iMN«Mm«M»»Mnm<*m»««Mm«>>i«Mt«!WM»mm«iM»>M)M^^ mrmmmmmmammmmmmnimim iiiwwiiiiiimiiiiuwwwiwuiimnmn'ii iiji i I'mi X-J- ^3^ ^^'3 TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 3 9090 014 536 177 ^W<'»*«»*»' A-dJ' d /cZ .//<»^«>^ ^ Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine Cumrr.ings Schoo! of V'e'ieriiian/ MecJicins at ^ Tufts University ^. 200 Wsstboro Road f^oiii-J Grafton, MA 01533 THE C RE A 31 OF LEICESTERSHIRE. SPORTING BOOKS.—ORIGINAL EDITIONS. In royal 8vo, cloth, l.Os. THE LIFE & DEATH OF JOHN ' MYTTON, Esq., of Halston. By Nimuod. With 18 Coloured Illustrations by Alkf.n ami Rawmns. In royal Svo, cloth, 15s. JORROCKS'S JAUNTS AND JOLLITIES. With 16 Coloureil Plates l>y Alkks. In royal Svo, cloth, 15s. THE NOBLE SCIENCE. A Few General Ideas on Fox Hunting. Hy F. P. DKLMfc Radclifke, Esq. With Coloured Plates and Woodcuts. In One Volume, royal Svo, cloth, 30s. THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN. By Nimrod. Witli 30 Coloured Illustrations by Henry Alkes. "STONEHENGE" ON THE HORSE. In demy Svo, cloth, 12s. 6^7. THE HORSE IN THE STABLE AND IN THE FIELD. His Varieties — Management in Health and Disease — Ana- tomy, Physiology, &c. By J. H. Walsh (" Stunehenge "), Editor of the " Field." IlUi.strated with 100 Engravings by Barraud, Weir, Zwei:ker, and others. GEORGE EOUTLEDGE & SONS, LONDON & NEW YORK. mMMmE THE GBEAM OF LEIGESTEBSHIBE ELEVEN SEASONS' SKIMMINGS NOTABLE RUNS AND INCIDENTS OF THE CHASE (SELECTED AND REPUBLISHED FROM " THE FIELD ") BY CAPTAIN PENNELL-ELMHIRST ("BROOKSBY") AUTHOR OF "the HUNTING COUNTRIES OF GRRAT BRITAIN," AND JOINT-AUTHOR OF "our life in JAPAN." .?^s-^-<^^.;'^-^ WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, COLOURED AND PLAIN, BY JOHN STURGESS AND PORTRAITS AND MAP LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL NEW YORK: 9 LAFAYETTE PLACE 1883 LONDON : BRADBVRY, ACNE^V, &, CO., PRINTERS, WHITEKRIARS. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PEINCE OF WALES, WHO HAS TAKEN VAIIT IN SOME OF THE SCENES HEREIN DEPICTED, AND AVHOSE ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE TRUEST OF ENGLISH SPORTS HAS DONE MUCH TO MAINTAIN FOXHUNTING IN ITS HONOURED POSITION, THIS PUBLICATION IS CY SPECIAL PERMISSION, AND WITH VERY GRATEFUL THANKS, BY THE AUTHOR. June, 1883. PEEFACE. It is not for a moment intended that the experiences of a single individual, as here given, should be put forward as com23rehending all — or nearly all — worth notice in the seasons referred to. The utmost to which these pages aspire is, that they may be deemed fairly representative of the years in question, and as illustrating the sport and pleasure attainable in a grass country, by any one who will work hard and regularly, and who loves to ride to hounds — where hounds and men are at their best. Of all who may honour me by reading this volume, I would crave that it should be looked upon merely as a Scrap Book, to be taken up for a few minutes only, when thought may happen to turn upon Fox-hunting. Its pages and its views will, I trust, find sympathy in soTue breasts, and with this hope it is sent abroad. It is but a reprint after all, which has been purposely left as origi- nally written — thus perhaps to mark the lapse of years, and a possible change of thought and sentiment (whether for better or worse) between youth's first impressions and maturity's battered experience. This at any rate I can still maintain — and am happy to think there are many, many with me — that the delights of a good run in good company defy over-estimate. The pen that can do full justice to a well-enjoyed and fairly-ridden run has yet to be made, though even a common-place quill should now and again drive with some life and go on such a topic. Vlll PREFACE. In the twenty past years of a varied existence at home and abroad, it has been my fortune to see sport of most kinds, but only to arrive with fervent sincerity at the con- clusion framed by the honoured dead, whose portrait will be found in this volume — " I 've played the game all round, But I'm free to confess that the best of my fun I owe it to horse and hound." True and hearty thanks do I offer to my fellow sports- men in Leicestershire, who during all these years have never cavilled at aught I wrote, have never resented such use as, in my capacity as correspondent of the Field, I was ofttimes obliged to make of their names ; but who have invariably given tacit encouragement, and if needed, ready help, to one of their number whose first aim they knew was to see sport, his next to reproduce it as truly as he could. I must further be allowed to express my gratitude to my old and consistent friends the Proprietors and the Editor of the Field, for allowing me to republish material that was originally furnished for them, while, on my good fortune in securing the able and spirited co-operation of Mr. Sturgess, I have every reason to congratulate my readers as much as myself. Leicestershire will, I see no reason to doubt, last at least our time ; and may, perhaps, prove as fruitful of en- joyment to a next generation. But railway competition and bricks-and-morta.r will, likely enough, bring its green existence to a too early end, and then these jottings and these sketches will help to keep alive the memory of a happy temporis acti. E. PENNELL-ELMHIRST. CONTENTS. SEASON 1870—71. FAOE The Horse for Leicestershire 1 Big Horses versus Little Ones 5 A Swim Over the Wreake 9 Fine Run with the Pytchley from North Kilworth . . . 12 A Spurt from Scraptoft 14 The Prince of Wales at Melton 18 Last Quorn Monday of 1871 29 SEASON 1871—72. A Clinker with Mr. Tailby from Owston Wood . . . . 34 Colonel Edward Chaplin's Eun in a Fog 39 A Burst in the Sunshine from Scraptoft Gorse . . . . 45 The Old Earl takes the Lead prom his own Covert . . 48 After the Harborough Ball 48 A Rough and Tumble from Thrussington New Covert . . 54 A Wet Afternoon Scramble 67 Wet Leicestershire 59 A Juvenile Match .62 Mr. Tailby's Final Success in his own Country ... 63 CONTENTS. SEASON 1872—73. PAGE Two Good Days with the Atherstone 6t) The Last Run of 1872 with the Cottesmore . . . . 74 A Belvoir Burst 77 A QuoRN Forest Incident 79 A Red Letter Week 80 Market Harboro' 87 A Wold Day with the Quokn 91 The Asfordby Raspers 93 From Woodlands over the Grass with the Cottesmore . . 97 A Good Finish to the Week . . , . " . . . . 100 SEASON 1873—74. KiRBY Gate 103 A Scurry over the Melton Steeple-Chase Course . . . 108 Gay November Ill The Quorn in Luck 115 Christmastide, 1873 125 Quick In and Out of a Frosty Lane 131 A Leicestershire Burst (the Doctor Leads) .... 133 The Quorn Hunt Takes the Water ... . 137 Lord Rossmore 140 SEASON 1874—75. A Frost Broken Winter 142 The Week of the Season 144 A Bye-Day Stolen 151 CONTENTS. XI PAGE A Protest Aoainst Butchery 155 A EiNG FROM Thorpe Trussels 151) All Fools' Day, 1875 162 SEASON 1876—77. First Fruits op 1876 166 A Northern Veteran 172 From Staplepord 173 The Two Great Runs of the Season with the Cottesmore : From Orton Park Wood 180 (A Belvoir Fox and a Quorn Pig) The Ranksboro' Run 188 SEASON 1877—78. A Preface to the Season 197 KiKBY Gate 1877 200 A Scent on the Plough 205 The Whissendine 209 Perils by Land and Water 215 The Pink Wedding 218 A North Warwickshire Corner ... ... 220 A Release 22.3 Sunny February 227 Without Hounds and With 232 Thrust and Thirst 236 To Ground in View 240 End of the Season 242 XU CONTENTS. SEASON 1878—79. PAGE Boot and Saddle 248 Cdb Hunting 255 At Home in a Storm 258 The Belvoir at Home and Abroad 260 George Whyte Melville 264 Fox-Hunting in the Snow 269 Waterloo Gorse and Thrussington Gorse 273 The Punchbowl Eun 276 The Masons of Melton 283 A Baggrave Finale 292 SEASON 1879—80. First Chapter of Accidents 297 Snatched from the Frost 302 A Pull from the Punchbowl 304 Scraptoft and Barkby 310 Ash Wednesday with the Belvoir 314 Rain and Sport 319 March Sun and Scent 322 SEASON 1880—81. October Brewing 328 A Late Beginning 331 A Run Unseen 333 CONTENTS. Xm PACK Master as Huntsman 337 New Year's Day, 1881 341 A Sample of the Season 345 Grim Death 347 Dance and Disaster 351 Sharp Moments 355 Snow Skirmishing 358 A Link with the Past 363 A Stranger in the Land 367 SEASON 1881—82. Harvest-Time 371 Autumn Condition 375 Grass and Water 379 St. Martin's Summer 385 The Tilton Day of 1881 394 Trifles 398 Boxing Day, 1881 403 Hard and Fast 408 A Rough Line 414 The Riderless Run . . 416 Hunt we Must 422 Life and Death 425 Conclusion 432 LIST OF FULL PAGE ILLUSTEATIONS. The Hoese for Leicestershire Frontispiece The Master knees the rail and comes down a cracker ; Lord Grey de Wilton rolls over close after him. Crash ! bang ! comes Macbride. The Prince's horse feels the pace, sticks his head out and refuses obstinately To face page 2\ Five loose horses arc careering about at once ; five pairs of Bartley's are stumbling over the fallow ; and five pairs of lungs are gasping a wild entreaty to " Stop him ! " . . . . . . To face page 75 The Bridge bent beneath them ; and for a moment or two they were all struggling together, the water dashing over their prostrate forms. To face pag.e 139 The New Railway Once More ,. ,,193 "Honour to whom Honour is due" .... •• ,. 231 A regular panic ensued ; horses plunged and shied ; and the signal wires caught some of them as in a trap Tofacej)age 288 "Where did tou go, Major, instead of coming over the Brook ?" To face page 384 Portrait of the Late G. Whtte-Melville . . . To face ptage 264 Map, "The Cream of Leicestershire" ...,,,, 1 INTKODUCTION. In a certain venerable volume,* that may not be familiar to readers generally, it is written for the world's information — " Leicestershire (which is explained to be otherwise Ledcestershire, a town or castle on tlie Leir, ancient name for Soar), being almost in the middle of England, and consequently at a considerable distance from the sea, the air is very sweet and wholesome." The same publication has it, that "the pastures all about Melton Mowbray are exceeding good, and the appear- ance pleasing. " With respect to the inhabitants of this county, they are in their manners consistent with their situations in life — many of them being as polished in their manners and conversation as any in England." This is satis- factory for such as dwell in Leicestershire ; and they could hardly have penned the eulogium better them- selves. I don't quite like it, though, that only many of us carry a polish — though a broad margin is left to allow for the variety of our "situations in life." Now, we rather pride ourselves upon a certain amount of general polish in Leicestershire — at all events when we carry ourselves, and our manners, into the hunting-field. We are very particular about taking our turn — or, at the very least, we always aver with much apology that we " couldn't hold our horse," when by accident a vantage * Daltou's Pjiitish Traveller. XVI INTRODUCTION. has been stolen. We don't call each other rough names ; though we are charmed to let any M.F.H. open upon us, if it will serve the good cause. We don't jump on each other's backs, in spite of frequent opportunity ; and very few of us let a gate slam behind us purposely. AVe greet each other each morning with more or less absolute pleasm-e ; and we bid Good-night under the idea that we have spent some hours in the company of good fellows, and that there hangs no ill memory on that day's expe- rience. For the hunting-field tempts but little discord. There is an unanimity of puqoose and a common enthu- siasm ; while the stake to be won is not out of the pockets of our fellows. There may be a little jealousy ; but it is best kept under. It meets with no sympathy if expressed, but rebounds doubly on the individual who dares to give it vent. A cheery camaraderie is our tenet. Sometimes, perhaps, the individual may carry it only surface-deep ; but it is something that he should consider it a principle ; and that it is a recognised principle can work no harm. It may often happen that a man goes to covert sore and miserable on subjects that are wrapped within his own breast. At home he would, likely enough, make others feel his villainous state of mind. Outside he must adopt another role. The discipline is wholesome ; and, if it does not work an instant cure, allows the more exuberant symptoms of his malady no chance. Ill- temper, like hysterics, developes most under sympathy. The cold water of inattention effects the speediest cure. J THE CEEAM OF LEICESTEESHIKE. SEASON 1870-71. THE HORSE FOR LEICESTERSHIRE. January 12th. 1871. occurs to us in the midst of a bitterly pro- longed frost, and by no means jDleasantly, that when it pleases the clerk of the weather to give us our ticket of leave, we shall find that he lets loose at the same time the mul- titude that always rush to venery in the spring. Usually they appear gradu- ally on the scene, the throng swelling day by day ; but this year we shall find our- (Sn-'^v"^^' _^-^^^^^^__ selves at a jump struggling P ^^=^^§11^^^^^^^^''='=^ *" in the inundation, and the select and cheery ante- Christmas fields luxuries of the past. The worst of this will be that each and every individual will be mounted on a steed fresh and wild enough to carry a Mazeppa, 2 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season and the kicking in a gateway will be as fierce as in one of the dear old football scrummages at Rugby, against which tender j^arents are now crj'ing out so vehemently. In mortal terror, men will be snatching up their knees as they see eai's go back and tail tucked in, and the thought of the bridle gate out of Barkby Holt, with the hounds away is too awful to contemplate. Horse-dealers, farmers, and — we are sorry to add — ladies, must especiallj'' be avoided ; for who ever saw a vicious kicker that was not ridden b}' one of these three ? The two former, by the way, are having a bad time of it, with no chance of sho^Ning or selling their animals, and no one will feel so much inclination to buy for an indefinite future as to run after them now. Not that there is ever anj' difilculty in selling a real "horse for Leicestershire; " he will always command his price, and there are plent}^ of men eager to give it. But the difticulty lies in finding him ; for, like the diamonds in South Africa, he is only to be met with after much toil and disappointment, and many a glittering gem turns out to be worthless ; and no wonder, Avlien we consider all the requisites that go to make up such a horse. It is not suffi- cient that he should be able to gallop and jump, or even that he should be classed as A 1 in a different country. A perfect Leicestershire horse is a variety of his own, distinct and separate from the rest of his species, and perhaps comparaitvelj^ useless elsewhere. Of course, everyone knows that blood, shape, and courage are the three chief requisites in a hunter ; but by no means everyone appreciates to what extent these three are all necessary in the class of horse under mention. Blood he must have, and the more the better, so long as it is not at the expense of bone ; for the old saying of " an ounce of blood being worth a pound of bone" holds good uj) to a certain point, and no further. Thus the commonest mistake men fall into when the}' first mount themselves for a flying country is to think that, so long as passable s^'mmetry and clever fencing are not altogether lost sight of, blood and breeding will do everything else for them. But, as Whyte Melville amply ISrO— 71.] THE HORSE FOR LEICESTERSHIRE. 3 sliows in the case of Mr. Sawyer and his httle grey, you must have size. A small thoroughbred will go and jump a big place, and his blood and courage will help him more than anything. But it is the succession of big places that kills him, for at each of them he has to exert twice the effort that would be required from a larger horse. In the galloping, even, he has not so much advantage, for he is drowned in the ridge-and-furrow that the greater stride makes light of. He will win a steeplechase no doubt, giving weight to his coarser brother ; but then steeple- chases are seldom run over the same style of country, and moreover, there is all the tiring, dragging work of a day's hunting to be considered. No better proof of the correctness of this view can be given than the instances of Mr. Tailby, and Mr. Mills, who, though light men, have for years trusted solely to big, powerful cattle. Another point we might have mentioned is that, while a light horse is pidled and shaken about by the thick bullfinches, a heavy one makes his way through with but little difficulty to himself and much greater safet}' to his rider, tRough, as the face of Leicestershire has undergone a great change of late years, and vast numbers of the venerable tangled old bullfinches have been transformed into smart stake-and- bounds, actual weight is not of such vital consequence as it used to be. As regards shape, it is said on the fiat that, "they can go in all forms ; " but though symmetrical evenness is by no means a sine qua nnn in the hunting field, there are certain all-im- portant points which are the foundation stones of the whole structure, and upon which a man should insist before casting a second glance over a proffered purchase. First and absolutely', the shoulders must be unexceptionable. Sloping, clean, and well-defined, they should sweep right back, catching the eye at once with theii* sharp outline. A loaded shoulder means a crumpler over timber, while a straight one points its forefinger at the back sinews. The two essentials to enable a horse to withstand the shock of landing over wide places are sloping shoulders and sloping pasterns, and without these he will be B 2 4 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season qualified for a carrier's cart at the end of one season, for either feet or legs are certain to give way. His legs, of course, cannot be too flat and clean ; and if that flatness is not carried right down into the fetlock joint, they will become every da}'' more liable to gi'ow, " woolly," or fly altogether. Depth of girth he must have, or his pipes and heart have no room]to play ; and if his back ribs are short, or he is what is termed " cut in two," he cannot stay. There must be strength ui his loins, or he cannot jump, and power in his quarters, or he cannot go through dirt. Comfort demands that his head and neck should be properly put on, though there are bits made which will improve any horse with proper handling, and a little care in selection will soon determine the one to use. There are many other i:)articulars on which the hypercritical might insist ; but if a horse is not found wanting in these leading points, there is not much serious fault in his shape. The third essential, courcuic, is perhaps the most important of all, and it is one that is right fully apj)reciated in the country from which we write by men who have learnt by ex- perience its true value. B}' a courageous horse, we mean one that has heart, pluck, and determination — that gives the whole strength of his will to enforce that of his rider, and that is not put out or cowed by the shortcomings of others ; a horse that throws his noble heart into the effort, knows a big fence for himself, glories in it, and savages at it if necessar}' ; one that will fling himself like a lion, whisking through the air like a rocket and jumping high and wide enough to clear the hidden danger, however far set the rail or wide the ditch ; one that cares not if the oxer faces him, or the bullfinch looks black and impene- trable ; that is heedless of craning horsemen or galloping steeds ; that will pop out of a crowded road, or turn sharp romid and fly over a brook ; one that will come again and again in a severe run, and, though tired and reeling, will pull all his energies together and make every fence certain. Such is the temperament that one seeks after and seldom finds ; and a man who has had one or two in his lifetime, possessing 1870-71.] BIG HORSES VERSUS LITTLE ONES. 5 this added to the other requirements we have spoken of, can hope to meet with few of their like again. Blood, of com'se, has a great voice in the matter ; and so we repeat, get as much as you can, so long as it is not at the expense of bone and size. But if you could obtain a clean thoroughbred with all the other qualities above enumerated, you M'ould have a horse fit to win the Derby at once. No animal is perfect, so we have only touched upon the leading features of our beau ideal; but, though much has been omitted that would be necessary to constitute per- fection, a horse fulfilling all the conditions we have given would be quite as near it as anything we have ever seen in Ijeicestershire. BIG HORSES VERSUS LITTLE ONES. January 28th, 1871. A FEW words in answer to the letter of the " Practical Man " from the provinces, which appeared in the Field of Januarj- •2lKt, 1871. The remarks evidently emanated from one as experienced as practical ; but, with regard to the first point on which he touches, he must allow us to remove a miscon- ception. Let us assure him that we neither hold with the oft-repeated sentiment of Col. Greene, who, when asked if he had ever ridden in Yorkshire, replied in horror, "What, hunt in a ploughed country! Sooner read a book ! " nor do we follow Mr. Davenport Bromley, who " counts the swell provincial lower than the Melton mufi"." We speak not disparagingly of the provinces, nor slightingl}' of the man who hails from them. On the contrary, we look upon the plough countries as having been created for a double purpose — viz., as a nursery for youth and a refuge for old age. All the best sportsmen here learnt the art of hunting far away from ]Melton, and onl^^ after a novitiate in the provinces came to break a lance in the tilting ground of the Shires. Naturally enough, a man in the heyday of his strength 6 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox and keenness, having earned his sj)urs in remoter climes, yearns to try his mettle where he will meet foemen more worthy of his steel. Cock of his own dunghill, he longs to fight a main in a nobler ai'ena and against sterner stuff. Let not our brethren of the clay " get their backs up," for all who know the historic lore of Leicestershire have read of the doughty champions who have appeared to bear all before them. "With nerve still unshaken, and with knowledge and experience gained by patient study of hounds daily working their Avay by inches over the cold fallows, they teach many a lesson of how to Avatch and how to ride to those greyhound sportsmen who have never been entered to the solid realities of hunting, and who have only been taught to recognise the harum-scarum of a burst. Who, if old enough, does not remember — or, if younger, has not read of — Sir Miles of Gloucestershire, of 15st. or more, who made all Melton shiver in their shoes ? Have not we, of our own experience, seen Hope Barton of the Bads- worth come down to hold his own — aye, and more than his own — against the pink of High Leicestershire ? And these were but casual visitors ; whereas we would point to the absolute necessity of every man's being broken to quiet hunting else- where before he can ride fairly and with justice to hounds over the grass. In the same way we consider that no huntsman can arrive at the summiim honum of excellence who owes his education solely to the Shires. In a cold-scenting country he is continually called upon to exercise the virtue of thinking for himself — a necessary qualit}' which, we read, "the Eed Prince " is ever impressing on his generals, and to whicli 'tis said all their marvellous success is attributable. A huntsman who has derived all his lessons from the quick work — of which he, as first whip, is called upon to fulfil the quickest part — with a crack pack, is too prone to become flashy in attempts to be brilliant, and is sadl}^ wanting in that patient perseverance which is all needful to true hunting. Perhaps he is often pushed into this fault by the overwhelming pressure of his field ; but this is one of the difficulties he wants the art to con- 1870—71.] BIG HORSES VERSUS LITTLE ONES. 7 tend against. Witness Peter Collinson and liis black and tan pack that Avorked such wonders in North Warwickshire ! Simply they came out of a country where they had learnt to depend on themselves. They would not be ridden over, heeded nothing round them, and showed extraordinary sport in conse- quence. But to return to the point of riding. No one will gainsay that a man in the prime of his strength and nerve will find greater, more perfect, and more frequent delight in going to hounds in a Grass Country than elsewhere. Who'd not rather kiss A duchess than a milkma And thus it is that ambition leads so manj'- to take the first opportunity of migration thither. And small blame to them ! for would " it not show vilely in them to desire small beer ? " Secondly, we all look forward to a time of life when hunting shall still hold forth the same enjoyment, but when we are scarcely fit to compete with younger men, and a fall becomes a matter of serious consideration. Then, like many a true old hound who has lost his dash and pace, it will be necessary to draft us ; and we hope to find a pleasant refuge in a plough country, there to stud}- daily the sport we love so well, and put off almost indefinitely the horrors of superannuation. In this way Assheton Smith settled quietly down in Hampshire in his old age, and hunted on long after most of us can expect to live. He found his hunting in the woods and over the light fences of the chalk, while he could still remind himself of the Shires by a quick gallop over the downs. Of the other point on which the " Practical Man " speaks — viz., as to our statement of size being essential to a Leicester- shire horse — we have only to thank him for so completely backing up our opinion by instancing exceptions that prove the rule. For that the small horses he mentions ivere exceptional is shown by the notoriety they gained ; just as every case of a policeman caught sinning is eagerly blazoned forth, and many credulous 8 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox folks are ready to believe at ouce that the whole body of our guar- dian bluebottles are scoundrels of the deepest dye. Moreover, we contend that most if not all of the instances he quotes scarcel}' come under the denomination of little horses at all, thovtgh the}' only measured up to a low standard. Certainly, Mr. Darby's two were, as he says, very thick ones, besides being nearl}' thoroughbred ; in fact, they Avere enormous, and had weight and size enough for anything. At the present time Capt. Boyce is hunting (or rather would be if he could) a horse of not more than 15'2, Smoke by name, seventeen years of age, which is quite a standing dish in Melton, and is lilcely to carry him for many seasons yet to come. But then these are essentially what we call little big ones in Leicestershire ; they have all the weight and strength of a taller horse, with the rare addition of speed and activity. We can tell him of j^et a better example, which we wonder he did not bring forward — viz., Osbaldeston's ftimous Piplin mare, which many of the elder generation of sportsmen must still remember — in fact, it was one of these who described the prodigy to us : "A great castle of a mare — a thoroughbred carthorse if 3'ou can uijagine such a thing. Osbaldeston challenged the n-orld with her to run for a thousand pounds over four miles of country. He gave £200 for her (which was a long price in those days, about 1811), with the stipulation that she was to be returned when he gave over hunting her ; and she carried him nine seasons without ever l)eing off her work, after which she bred three foals. He bought her after seeing Tom Sebright (who had been given a mount on her) jumji a six-foot wall of Sir M. Cholmeley's in the Burton country." "What height was she?" we asked. " Well, a little over 14*3," was the answer ! 1870—71.] A SWIM OVER THE WREAKE. A SWIM OVER THE WREAKE. Ox Monday, February 6tli, the Quorn at last called together the whole body of their supporters to rise from their dismal slumber, and hold a merry meeting under brightest auspices. Three days' honest thaw, backed up by a warm sou'-wester, had completel}' expunged all marks of the evil reign of the ice king ; and from all sides they once more trooped gladly forth to wet their spui's over a fair course. The meet was at Six Hills — or, rather, iras to have been, for there was scarcely a meet at all — the hounds moving off along the Fosse at the proper time, while the field dribbled up en route, or at the covert side. There were several new faces to greet the spring ; and more than one well-known one, who had made his mark before, now appeared with full intent to do the same again — the type of the latter variet}^ being Captain Smith, boldest of bold Carabiniers, who may console himself for the frost with the knowledge that the rails will now crack as easy again as in the autumn. Lord Wilton was not able to put in an appearance, though said to be work- ing fast towards recovery. But one wlio loves the grass countries almost as well was there ; and if he did not see matter for a sonnet in the good hunting run that marked the re-opening day, it was that his horse thought no more of giving Whyte Melville a crumpler than if he had never heard of Digby Grand, or else considered that the author of Market Harborough ought to have been with Mr. Tailb}' at Marston. Well, whatever may have been the vagaries of his steed, it did one good to see him joining in a scene that no one can depict like him, and taking in a picture of which he loses no detail. At 11.30, or shortly before, the hounds were thrown into Cossington Gorse, and roused its inmate and its echoes almost immediately, making every yellow blossom quiver on its stem, 10 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season and every nerve of bold Reynard turn to stone -within him with their wikl music. There was a maddening scent in covert, and they dusted the enemy without a second's relief, as he obstinately refused to face the open. Keen as mustard, and anxious to be away as girls are to be married, the men of Quorn crowded, shivering with impatience, at the gate at the top corner, drinking in greedily the melody that had been so long denied them. All we hope and all we love Finds a voice in this blithe strain, "Which wakens hill and wood and vill. And vibrates far o'er field and vale. And which Echo, like the tale Of old times, repeats again. The fox evidently meant to have taken to the grass if he could ; for more than once he came right up to the road, but, too bashful to run the gauntlet of so many eyes, was forced at last to tread the plebeian plough, and break over the bastard tract that gives Segrave unenviable notoriety as the mud-pie of the hunt. A figure of eight between Cossington, Segrave, Thrussington Wolds and Walton Thorns (approaching within a field the two last-named coverts), is quite sufficient to say about the line pursued in this ftart of the run. The scent that was so sweet in covert was smothered in the dirt stockings that clung to the vulpine pads ; but the pack, though bursting with excitement, never lost their heads, but used them to exemplar}- jDurpose, picking out every 3'ard, and dashing on whenever there was an opportunity. The deep going told terribly on the horses after their long vacation, and froth and bellows were the chief features of the symptoms — though, be it admitted, the metropolitan grooms had done wonders by their charges in spite of all difficulties. To well-bred hunters there could only be a sense of degradation in being called upon to waste their energies in such a sea of slush. " Slothering " knee deep at their fences, or pulled u]) in front of a contemp- tible briar-and-dyke, " re^less they pawed the ungenial soil, snuffed the gross air." 1870-71.] A SWIM OVER THE WREAKE. 