'Winter is the season for those in the country reciprocating the kindness of hospitality, and participating in the amusements of society. The farmer delights in sending the best produce of his poultry-yard as Christmas presents to his friends in town, and in return to be invited into town to partake of its amusements. But there is no want of hospitality nearer home. Country people maintain intercourse with each other; while the annual county ball in the market town, or an occasional charity one, to assist the wants of the labouring poor, affords a seasonable treat; and the winter is often wound up by a meeting given by the Hunt to those who had shared in the sport during the hunting season.'
What a funny and quaint old fellow he seemed to be. Still it was nearly 160 years ago. Luckily for us. Sylvia and Gordon x