed country. Long ride home. [Sidenote: Catton Hall, Dec. 12.] The Donnington Hounds met near Derby; rode over to Osmaston to dine and sleep. [Sidenote: Dec. 13.] Sat with Lady Wilmot. My China boy “Chopsticks” much grown and very spoiled. [Sidenote: Dec. 14.] After breakfast rode back to Catton by Twyford Ferry: best road for riding. [Sidenote: Dec. 15.] Ingram Meynall’s hounds meeting at Drakelow. Mr. and Lady Sophia De Veux. Rode “Ticket”: bad scenting day, and huntsmen no great things. Ergo no run; though a find at Drakelow. [Sidenote: Dec. 17.] Rode “Heki” with the Atherstone. Meet at Warton; much pleasanter having a companion to ride to covert with. Two good runs; though a rainy afternoon. [Sidenote: Catton, Dec. 18.] General A’Court to dinner with a handsome daughter. [Sidenote: Newbold, Dec. 20.] Took leave of Lady and Miss Horton. I rode “Heki”; groom on “Ticket” to Osmaston. Fred Horton took care of wife by rail. Lord John Russell unable to form a ministry. [Sidenote: Dec. 25.] Christmas Day. My first in England for some time. [Sidenote: Dec. 27.] The Donnington Hounds met at Cork Park. A beautiful place belonging to Sir John Crewe. “Ticket” fell at a fence and gave me a cropper. [Sidenote: Dec. 31.] Wife to Newbold Vicarage. I on to London, _en route_ for Hockham. CHAPTER XXXVI SHORE TIME--STUDY STEAM [Sidenote: 1846. Jan. 1.] At Hockham shooting. [Sidenote: Jan. 7.]