11 At length Reynard was enabled to make his original line ; so, crossing the Fosse Road, he threw off his clogs, and took to the clean carpet of turf towards Ragdale. Leaving the Hall well on the left, he went straight for Hoby, over the green pastures that seemed laid down for a burst ; but, though hounds hunted nicely all the way, they could scarcely make a gallop of it, and there was plenty of time to choose the few weak places that presented themselves, over a line that under other circumstances would be most difficult to steer. His point was a drain below the rector's garden, and nearing this the pace freshened. Finding it closed against him, he took a ticket for Brooksby station, but, deciding against the claims of the Midland, he turned through the miller's spinney, and held for a mile along the banks of the Wreake. Generally " a quiet and placid stream," the far famed river now " rushed like a torrent to the sea," and he forebore to trust himself to its tide till after passing Thrussingtou Mill. A moment's pause on the brink, and seventeen couple of spotted heads were battling across the twenty j-ards of water on his track. One gentleman in black followed suit, and shook himself gratefully as, with the assistance of the frightened miller, he emerged in safety. "Without entering Bleakmoor, the hounds ran alongside the railway for a field, crossed the line, and, entering on the sound inclosures beyond, ran well over the hill, across the Leicester and Melton turnpike, to the left of Rearsby Village. Two fields further came the poor allotments, the benevolent founders of which could never have intended that a wretched little urchin should act as a scarecrow to spoil the finish of a good run. A check of two or three minutes, with no one to take hold of the hounds, put the fox thi'ee fields ahead instead of one. At Underwood's Lodge, another brace of foxes were in front of the pack, and to make confusion worse confounded, a young hound called attention to the line of a hare, and they were at fault again. At this point Thrussington Bridge let us all up ; the huntsman got a view of the beaten fox just ahead, but with only five hounds 12 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season could do little more than ride after him ; and by the time the pack were together Oaddeshy village was reached. Rey- nard was seen in the shrubberies round Mr. Cheney's house, but got the better of his pursuers by some means ; no more could be made of him, and he escaped, after upwards of an hour and a half's almost uninterrupted running. From the farthest points — viz., AValton Thorns to Gaddesby — the distance was but little over six miles as the crow flies ; but a great amount of ground was covered. The latter part of the run was over a beautiful grass countr}- ; the jumping was safe and big ; the keen, steady hunting of the musical ladies was beyond all praise ; and, had it not been for the unfortunate intervention of the river, this would have been entitled a verj' fine hunting run. The kill that was just missed would have made it undoubtedly so, for the hounds thoroughly deserved their fox ; and, though it may be playing into tlie hands of Mr. Freeman to sa}' it, we might borrow from the Times of to- day and quote the words of the French king who gave it as his opinion that the smell of a dead enemy is always sweet. It may be mentioned that the horses of huntsman and whips gave obvious proof that one year's good corn will not suflice to take the place of dealer's condition ; but time, the root of all training, will easily correct this, and Mr. Coupland him- self was throughout ever ready and able to lend a hand at a difficultv. FINE BUX WITH THE PYTCHLEY FROM NORTH KILWORTH. Wednesday, February 8tli, assembled a more fashionable host to arraj' themselves at North Kilworth than have been seen with the Pytchley this year. For a wonder, or rather as. a pleasant surprise, Mr. Craven did not march otf at 10.45 sharp, but gave his followers time not onl}' to assemble, but 1870—71.] A FINE RUN WITH THE PYTCHLEY. 13 even to get on their horses. Carriages there were, as there always are at the Pytchley meets, in greater quantity and greater qaahty than elsewhere ; and, moreover, there was a much Lirger preponderance of hard-riding men than have of late composed tlie field. A good many of these perhaps came out solely for their gallop, or, as Roake in his agon}^ took it, with malice aforethought to disconcert his views ; but still it was more like a return to old form to see not only Coventry, Rugby, and the neighbourhood, but Harborough, Aldershot, London, and Windsor, sending worthy champions to deck the gathering and give the hunt an impetus. That they did give it an impetus is undeniable, though it is equally so that the exuberant scent of the morning alone prevented that impetus from being a mischievous one. From Kilworth Village to Kilworth Sticks is the accepted order of things ; and the ordmary routine was strictly followed out by finding the old dog fox that has this season whisked his brush at them twice before alread}'. Now, with a rattling scent they drove him over the two or three fields to the Harborough and Lutterworth turnpike, and without a pause past the little spinneys below Kilworth House. The going was all grass, the pace as good as it need be, and the fences delightful — being stiff' enough and frequent enough even for a " spring captain," (an epithet that the inhabitants use when they begin to find that they themselves are growing sticky and can scarcely keep pace with the visitors). AVith the hounds close glued to him, he crossed the road between North and South Kilworth, and, without a moment to expend on his usual dodge of skirting the Old Covert of the latter place, struck at once over the river Avon for Hemplow. Those who were well with the hounds were scarce hindered a moment, for a sandy bottom enabled them to jump over the rails on the near side and splash readily out again ; and, dipping under the railway, which held out a convenient arch just in front, they stole a march on all who were riding cunning. Consequently, as tht- hounds raced on to the Hemplow Hills there were scarcely a 14 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season dozen men with tliem — among whom the Devonshu'e green collar of Mr. Downall was conspicuously prominent. Five-and-thirty minutes to the hills, hrilUant both for pace and country, and delightful to men who can find joy in watching hounds that have nose cnoiujli to hrinr/ out tlieir sjieed, and with whom to push a good horse along in good company is a true happiness. Throughout the gallop INIr. Muntz's sturdy figure continually caught the eye, and showed that they know a thing or two ■«ith the Atherstone, for which, perhaps, the other side of Leicestershire did not give them credit. Mr. Trotter one always sees ; for whenever he gets a fall everybody is in the proper place to see him get up again. To-day he only got five ; but as he rode three fresh horses, there was every excuse for him. By the way, speaking seriously, the Rugby country is suffering the greatest loss in the departure of the Coventry de- tachment. No corps ever before sent such a knot of hard and good riders to represent them here as the Fifth, in the persons of Captains Kennedy and Pritchard, Messrs. Soames and Trotter ; nor will the country soon forget the sporting enter- prise of the little partj^ in entertaining more than the whole neighbourhood a montli ago. A SPURT FROM SCRAPTOFT. Friday, February 10th, with the Quorn, was what might be termed a disappomting day ; for, though there was some- thing for everybody, and a great deal of galloping, jumping, and hunting, the bright prospects ever just failed of fulfilment, and the sweets of perfection were two or three times tasted onl}^ sufficiently to cause double disappointment at their loss. Still there was a good run, though the fact that it just missed being the very best of the season causes a feeling of annoyance at the accident that alone spoiled its character. 1870— 71. J A SPURT FROM SCRAPTOFT. 15 Baggrave Hall was the meet; and, as hunting men don't often stop at home for rain, there was almost as strong a muster as usual, except that the place of rendezvous furnished the sole representative of the governing sex, in the person of Mrs. Burnaby. Bain and wind had been hard at work from daybreak ; and the weather might have entered into an en- gagement to give Cording and Edmiston an advertisement meet, shapeless figures and neutral tints being the order of the day. As noon came on and the sky brightened, the outer shells were gradually discarded, and marvellous costumes dis- closed, such as a Quorn Friday has seldom had to blush for. It would appear that Nathan rather than Poole had been called in to protect High Leicestershire against the elements, or that Brian O'Lynn had been the purveyor of breeches in preference to Tautz and Anderson. Charity forsooth would have begun at home, had a large consignment at once been made to the French Peasant Belief Association. But where so many were peculiar, no man could feel the cUsagrement of being particular ; and the way in which the fancy dresses made light of the big country calls one to apologise for remarkmg on them. Scraptoft Gorse is usually looked upon as a certainty, and, the kill in covert that solemnised the last visit had had plenty of time to sink mto forgetfulness. The hounds were scarcely among the furze before the master's horn was heard on the village side. Excited and eager the pack rushed out to the call. Picking up the line at once, they dashed off towards Scraptoft, and ran two fields parallel to the scrambling crowd in the lane. A fau' open outlet scarce hindered a moment ; but two hundred choice spirits will hinder themselves in their eager- ness, and the gateway should have been six times as broad to meet the views of those who strove to pass. What thronging, dashing, raging, rushing ! AVliat spurting, babbling, crowding, bustling As lieaven and earth were overturning ! 16 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season At such a time half a minute more or less will make all the dift'erence in a quick thing. Not onh' will hounds get such a start while you are baulked and jammed that you have to ride and tui'n only with the stragglers,, but so many men get before you that all the delight of taking your fences as you see them, is lost. But in this case the ver}' first fence put all on equal terms, for an oxer planted in a deep dip made men tuni right and left for a feasible spot. Mr. Foster kindly broke down the far rail on the left, while some equally venturous spirit performed the same philanthropic office on the right; and. this exceptional difficulty past, the field spread out to take all that offered, and raced to keep on terms with the fl.ving pack. Circling round from Scraptoft Village, men were loosed over the fine pastures alongside the Keyham Brook for a mile or so, till bearing to the left they crossed the bottom and pointed for the Foxholes. Falls and casualties on every side — to see, to hear of, and to note afterwards in crushed hats and dirty coats. Falls, not of potterers or blunderers, but of the artistes of the riding world — falls attributable only to the anxious desire to be with the hounds, and that, if they threw the perpetrators com- pletely^ out for the time, at least served to open a vacancy, of which there were scores ready to avail themselves. A dozen of these we miglit instance ; but, if Mr. Turner, of Stoke, bad any feelings of regret for the lost place entailed by his bold essay at the four unjumpable ash rails, he may yet find con- solation in the fact that he acted the best of Samaritans to his followers ; and, as Eosalind said of her lover Orlando " Though it be pity to see such a sight, it well became the ground." The Keyham Bottom has ever been a bugbear in these parts, and many a resident has pronounced it impracticable ; but the great wall of China would have been charged under such circumstances ; and a summersault and a scramble opened two breaches in the knotted fringe that guarded the far bank, and half a dozen men were over almost without a pause. 1870- -71.] A SPURT FROM SCRAPTOFT. 17 At a steeplechase pace they flew over the grazing grounds towards Carver's Spinney, and men settled in their saddles and thought themselves in the run of the season ; but — and here comes the detestable hut — the Quorn seem now to be suffering from a pluralit}'' of foxes, for a brace were ahead ; the hounds were baffled for a moment ; Mr. Carver (who was on foot on his ground, and is far too good a sportsman to allow any consideration of wheat or seeds to mar a run) had viewed one towards the Foxholes ; and a division of opinion among the pack ensued, Avhich spoilt the best thing of the year. As it was, this thirteen or fourteen minutes' burst could not be beaten for pace and countr3\ The hounds never hesitated a moment, and the most determined malefactor could not have overridden them. Little time was lost ; but without the happy vigom* of the first part they ran slowly round towards Hough- ton, entered Mr. Tailby's beautiful country on that side, crossed the Billesdon Brook at a part where no difficulty but a great deal of splashing accompanied the transit, filled the apron of the old ladj'- at the tollbar with coppers, and her heart with gratitude (to judge by the sharp yelps of " Thank j'ou, sir ; thank you, sir," that rained from her toothless mouth), and so round into the Coplow. The field generally now appeared to make up their minds for a cessation of hostilities, and attention devoted to lunch or changing horses was the cause of many being left in the lurch. Three foxes broke immediately and almost simultaneously in different directions. One made for Quenby, and was allowed to pursue his way in peace ; while a second stole away from Botany Bay with only half the pack at his heels, followed b}' the huntsman and three of the fie'ld ; and ran a merry spin towards Scraptoft as far as Old Ingarsby, and thence round by Hungerton Foxholes and Quenby Hall back to the Coplow — at a pace quite fast enough to take all the steel out of their horses. A third slipped away in like manner below Mr. Freer's house (the persistent music must have been a strange aggra- 18 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season vation to a good sportsman kept at home by illness) ; and, •with onl}^ Sii- Frederick Johnstone, Messrs. Dawson, Mui'ietta, Foster, White Melville, Major Paynter, and half a dozen others in attendance, six or seven couple of hounds ran him fast and fiuious for some distance over the same fine line which had just been traversed the other way. But, alas, the two wliips soon cut in to stop the unorthodox fun ; and the culprits, biped and quadruped, had to retmn with their tails between their legs. The other run fox had by this time regained the Coplow ; the re-united pack quickly pushed him through for a short circle on the other side, and after he had run one more tu'ing ring through the Billesdon Plantations towards Tilton Wood, round by Tilton Village back to the same plantation, he was killed. This terminated a day very fatiguing for horses, but containing a good deal of pleasure for oneself. THE PRINCE OF WALES AT MELTON. The week ending March 18th, 1871, was made memorable at Melton by the visit of the Heir Apparent, who came to stay with Sir Frederick Johnstone, and enjoy a day or two from the metropolis of foxhunting. Having virtually begun his season with Mr. Chaplin and the Burton (after an essay or two in the neighbourhood of Windsor), he has once more honoured the Shires with his presence, and come to taste again the sweets of the grass countries. His last visit was marked by a first-class run with the Belvoir from Hose Gorse ; while this year the incident of his visit was the smart burst with the Quorn from Cossington — the difierence being that the former was on a state- day, and the latter was the result of a quiet by-day, extemporised solely with a view to showing him a gallop. This time the elements alone ruled over the sport of his three days' visit, showed themselves no respecters of persons, and all but sue- 1870—71.1 THE PRINCE OF WALES AT MELTON. 19 ceedecT in thwarting every preconceived plan for his amusement. Even a loyal duke had to bow before their omnipotent force, and essayed in vain to give the special meet at Stonesby a worthy character. His Royal Highness arrived at Melton on the evening of Tuesday, March 14th, accompanied by Colonel Kingscote, Master of the Horse, Colonel Ellis, equerry, and Mr. Knollys, private secretary. The choicest coverts of the Belvoir were reserved for the next day, as may be gathered from the names of Coston and Newman's Gorse. On the Pytchley side the same morning the ground lay four inches deep in snow, but the Duke's territory, on the contrary, was a foot deep in dust, and there was not a particle of scent to assist the brilliant and untiring efforts of Gillard and his clever whip. The ground was hard as iron, and the day remarkable only for the huntsman's intense desire to show sport. The Prince evidently meant going had the oppor- tunity offered, for he was to be seen filling up the idle time in picking out clean timber, and amusing himself with the ugly stiles that abound in that district. *' Go, get me hither paper, ink, and pen," and let me tell of the screaming burst that the Prince has seen with the Quorn. To meet his wishes for a gallop over Leicestershire without the crowd of an advertised show meet, a quiet by-day was arranged for Ragdale on Thursday, March 16, and the fixture kept so snug and secret that even the select received the notice only as they woke to gaze doubtingly on the snow-covered pastures. Spite of the drifts of snow that filled the furrows and the ditches, a small body of true royalists had collected at the venerable manor house by one o'clock ; but Mr. Henton's old cellar was the only morning draw, while a chain of vedettes was thrown out to give notice of any approach from Melton. The solitary horseman who at last was seen spurring on amain over the white- sheeted plain from Shoby came only to tell that hosts and guests had agreed that the country was at present unrideable. The hounds were to remain in the village till another hour or two of Sol's influence should mend matters ; and a time was named c 2 20 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season for throwing off that would have made John Peel jump out of his grave had he heard that hounds were fixed to meet when he would have been toasting at dinner "the fox he had killed in the morning." " Hope deferred makes the heart sick ; " so even the most loyal yielded to the pressure of hunger and a hailstorm, and dispersed, some to return no more, but most to lay in a foundation for a second pilgrimage in the afternoon. The hours passed by, and Time, that turns our hair to snow, in this case worked the part of Mrs. Allen's Zylobalsamum to the green sward, restoring, at least in part, its natural hue ; and soon after three the Prince and his Melton train had arrived, and men were again jogging into Ragdale from all sides. Nothing could possibly be more picturesque than the scene, as one looked do^vn from the Hoby road, where it overhangs the village, on the gay- coloured group clustered in front of the quaint old manor house (once the seat of part of the Ferrers family, but now a farmer's homestead), the hounds dotted about in the centre, and a string of carriages with brightest burdens in the road along- side. An enthusiastic photographer was on the spot, and if he succeeded in reproducing but the leading features of the picture his sale should indeed be a ready one, though the photographic art must have made great steps of late if that impatient toss of his horse's head does not transform his Royal Highness into a Centaur, and Mr. Henry Chaplin is not looming over the whole background like a huge spectre horseman. Beside these there were standing (or, in most cases, moving) Colonel Ellis, Lady Catherine Coke, Lord Grey de Wilton, Mr. Gilmour, Mr. Coup- land, Macbride, the whips, and the hounds ; and on foot, by the Prince's horse, stood the farmer, with mouth, eyes, nose, and every nerve expressive of intense delight, while some fifty horse- men gazed on the operation. This process — one to which royalty probably becomes hardened by almost daily experience — being ended, the pack were taken to Thrussington Wolds, and all the polish of beautiful garments and undeniable "getups" at once smothered in the mud and Blush of the lanes and rides. But before going further let me 1870—71.] THE PllINCK OF WALES AT MELTON. 21 not omit to speak of the grand horseflesh that greeted one's eyes at the meet and in the field. Surely so many glorious cattle (the number of riders being considered) never turned out together as now appeared to do honour to our future king, and credit to the gallop in store. Each man had brought his best horse, or horses, for the occasion ; and when we consider that the pick of Sir Frederick Johnstone's, Mr. Gilmour's, Messrs. Behrens', Lord Grey de Wilton's, Mr. Coupland's, and half a dozen other crack stables (with Capt. Boyce's Waterloo, showing money's worth at every point), had been saddled, no eulogium can be thought extravagant. The royal horses were shape and quality itself, the Prince's mount to-day (a dark brown) being to all appearance as perfect a specimen of a high-bred weight-carrying hunter as could be seen ; though, as the event proved, they naturally lacked the forward condition of horses who have been taking their weekly turn all the winter. Indeed, it is a fact one cannot help noting, that even in Leicestershire, and in studs that have never been allowed to remain idle when they could be worked, horses are only now beginning to assume the real hard state of condition when they can gallop through a quick thing without being blown, and jumj) fence after fence without dis- tressing themselves. The broken winter and the lengthened frost have put them where we "should expect them to be about Christmas in ordinary seasons, and only the extreme paucity of severe runs since the frost has prevented the fact making itself more unpleasantly apparent. The fox from Thrussington Wolds was far more selfishly con- cerned for his own safety than sensible of the honourable task he was called upon to perform, for he slipped through the New Covert, leaving the field to follow through two boggy ploughs, and doubled under the hedge at the road. Unable to make out his line, the hounds were trotted three miles back through this benighted region ; and Cossington Corse, the hope of the day and the anxious master's last support, was reached. Had the Prince now gone home, what a notion would he have carried away of our boasted Leicestershire ! And could not the Burton 22 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Season Master have jeered at the green pastures and flying fences of which we talk so much, relating to them in Lincolnshire how he had found only rotten sport and sticky plough ; or Col. Kings- cote have bid the men of Gloucestershire hug themselves over their Greatwood run, telling them that in the Shires in the present day, they might live with hounds on foot ! By a happy stroke of genius the hounds were thrown into the gorse (without regard to wind), so as to cut off any outlet on the side of the dread district where precious time had already been spent ; the field were drawn up in the road well clear of the covert, and there were none of the usual crowd of foot people to mob poor Reynard at his first attempts. Scarce a cheer had broken the stillness ere there came travelling down the wind a clattering, happy chorus, a message of hope and promise. No need of cheer or holloa to press them to the cry ; every hound had it, and every hound meant business. But so did their gallant quarry, caring not to hide or twist, but ready at once to accept the challenge. Taking his path straight through the thicket, he arrived at its edge before the noisy throng he appeared to despise were half-Avay across its breadth, trotted quietly over the road before the horsemen, looked round as if to take stock of the company, whisked his white tag in the face of Royalty, then turned out of the road, and cantered quietly away over the grass. Not a single holloa marked his exit ; the body of good sportsmen were too intent on a run to imperil their chances by the noisy exultation that too often nips sport in the bud, and only a low murmur of satisfaction broke the stillness. But, Reynard once clear of the road, the master was on his track in a moment, cheered the hounds to the spot with voice and horn, and one on the top of the other they came dashing forth, open-mouthed and bristle-backed. No restraining voice was wanted with the choice little field so eagerly burning to be away ; the gate out of the road was quickly pitched out of its fastening, and one and all waited for the opening note that should give the word " Go." Half a dozen couple burst out together, summoned sisters and brothers to the call, fairly 1870—71.] THE PRINCE OF WALES AT MELTON. 23 crashed down the open slope, and gave the signal for a start. Like the torrent from an opened floodgate came the keen horse- men in pursuit. The first fence was a stake-and-bound, with a drop beyond, but this was taken almost without a pull. The perils of an anthill-covered field never diminished the pace, nor did the thick bullfinch taken sideways to the left. With a scent that seemed to madden them, the hounds breasted the steep hill in front. " Oh, what an accursed gate ! " in a fence that might defy the charge of an elephant. " Lift up the latch, sir, while I push ! lift it, for Heaven's sake, lift it ! " Half a second seems an hour as the pack bound over the crest ; but never was gate swung quicker. Lord Calthorpe strides up the hill on a grand bay horse, that a slack rein would scarce stop from winning the Liverpool ; Mr. Knollys sits back and pounds away alongside, determined to see all he can on his one mount with the Quorn (and for many a year will his dreams of glory contain a picture of Sir Frederick's hog-maned chestnut) ; Lord Grey de Wilton and Captain Coventry steal quietly along a length or two behind, with Captain Johnstone settling down as if he had been for weeks in hard training for the event. Now they were pointing straight for Rearsby, as if the Wreake and its repellant stream were meant ; but so good a fox had no intention of dealing unfairly by his field, and, with a nobler purpose, fixed upon such a line as raised his followers to the seventh heaven (or in individual cases lowered them to the snow). The village of Thrussington bothered him for a moment, and he was forced to turn along the road for a few hundred yards before striking off again for his point. The body of the pack were over it in a second, with Mr. Henry Chaplin jumping into the road at their heels. Their noses were down immediately) and as they wavered here and there Macbride took hold of them for a cast forward ; but mean- while two couple had turned under the hedge, never leaving the line ; when fairly satisfied with themselves caught the ear of Col. Kingscote, who was riding on the left ; and a holloa brought up the huntsman and their comrades, with the loss of no more time than served to make it a five-and-twenty minutes burst 24 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season instead of twenty. Quick and eager, they dashed away into the valley beyond Thrussington Brickldlns, and struck into the stiffest part of the Quorn country, running straight and hard as when they started. The country rode safely and well on the low ground, though the hills were still deep in snow. A new plashed fence, laid towards you as only the cunning of a Leicestershire hedge-cutter can devise against a boring ox (and with a wide- cut ditch beyond), seemed but a bit of by -play to Major Paynter's loan pony, that could scarce have held his chin over it. Capt. Molyneux and the half dozen on the right got over with a sense of satisfaction, and galloped hard to join the more fortunate body whom the hounds had favoured. The next field put all the leading lot on equal terms ; for one of the bugbears of the hunt (known as the Ox Brook) interposed a stoppage to the direct route, and necessitated a hundred yards' scurry round to a bridge. That it was practicable was proved by one to whom ignorance of the danger was bliss, and who hit off a place where he got safely over, and tailed up the hill after the hounds. On the summit there were twenty men almost abreast, and widely spread, as they flew down over the well-known Hoby bullock fences. May I live to carry age and be as quick and hard as Col. Forester, who was about the " top o' the hunt " at this point. "Forrard ! you beauties, forrard ! " as they chatter gaily through the very fences that brought such grief in the famous " Bobtail run of '68 " (53 minutes without a check, and a kill in the open). Su- Frederick Johnstone on his little brown horse clears the first oxer in the true style that no man in England can beat ; the hog-maned chestnut is over close beside him ; the Master knees the rail bej^ond and comes down a cracker ; while Lord Grey de Wilton rolls over close after him, his brilliant chestnut having the misfortune to pitch just where the post had been knocked out. Crash ! bang ! on the right, like the bursting of a 68-pounder, comes Macbride ; the dark red chestnut is a bit blown, but he has got his forelegs over and staggers up again to do the same at the next fence. Of the rest, some get over, some get down, while others thrust through the holes that have beau 1870—71.] THE PRINCE OF WALES AT MELTON. 25 made for them. Col. Ellis is well up ; but the Prince's horse feels the pace terribly, shows a latent temper of which he has given signs before, sticks his head out, and refuses obstinately. The ugliest line in the three counties would not stop Captain Riddell ; but the horse of one equally hard has broken do\ra some time ago, and Mr. Chapman is leading him along and cursing his luck a mile behind. Two more " storming" oxers in succession still further thin the field ; the forty-acre grazing grounds of ridge- and-furrow call for steeplechasing condition ; and as they enter the Hoby and Ragdale road, the company is choice indeed. Was it due to failing breath or shaken legs that one noticed three instances of doubling an oxer ? A hundred yards down the road the leading rank pull up short for half a moment, then sharp through the thick thorn fence, which the customers bore at once in half-a-dozen places. What music rings out as the charmers close up and race over the turf, eager for the blood they feel to be just before them ! Scarcely so musical, but none the less excitedly, comes the fierce yell of the huntsman as he cheers them to the head, and with still increasing pace they strain over the broad pastures. Following the valley, they head straight for Shoby Scoles, Capt. Coventry, on a horse of Mr. J. Behrens', sailing along on the right in the cool, determined style which has placed many a good steeplechase to his credit ; Macbride is close behind him, while just to the left are Sir Fred. Johnstone, Mr. Ernest Chaplin, Capt. Barclay, Col. Kingscote, and Lord Calthorpe. Half-a-dozen others are lying handy on either flank, but one ought to be furnished, like a Chinese god, with eyes all over one's head, to see everybody at such a time, when, too, it takes more than any ordinary mortal's dis- crimination to spot the weak place in each fence. "Who's your hatter?" yells Sir Frederick, as a man comes piece- meal through a thick old blackthorn, with his hat flattened on his head like a mortar board. The retort follows in a practical form from an unexpected quarter. Had he been able to see what those behind him could, he would have known that the little brown horse, who had been galloping and jumping better than 26 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season the biggest, was now doing as mucli work with his tail as his legs, and scarce were the words out of his rider's mouth ere he rose too soon at a stake-and-bound, and landed the worthy baronet on his own I^incoln and Bennett. The fox had kept close along under the hedge that borders the little brook leading down from the Scoles, and, with no room to spread, half the pack were left without other part to perform than to echo doubly the noisy testament of the leaders to the burning scent. Could the sceptics who say that the high- bred hounds of the grass countries run mute have heard the rolling chorus, as the Quorn went at top speed close behind their fox, surely they would never dare to give tongue on the same subject again. Just before reaching the covert, Reynard took a sudden twist to try the earths in the little spinney above ; but this hope failed him, and he was fain to thread the nestling nook of Shoby Scoles. Fox and hounds were in together ; Col. Kingscote, who had galloped round the top, viewed him attempting to make his exit and being headed back almost into the mouths of the hounds. But he slipped past them, found refuge in a rabbit hole, and saved his noble brush from hanging to the Prince's saddlebow. *' Five-aud-twenty minutes as good as it could be," was the ver- dict, approved by heaving flanks of steeds, and in many cases breathless condition of riders. The cast round the hill to make all safe, before the huntsman was assured of the " gone to ground," gave the needful few minutes to those whom mishap had detained on the way. The Prince was one of the first to appear, his horse showing palpable signs of the energetic in- fluence that had been brought to bear upon him. Even Col. Jervoise's finished skill had been insufficient to turn one of Mr. Westley Richards' s young ones into a practised hunter, though he had wasted no time in making up lost ground. Capt. Boyce, of course, was on the spot, for no man turns to hounds quicker than he does ; and Capt. Norton, too, had done full justice to his cloth. Another " soldier officer," Capt. King, had ridden the run conscientiously on a draught from the late Atherstone 1870—71.] THE PRINCE OF WALES AT MELTON. 