hat attesting the colour and consistence of the clayey ground.
There were also refreshment-booths, stalls for gaming on a humble scale,
tables laid out with beer, hard eggs, and gingerbread--in a word, all
the ordinary and extraordinary preparations which accompany any great
assemblage of people whose object is amusement.

A temporary railing of wood, rudely and hastily put together, inclosed
a little space reserved as a weighing-stand; here the stewards of the
course were assembled, along with 'the dons' of the country; and into
this privileged sanctum was I introduced by the Major, in due form. All
eyes were turned on me as I entered; and whether from the guardianship
of him who acted as my chaperon, or that the costume of my coat and
overalls had propitiated their favour, I cannot say; but somehow I
felt that there was more courtesy in their looks, and an air of greater
civility in their bearing, than I had remarked the preceding day at the
Town-hall. True, these were, for the most part, men of better stamp--the
real gentry of the country--who, devotedly attached to field-sports, had
come, not as betting characters, but to witness a race. Several of them
took off their hats as I approached, and saluted me with politeness.
While returning their courtesy, I felt my arm gently touched, and on
looking around perceived Mr. Dillon, of Mount Brown, who, with a look
of most cordial greeting, and an outstretched hand, presented himself
before me.

'You 'll dine with us, Mr. Hinton, I hope?' said he. 'No apology, pray.
You shall not lose the hall, for my girls insist on going to it, so
that we can all come in together. There, now, that is settled. Will
you permit me to introduce you to a few of my friends? Here's Mr. Barry
Connolly wishes much to know you. You 'll pardon me, Mr. Hinton, but
your name is so familiar to me through my niece, I forget that we are
not old acquaintances.'

So saying, the little man took my arm and led me about through the
crowd, introducing me right and left. Of the names, the rank, and the
residences of my new friends, I knew as much as I did of the domestic
arrangements of the King of Congo; but one thing I can vouch for--more
unbounded civility and hospitable attention never did man receive. One
gentleman begged me to spend a few days with him at his shooting-lodge
in the mountains--another wanted to make up a coursing-party for me--a
third volunteered to mount me if I'd come down in the huntin