Evening star., 1898-10-22
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
NEW YORK. October 21, 1898.
Although in every region which boasts
a hunt club. huntir or rather riding TO
hounds is the social diversion from the 1st
of October until snow flies. there are, in
the neighborhood of New York. at any
late. comparatively Jew women whose
share in the sport is not limited to appear
ing at hunt breakfasts and al the meets,
and TO following in light traps along the
roadways.
Take an example:
The Meadowbrook Hunt whose kennels
are at Hampstead, l. l., is supported by
some of the wealthiest of New York's So
ciety people whose ma gnificent estates
have turned the rolling hills, wide mea-
COWS and heavy reaches of woods into a
rark-like country. with much of the trim
stateIir.ess of English scenery. When New
port and Bar Harbor are deserted. when
the leaves are redderfng and falling. then
the HcmpStead season eliminates in great
house parties with their succession OF
cross-Country runs. hunt breakfasts, din
ners and balls.
1t is the hunt that. has built the great
country houses and that rules the life IN
them.
The Hampstead plains present unusually
favorable country, and the fact that the
Part OF Reynard IS played by his under
study. the anise seed bag. enables the
course to be laid out at discretion This
summer Ralph n. Ellis. the master of the
hounds has brought from England a fine
pack-amOng which Yarrow. Boleno and
GarriCk are famous-so that nothing Is
wanting to add to .he pleasure of the sport
or to its popularity. Nevertheless, the
number of women who hunt increases
slowly. if at all.
This is not because women do not love
horses.
e h
ers. And to some extent of farmers. Four
and fve-barred fences are natural pre-
caution when your fields are likely to be
trampIed by enthusiastic huLtsmen, keen
on the scent of the anse: but many men
forbid their women folk try at such leap
irg bars.
The women who do take part in the runs
win the greater reputation.
women Who Ride to Hounds.
Prominent among them is Mrs James l..
kernOchan. always at the meet on satin
skinned animal beautiful with the work
manl.ke beauty Of the thoroughbred. Mrs.
Oliver Rird Miss Bird Mrs. Hamilton
Cary Mrs. c. Albert Stevens. Mrs. Clarence
MacEey Mrs. MADDEN and Mrs. Ripley also
follow the hounds. Mrs. Emily Ladenburg.
one of the most graceful hOrsewomen in
the country. is riding this autumn with the
MeadoWbYnOk contingent.
meet of the MeadOwbrOOk hounds is
differently managed from an English af-
tdlr
First comes the jolly breakfast al one of
the stately country places, and then the
start under autumn sky. whose sunlight
shimr.ers through haze If there are few
women mounted. there are many in car
riageS. and the traps and the costumes are
the smaTteSt TO be devised. Where the run
Will end is settled beforehand. and it is
usually spot easily reached by vehicles.
The women who follow the hounds are
experts, and it is thrilling thing to
thoroughbred ridden by a woman as light
as a feather, securing along in electric
excitement. rammed arrowstraight for an
obstacle \ cringe Of the mares back. a
lift of the riders hand. and the fence is
slidden over triumphantly. Another fence
and over they go in cat fashion, the mares
hndquarters collected under her.
The sunshine glints on the satin-smOOth
skin Of the horses: they take their leaps at
racing speed. And the women? Hair coiled
smoothly. everything about them trim. trig
taut. not a loose end flying. they look as
thoroughbred. fitted for their work as
the splendid animals.