27 establishment ; Lord Dupplin had gone well throughout ; and if there were others — and there were several — whom the excitement of the burst and anxiety for his own well-being prevented the historian from noticing, let them receive his apology in good part, and drink with him a bumper to the health and happiness of the Prince who enters so eagerly into our glorious pastime, and to the success of foxhunting in Leicestershire and else- where. A word of sympathy is called for by the ill-luck of the best of our heavy weights, Mr. Fenwick, who lamed his horse in the early part of the afternoon, and so was debarred from cutting down the ox rails and the bulk of his light-weight comrades as he would have done. Another right good welter, the straight- going Eector of Rearsby — who on Hercules rode so gallantly over these very fences in the Marquis of Hastings' "Bobtail run " before alluded to — to-day was forced by the accidents of the hunting field into merely looking on from a hack. Friday, March 17. — Baggrave Hall was the place chosen by the Master of the Quorn where all due honour should be paid to the Prince ; and a right royal reception was prepared by Col. Burnaby. The preparations not only included such a dejeuner cle chasse as would have done credit to Francatelli's overseeing and made the gourmands pocket the bills of fare for home dis- cussion, but boasted of a completeness which only genius and good taste could have accomplished between them. At the en- trance to the park was a triumphal arch, on which were inscribed the names of every master who has reigned over the Quorn for the last hundred years (Mr. Coupland, Mr. Musters, and Mr. Clowes — who were present — occupying the most prominent positions), and of all the chief coverts of the hunt ; with, overhead, a loyal inscription. The door of the hall, too, was decorated much in the same way. The mob were kept back by a strong force of police in such a manner that they could see and cheer to their hearts' content, and could neither grumble in consequence, nor make themselves intrusive. The hounds were parading in front of the house shortly before 28 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season twelve, and the Prince was well up to time, for he drove up very soon afterwards, amid such a demonstration as nearly made the horses jump out of their skins, and the pack disperse all over the place in a state of excited bewilderment. What with the crowd cheering, grooms holloaing at their charges, the huntsman blowing his horn, and the whips rating, there was a Babel that would have stunned one who could not find relief in laughter. After H.R.H. had spent a quarter of an hour among the party assembled in the hall, he was called upon to perform a duty that must have been much more congenial to him than lajdng first stones or opening buildings for learned societies. This was sowing the first seeds of a new covert, which Col. Burnaby's liberality had prompted him to present to the hunt in com- memoration of the occasion. The initials " A. E." were cut out in the turf, and the ceremony was gone through with all due solemnity. May many a good run in the future recall the natal day of the gorse, and the breath that screams the who-whoop shall mutter fervently " God bless the Prince of Wales ! " Having given such a welcome to his royal guest and a large field, the sporting host made all complete by finding a fox for them in one of the little plantations at the back of the house. The high ground of Baggrave and Lowesby was so choked with snow that riding was impossible — even by the Rugby division, who don't come all that way to go through gates. Otherwise, for point, distance, and country, and at times for pace, the run was a very sporting one. They kept going on continually, the line was straight and open, and under other circumstances a great deal of enjoyment might have been gathered. The course pur- sued was for a few fields towards Lowesby, then direct between T^^-3'ford village and Ashby Folville, round Thorpe Trussells to Great Dalby village ; and leaving the latter on the left, past Gar- tree Hill, near which the fox was lost. He was dead beat in front of the hounds at Dalby village, and must have lain down in a hedgerow or got into a drain. At any rate he lived for another day. Ashby Pastures and Cream Gorse contained two vixen foxes, who were only saved from the pack by immense exertions 1870—71.] LAST QUORN MONDAY, 1871. 29 on the part of Mr. Coupland and his men. The Prince stayed as long as there was any hope of another gallop, returning to London with his suite by the 6.40 train ; and 'tis to be hoped that the reminiscences he carried away were at least pleasant enough to induce him to let us see him ere long again in Leicestershire. LAST QUORN MONDAY OF 1871. A FEW welcome thunder showers on Sunday, March 26th, washed the dusty face of the country wonderfully. The ground underneath was still in pretty fair order, though, true, the turf was beginning to rattle noisily on the landing side of the fences; but a little moisture on the top was most needed, and its advent was just in time to give a character to the last <5uorn Monday of the season. Thus, on Monday, March 27th, twelve o'clock found all Quorn proper at Six Hills — a meet whose name is as ultimately con- nected with cold and piercing winds as it is with good sport. To-day was no exception, for the weathercock had gone clean to the right-about; a strong north-easter almost turned the carriages into refrigerators, made one sit on one's fingers, and set one to think if one's hat string was sound. But a fine day's amusement made amends for all minor failings, though it sent one home in a state of mind in which present satisfaction was fighting hard against the feeling of sorrow that such good fun could be looked for so little longer. Horses' coats had ah-eady a patched and pai-ti-coloured apjjearance — the autumnal tints of the waning season — and more than one good set of joints bore a foreign and pudding-like look, lending credibility to floating rumours that the trying work of the past month has put more than one strong stable literally on its last legs. Our old friend was waiting for us at Cossington Gorse ; and it seemed hard indeed that his gallant efforts in the Prince's cause should meet with so little gi-atitudc, but that almost 30 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season before the stiffness had left his limbs he should again be called upon to defend his life. The hard-fought struggle had visibly affected the grand old gladiator. There was none of the smooth bright freshness that had marked his furry robes ; nor did he swing his brush with the same gay swagger as before. His coat was rough and shaggy, and the white tag that he had held out so proudly to the Royal gaze was now dragging in the dust. Yet did he not shrink from his task, but battled bravely as ever, and for the third time victoriously. One boon only did he ask, and that was a little time. So, instead of breaking at once boldly over the road, he took advantage of the want of scent in covert to collect himself. From some unexplained cause, the hounds were ahnost helpless in covert ; and had not Reynard made a personal reconnaissance under the eyes of the field, the occasional solitary and unconfirmed note that woke the stillness might have passed for the cry of juvenihty over forbidden fi'uit. At last he puUed himself together for a start, and left his sanctuary for the perils of the open country. Breaking parallel to the road whereon the field were waiting, he just touched the cross road from Segrave, took a wide ckcle to the left, and, once having the lead in his hand, played his cards much as before. Twice previously had he baffled his pursuers by straight going over the grass, and now he meant to adopt the same open com'se of conduct ; so, choosing the meadows where the tui'f was springmg fresh and sweet from the raindrops of yesterday, he left the plebeian plough behind, and, avoiding Sileby Village, headed straight for the Wreake. The hounds wanted no assistance from the huntsman, turning quickly and independently as they went on. Ratcliffe-on-the- Wreake was reached, and still he held on for the river, which could now be seen glistening below. " Thank goodness ! " (or words to that effect) " there's a bridge this time," shouted Mr, Chapman, as the pack dipped mto the valley, and the leading lot made for what was apparently a safe-conduct over. But, alas ! what held out so pleasant a promise in the distance, was but a snare ; and the arch that appeared to span the river 1870—71.] LAST QUORN MONDAY, 1871. 31 merely led over an arm running up to the railway wharf. The hounds settled the question at once, and the smooth surface of the water tempted two followers. The one (who prohablj'' went in to wash out the notoriety of a former essay) made good his exit, and, as we galloped for the Ratcliffe bridge, was seen holding on for bare life to the bridle of his horse, who had slipped up on the bank and threatened to roll back from whence he came. The other was bent on upholding the honour of the Vale of Belvoir, and he too got safely out, but, unfortunately, at the same spot where he went in. As it happened, the batli was an unrewarded one ; for, though the hounds had come so fast and well down to the river, there was but a poor scent through the Rearsby Spinneys (where he was viewed close before them), and a few minutes more brought us up to our dripping friend — who must have concluded that it was a clear case of "le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle." The half-hour up to the point of stoppage was all the real fun — and good indeed it was, with plenty of pace, plenty of jumijing, and i^lenty of quick sterling hunting. I may add that no one rode straighter, or saw the run better, than did Mrs. Henry, on a clever flyer that seems as if he could not put a foot wrong. After passing in front of Mr. AVoodcock's house at Rearsby, they went slowly on for more than another half-hour by the left of Queniboro' almost to Gaddesby ; but the dust on wheat and fallows smothered his track, and they could do no more good. As a last chance of picking up the hero of Cossington, the master had the hounds held on to Barkby Holt, the onl}^ j)ro- bable place of refuge near at hand. His primary object failed ; but, instead, he was rewarded with such a gallop as will cast a halo round the last days of the famous gorse.* Sacrilege in- deed does it seem that a covert associated with such soul-stirrinff memories is about to be wiped off the face of the earth. A fox from Barkby has always been a synonymous term for a thrilhng burst. No tract of country in Leicestershire is so consistent * Biivkby Gorse, erased at the end of this season, was shortly replanted Ly the Hunt near its old situation* 32 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season in carrying a scent ; no country can boast of sounder tui-f or sweeter fences coming thick and frequent ; and like a dying evidence of its powers was the run of this afternoon. 'Twas but a doubtful whimper that at first proclaimed a find ; but at the sound of a known and favourite voice the ex-master * was seen to bristle up like an old hound, his eye to sparkle, and his J. U. MUSIEKS, KSti. cheery countenance to flush. Not a moment did the fox dwell, but skirting the wood, with the pack crashing close after him, broke out into the open for South Croxton. Within a field of the village he bore up for Baggrave Hall, the pace so terrific that none but those who left the covert with the hounds could ever get on terms with them, and so persistently did the}'^ cling to his brush, that before reaching the Hall he was forced right into the wind as he dipped the hill. After crossing the Bag- * Mr. John Chaworth Musters, who on his retirement had lent his fine pack to the Quom Country for this season. 1870-71.] LAST QUORN MONDAY, 1871. 33 grave Bottom — wliicli Capt. Smith and someone else went in and out of, aiid where the breaking through of a faggot bridge, after the master and three or more had crossed, put a vast number out of the hunt — the first-named viewed him over the Lowesby Eoad, not fifty yards before the pack. Struggling in the teeth of the blast, he swung round by the village of Barsby, and strained every nerve to regain the shelter of his starting point. For a mile he kept alongside the Barsby Bottom, another chasm that bears a name of terror, the fences comins: thick and strong, as a Stilton-making district demands. As far back as the memory of the oldest Quornite could carry him, the Barsby Bottom has called for respect and awe ; but hands down and a stout heart can grapple with many fancied impossi- bilities, and the same leader skimmed over it in his stride, brought half-a-dozen followers with him, but left half-a-dozen others (let their names be sacred !) to sound its depths. Without a check or pause of any sort, they breasted the high ground, passed the Queniboro' Spinney, and the pack dived into Barkby Gorse close at their fox's brush. A sheej:) dog in the covert led the hounds through into the wood, the fox lay down somewhere in the gorse, and hounds and huntsmen were cheated of their prey, though another hour was devoted to searching the thicket. Of the superb nature of the burst it is impossible to say too much. Computations of time vary up to five-and-thirty minutes, but it is incredible that, at the unceasing, unhesitating pace hounds ran, a fox could have lived or horses could have galloped for more than five-and-twenty. They went so fast that an indifferent start or a single false turn extinguished any man's chance at once. It is no flattery to repeat that Capt. Smith cut out nearly all the work, ably seconded (till the voracious gulf of Barsby was reached) by the hard delegate from Cheltenham, while INIacbride was all through just where he should be, and the master lent his ruling presence to the very few who lived with the hounds from beginning to end. Thus it will be seen how prominent a part Cossington Gorse played in the season 1870 — 71. SEASON 1871-72. CLINKER WITH ME. TAILBY FROM OWSTON WOOD. last we have liad a day's sport worth tellmg — aud one that, however good the season may turn out, is not likely to find many rivals. St>, instead of being sentenced to speak of runs that ought to have been and were not, of scent that ought to have existed and didn't, of foxes that ought to have gone straight and wouldn't, let me endeavour to convey some idea of INIr. Tailby's recent Tuesday. Beside it, all the other events of the week laj^se into insignificance. To keep the thread of history unbroken, it is merely necessary to mention that but little sport has marked the present season, previous to the lachrymation and wringing of hands called forth by last week's persistent frost. The meet w^as advertised for Owston Wood, on Tuesday, November 28th. No x>art or end of the wood having been named as the rendezvous, every half dozen people had a meet of their own, according to their opinion, or the road Season- 1871—72.] A CLINKER WITH MR. TAILBY. 35 the}' came. Tims, there were parties formed above the village of Owston, in the middle ride, below and above the wood and in the road dividing it, and in many other places, besides large patrols of cavalry up and down each side. The hounds had not a meet at all, but immediately on their arrival were thrown into the wood. One of the famous old foxes — that have made men fear to be awa}'' when Owston is to be drawn, in spite of its slush}'' rides and many weary penances and disappointments — was awaiting them in the part known as the Little Wood. Taking them one turn through the length of both woods to clear his pipes, he brought them back to his starting point, and broke for Launde — the Beaux-Brummels of the two hunts issuing forth besmeared from head to foot, and vowing that henceforth brown cords and mahoganies should be their livery for the woodlands. Heading towards Launde Wood, he threatened his followers with a morning in the big woods ; but, scorning the inviting shelter, he determined on doing honour to the phalanx of horsemen that looked to him to test tlieir mettle, turned his head from the temptation, and held bravely on for the open. Bound Withcote Hall they galloped without a fence to cross, crushing over the unjump- able bottoms by the narrow bridges, struggling through a couple of sticky ploughs (alone enough to stretch the girths of horses after the fortnight of frost and idleness) ; and there was no real settling down to work till Lady Wood was reached. A momentary hesitation, to make sure of his good intentions, and that he had left this too uncared for, ere, without having actually checked for an instant, the hounds took in the situation and commenced business in earnest. Then, starting off with the sudden unanimity of a covey from the stubble, the}^ buckled to their task with a determined energ}' that quickl}' searched out the quality of man and horse. But the best of blood and the best of pluck were there in pro- fusion ; the picked men of three Hunts started on even terms ; and where on ordinary occasions there might have been half a dozen to face a rasper, there were now fifty to race for it. r> 2 36 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox The country certain!}' was not like the oft-quoted Oxendon or Skeffington, where one may see occasional deeds of daring verging on the marvellous ; but the line was stiif and the pace tremendous, and a better and more numerous first-flight never rode to hounds than to-day. Among the large concourse out there were none of the crude elements that enter so pro- minently into a meet near a town ; l)ut in this wild district everybody comes out from love of hunting, and a great jiroportion have little to learn in the matter of riding over a country. One piece of deep plough some three fields after passing Lad}' "Wood gave the hounds room enough to work and turn un- fettered, and, this advantage gained, tliey held themselves just clear over the undulating grass towards Knossington, keeping their field sti'uggling hard to live with tliem. Scrambling into the road before reaching the village, they bore up the steep slope to the right, and allowed the moment's breathing time that enabled many a good nag to live to the end who otherwise must have kneed a binder or dropped into a ditch in another five minutes. On again round the farmhouse on the hill, Mr. Tailby, on his white horse, gliding over a wide and hidden oxer with an ease that led a dozen followers, some to grief — all into a belief that nothing lay beyond. But, let the fence be what it may in other places, there were twenty men all flying it abreast, and boring the next thick black bullfinch like a sieve. Hounds are generally hindered by fences more than horses ; but so quick were they through the old thorn hedges that it was all that men could do to keep an eye on them. Timber offered the cleanest jumping, and timber was for- tunately plentiful enough for the rush upon it ; but as horses began to catch their wind the farmers suffered in proportion, and a harvest of work was left behind for village carpenters. To say what happened in such a run is next door to an impossibility. One eye to watch the hounds and cut off every available yard of ground : one eye to hit off the likeliest spot without dwelling or interfering with your neighbours ; and 1871—72.] A CLINKER WITH MR. TAILBY. 37 every nerve and sinew strained to carr}' a blown horse alonj^, and pull liini together for each effort — what faculties remain for observing what is going on on either side ? ]\Ir. Tailby, jumping more fences and bigger ones than any other man, and the white horse fresh when others were done to a turn, was looking to the hounds Avhile the fast work was going on, with Goodall lying as handy as his late accident would allow him ; Mr. Powell and Capt. Coventry searching out post-and-rails that would stop an}^ ordinary field like a wire fence ; Capt. Smith to-day on something that could do him justice : Mr. llobertson and Custance to show how little horses can go under light weights ; Mr. Pennington, Mr. Tryon, Capt. Boyce, Messrs. Fludyer, Lord Hopetoun, Mr. Beynardson, Mr. Cochrane, Messrs. Murietta, Mr. St. John, Mr. Finch, Capt. Molyneux, Mr. Blackwood, tic. These occur to me as I write, and I have put them down as they come to mind at the moment ; but they seem to represent but a tithe of the number who were going so straight and well. Some half- dozen, tliough, whose coat-tails one is accustomed to see . flapping in front on such occasions, and who for their own pleasure and the sake of the rival cities that boast them should have been there, were now taking no part in the melee. Lord Grey de Wilton was unfortunately laid up with a sprained thigh. Sir Frederick Johnstone has not yet arrived, while Capt. Iliddell and Mr. AVilliam Chaplin happened to be away; so Melton lost four of her doughtiest champions. Harborough, again, sent forth neither of the Messrs. Gosling nor Mr. Corbett Holland ; the elder Mr. Gosling being a sufferer from a thorn in the eye. To return to the run itself. After passing round Knossing- ton they crossed the Oakham road, then over the high ridge leading from Cold Overton to Knossington with undiminished pace. Dipping into the low ground, they came to yet another road (leading from Cold Overton to Somerby) ; the drop into the lane was over the blindest of doubles, and noisy scrambles and loud ejaculations smote the ear. A mile further, they 38 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season turned again into the road scarcel}' a minute behind their fox, and took his line along it, right into the garden of Somerb}' House. Through this he was yelled at by foot-people and yapped at by a shepherd's dog ; but, instead of proving his destruction, it brought him safety for a time, for the hounds got tlieir heads up, and he was able to slip away along the gulley towards Piekwell. Slowly they hunted on over the high gi-ound to the left, rounded the frowning brow of Bur- rough Hill, and tracked their beaten fox up one hedgerow and down another on to the Melton Steeplechase course — where they came to their first check at the end of an hour and twenty minutes from first finding ! Of a holloa back and a holloa forward the wrong one was chosen ; the hounds were lifted a couple of fields on to a fresh fox, and followed him slowly into the Quorn countr}' as far as Thorpe Trussels. Meanwhile, the hunted fox was viewed back towards the Punchbowl, there to await a fate tliat he had apparently and deservedly escai)ed. The Punchbowl being the only covert within reach for an afternoon draw, the hounds were brought on tliere for a second fox, and found our gallant friend just stifi"ening in fancied repose after his struggles of the morning. But he liad some good stout stuff in him still, and a heart that knew no sinking. Even now he disdained to die in covert like a fiitted Frenchman, but set his head once more for his wood- land fastnesses, and battled bravely to cross the open ground and reach them. For some fort}^ minutes over the open he had laughed at a burning scent and a racing jDace in the morning, and, leg weary and sore in the evening, he could 3'et bid them fifteen minutes' defiance. Straight as an arrovr he took them to Owston village, the part}' in his rear being the whole elite of the morning, and even they having all tlieir work cut out to live the pace. One field on the right of Owston village, and within half a mile of his shelter, strength suddenly failed him. He stopped short, and the hounds were half a field over him in their eagerness ; but his time was come, and a few minutes more saw this grand, good fox pulled down stiff and helpless 1871-72.] COLONEL CHAPLIN >S RUN IN A FOG. 39 from a hedgerow close below the wood. That he could go through half he did proclaims him extraordinary ; and men who were fortunate enough to reap the full benefit of his deeds on that day will be long ere they forget him. There were good things, too, and many of them, done by horses, by hounds, and by men, that are well worthy to be handed down ; but the achievement that deserves record more than all was tlie style in which, when the fences were biggest and the going fastest, Mr. Tryon, of Loddington, ever kept some sixteen or seventeen stone in the foremost rank. COLONEL EDWARD CHAPLIN'S RUN IN A FOG. 1^0 m u tr <:-• M.VKQUIS OF WATEUP'OUD KIDINO OVER THE DINNER-TABLE AT LOWESBY HALL. LowESBY Hall was the rendezvous and centre of supply, for commissariat as well as recruits, on December 23rd — Sir Fred. Fowke providing hospitality on the table once ridden over by the famous Marquis of Waterford. John o' Gaunt was next made the base of operations. One fox stole away unper- 40 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season ceived before the hounds were in the covert ; but a second kept himself quiet till the master began to look anxious about a find. But, once on foot, he delicately declined to cross-examine the ex-Craven hounds,* as to their capabilities in covert, and broke away for Tilton. He avoided the dreaded Marfield bottom just long enough to inveigle ever3-bod3' out of reach of the bridge, then crossed it where it could not be jumped, and made for Mr. Tailby's woodlands (where soon " The Barleythorpe " will be holding their jaunts and jollities). Nobody was with the hounds for some fields ; and the first to them were the earliest driblets through a narrow gap in a bullfinch which merciless!}' pent up the huge impatient crowd. The crush was rendered still more horrible b}' the behaviour of an evil-dispositioned grey, which fought its way through all earlier comers by rising on its hind legs and striking out with a quickness worthy of Jimmy 8haw. On emerging through the hole in the order in which chance — or, better still, a kicker — enabled one to squeeze (N.B. On these occasions, if you have not a kicker, it is perhaps advisable to stretch out your hand behind, as such a course ma}' often secure you more room), there were two of the most choking ploughs — through and up which to struggle — that were ever tmiied over by steam. The morning was misty and warm, the drops hung on every twig, and the hacks were in a lather before they reached the meet. But the fog that had hung over Skeffington all morning was now blown northwards, and covered the Tilton Hills lilve a blanket. Horses could scarcely gasp in it after wading through the deep loam ; by the time the top of the liill was reached one and all were as distressed as if they had done a four- mile steeplechase, and each man felt serious alarm about the wind of his steed, till he found that his neighbour's was in a similar plight. Just before reaching the woods, hounds threw up for a minute or two, and allowed the huntsmen and the few who liad found their way through * Mr. Coupland's new pack. 1871—72.] COLONEL CHAPLIN's TtUN IN A FOG. 41 the fog to get to them ; the rest of the fiekl groping their way up wliile the chase was heing carried on in Skefiington Woods. The fifteen minutes up to here was fast, but nobody saw it properl}' ; and the scrambling start from John o' Gaunt was simply lamentable in its disorder and disappointment. From this point the thread of narrative unwinds and divides itself for a time, the two fibres reuniting and finally leading to a common end ; in plain English, the pack split in half, each part worked on its own line, at length they rejoined each other, and the common end was an untimel}' one for bold Pteynard. The story is not an easy one to tell ; and indeed, it was not for some time afterwards that matters could be properly under- stood. The woods were full of foxes, and they pushed one through the labyrinthine depths of Skefiington and Tilton, round and back again, out between the two after a lapse of time, and away along the Tilton and Tugby bridle road in the valley. Scent was indifi'erent, and the fox of a vacillating turn of mind. Anxious to go away, he had not the heart to make a point, and hung within hail of his native fastnesses, twisting to the left below the woodlands. Meanwhile the other section of the pack had stuck persis- tently to their old love : gave him not a moment's peace in covert ; till, finding their attentions rather too marked to be pleasant, he took advantage of the field having moved round the wood to the other cry, and essayed to return from whence he came. But this time the villagers of Tilton were fullj^ on the qui five, had turned out in a bod}', and were formed round the village like a body of francs-tireurs defending their hearths. Consequently our furry friend (the adjective being thrown in merely as a compliment, for his brush w-as as short of hair as a soldier is of read}^ money) found the Avay blocked, and Avas forced to alter his tactics. The eight or nine couple of hounds wdiich got away on his track, without master or huntsmen, were fortunate enough to pick up an M.F.H. on their road. Col. Edward Chaplin had taken advantage of a non-hunting day 42 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season with the Blankney to rail down for a look at the Quorn ; had ari'ived rather late at covert ; had been trotting leisurely about in the dense fog, wondering if we are accustomed to look upon daylight as necessary for hunting in Leicestershire ; and, now that the atmosphere had cleared a little, was endeavouring to make use of the no less hazy directions of the natives to enable him to reach the hounds. To a stranger the dialect of the local clodhopjier is probably as useful as Low Dutch ; but there is no mistaking the aboriginal when he sees a fox. If he can do nothing else, he can sound a view holloa — by inborn and hereditary talent rather than tuition — and is never so frantically hai)})y as when he gets the chance. On this occasion there were fifty jiair of lungs, each of which could almost out- scream a steam-engine ; and, to endorse their noisy annouDce- ment, the sweet familiar music of deep ringing tliroats came floating up the vale. " Sixteen, or even twenty couples, we don't consider too many in Lincolnshire ; but perhaps the grass doesn't Avant such a lot as our deep clay. AVhat, nobody with them ! Well, I suppose the huntsman and the held will be up directly ; and an3diow, it won't do to stop them Avlien they are running like this. Forrard, you beauties ! Not so even-coloured as ours perhaps, but they can tackle to their work for all that." The howling crowd had turned him down the hill, and, baffled in his first intentions, he now sped awa}^ at right angles, and then threatened to circle back into the woodlands. Perhaj^s he looked back over his shoulders, and disdained to show the Avhite feather to a single pit of pink, a rough rider, and half-a-dozen second-horsemen ; for he turned away again into the open, and struck away hap-hazard as if to pass between the villages of Skeflington and Billesdon. Over the high ground hounds carried it well, and steadily they took it on till two deep fallows puzzled them for a time. Oddly enough, though the foot-people are said to have yelled till the hunt was out of sight, though the melody of the hounds themselves must have been carried far away in the still air, it was not even discovered that 1871—72.] COLONKL CHAPLIN'S RUN IN A FOG. 43 there were hounds missing from the other line of coveii, which was engaging the attention of Macbride and his field. To steal away with two or three couple of hounds from a covert would no doubt be reprehensible in the extreme, as no sport could result, and the efforts of the main body might be interfered with ; but when it was a matter of eight couple and a half sticking to the run fox, and going well, it would have been unnatural, even if jjolitic, to attempt to stop tliem. The difficulty of the fallows was got over by a holloa in the Tilton and Billesdon road just beyond. In front was a wild hill}' country, but the best of sound turf and the cleanest of fences, the latter made rather for keeping cattle in, than for accommodating a solitary sportsman new to their expansive nature. But the stranger was equal to the occasion, and no doubt enjoyedhimself amazingly, with his little pack again well together and streaming along fast enough to test the goodness of his Melton mount. The unmistakable landmark of the Coplow was beckoning them on, and, dipping into a low and thickly fenced valley, they followed its course almost to the foot of the hill. But two men in the road had prevented the fox trespassing on the expected afternoon draw ; he had turned into the httle spinneys bordering the hill, and there lay down for a minute or so. He started off again when he found his pursuers close at him ; but, instead of this helping them, they puzzled for some five minutes over the twisted and foiled line, and had just hit it off when Macbride suddenly galloped up with the rest of the pack to their assistance. It seems that the fox that we had been following in full state and in all due solemnity, under the idea that he was the original find of John o' Gaunt, was an impostor from a foreign country ; but, by a singular coincidence, he had broken nearly on the same line as the true Roger, and had struck into his track some- where about the two ploughed fields of which we have spoken. From this point, Macbride's division (he thought the whip was bringing on the remainder) had merely hunted up to their predecessors, m3'stifying their huntsman by the slack, careless 44 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox st^'le in which thej'' kept pushing forwards, till the enigma was solved h}^ their running into their precui'sive sisters above Billesdon Coplow. With a beaten fox close ahead, it was long odds that the com- bined force would be able to finish the work so effectually carried on by lialf the corps ; but it took some time j-et to do it. The scent was now never much higher than their toes, and, though the}' never let it slip away from them, they had to stoop to hold it — and to conquer. The rough wild country and the want of pace were galling in tlie extreme to the lunrl element, who were there in abundance from every quarter ; but for those who were content to witness true painstaking hunting there was continual pleasure, and a satisfactory finish. No hounds in the world could have worked more perseveringly and well than did the new Quorn pack. They hunted on without check or hindrance past Lord Moreton's stables at Cold Newton, and reached John o' Gaunt again in an hour and twenty minutes from the moment when *' Forrard away ! " wa§ sounded from its side. Twenty minutes more took them through and beyond into a trail of i)lougli : ten minutes pretty quick on tlie grass took the last strength out of their game ; and five minutes more brought him out of the l)lantation above Lowesb}- stift' and stark. A hunting run of an hour and fift3'-five minutes, without losing the line for five minutes, and with a proper wind up at the end, is something out of the common. Many of those who Avere out will say, " Thank Heaven it is ! " but they did not see Col. Chaplin's three-quarters of an hour, or the}' might speak differently. That it was the same fox Avas proved by those who saw him carr}' his scantily-clad stern away from the covert, and who assisted at his obsequies afterwards. Peace to his ashes ! Like the Roehoe fox of last year, he showed that raiment has little to do with vulpine pluck and endurance. 1871—72.] A BUEST IX THE SUNSHINE. 45 A BURST IN THE SUNSHINE FROM SCRAPTOFT GORSE. ScRAPTOFT GoRSE gavG just sucli another sharp, delightful scuny as it did last year, ending just as prematurely. There was little or no excitement about the find ; in fact, the fox found himself, and lost no time in breaking covert in front of the crowd who were penned up in the narrow lane. The hounds sprang out instantly to the master's horn, and were away on his line before half the band of hard men had ex- tricated themselves. An unfortunate veteran was dismounted right in the gangway, and, amid the struggling sea of horse- men, was tossed about hither and thither till he got separated from his horse, and for very existence was straining every nerve to regain his lifebuoy. No one stopped to help the man over- board, but some apparentl}^ rather reviled him for hindering their passage. Once clear of the gateway there was a choice between keeping on the grass a little wide to the left, or floundering through the single fallow on the track of the pack. The former was doubtless the proper course, but at such moments it is necessary to decide promptly, and a prompt decision is too often a wrong one. Still, to hesitate at a start is to lose a run, so a trot over the plough is the determination, and the pack make headway at twice the pace you can afford to. What an effort of patience it requires to go slow through the deep dirt ! but once on the turf again, you may conscientiously drive the prickers in, and catch hold of his head. The fox, like all Scrap- toft foxes, knew not his oAvn mind on leaving his doorstep ; for, after heading at first direct for Keyham, he swung away at right angles. There could not fail to be a scent to-day — the air was clear and still as in a frost — and the hounds raced away at Liverpool speed. But the sun was bright and dazzling — some of the best of horses seemed completely stupified by it — and the similarity to the little spin of last year was further increased by the pantomimic tumbling of the front rank. What tales we who were behind could tell — of how two acknowledged chieftains 46 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox quietly sat down in a ditch, and blocked up the only negotiable holes in a blackthorn screen ; of how treacherous rabbits let in one of the boldest of the southerners, and entrapped many smaller fry as they crossed a fair delusive pasture ; and of how two guiding stars (one the high priest of the ceremonies) dropped earthwards when most prominent in their pilotage. But such little matters are always to be delicately and carefully alluded to. If a man is riding " his young one," he is possibly rather gratified by the solicitude that prompts you to ask if he is hurt ; if he is riding a fhiexd's horse, he is absolutely pleased, and takes the inquiry as an encomium on his thrusting powers ; but if he has been hapless enough to come under your notice when his " wouldn't-take-250-for-him " crock brings him to grief, and he is perhaps meditating a spring sale, he will positivel}'^ hate you. But under any circumstances men are coy about their mis- fortunes being paraded before the public, very properly con- sidering that they stand on their heads for their own amuse- ment, and not for other people's. Well, the line was marked by loose horses and topbooted pedestrians for about a mile parallel to the dreaded Keyham Bottom, till Messrs. Keynard and Coventry were almost simultaneousl}'- struck with the remembrance of the spot where Capts. Robertson and I'ludyer made it practicable a twelvemonth since, hit it oif exactly, and, with the pack as a connecting link, sailed away up the hill to the Keyham and Billesdon road. The boggy bottom did not stop Macbride, though it brought some scrambling and splashing to his immediate followers, and he was there to cheer the pack over as tlie}^ crossed the road. Three fields down to another road (the Hungerton to Keyham), then two more fences, and the chase was over, as far as its bright, sparkling fun was concerned. But even this ten or twelve minutes, aided by the warm sunlight, were enough to cause shaking tails and foaming flanks, for the pace was so great there was not time for a pull at a fence. True, they hit it off agam, and as they trotted along round Hungerton and Baggrave there was ample 1871—72.] A BURST IN THE SUNSHINE. 47 time to see " how the great had fallen." Broken hats and dirty shoulders were unmistakable omens of work for the wonderful Melton hatter (who can restore a squash}'- pulp to a shiny go-to-meeting), and of less remunerative labour to the gentlemen of the bedchamber. One thing at least was proved by the short-lived burst — viz., that the present Quorn hounds can race on a scent (and that too, without over-running it at a turn), for they slipped along through the fences at a pace that fairly cut their field to pieces. The fatal check occurred in the middle of a grass enclosure, •and was so sudden and unaccountable that one could only attribute it to some supernatural agency — or a sheep dog. If there were curious incidents during the fast part of the run, there was plenty to look at when the slow travelling began and the good citizens of Leicester took a more active part in the fray. Each fence was productive of something impromptu and original, and one performance in particular was charmingly ludicrous. A worthy cit had ventured a-hunting, and his steed was perforce obliged to follow his role and become a hunter forthwith. Strong blackthorn binders (even a foot high) are not often found on a turnpike road, so proved a novelty dangerous alike to man and horse. The latter found his onward career suddenly checked, and lit upon his arched and classic nose. The former rolled over and over before him, then suddenly sprang to his feet like a lamplighter, clapped both hands to his head, and, without casting a single glance behind, scuttled away down the field as if all Pandemonium were let loose at his heels, nor turned to look for his horse till he had put a clear fifty yards between them. 48 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox THE OLD EARL TAKES THE LEAD FROM HIS OWN COVERT. On Monda}', January 12tli, the Quorn had a run that was straight, quick, and satisfactory as any run couki be. From Welby Fishpond their fox escaped to Cant's Thorns close b}', with a rare scent, and hounds running liotly at his heels. A few nice fences under Wartnab}'', and then he turned to the left to Saxelby Spinne}', Avhence he crossed the hill and dropped into the vale. Leaving Old Dalby on his left, he made for Nether Broughton, under which place they bowled him over in the open : time, thirty-two minutes after breaking covert, forty from the find. Years of health and vigour to the Earl King ! He took a lead and ke])t it through- out, pace serving liim and judgment telling. Mr. Coupland, Capt. Turner Farley, and jNIr. Foster were quite first-rate in his wake. Several of tlie best and hardest goers of the hunt got off badly and never showed in front at all. Two or three ploughs after Saxelby Spinney were simply awful, and spread- eagled the field sadly ; though the new liounds were able to carry a head over them, and showed throughout that they can fly on a scent as well as the}' can hunt a line. The best and neatest run this season. Lord Wilton was delighted at its being from his own covert, and claimed the brush accordingly, which on other grounds he had fairlv gained. AFTER THE HARBOROUGH BALL. Thursday, February 8th, was the day of the Market Har- borough Hunt Ball. But it was not fated that there should be another AVaterloo run for Capt. Thomson to read of in his rocky retreat in Devonshire ; nor even a gallop from Loatland Wood, with a plunge into the Rushton Brook, to call back remembrances to Capt. Tempest, when a month hence 1871—72.] AFTER THE HARBOROUGH BALL. 49 The Field should relieve one hour of existence on the broiling ■ plains of India. Strange, though true, both these good coverts refused to provide amusement for the multitude who had come from near and far to see them drawn ; and Sunderland Wood was the next stoppage named on the journey. But on the way thither Mr. Glover, of Harrington, came to the rescue, represented that for weeks past he had maintained a brace of foxes on his farm and poultry yard, and suggested the advisability of their ridding him of his vulpine Soapy Sponges. Accordingly the leading squadrons of the field were thrown into skirmishing order, and proceeded to scour stubble and fallow. Reynard and the missis were both on the premises ; but so thoroughly at home did they consider themselves in the annexed territory that they were loath to believe in the possibility of intrusion, and refused to notice it till almost whipped out of their seats. The ruder villain jumped up within a few yards of the hounds, and nearly sacrificed himself in drawing off their attention from his lady. Over the first field he had the greatest difficulty in keeping his. black brush clear — with the leading hounds open-jawed for a snatch at it. A thickly-stacked rickyard gave him twenty yards more room, and at the second fence he earned a still further advantage, for he doubled quickly down the side of it, and the bristling pack shot half over the next field in their mad eagerness. They swing round again in a moment ; but that lost moment is never fiiirly retrieved. Straight for Loat- land Wood he is pointing — his dark dingy form still visible to the thrusting mob that would press the hounds if they could. By nose it is now, though there is a scent that a man could run, and they are straining to it as if he were still close in view. The fences are not to be taken in every place, and, strong as is the hard element to-day, the front division thins and lengthens out as it struggles in pursuit. At the meet to-day by no mean* were they all " dancing dervishes " — an epithet which one sorely-tried M. F. H. in the neighbourhood bestowed on the ball-going fraternity wlio favoured him and 50 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasoh rode over his hounds. The best of men and horses were there from liead quarters, and good metal from ever}'- other quarter ; and many choice spirits that can always go are doubly fired by the increased competition in promise, and are full of *' ride " this da3\ Alas that pluck and ardour should be so wasted ! — that not even a stout fox, a rare scent, a good horse, and unfailing nerve should avail to give the Elysium that is contained in nding to a grand burst over a grass comitry ! In the first happy moments of racing for a start the leaders forget the gulf that the Loatland Brook, now swollen over its treacherous banks, has placed across the rich vale between the woods of Loatland and Sunderland ; and ihej are almost on the edge of the overflowing water before they realise its presence and im- practicability. A frail riding bridge is not far off, and Mr. Langham is the first to remember and to get down to it — hounds moving away up the opposite slope in a style that can only be expressed by the hackneyed term streaming. A plank covers a huge breakage in the frail structure ; the rider leads over with his whip thong ; the wood is kicked into the water ; and the horse scrambles over as by a miracle. But the way is now stopped completely ; no one will risk the passage with a certain alternative between brealdng his horse's legs or drown- ing him ; and the crowd gallop off in opposite directions — some for the bridge at Arthingworth, others for that near Loatland Wood, while Mr. Langham is in little better plight ; for by the time he lias remounted the hounds are out of sight, and he in the position of a man riding in the dark. Before he can rise the hill the flying pack have such a start of him that henceforth he can only get an occasional glimpse of them some six fields ahead. The waj^ round to either bridge seems endless, and the journey is made hideous by the sounds of wrath and disgust that issue from every lip. Up the road by Loatland Wood the crowd clatter and splash, urging madly on in hopes of cutting off the pack, whose merry voices sound fainter and fainter in the still air till the hill^^shuts them out 1871—72.] AFTER THE HARBOKOUGH BALL. 51 and they are heard no more. Three stray hounds are mixed up in, and carried along with, the living torrent. With the dash and courage for which the Pytchley ladies are so famous, they are racing through their horses to get to the front, when one galloper, more reckless than his comrades, rushes on to their backs, and the iron feet deal a deathblow to the best. Lay her on the turf bank and raise her head. Her tongue is black and her eyes are dull and thick. One wistful moaning cry she utters, and the good bitch is dead. Meanwhile, what is happening on the other side ? Not a hound stopped to shake herself as she issued from her chilly bath. Every tongue was going impatiently as they swam the stream, and shiny and dripping they glanced away at once. For two fields they were alone, and then they cut into the bridle road, between Arthingworth and Loatland Wood, which runs parallel with the brook, and along wliich the field had passed on their way to the stubbles where they found. Thus some half-dozen of the rear-guard, under the impression that Sunderland Wood was about to be drawn, and respectful of Mr. Cave Humphrey's knowledge of the country, had followed his lead to go round by the village of Arthingworth, and so had never crossed the fatal brook. The alarm of fire on board ship spreads no quicker than do the words " They've found!" among the crowd of the hunting field. The cunning idlers saw at once they had outwitted themselves, made up their minds that their sport was lost, but galloped back along the bridle road to watch the panorama across the valley. They saw the field quickly scatter and expand as the hounds flitted down the slope to the water ; and they marked the bafiled leaders, checked suddenly by the flood, roaming up and down its banks for the possibility of a fly. The hounds are hid from their sight for some moments, and they canter on for Loatland Wood, when suddenly the pack dash across them not a hundred yards in front, and they find themselves in a posi- tion that their dilatory carelessness ill deserves. .They must ride now if they are men ; and to do their duty now may make £ 2 52 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season some slight amends for their past error. A blast of the horn reaches them as they awake to the situation. It may be meant for the recall or for a farewell blessing. There are only two of them to accept the honour thrust upon them — Mr. Paulet, of Theddingworth and another. Weight for age they are riding; and the big, powerful horse of the former crashes easily through a close-grown bullfinch that nearh' wrenches the lighter man from his five-j'ear-old. Side by side they settle down to keep within distance of the flying pack, with whom they can just grapj)le when the ridges of the old grass pastures give them firm galloping ground, but who fairly head them when they cross the soppy furrows. The fox has turned away from Loatland Wood, and AVaterloo is now his point ; every jump requires more covering, and ever}^ fence has fewer vulnerable points to catch the eye ; while with a swift, cease- less i^rattling like that of running water, hounds are sweeping across the Oxendon Lordship with a head almost an acre broad. Within two fields of Waterloo, a hedge-cutter brandishes his tomahawk in the face of the gallant fugitive, and turns him away towards Oxendon village. Shepherds and nondescripts there are on every hill, and everj'^ quarter of a mile brings a holloa over the vale ; but the hounds will notice nothing but what they can tell for tliemselves, and drive at their fox till it seems as if each minute must be his last. And what grand good heart and pluck he must possess to stand before them thus ! He is going, after twenty minutes, as though he were just starting with half a mile's law. They have never hesitated, and they have never dwelt ; but he has gained ground rather than lost it, and neither of the fortunate ones will handle his brush yet. Pull her together, and let the spurs make her forget she is blown ! One chestnut pitches on to her head at that corner, while the other takes half a minute to get his hind legs after him out of the broad chasm that yawned for him. Greasy as bacon is the approach to the hog-backed stile under Oxendon Windmill ; but the fence is impracticable elsewhere. 1871—72.] AFTP]R THE HAItBOEOUGH BALL. 53 Both get over witliout a touch, and henceforth it is downhill and lighter travelling. Turning sharp away from the railway, they keep it on their right, by the Oxendon railway crossing, exchanging signals as they pass with a man who had viewed him down. *' How long has he gone ?" is the question from one party. "Why, where's all the red 'uns?"the counter query from the other. Then over two (the only) pieces of plough by the side of the line, till they cross over into Kelmarsh Spinney, after thirty-two minutes without one tardy moment to mar it. Their fox had trotted in just before them, lay down in the underwood, they got beyond him, and a ten minutes' check ensued. Goddard, the second whip, was the first to appear on the scene ; Capt. Clarke came next ; Mr. Langham immediately afterwards ; the main body by degrees ; and Roake set the ball rolling again as soon as he came up, by carrymg the hounds beyond the covert, and hitting off the line where their game had stolen out. Foot-people viewed him again at once, and the field themselves saw him enter Sunder- land Wood after his long circuit. In the wood the scent was. feeble, and he was able to struggle out unseen, and gain Blue Covert before they could lay hands upon him, though forced to rest two or three times by the way, and start again in view. Three or four fresh foxes in the covert took turn about to divert the attention of the pack from their persecuted brother, and, though after an hour's perseverance the pack were all round him in a corner, and, scent or no scent, were bent upon his destruction, the field grew impatient, and Roake was ordered to take his hounds out upon the line of one who had broken away. And thus did as stout and swift a fox as ever trod turf escape his fate after a two hours' trial ; but, much as he deserved his life, did not the hounds deserve their prey still more ? 54 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season A ROUGH AND TUMBLE FROM THRUSSINGTON NEW COVERT. For a sample we need go no furtluT than ^lontlay, February 19tli, with the Quorn, though each and every other day had its good features, and has been in unison with the continuous flow of good sport we are now enjoying. A better season than the l)resent has not been seen since '61, when Leicestershire was as much beswamjoed with rain and as prolific of gallant runs as now. The grooms alone look melancholy over the present state of things, for the deep, deep ground is cutting their stables to" pieces, and the question "What for to-morrow?" becomes nightly more difficult to answer. Even at Melton, in many instances, men are beginning to find it is not so much a case of what sport they may look for, but of whether they can get out at all. Monday comes after a daj' of rest for man and beast, so the beast was universally forthcoming, and no man would deny him- self Six Hills with the Quorn if he could help it. A bright sun in the early morning and a rising glass put weather considera- tions out of sight till it was time to start for covert, and mis- placed confidence brought suffering to follow in its path as usual. An hour of pouring rain brouglit gloom to many a smiling face, and ruin to many a faultless toilette ; but the storm passed off as suddenly as it came, and the faces, if not the toilettes, shone forth again like primroses. Mr. Musters had given his merry men of Nottingham a holida}', in consider- ation of their toil in his marvellous run of the previous Friday, when the lightest and the hardest of them had striven in vain to see the Squire scream over his fox at the end of six-and- thirty miles ; and now he had j^laced himself at their head to show them scenes of his former glory. As is usual at Six Hills, the field was formed on the vires acqulrit eundo or rolling- snowball principle. The captain of the forces and his staff moved off the hounds almost unattended to Cossington Gorse, 1871—72.] A EOUGH AND TUMBLE. 55 and the rank and file of the column joined in on the road. It always takes a convenient time to rout a fox out of the Cossington thickets ; and he can seldom be made to budge till he has given full opportunity for morning greetings and Monda}^ news. When he did go to-day, there is little to tell beyond that he chose the dirtj'^ side of the road instead of the sweet grass, j)ut a feather in the cap and a happy dream into the mind of a newly-arrived Meltonian — who enjoyed three fields of plough to the exclusion of his less enterprising confreres — soon tired of the ignoble mire, and crossed over the highway into the Thrussington country. Here the}^ meandered slowly about for half-an-hour, with a lack of scent and incident, save and except the total dissipation of a treble oxer, to which the very dulness of the proceedings impelled a gallant militaire ; then gave up the search, and fell back upon Thrussington New Covert. They were some minutes in finding, but not half a minute in driving out their fox before them ; for the field had scarcely a notion that there was game afoot ere the pack came dashing out in noisy haste close at his brush. The ravine two fields from the covert gave him a better start, and stopped the stream of horsemen for a moment. Once over this, the line was seized as vigorously as ever. Every man who has himted with the Quorn knows the Thrussington and Hoby pastures, and msLj be able to recall the delight of going fast over them ; sound good turf, and sound strong fences, each enclosure like the one before it, and each minute happier than the last as hounds keep flying on. Mr. Simpkin, of Hoby, chanced to be looking round his farm, when the same fortuitous accident that invariably throws a sporting doctor's patients in the direction of the hounds brought the hunt across him. There is no need of his holding up his hat ; the hounds are flinging along the line like racehorses, and clatter past him with a rush that , makes the four -year-old as enthusiastic as the rider, who has hunted for five-and-thirty years. No thought of youth or age now ! The young one is sent along, with his hind legs under 56 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHTRE. [Season bim, in a style that will make him a limiter before be is twenty- minutes older. For some fields the pair lead the van, till the junior lacks confidence at a hairy place, and the senior finds be has no spurs to instil it into him. Mr. Cheney then takes his place, and spurts up the ridge-and-furrow beyond, with a goodly band in close attendance. The Hoby and Ragdale road plays havoc among the leaders ; the pace has been severe, the country trying, and the jump into the lane is a trappy one. Whose steed is llyijig down the road, Delighted to have shirked his load ? No funker's is he, or impostor ; Why chanced it, then, such luck to Foster? Young in name, but not in years. See, there is one who knows no fears, Now pulling at his horse's ears ; "How get him out ? " he cries in tears. But Col. Burnaby's fall was a more serious matter, for he was a good deal crushed by his horse, and had some difliculty in riding home. The hounds now dip down into the valley beyond the road, and people who ride for points have ah-eady fixed their mind's eye on Shoby Scholes, remembering the Prince of Wales's burst last year. But, though the fox treats them to the first two or three raspers on the route, he turns not for the covert, but holds towards Asfordby, with no apparent point in front. The Wreake is swollen a quarter of a mile broad on his right, so he is not likely to turn in that direction — though several gentlemen are said to have brought out their swimming belts in case of accident. " Keep to your right ! " roars the first man over an oxer. But the warning comes too late ; the second is already in the air, and, with a less manageable horse than his predecessor's, is carried into a deep and dirty runlet that crosses the field. On to higher ground where runs the Hoby and Shoby bi'idle road, the Kne hunters riding deep in the u plough over the two last fields, the skirters taking full advan- tage of the grass on the left ; and just as the two parties join 1871-72.] A WET AFTERNOON SCRAMBLE. 57 a sudden stoppage over an open burrow proclaims that five-and- twenty minutes is all there will be. Right good it was from beginning to end, and it is no undeserved compliment to say that one of its chief features was to see Lord Wilton riding forward throughout, with his arm in a sling. A WET AFTERNOON SCRAMBLE. Two o'clock saw an almost general dispersion at Grimstone Gorse, which, as it turned out, meant losing the run of the day. Let me tell it briefly. With a cloud overhead and a cloud on his brow at the falling off of his followers, the master faced the pelting rain, and struck out a route for Ellars' Gorse. Splashing slowly along, with up-turned collar and down-turned gaze, he began to think his Monday was a doomed day, like the previous Friday. Hounds Avere drearily jogging along, all ears and back, at the huntsman's heels ; the wdiips had ceased their "Get on, get o-on ; " and Macbride had crouched almost under his saddle bow. A pelting sleet and a screeching wind struck derisivel}' into the chieftain's ear, and bade him loudly to leave good coverts for another day. There were but eight followers to turn their backs to the wind at Ellars' Gorse. Seven of these begged for AVilloughb}^ as a reward for their long suffering ; while the eighth turned tail and plunged into the forest, to be seen and see no more. Three o'clock at Willoughby Gorse, and only two red coats besides Mr. Coupland and his aides to maintain the panoply of war. Capt. King, who sees more sport on a few horses than any man in the Hunt, was there to view the game played out, to spin a yarn of home-grown hemp, and to make mental notes to guide his pencil when a dislocated thumb should take it up again. The Vale of Belvoir had three representatives — one in pmk and water, one in a cap that acted like a slanting roof to shoot off the rain, and one on 58 THE CPtEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season a higli-class thoroughbred. Nottingham law and Nottingham sport had likewise a delegate ; while the Quorn Hmit could only furnish two or three coats of monkish hue to complete the scant}- attendance. Willoughby Gorse this year is a certainty. The present Quorn pack seemed to know this by instinct, for thej^ spread themselves in covert hke Clumbers, and straightway shook the moisture off the thorns from end to end. Two foxes on the move immediatel}' ; one crosses over the ride, and the other breaks away back in view of the least musical of the eight shivering sportsmen. He trusts to his hat rather than his throat, waves it round his head with double windmill vigour, and at length succeeds in getting Mr. Sandy's lungs and the master's hoi-n under way. Macbride is busy up wind with the varmint in covert, but soon catches the cue, and with pack and bugle flies quickly to the rescue. Over the road towards Ellars' Gorse, every hound in his place, and every hound laughing noisily at the weather. With a sparkle and freshness that spreads itself to their followers, they dash over the gi'ass for half a dozen fields with a clear start, then turn to the right, and the latter get on even teinns again as thej^ bear up for Wimeswold. A tenant, courteous but cunning, puts five- eighths of the riders aside from his wheat, and wide of the hounds, by bidding them vociferously to go for an imagmary gap into the meadow on the right, and the}^ have to push and pump to recover their ground. For a quarter of an hour they are pegging along, alternateh' choosing the highest ridges and the wettest furrows, and for ten minutes more they are wadmg girth-deep among the wheat growth. Sorry for you, sir, that gate's locked, and j-ou have to knee the stile. Macbride has both spurs driving home, and clears it at a bound ; but at the one be3'ond is momentarily swaj'ing on it, like the to}^ horse- man with the leaden balance that gave us our first notion of proportionate equihbrium. Cortlingstock Village is just in front, and unfortunately its sporting proclivities were roused into life last week by Mr. Musters's foray over the country. 1871—72.] WET LEICESTERSHIRE. 59 The villagers have scented fox, and Reynard has scented them, and turned short back from his point for Bunney Park. A single hound rings his conviction loudly on the back line, and supplies the want of a holloa, as the double throws them on to their haunches. A cast back sets them busy again — but finally a draggled, beaten fox crept into Stanford Hall Woods and denied a finish to a run that would have made a field till five o'clock for the rest of the season. WET LEICESTERSHIRE. What is the one chief idea that we have been accustomed to associate with a grass country, and more especially with the honoured name of Leicestershire, ever since we learnt to hunt, or even to talk of hunting? In what have we been taught to consider lies its first charm, and what does experience tell us is its ruling delight ? Is it not its springy turf and firm elastic footing; the power of skimming lightly over the surface, and bounding gaily over its fences — heeding neither pace nor would-be obstacle, but revelling in their presence, and trustmg to blood and courage to make light of them ? Is it not the dream of such a happiness that makes provincial youth to groan, rebel against the toils that hold him, and to hate his native soil ? Is it not the remembrance of such that will bring a flush to the withered cheek and a sparkle to the dimming eye of the Nestor, as he tells how he flew the raspers side by side with the old Squii-e, and held his horse as the other brushed a fox that had thought himself invincible ? Is it not for this that men lavish time and money, and think no sacrifice too great so long as they can be m the sphere to indulge in their all-absorbing pursuit ? But when High Leicestershire becomes a morass ; when, instead of gliding lightly over ridge and furrow, pulling hard 60 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Sfason to see hounds go their best, and flying easily from one pasture into the next, you can only struggle and wade through green swamps, and scramble wearily over the weakest gaps ; when your best horse gasps and sobs at the end of five minutes, and labours painfully to carr}' his hind legs over a mere gap ; and when hounds fairly leave their field to follow by distant glimi)ses — then are the glorious bursts, of almost every-day occurrence, robbed of half their charm, and men confess to a loss of much of the keen relish that such runs are wont to bring. To see each moment of a good scent putting you at a worse advantage ; to have to drive a generous animal along when all his elasticity is gone, and he can no longer lance boldly over his fences, or stride strongly over the gi'ound, is a work of sorrow, not of pleasure, and damps enthusiasm as quicldy as it is roused. The Romney Marshes and tlie Lin- colnshire Fens, in all their pristine unculture, could scarcely have been more unrideable than are our boasted pastures at the j)resent time. More particularly was full and sorrowful evidence of this forthcoming on Saturday last (March 2nd), the red-letter day of the past week, when Mr. Tailby gathered another laurel from the ground he has so shortly' to rehn- quish. Eanksborough that afternoon seemed a very long way after the return for another search of the Punch Bowl ; and the fine country through which the journey lay appeared desperately deep and soppy. Ne'er tell ine of glories serenely adorning Tlie close of onr day, the calm eve of our night. Give me back, give me back the wild freshness of morning ; Her clouds and her tears are worth evening's best light. Moreover, " evening's best Hght " gave every promise of a week's frost ; the air was cold and raw, and the grass crisp as a lettuce. But there must be an end of ever3"tliing ; and those who reached the end first were in time to view a white- tipped brush away almost as soon as the hounds were in. He ran the long narrow belt of trees all the way up to Orton Park 1871—72.] WET LEICESTERSHIEE. 61 Wood, the pace tremendous, and the narrowness of the hand- gates forcing all who wanted to be within hail to flounder over the awkward timber and wondrously-built fences at their sides. But the wood was not his point after all ; and he turned away within a field of it, and led them such a dance along the high ridge overlooking Oakham that he succeeded in fairly bursting every horse. For three or four and twenty minutes the pack cracked along with a thorough mastery of their field ; and the farther they went, the more completely did they settle the question of hounds versus horses through dirt. Never was a line of gates so welcome as now ; for horses were soon so beaten that they could scarcely raise a jump at all, and for about the first time in memory a run w^as complained of as being *' too fast." Through Oakham Pasture they flew down to the lower ground — though wading would more nearly express the mode of progression of wearied steeds as they reached it. A momentary slip over the scent, and a chorus of holloas on to an outl3ang stranger, lost them their fox — who went on past Oakham, and was actually seen by Jack West to try the kennel doors of the Cottesmore at Barleythorpe. Three or four hounds would have followed to immolate him on the threshold of the temple he bad sought, but were unfortunately whipped off to what Avas supposed to be the right line, and this wonderfully good game fox got clear off before they returned to try and mark him down. Wonderfully good and game we may call bim, for he trusted only to his powers of speed and endurance for his safety, never stopped nor doubled, and for those four-and-twenty minutes he had Mr. Tailby's brilliant lady-pack coursing him as if in view. Horses stopped dead beat in every field ; tails were uplifted and shaking, heads were drooping and nodding, flanks were bleeding and quiver- ing, white horses had turned black, and black horses had turned wkite ; while riders were flushed and dripping, and double-breasted coats had become insufferable. The steed of a noble Hon. Sec, already burdened heavil}^ with the responsi- bilities of office, was now so overcome b}" present exhaustion 62 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season and the vision of prospective labours that, after groaning deeply three times, he completelj^ gave in, and, curling himself up, lay quietly down to sleep and rest. Of course there were many to claim that they had been with hounds throughout ; but the most forward and the most candid chanced to see none between them and the pack, with whom, even with the help of easy- swinging gates, they could never hold their own. To conclude, it is only necessary to say that a long time was taken up in trying in vain to find w^hat stragglers had met any one of the three foxes afoot, and longer still to find out if any of them knew a fresh fox from a beaten one. In the end the original object was vainly sought ; and weary nags were enabled to reach their stalls at a comparatively early hour, to drink their gruel to the memory of as severe a day as even this trying season has produced. A JUVENILE MATCH. On Tuesday March 5th a special from Melton conveyed the whole of the metropolitan rank and beauty to the scene of the Grand Military at Rugby. The Gold Cup was of course an attraction, but by no means the chief one, for in the im- promptu Juvenile Plate centred all interest. Capt. Boyce's Smoke, 19 years (owner), and Capt. Park Yates's Havelock, 20 years (Capt. Eiddell), were the only two that came to the post — opinions being divided as to which of the pan- the delicate confession of age applied to. Smoke was looking as gay as when he ran for the credit of the 16tli many years ago, and now won easily — the wealth of Melton being considerably added to thereby. The old horses jumped everything fault- lessly in true hunter's form, and, if the finish was not a very close one, at all events, as an Irish coachman expressed it, " they brought one another along respectable-like." Two days of summer weather brought not only all the county 1871—72.] MR. TAILBY's FINAL SUCCESS. 63 and all the military, but turned the course into a little Ascot — Damsels in divers colours, like the cloud Of sunshine and of sunrise ; and some of them On horseback. The Tailbyites on the same day preferred their woodland seclusion to the less orthodox sport at Rugby ; and while the rest of the world were cutting into pigeon pie, they were amusing themselves on a slice of the Quorn country round John o' Gaunt. On Wednesday the Pytchley passed with contemptuous air down the road bordering the steeplechase course ; but by four o'clock their pride had gradually fallen to a very low level, mider the influence of a succession of blank draws. MR. TAILBY'S FINAL SUCCESS IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. Mr. Tailby has again all the credit of the past week, and of him once more must be the burden of my song. Surely, if ever Fortune lavished her favours (not undeservedly) on a master of hounds, she has done so this year with Mr. Tailby, treating him with an overflowing affection that has never waned or faltered. Byron might have been prophesying the season '71-72 of the Billesdon Hunt when he broke out with his somewhat misty panegyric : 0 shadow of glory, Dim image of war ! But the chase hath a glory, Her hero a star. Makch 26th. A thorough hunting afternoon, albeit the chilly wind had a westerly point, took almost every soul on to Orton Park Wood ; and if everyone did not reap the enjoyment in store, the fault was their own, or that of accident. After months of bullying 64 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skason and unrest, foxes seldom dwell in the woodlands to hear more than one note, or to be greeted with more than one cheer. Indeed, at no time is it safe to be dallying or coffee-housing when Mr. Tailby's pack are at work in these sylvan depths. Outsiders and time-servers are generally left behind, and why ? Because they trust to chance rather than to themselves for a start. The master and Ids regular disciples, on the contrary- — such as Messrs. Gosling, Eobertson, Pennington, Powell, &c. — are seldom if ever left in the lurch, for the simple reason that the}'' hel]) themselves, never get out of liearing of the hounds, and make up their minds to brave the muddy quagmires of the rides, knowing well that the wind and laboui' expended in getting off on good terms may almost invariably be recovered when hounds face the open. It matters not to them that they issue smeared and blinded with slush, when thej'' receive complacentl}' the envious looks of their cleaner com- rades at the end of forty minutes, in which a stern chase has meant a hopeless one. On this occasion a wideawake fox slipped off the instant he could catch the up-wind notice, and broke at the top as soon as a hound had opened on tlie lair he had left. There was just time to get round to the holloa as the pack came bustling out with the determined vivacity of their sex, each hound hurrying to the front and hating to be behind her fellows. Over half a dozen fields into Lady Wood, and on in the face of the wind into Owston Wood, was only the work of ten minutes, the pack racing clear ahead, and no time for opening a gate on the way. Too intimate knowledge of country robs many a man of a good ride here, when he remem- bers the big covert in front ; but the Tailbyites know the scenting properties of the two -mile track, and always steeple- chase over its big flying fences and rough old grass, as if each man carried a fresh horse in his pocket. A plunge into Owston Wood, moreover, is too often a preface to a yet deeper dip into woodlands beyond, so they eagerly make use of the present ; but to-day hounds carried the line through without dwell- ing a moment, their field spreading some above and some 1871— 72. J MR. TAILBY's FINAL SUCCESS. 65 below, while others left the security of the outside for the more laborious intricacies of the paths within. The latter could never contend against the pace/ and reached the end only to find Owston Village and half a niile of grass between themselves and the flying pack. Short cuts are generally a delusion, but that delusion must be risked now if places are to be recovered. Two rasping four- rail stiles, with a stray puppy persistently slipping in just at the critical moment of taking off ; then a clean light oxer, an easy- swinging gate, and the village is past. Owston Bottom has its terrors ; but someone has carried away the top rail at the only spot where it is possible to make a double off the bank. The lower rail is just high enough to bind the knees of Chris- tian's horse, and flounder another on to his head ; while the gee of a Harborough flyer is so accustomed to make a clean sweep of everything in his path, that he positively declines the double shuffle, and sits down in the brook to watch the turn of afikirs. Two more fences, a little more squeezing galloping, and a fortunate turn, put all on terms once more, though a baulking stile by the side of a gate places a veto on the further progress of one of the foremost rank, and even sends him home to finish the season in bandages. Then comes a half- minute check, recovered at once on the reappearance of the master (withheld for a time in the sticky rides of Owston), and the hunt again start fair, with fifty men in front who mean to ride, and each of whom is as good as (or better than) his neighbour. An oxer with an even front, but a 15-foot fly, comes as welcome as charity to a starving family. A cloud of them are over it all together, scarcely a rail cracking all along the line, though they take it as thick beside and behind each other as a flock of sheep over a trench. Leaving Knossington to the right, the line of flight is borne gradually to the left, over the fine Avild tract towards Burrough Hill, that has already been favoured more than once this year. Their game is now close before them ; but, as is often the case with a sinking fox, they cannot push him as rapidly as when 66 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season he was fresh ; the run still goes on, but, though you must gallop, you have no longer to race. Passing between the villages of Burrough and Somerby, they are close at him, and as they cross the hill it seems a foregone conclusion that he means to die in the Punch Bowl. Horses are beginning to lag, though the ground rides firm and there has been no plough to draggle them. But Rejmard knew of a refuge more secure than thorn or privet ; and just below the covert a sudden stoppage and a who-whoop proclaim that the thirty- eight minutes has ended in a rabbit-hole. Opinions will always differ about a run more than on any other subject ; and few men can persuade themselves to give one totally apart from their own personal feelings. Those who saw it from end to end said this was a glorious gallop ; those who were left in Owston Wood deemed it indifferent ; while those who only nicked in for the last ten minutes (and they were many) de- clared it was not fast enough. Among such a number of hard men and good it is impossible to give names, and still more difficult to learn who was to the front throughout. It was a question, too, of luck and skilful management quite as much as riding to keep a place. Little birds whisper to me, though, that Sir Fred. Johnstone, Lord Grey de Wilton, and Mr. Foster were amply upholding the honour of Melton ; while Mr. Robertson, Mr. Pennington, and two or three more, who knew well the features of every fence hereabout, were not one whit behind them. Of the ladies Miss Hartopp decidedly carried oil' the pahn ; for she issued at the spot and moment from Owston Wood, completely distanced her fair competitors Avho had pressed her closely up to this point, and arrived at the Punch Bowl as soon as anyone. So ended the season 1871-72, and it may be long before we look upon its like again. Wearing to horses and trying to pockets, it has been lavish of reward in such a frequent recurrence of glorious runs that the sport of ten years might have been condensed into this one. In our old age we shall be charged with maundering when we tell of the good things 1871—72.] MR. TAILBY's FINAL SUCCESS. 67 of that famous season; but the memory will always be a treasure to ourselves, and we may confidently say now, ** Haec olim meminisse juvabit." One more word, not about Leicestershire particularly, but about what is too often written from many countries at this time. If opportunity offers, the boast is sure to be put forward in print by some too zealous disciple of the Hunt that their W. W. TAILBY, ESQ. huntsman has killed so many brace of foxes during the past season. Now, this is encouraging the very feeling that every true si^ortsman, every lover of fair hunting, and every keen rider would wish above all things to see eradicated, and that public opinion and the press ought to stamp out. Then should we have more good runs, more beautiful liound work, and less rat-hunting than now ; and a real huntsman would find his reputation enhanced rather than diminished by the reform. This is spoken from no feeling of maudlin sentiment, nor even solely from a love of fiiir play, but it expresses the opinion of 68 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 1871—72. every man who hunts from a love of sport, and who feels sick and disgusted when he sees a good fox mobbed at starting, or dug out fresh and strong to be thrown to the hounds. A huntsman goes out to kill his fox. It is his object and aim, as it is that of a shooter to bag his partridges in September. But as well might the latter rake into his game in a fiuTow, or a courser knock a hare on the head in her form, as that he should be unscrupulous as to the means — and he, too, has not himself alone to please, but is in a manner catering for the amusement of the pubHc, who at any time might buy a Reynard of their own to slay at leisure, were the mere sight of vulpine blood so dear to them. Sincerely is it to be hoped that such sanguinary vaunts may be consigned to the vast waste-paper room that underUes the office of 21ie Field. SEASON 1872-73. TWO GOOD DAYS WITH THE ATHEBSTONE. BRIGHT sunny morning such as Friday, November 29tli, when the Atherstone met at Newnham, augured not well for sport according to old-fashioned notions. But the last two seasons had completely cut to pieces all the dicta and wise saws that our progenitors stored up for us ; and taught us that, given the hypothesis of a moist earth and a warm one, all other conditions may stand over. There was always a scent last winter ; and as wet in- creased, hounds ran faster and with greater certainty — no matter whether the sun shone, the wind blew, or the glass went down. So it is at present ; and for once hunting men are content, fearful only of a change. On the day of which I am speaking the barometer pointed to all sorts of dreadful things and threats unutterable ; for it had gone beyond its vocabulary, cuhninating in Much Rain and Stormy. We looked at the cloudless smiling heaven, sniffed the balmy air, looked again at the glass, and finally came to the conclusion that in this, as in other things, extremes some- 70 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season times meet, and that the indicator must be bent on a short cut to the Set Fair side of the question. Such a lovel}^ day of coiu'se made the ride to covert pleasant, the meet pretty (if it isn't so in the beautiful park at Newnham, where should it be ?), and companj-- generally as amiable as aldermen. So much for the preliminaries, now for the proceed- ings. There is a little harbour right in the centre of the park (Burton Pool, so called), equally a favourite resort of fox and fowl. Whether they live in harmony thereui, like the lion and lamb of prophecj^, or whether Rej-nard finds enjoyment in licking his chops among the willows while he watches the wild ducks swim about in security — like a hungry m-chin flattening his nose against a confectioner's window — I leave it to the presidmg velveteen to say. Anyhow, as usual, the ducks rose and Eeynard ran ; and to-day being devoted to the chase and not to the gun, the latter individual fovmd that the deHcate atten- tion was meant for him alone. He sHpt at t)nce into the adjoining wood, and disappeared a slight comely youth ; but — as in the case with which we were satiated to nausea last summer — his reappearance was in the shape of a burly giant more fitted to cope with trial and persecution.* Big and powerful he looked as he showed himself across the open. Some little plough and a few light fences ere hounds get on the grass and can swing along in the style that you come to Leicester- shu'e to see. They seem careful of their followers, though, as they get to the end of one of the big bullock pastures near Ullesthorpe, and find a horrid, wire stretched to catch or kill ; but they take the line on without a halt over the railway, and across the ploughs beyond. A more perfect piece of quick hunting was never seen than along their course towards Bitteswell. A mile from the brick kilns there came a holloa to tell of a fox travelling on the right. The field took it up, as they ever delight in the chance of doing ; but not a hound turned her head, nor did Castlemayne do more than encourage * Tichborne joke explained for future generations. 1872—73.] TWO (iOOD DAYS WITH THE ATHERSTOKE. 71 them to their present work. Another moment or two and they were rewarded by getting on to the sweet meadow grass ; and away they sped at once with a vengeance. Have I made it clear ? They had been going well for these twenty minutes, never dawdling, but not racing. Well, for the next twenty, they made as sharp and pretty a steeplechase of it as ever was ridden over an unflagged course. The well-drained turf of the little meadows rode springy as indiarubber, the fences came every hundred yards — some of them to be taken where you chose, but many with only a single weak point that it was hard enough to find in the moment you had for seeking it. Were 3^our steed impetuous, you were raked into one fence when you scarcely thought yourself over the previous. Was your mount inchned to be " sticky," you had hardly recovered him after his last scramble before you were called on to rouse him for his next effort. " Hold hard ! this accursed wire again ! " The only apparent outlet has an ominous post before it, while the bottom hedge is undoubtedly wired. Mr. Muntz, however, won't believe in it, and the old grey's good effort meets with a check that might have stopped his jumping career for ever, while horse and rider rattle over the wire with no worse injury than the fright. There is a clear space at the corner, after aU, and it is made available immediately the fallen pair are seen to rise in safety. Over the next three or four little inclosures instinct is the only guide in riding to catch the hounds, who are glancing through the thick fences lilce rabbits. Gallop as you like, though, and pop up and down as quickly as you can jump, they get to the Bitteswell Brook some three hundred yards in front of their earliest followers. It is all down-hill to it ; the ridges slope firm and smooth to its banks, which are fringed with just sufficient thorn to form a low screen. But the sodden earth and the quick-recurring fences have acted perceptibly already ; muscles are relaxing, chests are heaving with long- drawn sobs, and the heads that have been carrying themselves so proudly noAv hang lead-like on the bit. Pull him together you must, though it needs an effort severe as a close run-in 72 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season from the distance post. " Stir liis courage with the steel ! " as Sir Walter has it ; " Sting him to jubilance ! " as Mr. Myers puts it; "Gash him well in the last two strides," as Bob Chapman expresses it ; with a mighty heave get his quarters well underneath him, and you are bound to go somewhere into the next field — though a scuffle and a scramble leave a long doubt of the success of your entry. A couple of rustics are delightedly pointing out one of the widest spots as each fresh comer looks eagerly for a guiding signal, which after all is meant, like the wrecker's beacon, onlj' for his destruction. One by one half-a-dozen horsemen come down at the tilt, some to fall, all to scramble ; and already the chase is far over the liill. Lutterworth steeple is a landmark right in fi'ont, and the hounds are apparently racing for it, when, within two fields of it, they dive into a gravel pit, where many a cub has grown up under the fostering shadow of Wj^cliffe's temple. The earths are stopped ; but their good fox has found just time enough to see the door is closed against him, and to scale the bank before they enter. As he crosses the poor-allotments above he has exchanged signals with another of his race, who probably found himself blocked out over-night ; and, starting him forward with the fear of the pack close following at his heels, himself has dragged his wearied limbs in an opposite direction. The run was over now ; for naturally enough the pack went on with the forward line. But the scent had changed ; and the present fugitive, when they got up to him at Misterton, was found to be a very unworth}' substitute for the good animal that furnished this delightful forty minutes. Friday, December 6th, treated them well in the matter of scent. From Twelveacres hounds got away on the best of terms, and were able to grapple to their work at once. It's heart-breaking galloping over a plough, but you must do it at a start if you hope to see what goes on. The only alternative now is to macadamise with an eye to Newnham ; but you had better take your cropper over that hairy stake-and-bound, or 1872-73.] TWO GOOD DAYS WITH THE ATHERSTONE. 73 smash the wide-set rail iii the corner, than get into the lane whence there is no escape. Half-a-dozen fields, and already the van is (in numbers) a weak one. Mr. Brooks is neither a feather-weight nor a chicken, but he is sending the chesnut along as if to wipe out the remembrance of the broken limb of last 3'ear. Mr. Braithwaite has a still more permanent injury ; but if he can hold his own over High Leicestershire, he surely will here ; and he can keep his horse straight at an awkward place, or pull him together over ridge-and-furrow, as well as if he had an extra bridle arm. Mr. Hipwell has something black and youthful under him ; but this is the kind of mount to which he is most used, and he is making fast running on the right, while the huntsman leads the left flank. The country towards Cotesbach and Lutterworth is beautiful undulating grass, and, for that reason possibly, seldom chosen by foxes. Our present friend had not heart enough to take a bold plunge into it, with the pursuing melody so nearly in his ears ; so, swinging round in a semicircle that threw half his followers off as if yielding to centrifugal force, he bent round for Ullesthorpe. Jiloments of rare and fleeting liglit That show themselves, like grains of gold In the mine's refuse, few and Lright. For a quarter of an hour the}" spun along, over fences that wanted jumping and turf that wanted condition, till they got close up to their fox as they reached a little plantation above Ullesthorpe village. Now they had to put their noses down (as they can do with any pack in the Midlands), but after hunting him a mile or two were holloaed on to another fox and eventually gave up the game before reaching Bitteswell. 74 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE, [Season THE LAST RUN OF 1872 WITH THE COTTESMORE. Saturday, December 28tli, is more worth telling about, can I but tell it properl3^ The Cottesmore met at Leesthorpe, so said those who breakfasted at a proper limiting horn", which, as the meet was close at hand, few from Melton did. To see the Punchbowl stirred, though, there was such a gathering of good men round its upper rim as even this famous resort has seldom witnessed. Lord Lonsdale had brought an unusually strong force into the field ; the Duke of Rutland had spared many a stcnit adherent to represent him here ; Mr. Tailby headed his champions ; Mr. Coupland led. forth the Quornites to a man. No wonder there was such an eager rush, when the hounds were laid on along the crest of the hill, that at first they could make no head on the line. Nor was it till the field were clustered on the eminence overhanging the Steeplechase course that, looking down, they discovered two hounds stealing on Avith the scent. The body of the pack were carried on to join them, which they did as they gained the high ground to the left of Burrougii village, and here the run began. They got together and slipped away at once over the road and down into the valley beyond — so quickly and suddenly that only the huntsman. Sir Frederick Johnstone, Col. Fores- ter, and one or two others knew the}' were away till they had a start of a couple of fields of plough. Deep plough is scarcely ground on which to make up lost time, more esi)ecially when, as now, each foot-lifting is a labour ; nor did narrow crowded gateways and a fifty-acre piece of ridge-and-furrow (so guiltless of drainage that both landlord and tenant must be bank- rupt, or at the least deserve to be) facilitate the task of catch- ing them as they flew along the vale. Had they raced on, the quicker few never would have been caught ; but the hesitation of a second or two lets uj) some twenty more, and then the pace grows hot again as they round Burrough, the village on their — rt f5 1872-73.] LAST IlUN OF 1872 WITH THE COTTESMORE. 75 right. A deep down-liill fence, of nondescript style and diffi- culty, puts two good couple liors de combat. The next is indeed a teaser, where the best horse in the Shires might crack under the saddle. A fair broad ditch to smile in your face, a high plashed fence frowning blackly above it, like the laughing eyes you may often see, that tell not so truly of the natm-e within as the dark cruel brows that can carry no false expression. It may be a lion heart and stout loins that are under you ; but these will scarcely take you beyond a second ditch, grass-grown, invisible, and wide. Five loose horses are careering about at once, five pairs of Hartley's are stumbling over the fallow, and five pairs of lungs are gasping a wild entreaty to " Stop him ! " The survivors have escaped, either with a long-drawn struggle, or by making use of a breach efi'ected by a less fortunate forerunner. Now the chase is fairly in the wild open Twyford countr}^ still bearing to the right over a tract where no human figure diverts the fox in his course, where scarcely a sheep or bullock is found to foil the line, where old turf clothes every field, and where the fences are of good old-fashioned growth — a dozen outlets in each. Three fine days and a kindly wind have already made the grass ride firmer than it has done for weeks ; and, though the pace is not Newmarket, hounds keep running, so that it is all galloping, such as a hunter can command and continue. Fifty men are riding almost abreast, each of whom one might gladly take — yet scarcely dare to follow — as pilot over any line in Leicester- shire. Now they bear slightly to the left, sinking lower down the broad hillside that they have been sldrting for some minutes ; Then to the shore of one of those long loops Where thro' the serpent river coiled, they came. . . . . The banks were steep ; the stream Full, narrow. The well-known Twyford brook it is. Not a very formidable serpent certainly ; but one that is not to be overcome at any /6 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasoh point, and powerful enough to have beguiled many a good man to destruction — as it will again to-day. As is too often the case, hounds did not cross it at once — else would it have been charged in numberless places — ^but, running along its brink, waited till they had their field huddled up where the stream was widest and muddiest before turning over it. Col. Forester, who has been cutting out the work and pioneering the young ones throughout, is tlie first to charge it where it seems most practicable, and gets over with a splash and scramble. The next essayist adds a roll and the loss of his hat to the Colonel's i)erformance, and effectually blocks this passage for a time. Several attempts are made in the same field, but each and all of them result in disas- trous failure. Meanwhile the quickest had popped over the side fence, driven straight down at the brook (Custance on the Duke of Hamilton's old steeplechaser, the "Doctor," leading one band), and found that here it was much more negotiable. A ford was also hit off almost immediately, and all went on in pursuit of Col. Forester's grey, who was now a field ahead of tlie nearest. There is little more to tell. The hounds threw up just below John o' Gaunt; and though their good bold fox had obviously brought them all tliis way up wind with a view to the refuge, from which he must have been driven but yesterday, they could not mark him into the covert. Thus ended as pleasant a thirty-five minutes as the season had produced — fast enough for anyone, time and country considered. There was dirty work for valets that night ; for falls seemed to have been more the rule than the exception. Then home, with the thrushes singing in the mild evening, as if spring had already followed Christmas. The Pytchley inaugurated 1873 with a fast good run of fifty- five minutes on the 1st of January, from Stanford HaU, of which the following are the particulars. Found in the Hookeiy, went away towards Walcote, and ran in the shape of the letter S by Swinford to Shawell Wood. This could not 1872—73.] A BELVOIR BUEST. 77 have been much less than four miles ; but it was done in fifteen minutes — Capt. Featherstonhaugh and Mr. Samuda conspicuous in front, with the huntsman half a field behind them. The hounds ran the length of the wood as fast as they could get through it, out at the bottom, past Shawell village and to the Watling-street road, round nearly to Catthorpe and back to Shawell Wood — before reaching which he was seen dead beat. Here the scent seemed to fail, and, the covert being verj^ thick, he managed to slip them. The afternoon was marked by a most melancholy occurrence in the death of Major-General Mayow, late Deputy Quarter- master-General in Ireland, and one of the oldest members of the Pytchley hunt. He fell dead off his horse during the run, in the middle of a grass field, and while in conversation with Mr. Atterbury of Welford Lodge. The latter had just re- marked that they were on the wrong side of the brook ; and the general replied, "Never mind, we must go along here now;" when, as he finished the sentence, he suddenly fell to the ground. Two doctors were at hand almost immediately ; but Kfe must have been extinct before he left the saddle. It was a sad shock to his many friends who were out, and who came up to see the fine soldierlike figure, so long familiar, now carried away lifeless to his house at Clipston. A BELVOIR BURST. Wednesday, Jan. 8th. — A good diying wind had been in- dulging us for the last twenty-four hours, and the gem of the week on the Melton side was with the Belvoir — a sweet burst of sixteen or seventeen minutes, such as for years they have been famous for. The meet was held at Saltby, chiefly with a view to an old customer known to reside in Sj^roxton Thorns. Coston Covert is generally drawn on the way there, and no place has been more redundant of quick things in past 78 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox years than this. But two or three blank draws this season had so far obscured its ancient glory, that to-day there was little of the eager expectancy shown that has so ofteli been an attribute of a visit here. Hard men and keen were content to coffee-house and loiter about while it was being drawTi, and seemed taken by surj^rise when Gillard's unmistakable note told that a fox was away. However, they all got round b}'' the time the hounds were out, and every man started as good as his neighbour. It was of coui'se a matter of moment to get quickly over the first two or three crowded fences ; but after this the question was simple enough, being merely whether your horse could go and stay. The fences took some jump- ing, but they were equally to be jumped everywhere, so there was none of the waiting for your turn so heart-rending when hounds are forging ahead. They were now running up wind with a scent that kept them ever straining their utmost, and from end to end it was a steeplechase. Indeed, there chanced to be no less than four steeplechase cracks riding in the van — four gallant captains, whose knowledge of pace has often been jjroved at Rugby, at Windsor, and at Liverpool. Of these (Capts. Tempest, Smith, Riddell, and Barker) the last named not only suffered the unpleasantness of being dug out from underneath his mare, but still further misfortune awaited him in finding her back was broken. Rumour tells me that yet other mishap befeU some of the quartette ; but this is not my busmess. Col. Forester, too, was ably supporting the British army — so far as young blood (his horse's) would allow. Lord Grey de Wilton and Gillard were riding side by side, and Mr. Turnor, of Stoke, showed that they have not yet become pro- vincial in the Vale of Belvoii'. With one or two exceptions, all the rest of the field were completely choked off by the extremity of the pace, and the depth of the half-dozen dis- tressing ploughs that occurred before reaching Woodwell Head. On the way a slight detour had been made towards Wymondham; but there was no moment of breatliing time tlu'oughout. After running the covert, the run was over at 1872—73.] A QUORN FOilEST INCIDENT. 79 once — the fox having probabl}^ turned short back. Certainly he could have gone no further in the teeth of the wind. There was a wonderful variety of nationality out, showing — if it showed anything — that our national pastime is daily drawing recruits from the Continent. There were French, Italian, Hungarian, German, and men of decidedly foreign appearance from Grantham or elsewhere. A QUORN FOREST INCIDENT. I MUST tell a little episode that occurred last week in the Quorn woodlands. Be it known that the sporting proclivities of the city of Leicester are increasing in proportion as its hosiery and elastic web manufactories grow in importance, though much of this devotion to the chase is in its embryo state. The most popular mode of gratifying it is at present the co-operative system, which allows one quadruped and two pair of wheels to give large parties some individual share in the sport. On or about New Year's Day a vehicle appeared carry- ing five portly personages to hunt with the Quorn in the merry Charnwood Forest. Mirth and glee were as little wanting as well-stocked hampers and huge cigar cases, and the whole turn-out suggested pastime as improved by the civilisation of the nineteenth century. The driver was an old hand at his work, knew every road and covert in this sylvan district ; and had he but known the capabilities of his vessel as well, 'tis probable his freight would have retm-ned in safety and good humour to port. A long story may be shortened by relating briefly that, departing in a rash moment from the highways under care of a paternal Government, Jehu undertook the passage of a grassy green ride, where wheels were seldom wont to go. The shandrydan was of a somewhat peculiar build, four wheels and one seat — something like a lifeboat previous to being launched 80 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season — Jehu being accommodated on the knee of the stoutest of the party. Of a sudden the weight above and the depth below proved too much for the chariot, which parted amidships. The horse and two wheels proceeded onwards ; the body of the vehicle remained beliind, after casting forth its occupants in divers directions in the mud. Four of them sat and stared at each other with piteous expression ; one of them started up and ran haphazard into the wood ; while Jehu showed more sense than any of the party by lying full length in the side ditch and roaring lustily for brandy. Meanwhile the horse careered down the ride with the two wheels dangling at his heels, and cut into the first knot of horsemen like an Assyrian war chaiiot, scattering them right and left lilce chaff. The group in front of them were up wind, and could hear nothing of the shouts of the first victims as the enemy came down upon them with increased velocity, and chai'ged right mto their midst. Each wheel did its work as effectively as ever did the glittering scythe of classic warfare ; took each steed an inch or two below the hocks, and swept him off the face of the earth — or at least some yards away, where they lay prone and helpless amid such a babel of naughty language as should bring no good future on this desecrated forest. A RED LETTER WEEK. A VTEEK of wonderful sport was ended Saturday, January 11th, the four concluding days containing such items as these : Wednesday, a brilliant seventeen minutes' burst with the Bel- voir, of which I have already briefly spoken ; Thursday, fifty minutes without a check with the Quorn ; Friday, a twenty- five minutes' gallop and a kill in the open with the same pack ; and Satm-day, the fastest thing of the year (twenty-five minutes) with the Cottesmore. The mass of geographical matter accumulated by a resume of 1872—73.] A RED LETTER WEEK. 81 the whole week's hunting has a very local and doubtful mterest. The Leicestershire squire, who measures every run on his ordnance map immediately on his return home, who will dip his finger in his port and trace every turn again on his mahogany, and who looks upon the course of a fox as the central interest of a hunt, may perchance wish for solid topical information. But the busy merchant, after his week's work (whose partner is now enjoying the yearly holiday that for him has just expired) ; the soldier back from " first leave " in his wooden kennel at Aldershot ; the parson seeking relaxation between his services ; and the colonist, with his heart still in the sports of the Old Country — these care less for intricate route-tracing than for the picturing of such trifles as recall their own happy experiences to memory. The party that answered the summons of the " members card," announcing a bye-day at Brooksby Hall for Thursday (Jan. 9), would have been a large field in many countries; but, what is always much pleasanter, it was a field altogether free from the rough element that crops up at an advertised meet near a large manufacturing town. In fact, there were nearly all of the Quorn kingdom there who would lend grace to a day's hunting or do justice to a good run, while there were none of those whose presence might mar either. The morning might be passed over without mention, had it not been marked by a most unfortunate accident to Lady Ida Hope. During a slow hunting run after an outlymg fox, which occupied from about twelve to one o'clock, she was thrown at a fence, and it was found that the small bone of her arm was broken. Time enough there was, as hounds left Cream Gorse on their fox, to jump off" and unfasten the gate out of the lane, through which could be seen quartering after quartering of green grass, stretching down the valley and clothing the slopes beyond. Soon every ridge was carrying its burden ; sweeping down to charge each fence in double and treble line. The short distance to the Melton turnpike road had both quality and variety to recom- 82 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season mend it. With hounds running fast, there is no prettier course than over the meadows and good fences which border it. These they held along for some little y\ay, then turned into the road, took quick advantage of a signal half a mile down it, and popping out, went on at once towards Rotherby, the un- broken face of each hedge showing how seldom hounds had come this way. Those who temjited the Rotherby oxers read themselves a sharp lesson, that should tend to develop theu* bump of locality for future use. The farmers of Brooksby and Rotherby would seem to have executed their fences under some special contract with the fiend of destruction. Untempting in appearance and uncompromising in reality are these unique erections. An ox-rail is seldom a welcome addition to a stiff fence, still less is it nice to find it set a full horse's length beyond ; but when all this combination is supplemented by a second ditch, the hope of getting over becomes a very forlorn one indeed. The first to present a picture similar in effect and colouring to a rabbit bowled over as he goes away from you was one who ought to have had opportunities of learning what spots should be marked Dangerous. The smash dissipated at least some of the impossibility of the place, but the next was (like the inner line of a fortress) similar but stronger still. Lord Grey de Wilton took it where an upright palisade reared its head in the midst ; his good chestnut made a tre- mendous effort, surmounted all he could see, but was brought to earth b}' the second ditch. Another chestnut was put at a like point a little lower down, with all the determination of one of the best men of the day (Capt. Smith) ; but the five-year-old's heart sank within him — he floundered helplessly into the middle, to be extricated from the ox-rail only after a lateral scramble of some yards. It was a hard man and a bold horse that essayed to follow Lord Grey ; but the attempt ended in the disestablishment of the church into the bosom of the thicket, and a sore crown of thorns was the martyr's fate (Rev. T. Hassall). Thus were the adventurers accounted for, one and all ; the wiser or more fortunate many following the hounds 1872—73.] A RED LETTER WEEK. 83 down the big open pasture alongside. A great source of chuckle were these disasters to the agriculturists of the district, one of whom is said to have delivered himself thus, the while he grinned the grin of irony : — " Oi reckon it took ye all yer time to master them joomps i' Rotherby town-soide ; " then added apologetically, " We're forced to set 'em pretty middling strong for them big Welsh bullocks." Pretty middling strong forsooth ! Heaven save us (and our wives and sweethearts) from what this cold-blooded rustic would give a positive denomination to ! Some platelayers at work on the line saved them from the impending stoppages from iron and water, and turned the fox right back in his course. He skirted the village of Kotherby, hounds still running hard ; and the field debouched, some on one side of it, some on the other, again on to the Leicester and Melton turnpike. The right division held along the Gaddesby road, with the pack on the three small ploughs close parallel. Those on the left, among them Lord Carington, Mr. Hassall, Capt. Riddell, and Mr. Westley Richards, lost the rest of the run by an untoward accident which befell Lord Grey de Wilton (who had been cutting out the majority of the work up to this). On landing over a small fence his horse was caught up in a sheep net, fell heavily on and then rolled twice over him — crushing him so much that he was picked up for dead. Though not as bad as at first supposed, the injury was serious enough — the muscles of one shoulder being so lacerated that he is likely to be missed from his place for some time. To Gaddesby the pace was maintained up to its present standard, with twice a short breathing moment ; but one field from Mr. Cheney's house hounds set off with a renewed vigour that promised a speedy end either to the pursued or to his pursuers. This thirty minutes had been severe enough to stretch the girths of every horse engaged in it; but the next twenty were absolutely killing. Grass the whole of it, except two fields near Thorpe Satchville, but grass of the consistency of ordinary steam plough, hounds throughout forging well ahead — even of G 2 84 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season Col. Forester, who, on a whistler belonging to Lord Wilton, cut down first four tremendous oak rails (and posts), and then aU his followers. (It strikes me that, if the gallant colonel con- tinues thus frequentl}^ to distinguish himself, I shall lay mj^self open to the charge of making too free use of his name.) From Gaddesby along the trying line to, and beyond, Thoi^pe Sateh- ville, he took almost every fence first, and that he had decidedly the best of the run is an assertion at which no one will be found to cavil. One hy one horses were seen to labour and falter ; one by one they rolled feebly through their fences — the freest and truest jumper soon pulling up on the brink of each to make his efi'oi-t from a stand ; and one straggler after another dropped oflf to trot along the adjacent road, which happily could lend its aid to the end. The string of coverts which it skirts (Cream Gorse, Ashb}' Pastures, and Thorpe Trussells) were all left a few fields awaj-. A stifling hill just opposite Ashby Pastures was the stopping point of many of the present remnant of the field ; and it was almost pitiful to see the hard struggle that the small gap on its summit caused every steed in turn. But the master, with Tom Firr, Col. Forester, Capt. Smith, Messrs. Pryor and Chaplin, and Major Paynter (all but the first-named, curiously enough, riding chest- nuts), toiled on still; and though others nicked in afterwards at various points (Thorpe Village, Adam's Gorse, &c.), these were all who lived with the hounds throughout. Fiffcj' minutes saw the first real check above the Melton steeplechase course, opposite Burrough Hill. A flock of sheep had foiled the line as the fox (just before them) made a short turn ; and though the huntsmen tried hard to pick him up, and hit upon his track under two or three hedgerows below the grand stand, he managed to crawl away in safety. On the next day, too (Saturday, Jan. 11), the Quorn further followed up their successes by a first-rate fifty minutes in their forest country, again killhig their fox in the open. But for pace and straightness we have as yet had nothing to compare with the gallop of the Cottesmore on the last-named 1872-73.] A EED LETTER WEEK. 85 clay. After passing the morning in a long slow hunt from Stapleford Park, containing no particular feature beyond its dulness, they found themselves close to Eanksborough — which has quite risen again to its former strength and fame. One of the woodland foxes, probably disturbed from his home by the Quorn foray of the week before, had taken up a temporar}' lodgment here, and now evacuated so hastily that numbers of the field never heard of a find until too late to take any advan- tage of it. Quick as he shpped away at the top, the pack were out almost as quickly. From that moment till the run was over, they faiiiy trod upon his heels, and coursed him with the determined, unfaltering swiftness that is the quintessence of a real Leicestershire burst. Having once got his head clear by rounding the long wood under Cold Overton, he held it straight and unflinchingij'- over the grass till he made good the shelter of Owston Wood. From the moment of starting it was a race for the swift and for the stout — no getting a pull at your horse throughout. It was a run, in fact, the enjoyment of which de- pended in every degTee on the blood, condition, and staying powers of your steed. The fences were comparatively easy — or, at all events, were invested with difficulty only by the ex- tremity of the pace ; but the gTass was holding, even on the ridges, and sticky as resin in the furrows. A hundred men were battling over the pastures below Cold Overton, fifty were in the strife as they passed above Knossington, and some five were in time to see the head of the pack enter Owston Wood. Of the hounds themselves, there were stragglers some two fields back — not from any deficiency on their part, but rather because they were so evenly matched that the tail hounds could never make up lost ground. Above Cold Overton village there were many causes to play havoc with the field. The breasted ascent had thickened the respiration of anything of at all inferior tj-pe or inferior condi- tion ; several quick riders bore to the left with an eye to Orton Park Wood ; some eschewed a deep ridge-and-fm-row, into which the smoothest galloper pitched with the same apparently hope- 86 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season less jjlunge as a good ship in the monster swells off the Cape, while others here allowed hounds to creep ahead beyond recovery. A fifty-acre-piece of natm-al ii-rigation and two small inclosures brought the hounds to a second road. Mr. Arthur Coventry was quicker out of it than anj'body else, and for the mile or so of descent to Ladywood held a clear lead — hang- ing a new decoration on the family shield. Sir Fred. John- stone is not often slipped away from, and was gliding over the fences and still constant turf in close j)ursuit, with Capt. Atkinson cquall}^ handy. Jack West was scurrying along next, his horse dwelling a little too long at his jumps to put him quite on a par with the trio in front. As the}' skirted Lady- wood, Sir Frederick went on in front (Capt. Atkinson getting into an impenetrable bullfinch), and up to Owston Wood was nearest to the leading hounds, still a hundred yards ahead. Mr. Finch came up in the last field, and close behind were Mr. Barnard, Lord Wilton (in spite of his recent illness), and Col. Burnaby — the jiace having told terrible tales on the bulk of the remainder. What might have been the exact time of tliis typical bm'st I am unable to say. It lasted for something between twenty and thirfj^ minutes — nearer the latter than the former. The huriy of the start precluded the noting of its commencement, and the excitement of j)arficipation (actual or attempted) prevented thought of any stolid assessment. Could Moore have drawn his argument from a memor}' of tliis kind, think you, when he wrote * Ne'er ask tlie hour ; what is it to us How Time deals out his treasures ? The golden moments lent us thus Are not his coin, but Pleasure's. If counting them o'er could add to their blisses, I'd number each glorious second ; But moments of joy are, like Lesbia's kisses, Too quick and too sweet to be reckon'd. But to retui'n to material fact. It seemed a hundi'ed to one on the hounds killing theii* fox, as they plunged into the wood, chivied him in view up a ride, and candied their bloodthirsty 1872—73.] MARKET HARBORO'. 87 cliorus into its depths. But, as usually the case in this well- preserved domain, they were baffled by numerous fresh dis- coveries, scattered, and had finally to be withdi'awn — after the most dashing gallop of the year. Such a week of sport it has never been my fortune to chronicle before ; and I question if anyone now hunting can look back upon its superior. MARKET HARBORO\ " Leicestershire," for the previous week, slunk into the diary — meagre, spiiitless, and disappointed — ^just as the dowagers of the county and of Northamptonshire were mar- shalling their charges in the cloak room of the Market Harboro' Hunt Ball, previous to an entry in state. Covey after covey, brood after brood, emerged from their snug nests in brougham or barouche, shook out their feathers, and flocked in. About the elder birds, as the}' led their charges up the full length of the room, there hung a conscious stateliness, a becoming magnificence, a kind of genial pomp, that was all it should be on such occasions — while from both sides bold critical men eyed each lot as freely as if behind their club windows on a Drawing-room day. The young birds — with a plumage less brilliant, perhaps, but softer and more ravissant by far than their leaders' — hopeful, expectant, even tremulous, but with cheeks calm and unruffled as masterpieces of Mme. Eachel. In many cases, likely enough, a first ai^pearance — but did high- bred damsel ever yet betray that this was her maiden ball, or has a man yet been found with perception acute enough to discover it ? Certes, the sex show theii* blood and birth here in a way that was never given to the male patrician ! See one of them enter her first ball-room, finding herself suddenly in a scene dazzling in its brightness and electrifying in its novelty. Will she not carry her head as high, and look around with a glance as steady and self-possessed as a three-season beauty 88 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIRE. [Season who has witnessed a hmidi'ed routs ? Papa ever seemed the only uncomfoi'table one of the party, and appeared fai- less the "jolly old cock" than when an hour or two later he was to be seen beyond the precmcts of the ball room, enjoj'ing the princely hospitality of Messrs. Mm'ietta, and talking foxes and turnips with a brother squire of the same good sort. Every house in the two counties seemed to have brought a strong party to swell the gathering; and, besides these, there were waifs and strays from every shire and province in the three kingdoms. As many different hunts were represented as at a general meeting at Boodle's. The gi-een of Cheshire was there to fraternise with the white collar of Northamptonsliii'e. Nimrod of the flints of Kent w^as comparing notes with Nimrod of High Leicestershire. Devonshire and Charnwood Forest were to be seen discussing with friendly vehemence the scenting qualities of their respective rocks and glens. Scots- men were full of Capt. Thomson's resuscitation in Fifeshire, and Irishmen of Lord Spencer's invitation to his Pytchlej'^ tenants ; while the Londoner had brought his red coat down, to show that if he is not hunting this year he lias done so, and hopes ere long to hunt again. There was a display of scarlet as lavish as at a regimental ball — showing that the good old custom of our forefathers, of standing by then- colours by night as well as day, is fully reasserting itself. (How much better would it be, too, if we, in oui' modern bad taste, could recog- nise that the shapeless black nether garments, now worn with the pink, are in harmony neither of hue nor tradition with that part of the dress which we have ah-eady re-adopted.) But not even the bright liveries of the foxhunters could tln-ow into the shade the varied tints and effects at which their sisters had so successfully aimed. In Violet, rose or pearl liued, or soft blue, Goldeu or green, the light now blended, Now alternate — they made a picture, in comparison wdth which all the efforts of a kaleidoscope would seem dull and colourless. 1872—73.] MARKET HARBORO'. 89 A i^retty ball room and a cool one, good music, good manage- ment, and good company are all necessary elements of success ; but it is more than this — it is the presence of a cheery good- feeling (emanating from the existence of a common interest and a common source of pleasure), and the total absence of the exclusiveness of clique or party feeling, that make the Harboro' ball what it is — the best hunt ball in England. Everybody seemed bent on hunting with the Pytchley on the morrow, and on a doubt being expressed as to its practicability, the master was chased round the room by importunates as though he numbered the clerk of the weather among his hunt servants. Actual frost, however, held off as long as the programme lasted ; scarcely anybody^ therefore believed in its coming, and almost with one accord they danced out an hour of " extras," happy in the belief that a day's hunting must work off all ill effects. Well, it did freeze with daylight, but thawed again so quickly, that the snow remaining from Wednesday night's downfall could be the only plausible hindrance. By the way, I should have mentioned that Mr. Tail by, waited upon only by the Messrs. Gosling, Mr. A. Murietta, and one or two others, had eked out a very fair hunting run this day (Thursday), though jumping and quick riding were impossible, and gateways were drifted in some places girth-deep. This was from Shangton Holt, and was comprised in a ring towards Norton, hounds floundering through the hedgerows, and horses throwing snow- balls up at their riders' heads. On Friday morning, therefore, a strong force set out from Harboro', arrayed in no doubtful garb, but in full dress and confidence, and wended their way to CHpston Windmill. Some of the ditches were choked, and somewhat terrifying to those who meditated crossing them ; but these were the excep- tion, and the turf itself was clean and soft in the Clipston neighbourhood. However, twelve o'clock arrived, but no hounds : one o'clock, and not even a whip ; so at last the matter was given up in despair, and all hands returned sorrow- 90 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season fully from whence they came. There was very little of the spu'it of charity or Christian patience apparent in the caval- cade that moved back to Harboro', subdued but not silent; and methinks I heard more than one denunciation muttered. Certainly to be left so long in doubt by no means softened COLONEL F. ANSTRUTHEIl THOMSON. As tnie a huntsman rloth lie look, As bugle e'er in break did sound, Or ever holloaed to a hound. the final disappointment ; and, though it might be thought inadvisable to hunt, there might at least, on such an occasion, have been a meet with all the proper accessories. However, it is only due to the master to say that there was still such a quantity of snow in the country round Kelmarsh, that anyone forming his opinion there could not but conclude that himting was out of the question. 1872—73.] A WOLD DAY WITH THE QUORN. 91 A WOLD DAY WITH THE QUORN. On Monday, Feb. 10, the Avind was no warmer, but the ground had been cleared and softened sufficiently to allow of hunting with the Quorn at Widmerpool New Inn — which, by- the-bye, is fully as venerable an edifice as most hostelries calling themselves " New Inns." There is what is known as the grass side of Widmerpool, meaning the Curate and Parson coverts and their neighbourhood; and there is the Nottingham side, where Roelioe, Kinoulton, et hoc genus omiie, open out a corner of Leicestershire so unlike the rest of this favoured county that at some period or other it cannot but have fallen under such a ban as Burns pronounces : — Stern Euin's ploughshare drive elate Full on thy bloom, Till crush'd beneath the furrow's weight Shall be thy doom ! In a very dry season this latter division meets even with some slight commendation, on account of the scent-carrying proj^er- ties of the ground, and the coverts generally attract a good supply of foxes, which are well taken care of. But in ordinary seasons it is not beloved of those who hmit in a grass country for a grass country's sake ; while in a season like the present one it is held in thorough dread — I was going to say abomina- tion, but that would not be true, with memory still fresh as to the samples of sterling sport that have been obtained therein. Many good runs have been seen in this plebeian-looking region — e.g., the thii'ty-five minutes with the mangey little animal that fairly raced away from Mr. Muster's Quorn pack two years ago — yes, and there was a goodly measure of sport over — or through — it to-day, even if it was not of a sensational nature. Hounds were scarcel}' in Kinoulton Gorse before a fox essayed to take them straight back the way they had come ; but, findmg this impossible in the face of the aj)proaching field, now turned his attention to choking them oif in the mud on the 92 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season other side of the Fosse road. With this idea he swung round Eoehoe, just touching its far corner, and then plunged on into still deeper dirt. Over this the pack chased him at a great pace ; and, oddly enough, had onl}^ to begin to hunt when chance brought them across two solitary fields of grass, where bullocks had followed the track of the fox. Then they poked their way on till they came to the Curate, into which they at length traced their fox. Half-an-hour was spent in his dis- lodgement hence, when he broke away in the direction of Old Dalby before bearing back towards Kinoulton. A much better country now (chiefly grass), but such a hailstorm that made it a marvel how hounds were able to pick out a line when horses would not face the pelting storm. But they did hunt on, and very prettily too ; till — to make a long story short — Tom Firr got up to his fox at a farmyard two fields short of the covei't from the place of finding, after an hour and a half's patient and excellent work. It was some time, though, before Reynard's whereabouts could be discovered. The huntsman first tried all round the buildings, then held a consultation with the old proprietress of the homestead, and finally made up liis mind that the fox must be among the stacks. Hounds were evidently of the same opinion ; for they tried hard to chmb the steep sides of the straw-rick. Shouting for a fork, Firr mounted to the top, helpmg some of the hounds up with him. Two or three of them quickl}^ plunged into a hole after their game ; and a stifled growling soon proclaimed that slaughter was going on within. The rest of the pack were perched here and there, like the grouping of many a painted hound-scene, as they " hovered round to claim him for then- own " ; tiU the huntsman completed his labour of disinterment, and they descended to join in the Avony. 1872—73.] THE ASFORDBY RASPERS. 93 THE ASFORDBY RASPERS. Such a run as fell to the lot of both the Qiiorn and Mr. Tailb,y on Monday last, makes a bright spot that will sparkle in memory long after the many late disappointments have gone into utter oblivion. The final draw of the 13 el voir one day last week was for nothing less than a kangaroo/ Towards the close of the day a man came up with intelligence that one of these animals, having escaped from captivity, was at large in the neighbouring wood — adding that " he was afraid to shoot it, for, having only a single-barrelled gun, he thought he might wound it and be attacked by the savage beast." Accordingly the hounds were set to search for their novel game ; when, getting on to a fox, they finished the da}^ with an hour's run. A first fox, headed by footpeople and coursed by shepherd dogs at Holwell Mouth, and afterwards outfaced by surrounding rustics at Clawson Thorns, had nothing to do with the pith of the day. Far from it, shivering forms and open powder-flasks were the main features of the chilly hour spent above the latter covert. A fox was killed, hounds and huntsman worked very hard, and the two last-named earned what they most deserved. Now to narrate the essence of the day's amusement — Welby Fish Ponds for second draw, the field just ranging themselves on the hillside above. Earl Wilton anxiously surveying his gift to the hunt. Lord Grey of the same ilk mournfully nursing his injured arm (no flattery is it to say that every man who loves gallant riding feels a pang at the sight of the disablement of one who leads a Melton field as he can). A holloa away over the plough before the hounds were in — only a bridle gate to get through, and two hundred keen men to pass it one at a time. The field had barely assembled in the green field which formed their vantage ground, when the sudden impulse from the sound of a find moved them like an electric shock. After the covert was threaded there was time to make up a plan of action while the huntsman was blowing 94 TUE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season the hounds to a head, and the master was exerting his influence to give them a fair chance, A happ.y — or unhappy — distraction took place at the moment by a fresh fox jumping up and catching the eye of a horseman beyond the white gate of the bridle road to the right. Much mischief and trouble was after- wards dated back to that hat and cheer. The most self-confi- dent and self-opinionated could scarcelj^ set himself in opposi- tion to the signal ; so ever3'one, except the master, who went on to help the huntsman, and the Avhip, who went on to lose his cap in a bullfinch, turned up to the right to save a many-acred plough. I should like to tell this burst properl}'^ ; I should like to re- produce the incidents of those fleeting minutes ; and I should lilie to have brought nearer what in the afterguard was through- out a catching vision just out of grasp. However, tantalisation engenders double enthusiasm ; and lookers-on, even from behind, often see much of the game. That false turn to the right necessitated three fields of fallow for one it saved. Sixty or sevent}^ men struggling to make up the ground lost at start- ing, yet fearful to make too much use of horses through holding arable. Only one hole in the bullfinch that separates them from the grand gi-ass country over which master and men are now skying away a quarter of a mile ahead. Capt. Candy, Mr. Delacour, Capt. Stirling, and Mr. Foster first emerge from the hindering soil, and embark in pursuit. A sloping pasture helps them, and we all know that you can take liberties down hill. One, two, three men popping over the rasper in front in that quick jerky fashion that is best seen over the second fence of a steeplechase, when horses fly as if they never meant to come down again. The fourth comer, alas, is deceived by a pair of doubtful forelegs (the source of all roguishness and temper) ; comes round in the last stride, and brings two others with him. Capt. Barker, on Coronella, sweeps over it in his stride ; and not one of these is aware that they have jumped a horrid wire, the mere sight of which would have tm-ned the blood of each one cold. The next comer pitches upon it with a twang, that 1872—73.] THE ASFORDBY RASPERS. 95 should have tingled the ears of the farmer, who put up the foul enghie, with a shame that cried murder. Hajjpily and unex- pectedly, the snare draws out ; but the chilling cry of wire is slight encoui'agement to the scores of good men just reaching the obstacle. On over the grass towards Asfordby, the next fence an old heathen that has apparently never been jumped before — not a vulnerable point in its composition, till Tom Firr hits off its one weak place, and bores a hole through its im- penetrable looking face. Then ensue a succession of choking raspers (I can use no other expression), that cold blood would have deemed approachable only by a kangaroo or a Trotter, and would have wondered how so much good land could be wasted in growing blackthorn. Hot blood, however, must be served ; hounds are racing away three hundred j^ards m front ; and such moments might awaken the heart's blood of a mummy. Mr. Foster is to the front now ; and he and the huntsman are working side by side to break the stiff backbone of this stubborn country. Now and again they have to skirt up the whole of a narrow inclosure, only to find the easiest place a full measure of theii" horse's strength. So quick and sudden does one black and aged thorn fence succeed another, that there is no choice of place as each is opened out by the negotiation of its predecessor ; so hounds — running close and keen as wolves — are seldom in view, no time is given to hit off a feasible spot, and the leaders can make but a zigzag course. In the whole of the Quorn country there is no stiffer part than that which lies at the back of Asfordby Village. All the fences are formidable, many are unjumpable. How do you get out now, my gay pilots ? — not a smooth spot in the engirdling breakers that face you in jouv hasty despairing survey. Tom Firr is the first to make up his mind to the Curtian effort ; and, in a fashion that can only have been taught by Capt. Thomson, wriggles through a tangled bullfinch that had exist- ence years and years before the "oldest inhabitant" of Asfordby. A forlorn hope it is, though — his horse prone in the ditch, his cap hung up on one side, and his whip torn out 96 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season of his hand on the other. Hounds still rattling on ahead, and each moment worth a pocketful of a sportsman's gold. But a huntsman's cap is like a knight's sworn gage — to lose it would be disgrace ; so Mr. Foster and the huntsman have both to dismount. Thirty seconds seem three hom'S ; but they can afford even this, so far have they forged ahead of all others — save the master and Caj)t. Barker, who are working round wide on the left. Firr's horse is already gasping, and he is glad of a gate before reaching the Asfordby Lane, while Mr. Foster flies the four rails at its side. Only one more stake and bound — wide, high, and extra-finished — before the road above Asfordby is crossed and the four reunite. Over the hill to Saxelby they have only to squeeze their horses and avoid the danger of another wire. Just as the village is reached the hounds throw up ; a holloa back proclaims the fox has been forced to double in the face of the pursuing field, and the quick part of the run is over. For twenty minutes they had been flying over the very stiffest piece of the Quom country — too stifi", in fact, as it was impossible to live exactly in the track of the hounds, who, however, slipped through the hedges in an extraordinary way, and packed as close as mackerel throughout. After turning back to Saxelby they went straight away for some seven miles from point to point, at last accounting for their fox at a stone culvert under a gateway, a mile or so beyond Goadby Gorse. It took them more than another hour to get there ; passing Welby Fishpond without entering it, thence on by Sysonby Lodge, close past Melton Spinney, and through Goadby Gorse. Altogether it was a splendid run, con- taining both a gTand burst and a great deal of pretty hunting. Everybody seemed overflowing with ride ; and yet the hounds liad fair play throughout the day. 1872—73.] OVER THE GRASS WITH THE COTTESMORE. 97 FROM WOODLANDS OVER THE GRASS WITH THE COTTESMORE. If masters of hounds, like managers of theatres, had to compete for patronage, each advertisement from the Midlands would to-day be headed "Uninterrupted Success!" "Con- tinued Triumphs ! " or some like laudation. Of a truth, the clouds have of late been pouring down good things as plente- ously as they have sent forth snow, hail, rain, and wind. Who will pretend now to know or prophesy anything concerning sport, its probabilities and possibilities ? Given ever}^ accident of wind or weather, of barometer or thermometer, there has yet been an influx of fine sport, such as no slight personal dis- comfort, no slight repinings on the subject of wet and mud, could mar. Let us take Tuesday, March 11th, 1872, as one example among the many that are worthy of recounting, and that I must be content to mention cursorily. An uncertain, unsettled day, with a glass that lowered throughout, and a sky that at times scowled blackl}'-, as often broke furiously in rain and hail and snowstorm, and now and again turned round with a broad grin of sunny good humour. It was during one of these last moods that Launde Abbey witnessed the meet of the Cottesmore. Lawn meets such as this can have but little variety in description, though in practice they ma}^ differ one from another as faces in a photograph book. If I stop to attempt to picture, I shall be robbing space and time from record ; so let it be enough to say that the old Abbey and its loft}^ frame of aged elms formed a fitting scene for the presence of such a concourse as had gathered now. There were scores of men there whose riding one may study and admire, and whose names will go far beyond their own time and circle ; while of good sportsmen and genial characters the roster ran into hundreds. The Cottesmore dog pack, level and carefully chosen as they are, are b}' no means as taldng to the eye as their neater and more active sisters, who form as pretty a lot 98 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season as any in the Shires, and who would perhaps have better set off the i^resent picture ; but that the former are stout and true at their work they have proved man}' times this season, and so they were about to prove again to-day. The storm that broke over Launde Park Wood had just cleared when a delusion seized the field simultaneously on each side the covert that a fox had broken at its fiirthest end. The one half reached the fancied point of exit in time to find out their mistake, smooth down their wrinkles, and cabnly to receive and jeer at the phalanx who came surging through the plough in hot haste from the opposite side. After this it was too cold to stand still, too deep and soppy to move quickly about, too windy to smoke, and too early to eat lunch ; and yet such is the blessed infatuation of hunting, that, though there were no signs of a find, and no prospect of a run when it did come (so said the sages), sportsmen were looking absolutely cheerful. Perhaps there was some slight unrecognised mkling in each prophetic soul of the prospect in store — or, more possibly still, a twelve o'clock meet had brought to the breakfast table of each good Conservative the result of last night's division. At length they were led on to Tugby Bushes, gazing on the way with the awe of experience on the wild woodlands which now seemed to be hemming them in on every side. I did not see the wood drawn, but I heard the sudden cheerful clatter that burst forth in its midst, I saw the bright red form flash back across the road, and I almost saw the hackles of a good old squire rise as he waved his hat and cheered on the spotted forms bounding close behind. Swiftly, aye, savagely, the pack dashed into Loddington Eedditch ; and, though the turf along its side and up its length rode fairly firm and sound, thej'^were out beyond as quickly as the foremost men could cover the distance. So they swooped down to Loddington Village, unham- jjered even by the unwelcome interference proffered by a sheep dog, and had put the road and a hundred yards besides to the good before their followers could reach the bottom. The fence 1872—73.] OVER THE GRASS WITH THE COTTESMORE. 9.9 out of the road was to be jumped, but only with prompt self- sufficiency in the face of a crowd charging down it. At any rate, the dangerous quality was not to the fore now, and another hundred yards to a gate was accepted as the alterna- tive. The pack had almost disappeared over the steep brow above the village as Mr. Gosling and Capt. Eiddell rose it, and a sudden twist to the left unsjghted them, and of course all behind, for half a moment ; but they failed to make up very little of their ground as they chased down the half-dozen clean and prett}"^ fences that smoothed the next mile. To Launde Wood the pace was good as need be, and so it was for some few minutes on beyond — half the pack by some mischance breaking with another fox into the wood, while the remainder kept on past it. The ugly gully interposing here had its one weak point, which Capt. Smith took little time to discover, and Mr. Thornton little more to break into a high road for those that came after. The next jump was a double in and out of a small stackyard, which, however pleasant it might have been to give a lead over, was, we mind well, trying enough when it came to taking one, for it rapidly assumed the character of a peat bog. A wide, cold plough brought the first check, or rather caused the first slow progress, for the hounds had to hunt their way unassisted through it. West having been delayed some time in his efibrts to bring the deserters to his horn. Thus far was the quick part of the run ; but they failed not to do further justice to one of the stout straight foxes that have brought such credit to High Leicestershire of late years. Hunting quickly and well, though with only half their num- bers, the hounds held on, giving their field both galloping and jumping (which, they tell me, is rapidly getting to be looked upon as a desirable adjunct to hunting in these parts) for some miles over a straight and beautiful line of country. Prior's Coppice was left wide on the right, Orton Park Wood as far out of the question on the left, till Oakham appeared in view, and Barleythorpe was within a few fields, when scent failed in H 2 100 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season a wild withering storm, to which horses tui^ned their backs — and when their fox had been viewed hard beat just before them. A truly sporting run was this, between seven and eight miles from point to point, which took about an hour to do, and embraced everj' phase of hunting. The ground rode deeper than it has done all this wet season — except perhaps the day following — and horses could often scarcely extricate their legs to jump even out of the grass. The blithest of them all was, not unnaturall}-, the one who jumped so many fences with only an empty saddle to carry, and galloped over the hounds as successfully as the keenest of us. He declined utterly to be caught by any of the [horsemen, but at last yielded himself to a thrifty working man, having the financial soul — and success — of a Lowe. "All right, my good man; give him to me ! Here's lialf a crown for you ! Look sharp ! I'll take him back ! " " Noa, oi taakes him back myself" — gi'inning cunningly and greedily as he pictin-ed half — or it might be a whole — sovereign from the panting friend behind. " Thank you, thank you," gasped the latter, as he struggled up. " Here's all the money I've got," and left the financier gasping heartbroken at a sixpence. A GOOD FINISH TO THE WEEK. On Friday, March 7tli, the Quorn had a forty minutes, of such a character that many people put it at the top of the runs of the season. They first found a vixen in Gartree Hill, where they left her in peace ; then went off to John o' Gaunt, whence they did little but fill the Twyford Brook brimful with men and horses. Most of the wet ones now took their dejoarture homewards, as did many with a dry coat and a slackness thej*^ afterwards rued, for from Cream Gorse dated the event of the day. From here they started exactly as on the good bye-day this year from Brooksby, but soon bore to the right, and went 1872—73.] A GOOD FINISH TO THE WEEK. 101 such a clinker to Gartree Hill (going close to Guadaloupe and well round Great Dalby) that every horse was ridden nigh to a standstill in the deep ground. Hounds raced clear ahead the whole way, Mr. Foster cutting out the work all the early part of the run, closely followed by Firr, Mr. Adrian Hope (till his horse refused), and Mr. Hassall — but as the run went on, posi- tions varied constantly. Miss Cotton, at all events, was riding in superb style all day, as she was also on the following Wednesda}', After leaving Gartree Hill they went on without pausing into and through the Punchbowl, and the first and final check occurred between Pickwell and Somerby, the hounds never having been cast or handled till now. However, they lost their fox here in the most inexplicable way, Firr's after- thought, that he might have taken advantage of one of some very old ivy-covered trees in the hedgerow where they threw up their heads, coming too late to be made any use of. On Saturday, March 8th, the Cottesmore began the day by running clean into a splendid old fox in seventeen minutes from Oakham Pastures round the Manton country, after which they had some excellent sport from Owston Wood — and this in spite of difficulties. After some time spent in the wood two foxes broke simultaneously — the one towards Knossington, the other to Whadboro' Hill — and the hounds divided upon them. With the latter a few couple went away on a scent that pre- vented their ever being caught till they reached John o' Gaunt, then two or three more and the field started after them, and the rest eventually followed. The pace was tremendous and the country terrible, being chiefly plough, and intersected here and there by ravines that not even a pigsticker could cross. Lord Calthorpe and Mr. Palk alone got on something like terms with the hounds after they had surmounted the Tilton Hill. After this, the line, having just avoided John o' Gaunt, led almost everyone to be entrapped by the Marfield Brook, here unjumpable. The hounds then bore right round to the right, the remainder of the field got choked at an awkward place in an oxer above Marfield, which could only be got over 102 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 1872—73. with a clear gangway ; and so it fell out that the two Messrs. Chaplin, and afterwards the huntsman and Mr. Pryor, rode back with the hounds to Owston Village — the two journeys averaging some fifteen to twenty minutes each. West's horse was now so beat he could give little assistance to the pack, and their fox gained Owston Wood in safety after they checked at the village. A little incident on the wa}' home — Fallen Nimrod with muddy shoulders and a long bloody spur-mark up his horse's ribs. To him loquitur Rustic, " You've staked j^our horse, master ? " Nimrod, Avitli unwilling waggery', " No, that's where I've been holding on with the spurs." " Be it now ? Well, by the look o' your coat, I reckon you'll want two pair next time ! " from which it may be gathered that Paisticus decidedly scored. SEASON 1873-74. KIRBY GATE. HE Quorn at Kirb}^ Gate. — Reader, if it lias never been your lot to attend at Kirb}^ Gate on the first Monda}' in November, you have doubtless (for of course you are a keen hunting man or Avoman) your own open- ing meet. And as summer passed by, and autumn was ushered in, imagination has assisted memory in dail}' piling on brighter and brighter colours, till the pictm-e stood out a glowing harvest scene of anticipa- tion. Not that the first day of the season is often signalised by great success of venery ; on the contrary, at least as far as Kirby Gate is concerned, the sport itself often does not rise above mediocrity. But it is as a reunion of cheer}' companionship, a renewal of happy association, and a glad ceremony to usher in the coming season, that it is chiefl}^ looked forward to. I can think of no exact parallel with which to compare it ; but it is as much to Melton as the Carnival is to Rome, more than the Commemoration is to Oxford. No class is brought into more intimate and daily contact than men hunting in the same district, unless it be men serving in the 104 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season same regiment ; and no body of men can be more widely scattered during the rest of the year. This is especially the case with the [members of the Melton Hunt (so called). They flock in with the winter from every imaginable quarter and corner ; they spend the day in each other's company so regularly, that an absentee is as certainly discovered as if a roll was called. They join heart and soul in tlie one pursuit, exchanging a thousand kindly offices, till there cannot but be a strong bond linking them together ; each year the greeting becomes warmer, and the meeting more keenly anticipated. Then when the swallows return, they fly away again, scattering far and wide to their several occupations or diversions. The questions, "Where have you been?" and "What have 3'ou been doing ? " are alone enough to find conversational food for the first week of fresh intercourse. Many men have gathered in from the North ; several have been taking their turn of guard at St. James's — or, indeed, doing " sentry go" over the whole of deserted and fashionable London during the last three dreary months. One man has been to Vienna, will explain German policy all the way to covert, and lecture on Japanese pottery all the way home ; another has been at the seaside with the .young'entr}' — but he has less to say for himself than anj'one, except the unfortunate who has been spending his summer, and prostituting his intellect, in teaching Cardwell's young ideas how to shoot. But here at Kirby Gate, on this lovel}^ autunm morning, are they all again — at least the main body of them, for some drop in later on, and so, by accident or intent, avoid the extra perils of the opening month. For Leicestershire in November is as blind as Justice, as intricate, if not as mirth-i)rovoking, as the Tichborne case— certes, if we had not just returned from a trip to Bob Chapman and the city he takes under his wing, we had been fined a hunter's worth for contempt of court ! Some few have been in time for the last week or so of cubliunting, to put in person the finishing touches on their studs, and to get a feel of the saddle before commencing the campaign. But most 1,873—74.] ■ KIRBY GATE. 105 of them have arrived only just in time to give out hreeches, tapes, and spur straps, and look round the stable. On Friday and Saturda}' they came trooping down by mail, express, and even special, while neither man nor beast of the Leicester fly- owners could call Sunday a day of rest. Thus on Monday there was a larger muster of faces familiar and distinguished than Kir by Gate has seen for years. Good news flies nearly as fast as ill (for is it not sought after, while the other is shunned?), and so it would seem that everybody had heard it said that the country was full of foxes, that the farmers one and all would swear by Mr. Coupland, and that the grass was soft and springy as indiarubber. At any rate, there turned up sucli a goodly company of landowners and birds of passage, of old friends and brilliant riders, that one's mind picture for once fell flat and dull-coloured beside realit}'. There were two points, though, about the assemblage that it was impossible not to notice, and which at first thought were very diflicult to reconcile. One wa?;, that a marvellous majority of the regulars were there to tim.^ ; the other was, that not a stranger of notability (we except the two or three who had ridden from long distances) was present. But the foreign contingent and the recruits seldom fall into the ranks so early ; and, if it is to be as in other years, and we may augur from the commence- ment, we shall have a larger force than ever in the field by Christmas. Already there is scarcely a stall — still less a house — to be had in Melton ; there is such prospect before us as few can remember at any previous inauguration — a country brimming over with the raw material, and bound to a master who has worked himself into popularity among all classes, who has built up a pack of hounds that will do credit to the Hunt, and who has brought out a huntsman — (well, we shall have lots of chances of telling of him unless very difl'erent to the same man last year) ; plenty of wet in the ground ; everything, in fact, to — Announce a season potent to renew, Bar frost and snow, the instinctive joj's of sport, And nobler cares than listless summer knew. 106 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season We have taken the liberty of altering two small words of Mr. Wordsworth's MS., but the poet's spiiit can scarcely deem it an act of vandalism to give his muse a November instead of a September turn. " Well," you ma}^ sa}', " tell us who was at the meet, and we can.judge for ourselves if the ]Melton world is at home ! " But, I would answer, to give a comi)lete list of names requu'es a notebook ; and a man making notes in the hunting field would be as much out of place as a money-lender in a mess room. Let me, however, jot down a few from memory, beginning as courtesy demands : Lady Evelyn Coventry, Mrs. Candy, Mrs. ChapHn, Mrs. C. Chaplin, Mrs. Tempest, Miss Hartopp, Miss Westenra, and one or two other ladies, Avere riding — and some of them prepared to ride veiy hard too, in defiance of the un- propitious state of the fences ; while there were several bright carriagefuls to soften the miscellaneous ruggedness of the Leicester caravans. Of the less loveable sex there were captains many of merit and renown, to wit, Capts. Coventr}', Farley, Bo3'ce, Atkinson, liiddell. Tempest, Candy, Barker, King, Barclay, Stirling, Campbell, Fludyer, Leonard, &c. Also Lord Helmsley, Messrs. Hartopp, Cliene}', Barcla}', Major Paynter, Messrs. Brooks, W. and E. Chaplin, Paget, i*v;c. (Lord and Lady Grey de Wilton did not take the field till Wednesday; neither did the Messrs. Behrens, Capt. Smith, and Mr. Delacour.) The chief point of incident at the meet was the presentation of a very handsome horn to Mr. Coujiland by the earth-stoppers of the hunt. It will be remembered that the same bodj'^ pre- sented Mr. Musters with a whip on a like occasion, five seasons ago — and no slight compliment may such an act be deemed. Moreover, it is a most significant index of the existing state of the countr3\ As on the former occasion, a speech in good honest Leicestershire was delivered by a patriarchial earth- stopper, and responded to by the Master. The former testified to the kindly and gi'ateful feeling of their body towards Mr. Coupland, and the latter replied that it was truly the jDroudest 1873-74.] KIRBY GATE. 107 moment of his life — a sentiment that anj'one who knows the persevering earnestness lie has thrown into his work can well believe. This was succeeded by lust}' three times three, which set the horses dancing, and imbued the hounds with a belief that a lot of foxes must be in their midst which everyone could see but themselves. By the way, the present pack is an extraordinary improvement on that of two years ago. But very few of the old hounds are left. Blood and breeding are manifest in a marked degree ; and they strike the eye at once as a fashionable pack. As the day advanced they showed to still better advantage, working in good style and well under control. Gartree Hill is by old-established custom the first draw of the season, and the orthodox move was accordingly made. Mr. Hartopp invariably responds liberally to the compliment, and now had three or four foxes awaiting the visit. They were soon away with one in the Melton direction, and the rascal at once placed the blindest and most trappy of fences between himself and the crowd of debutants. Men may conceal their thoughts as much as they like — even to deceiving themselves — but I notice (nor shame to assert) that we none of us drive at our first fence of the season with the dash that a quick start from covert demands ; and some of the best men in England take a whole day or two to shake into their proper form. Add to this that in the present instance it was a matter of purest guess work to determine where the ditch began or the fence ended, which was grass and which were brambles, that horses were pulling riders out of their saddles with the mad freshness of a summer's idleness, and that the jump lay at the bottom of a steep decline, and j'ou can believe there was some little hovering on the brink. Nor did the crash, crash, crash of steed after steed entrapped add extra charm to the situation. At least six were down ; and a perfect feu de joie of muttered prayers ran along the line, as safety was assm'ed only after grievous scrambling. The sport was not of a character sufficient to dwell upon. 108 THE CKEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season They soon brought their cub back to Gartree Hill, and took him away again for a few minutes' i^leasant gallop in much the same direction. He then went to ground ; was bolted in the midst of a frightful thunder and hail storm, which in five minutes wetted everyone to the skin, and drove horses into a desperate state of terror ; and was soon afterwards hunted to his death. As the afternoon cleared up, and the sun came out warm and bright to assist the sherry flasks in restoring circulation to shivering forms, hounds were taken to Adam's Gorse for a second draw. Formerly they seldom found here, but to-day the " old lady on the white horse " of nurser}' memory might have been riding with them, for there was music wherever they went ; and no sooner were tlie hounds in than they set up an uproar that started foxes from the little place like rabbits bolted from a burrow. There were three, if not four, in it, and tliey broke away in all directions one after another. There was not a good scent, so they could onl}' hunt one slowly by Great Dalby, to lose him at Gartree Hill. Still there was houndwork to watch and fences to jump ; and the cheerful prospects that had been brought out sent everyone home in the sweetest of tempers. A SCURRY OVER THE MELTON STEEPLE- CHASE COURSE. If the Cottesmore began well on Tuesday (Nov. 4), they thoroughly confirmed their form on the Saturday following with as good a day's sport as is often seen. The present season has indeed opened Avith unexampled eclat on all sides — every pack having shown sport, and each day being pro- ductive of something enjoyable ; while the state of the ground is everything that can be desired for riding and hunting purposes. 1873—74.] A SCURRY OVER THE MELTON COURSE. 109 From Leestliorpe on Saturday the Cottesmore took time by the forelock, and late comers on the rough side of their tempers, by starting oif to Stapleford Park to the first stroke of eleven ; and before the half-hour, foxes by twos and threes, and rabbits by hundreds, were scuttling hither and thither through the park. But the real business began when a fox went away in view from what is known as the Cottage Plantation on the far side of the domain. The half-mile across the flat was won by the hounds, who issued into the road before the leading horsemen clattered through the stable-yard, and then succeeded half-a-mile of macadam, more in keeping with the chase of the lordly stag. As they neared Laxton's Covert the body of the pack got en- tangled by the park railings, while two couple struck away at lightning speed to the right ; and the run was only saved by the quick and clever policy of Jack West. With a promptness of decision that would have settled the Ashantee question he begged Captain Coventry to gallop on and keep the leading hounds in sight, while he himself extricated the others and followed in pursuit. A cold clear wind and a rising glass had brought such a scent that it was all the former could do to fulfil his mission, though sitting down to ride as if at Aintree ; but he did just succeed, and the huntsman cutting in with the rest of the pack at Berry Gorse, they sped on with unabated fire. Another mile of the deep ground of the Burton Flat was enough to set every horse gasping, and scarcely capable of even the small fences hereabout, for the pace had been absolutely awful. Captain Coventry's horse was so blown by his philan- thropic exertions that, good hunter as he is, he gave him a fall that at least frightened everyone else, if the gallant captain himself made light of it, while the steed lay for five minutes completel}'^ pumped out. This incident stopped most of the leading men, and the hounds flew on almost unattended ; till passing by the lower end of Wheatlands they entered the Punchbowl. The straight line of road running parallel to the chase had now allowed a larger body of pursuers to concentrate ; but the pause here was so slight that there was scarcely time 110 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season to round the hill-top ere the i^ack were moving on over it. Horses had just gained their second wind as they were called to stretch themselves out again ; and dipping (and slipping) down the face of the natural grandstand, they found them- selves, for the second time in one week, competing in a " red- coat race " over the Melton Steeplechase ground — as if to testify to its right to be called the most sporting course in England. Honest flying fences, big enough to extend a good hunter, and turf as springy as a diving-board, with hounds running as fast as if they realised the honour of going over such ground. Swinging along under the far hill, they are taking the beaten track fence for fence. But if Captain Riddell knows that many of these easy-looking jumps are normally strong ox fences, all of those behind him do not ; and, though he puts the steam on and sweeps wide over a rasper, his three followers drop on the far rail with a crash that might have been heard in Melton. The sight as they rose the hill was quite the fox-chase of the old brown beer jug — fox, hounds, and horsemen all close at each other — tlie first-named dead beat, but struggling on like a lion-hearted one, hounds bristling along within fifty yards of his brush, and the field eagerly pressing forward to view the worry. But the *' brilliant finish" was denied — as in practice it almost invariably is, a kiU being much more frequent after an indifferent run than a first- rate one. Their fox gained on them at the hedgerow and slipped over the next small inclosure into Adam's Gorse with his furry coat intact; while the Babel of "tallyhos" and hound music started a fresh one from the little covert before the hounds entered. Taking his line up at once, they ran on fast as ever to Bm'dett's Covert (by way of Bm-rough Hill), where the sport may be said to have ended, for they did nothing after leaving it again. Up to this point could not have been less than forty-five minutes — though it may have been a trifle more — and throughout there was nothing that could be termed a check. The first part was too fast for hunters, particularly in early November, and second horses were' never more 1873-74.] GAY NOVEMBER. Ill welcome than when it came to climbing Biirrough Hill a second time. GAY NOVEMBER. November 14, — At this time of the j-ear there are many warm little nooks much patronised by the blessed varmint, especially those Avhose early cubhood has been passed " in the open," as distinct from those reared in the large coverts. Finding themselves routed out of these places, and the sur- rounding country well scoured, foxes will take refuge in the orthodox fastnesses, there to be called upon at pleasure. But if left till the brambles have lost their leaves, and the cold blasts of Christmas sweep from end to end of the small copses, they probably betake themselves to the nearest hedgerow that will offer shelter — of no good in their generation or that of their progeny, but making their race hateful by their farmj-ard depredations, and often even marring sport by jumping up while a run is proceeding. Indeed, outlying foxes are worse than useless : they are actively harmful to the cause of fox- hunting, and deserve little grace when a chance occurs of stopping their iniquities. A farmer who has seen many changes in the Quorn Hunt, and whose memory dates back beyond the arrival of the oldest of existing Meltonians, was re- counting but a few days ago how, in Sir Harry Goodricke's time, Will Derry ran such a fox "unmerciful hard,^' till he took refuge, *' the big coward," in a hen-roost, which he had doubtless often visited on a different errand. " Pull him out ! " says Sir Harry. " Let 'em worry him ! Such a one as him's no good to nobody." On Saturday (November 15), Burton Overy drew together all who could reach it. We may pass over the first run (from Glenn Gorse) altogether ; for lack of scent, plenitude of hares, and a general overboiling of ardom' prevented its being worthy of the good country travelled over. Suffice to say that when 112 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season it ended Thurnby Spinney was found to be near at hand. The holding power of this little place being more in proportion to its owner's majestic castle, hard bj', than its own apparent insignificance, every eye and ear was on the qui vive when the hounds were put in, and coffee-housing had no chance among the keen throng that threw in their fortunes with Mr. Tailby. From Thumb}- Spinney to Scraptoft Gorse is but a short ten minutes when hounds go as straight and fast as they did now ; but it was a pretty foretaste of still choicer morsels ; and to skim down tlie one and up the other side of grassy valleys such as the Tliurnby and Norton country can boast — fences fair and guileless, and the turf seeming to lift you along its surface — is always delight, however brief. Still more is it delight in November when you look for drawbacks — and this year, instead of drawbacks, find perfection. Men throw their hearts more full}' and readily into the sport at first com- mencement than at any time, are more appreciative, and incline to view everything with the rosy spectacles which have served them in their forward gaze during the summer. There is a freshness and novelty about early sensation that with many people wears off only too rapidly as the season goes on. True, a hlasc hunting man is an anomaly that at no time exists openly and avowedly ; but an habitual grumbler is an object only one degree less pitiable, and he is a creature that, alas ! does occasionally appear in the hunting field. However, spleen, discontent, and moroseness are none of them yet repre- sented hereabouts, for every tongue is wagging gaily and daily on the bright aspect of the present, and each day there is fresh food for gratulation and discussion. Perfect weather, abso- lutely perfect condition of ground, and superlatively perfect supply of foxes ; each Hunt in an equally good state, and each pack of rare stamp ; good sport plentiful — nay, continual — and good-fellowship supreme. There, our panegyric is finished ; but we rave not without cause ; is there not method in our madness ? "Wlio shall blame that we are happy while 1873—74.] GAY NOVEMBER. 113 we ma}', and that we should say so ? We have had a growl, even a groan, in these pages before now ; who shall deny us the right to trumpet forth our triumphs ? for we speak only to appreciative ears, not to those of the cynical or unsympathetic. But to get back to Scraptoft Gorse in time to hurry on again, this time over the Quorn country. It was the old familiar scene of a crush in the lane, hounds tearing over the one little stubble that bounds the Keyham grass, some men riding right, others riding left to avoid it, while a few only struck in with the pack. And, as we have seen over and over again, there was a sudden turn as the grass was reached, and one-half at least of a hard-riding field thrown off at a tangent. This time it was the half (and much larger half it was) who had held along the lane towards the Coplow ; and as Mr. Tailby twisted short to his left — boring through an overhang- ing bullfinch that threatened total separation from his pack — he was left almost alone in near pursuit. Now they skirted the deep Keyham Bottom, flying along at a pace that scarcely suited the necessity of the two greasy stiles in their course towards Barkby. Mr. Coleman joined the master as the first road was crossed ; then the dreaded bottom was threaded, its second passage leaving Mr. Tailby again alone with the pack. Just as Barkby Thorpe was imminent, their fox found himself so closely pressed that he gave it up, and bore round back for Scraptoft. He was now close in front, and it seemed odds on their pulling him down before he could reach the gorse. But within a field of it a fresh fox jumped up, and this distraction soon led to more complications, for from the long plantation they got into the laurels and set two or three more of the genus on foot. So the run ended harmlessly as the gorse was regained. Monda}^ (November 17) was the best day the Quorn has yet experienced. Before this they had enjoyed many pretty little spurts while waiting their turn for something better ; but on Monday Fortune smiled her blandest upon them. They met at Six Hills on a cold still morning, such as is welcomed only r 114 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season by foxhunters, though for them it might have been made to order. They had onl}' to travel a few hundred yards to be among a legion of foxes; for Thrussington this year is a perfect club, drawing-room, and nursery for whole vulpine families. They got away at the bottom of Thrussington Wolds with the first one — always half the odds in favour of a run — and started on good terms, with the fairest of countries in front. But three fields away he was headed and turned on to the ploughs towards Cossington ; hounds had to put their noses down ; disappointment seemed the only thing in store ; and the faint- hearted gave up the gallop as lost. For half a mile the line was thus taken but slowly ; when in a moment they turned off" on to the gi'ass, and plunged into the Hob}^ valley, lying temptingly on their left. How they sped over the turf of these fine old pastures ; how they ran their fox into view at the end of tlie first quarter of an hour from now ; and how for the next ten minutes men had to gi-applc with the Hoby and Ragdale oxers with blown horses (as the}'^ bore round again to Six Hills), wanted littje more eloquence to teU than was con- veyed in the perspiring faces and soiled scarlet of riders, and in the sobbing sides of steeds. No finer and at the same time no stiflfer line than this could have been chosen. Captain Smitli was cutting out most of the work, with Lord Helmesley, Mr. Coupland, and the huntsman on excellent terms. Several others were doing full justice to themselves and the good burst, but the field generally were rather widely scattered. Once again was the run fox saved by the help of fresh ones ; for, as they once more neared the Thrussington coverts there were at least two others on foot before the hounds, and so their game escaped them. Equally bad luck did they and the huntsman experience in the afternoon. This time the run began from Thrussington New Covert, in and out of which foxes had been moving all day like fowls from a barn. Starting with one from the north side, they followed him slowjy over a villainous countr}'- round the back of Six Hills ; but by perseverance hunted up to him 1873—74.] THE QUORN IN LUCK. 115 in Sliob}' Scholes. As happened in a similar instance two years ago, they set off again from here on greatly improved terms, and, streaming away fast over the brow beyond, descended straight upon the two Shob}'' bottoms of dreaded memory. A very feasible place was found where the first could be flown, though by no means pleasant as the plot thickened on its banks. But the second was a yawner — too wide to jump, and too steep to crawl ; in fact, the onl}^ chance was to flop hap-hazard into the mud, and trust to your horse's back and loins to scramble up the other side. Captain Candy first essayed it successfully, then Tom Firr, then two others, and the next comer remained in it, to the exclusion of further adventure in that direction. This difficulty surmounted, it became comparatively plain sailing, though it was only clever pilotage by which two gallant captains (both aforesaid) led the field out of disastrous difficult}^ by popping in and out of a little plantation of thick 3"oung firs. With quick good hunting over the grass they took their fox to Wartnaby, and here were in the same field with him. He could scarcely crawl up the hedgerow before them ; but just sufficient strength remained to him to creep out of their very jaws, and he got to ground in a drain under the farmyard above Saxelby Spinney. Here he had to be left after this good sporting run of something over an hour, when hounds and huntsmen had fully earned a final triumph. B}' the way, I should be very remiss if I left Mrs. Clifford Chaplin's riding on this day without a word of lauda- tion ; for throughout both these severe runs she was taking every fence, and seeing all the sport. THE QUORN IN LUCK. Thursday, December 11. — Seldom in the annals of the hunt — never during my experience — has such a succession of grand sport fallen to the lot of the Quorn as during the week past. I 2 116 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasok Other packs have been having their share of success ; but the Quom have had more than their share, and mj' task is no light one to record their triumphs alone. Such consistent sport as they have shown on consecutive days — i.e., their hunting days — is something almost marvellous ; for, though all the good combinations of management, popularity, weather, and scent were in their favour, some good genius must have further imbued the hearts of their foxes with a desire to lend all the help thej' could. In short, they have seemed unable to draw a covert without the result of a good run with a good fox. The first two daj's — Tuesday, December 2, and Thm'sday, December 4 — I must cut short, and get my readers as soon as possible on to the more favom'ed side of the country. These, then, were fixed respectively for The Ruins at Bradgate Park, and Willoughby. On the former day assembled a vast concourse of men on foot, with a mixed multitude on horse- back and in carriages ; and, apparently, there had been a strike in every factory in Leicester for the occasion. With a diplomacy, however, that deserved its success, Mr. Coupland made terms with them by promising that if they would restrain themselves from shouting and forbear from entering the coverts, he would do his best to kill a fox for them, otherwise he would be obliged to trot off to a distance. Galling as must have been the prohibition, the}^ accepted and maintained their bargain honourably ; while a short-running fox enabled the master to fulfil his part to their loud satisfaction, and all hands, having been present at the kill and worry, went home delighted adherents of the national pastime. A second fox soon being found at BensclifTe Wood, they went away at once for a capital forest run, past the Beacon and round by Buck Hill and the Out Woods, right into Loughborough town, in about thirty- five minutes. The hounds here worked him dead beat through several gardens, when he met an inglorious end by crawling under a stick heap, from which some boys dislodged him, knocked him on the head, popped him into a bag, and carried him promptly off to be stuffed. The young ruffians even 1873—74.] THE QUORN IN LUCK. 117 refused the offer of a sovereign for their booty from a gentle- man who met them en route ; and hounds and huntsmen went away puzzled as to how their well-earned prey had escaped them. Equally unusual was an incident that took place two days later with the Cottesmore at Witham Wood. Having run a fox to ground in an old drain, they proceeded to bolt him with a terrier. Not only did they succeed in doing this, but the process of dislodgment extended to another brace ; and all three, being hemmed in by the people on foot, unfortunately ran in among the hounds and were kiUed. More than this, there were still two others in the drain, who were ejected in safety. The three slain were all old foxes. The Thursday at Willoughby was a bye-day, and was full of varied sport. And now we come to Friday (December 25), when they met at Great Dalbv, their farthest fixture from the Kennels. Of the morning itself it is enough to sa}^ that it was one of the most i^erfect specimens of the beautiful hunting days with which we have been indulged of late — a day on wliich the powers of sound, sight, and scent seem to enjoy their fullest liberty. Gartree Hill was the origin of the first event of the day. A few minutes in covert, and then a break away across the line of the eager expectant crowd — a crowd, not in the ordinary depreciatory sense of the term, but a chosen body of Meltonians, Tailb3dtes, with good sportsmen and hard riders from the hunts of Cottesmore and Belvoir. Two fields from Gartree Hill, as all the world may know, is a narrow belt of plantation, with two small handgates as its only passage. The hounds dashed through close to these ; but 'twas only by surging, squeezing, and wriggling that the train of pursuers could issue through in their wake. Three fields more, and then came Sii' Francis Burdett's covert to cause division and — to too many — dismay. It seemed Lombard-street to a china orange, or any less hackneyed but equally extravagant odds, on the fox having entered the stronghold — at least, so thought nine-tenths of the field, and by this calculation were thrown 118 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season out of the liunt. Both Custance and Capt. Smith however, have uj)set the long odds too often to leave a chance thrown away : so, clinging close to the hounds, the}' poj^i^ed over into the plough, jumped the bottom heloAv the covert, and galloped up by its side with the pack, Firr was well with them to note another instance of how seldom foxes care to halt in their course for the small artificial coverts of this countr}', and was there to turn with them when the line suddenl}- diverged to the right in passing the tempting thicket. Not so, however, the bulk of the good men and true in his wake, aU equally anxious to be with hounds when running as now. They had made their certainty to the left, while fate and improbability chose this sudden turn to the right. Three neat fences, quick and sharp ; then a double gate, with an impracticable fence on either side, and Custance with a maimed arm, to fumble it open ; next a locked gate and a liigh-grown thorn that took a second look and hounds nmning faster than common to make it negotiable. Not even these brought it within the scope (or experience) of the hmitsman's mare — good though she soon proved herself — and the usual result of such shortcoming followed. Into the road and out again, midway between Great Dalby and Gartree Hill, brought an uphill plough as a prej^ara- tion for the strong country in front — and not a moment to breathe as they entered upon it. Hounds were ruiming their best, and the trio had to gallop their hardest to keep them in sight. Ugh ! what a bullfinch ! It seemed not to loose its hold till they were strides into the next field. Such a scent was there that the pack were able to drive a flock of sheep before them — a}-, and turn as they went — Avithout checking a moment, as Firr reappeared ready to help them. So on for a couple of miles, good grass and good fences, till, bearing still to the right, their fox made his point at the drain under the Melton and Gartree road, where he had found safety a fort- night before. To-day, though, the refuge was closed against him, and he had to hold on — the body of unlucky ones now joining in pursuit ; and, with only a field to the good, and 1873—74.] THE QUORN IN LUCK. 119 at one moment only a single hedgerow, he struggled forward for the earths within hail of Melton. Here — where during the summer a whole clan, jealously guarded by sport-loving farmers who do honour to the district, could he seen playing any sunny eve, not a hundred yards from the Leicester turnpike road — he went to ground. Seven-and-twenty minutes from starting, and seven-and-twenty minutes of the best. The second act contained but two scenes, Thorpe Trussels the first, and the second an oj^en drain a field or two away. But Act III. of the day's play was of a diff"erent stamp altogether. Opening at Cream Gorse rather late in the afternoon, it was played on with growing interest till darkness compelled actors and spectators to resign their parts unfinished. To drop the symbolic, this was a chase which, commencing languidly and unpromisingly, was gradually worked into as fine and sporting a hunting run as imagination could plan, wanting only a quarter of an hour of daylight for a finish that would have given it a life's memory. A shepherd dog coursed the principal character at starting, turned him'' from his course, and drove him exactly where the owner of the said shepherd dog was endeavouring to prevent his going. So it took a quarter of an hour to mark him beyond Thorpe Trussels, and another quarter of an hour to track him over the Twyford Brook (midway between Twyford and Ashby Folville), including the time occupied in the breaking of rails, repeated refusals of un- willing steeds urged by bolder riders, and the subsequent fording of the stream en masse. It took quite five minutes to traverse two fields of wheat ; but either their fox must have waited for them, or there must be some strange scenting properties in the strong old grass beyond, for, once arrived upon it, they hit off the line, and thence continued running almost uninterruptedly till darkness closed upon them. And such a country now ! Nothing but turf a generation old, and fences built that no bullock should bore his way through them. No racing this time, but an hour's steady cantering, galloping, and jumping that n othing under two summers' condition could 120 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season live through. Hunting better and quicker over ever}' fiekl, hounds moved merrily and continuously on over the superb country between Tw^-ford and Loseby, offering a study of beautiful hunting that forced into each man an interest as if he himself were carrying the horn. Thus on over the Marfield Brook — a fau' clean jump that had no terrors for Mrs. Featherstonhaugh on her steeplechasing black. Indeed, she and Miss Hartopp maintained their pride of place to the very end of this severe run. John o' Gaunt was now imminent in front; but apparently their fox had lost himself, and, turning oft' again within a field or two of it, bore down upon the Twyford Brook, at the very spot where so man}' exciting scenes had been enacted in the oft-repeated bursts from John o' Gaunt to Burrough — and exactly where such sore grief was destined to take place on the following Cottesmore Tuesday. To-day there were but few acci- dents in surmounting the difficulty — perhaps because a large proportion of the field had slightly overshot the mark, and found themselves opposite a haj)py ford. Be this as it may, there were numbers yet to ride with the hounds as they passed Burrough village (leaving it just to the right), and dipped with increasing speed on to the steeplechase course, which, as usual, was crossed at right racing pace. Up the hillside opposite the Stand — men now dropping behind to lead up the ascent, and eager at their fences, not for first turn, but last, and heartily thankful as one tired pair of hind legs after another trod down the obstructing binders. And so they struggled on, not half a dozen having power to join the chase as it rounded Great Dalby village (half-way to Gartree Hill), and moved on towards Melton. The horses of huntsman and whip were still equal to their fences ; Lord Grey de Wilton's, Capt. Boyce's, Col. Forester's, and Caj)t. Smith's seemed almost fresh as ever, though the last two had been ridden all day ! But the now helpless majority were glad enough to stand on Dalby Hill and watch the hounds come round to the Melton-road, there to join them again, and make the best of gates and gaps to learn the 1873—74.] THE QUORN IN LUCK. 121 finish. This finish, however, only came in the shape of dark- ness ; for, when at Guadeloupe Farm (some two miles from Melton) their fox was crawling in the same field with them, it was found imjwssible to do more in the obscurity, and the hounds were taken home. Up to the point where they ceased to run well the time was an hour and thirty minutes, the last hour being fairly fast throughout. Altogether it was a wonderful instance of a fine run being made out of a most indifferent beginning ; for they had hunted up until they placed themselves on good terms with their fox, and were able to show ofi' the grandness of the line to full advantage. To recount such a run is more pleasure to the writer recalling it than he can possibly hope it to be to those who read — unless they too find a charm in bringing memory to bear upon such an event. And undoubtedly they must do ; for look at men after they have really enjoyed such a day as this. They go home in a state of mind that would almost justify them in standing on their heads, or dancing a hornpipe on the dinner- table. There is not one of them but would raise the glass of good companionship to his worst enemy, and forgive him as freely as Mr. Jorrocks did Pigg after the Cat and Custard-pot day. It is the memory of days like these that sends one daily to covert, full of hope and anticipation, in spite of a thousand disappointments. It is this feehng that holds foxhunting so far above staghunting, with all its daily gallops ; and, happily, there is an elasticity about the sentiment, or the minds of the men on whom it acts, that prevents a reverse result producing the opposite effect of ill-temper or despondency. Truly, "Life so varied hath more loveliness in one day than a creeping century of sameness ;" and so we treasure up such occasional draughts of enjoyment, and by aid of memory eke it out again to sweeten scenes of dulness and monotony. I may be set down as ecstatic — but this I do say, that when a " hunting man " commences to divest hunting of its halo of poetry, he not only robs it at once of half its fascination to himself, but gives the surest sign that he is " training off," and that his 122 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Season love of sport is decaying. And then surely and certainly lie will find — Cold calculating thoughts succefd, "With timid doubt and wary deed. Back on the past he turns his eye, Remembering with an envious sigh The bolder feats of youth. Passing over Saturday with the Cottesmore — which, though a lovely hunting day, contained only a quick twisting gallop of fifteen minutes to ground from Eanksboro' — we have to deal with Monday last, Dec. 9th, a day almost if not quite as good as the one above. The Quorn were at Eagdale Old Hall, a meet that on a bright morning like this produces a prettier picture than almost an}^ fixture in the hunt. I venture no attemi)t at painting it, though ; but will get on at once to Slioby Scholes, which this year fully takes the place of Lord Aylesford's covert, at present under renovation. The first fox was baulked in his early attempt, and, still more unfortunate in his next, was shortly devoured ; but a second one w^as away almost immediately, over the same line as on the last occasion here, and with him they had an excellent half-hour's burst. Cross- ing the two bugbear Shoby bottoms — one of Mr. E. Hartopp's late stud bringing his Meath experience to bear in piloting over both — he led them over the grass towards Asfordby at a tremendous pace. Then, throwing them out for just half a minute's welcome breathing time, he turned to the left, passed close to Saxelby village, and circled Saxelby Wood, without caring to touch it. The hounds covered the three fields of plough almost as quickly as they had the grass, and, again, embarking on good turf (bounded, too, by the sweetest of flying fences), ran straight for Welby Fishponds. Half a mile from it, the fox was in view but a field before them ; but, turning sharp under a hedgerow, their half hour's gallop was over. The holloas resounding back were not upon the run fox ; for they not only traced him into Welby Fishponds, but took him for a short ring from there. But whether it was a fresh one 1873—74.] THE QUORN IX LUCK. 123 or not, with whom they again started and rattled famously by the outskirts of Wartnaby village into Holwell Mouth, there eventually to kill him, it is impossible to say. Certain it is, though, that when killed he was as stiff after death as only a sorely run fox could be. It was as late as ten minutes past three when Grimston Gorse was drawn, in presence of a field select as keen ; and at a quarter past a stout fox made good his exit on the Old Dalby side. Accordingly everybody, except Ca^jtain Molyneux, who preferred a line of stiles to the left, went up the bridle road for the wood. The hounds, however, turned sharp round the village of Grimston ; and, all hands reunited, went on again over the grass feeding grounds beyond. Eunning fast and well over a stiffer line even than in the morning, they crossed the Saxelby Bottom — fortunately where fence and stream could be negotiated separately — then leaving Welby Fishponds a field or so to the right, plunged on into the Duke's country. Old Hills was left a little outside their line ; and then, getting on to the plough, they had to slacken the pace (more than a hunting one) at which they had now been going for more than half an hour. Dusk set in as they neared the Melton Brook, and darkness was so far present when they jumped it at ten minutes past four, that water was indistinguishable from weeds. It was jumped, though, by some six or seven people; and among them was a lady, Mrs. Clifford Chaplin (I should apologise for a second mention of her name so soon, did not such a feat proclaim its own praise.) They pressed on still, not half a field from Melton Spinney ; and Avith the fences every moment becoming more matters of hajipy chance, and hounds now out of view when a hundred yards ahead, they took a leap in the dark into the Brentingby Brook, and groped their way ujswards for Brentingby Spinney. How unearthly must Tom's cheer have sounded to the " lated peasant " of Thorpe Arnold ! And how it must have seemed to him that the Wilde Jager of Biirger was scouring the country, as the " wild din invades his ears," with nothing visible or human to account for it! 124 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season Oh, for another quarter of an hour of daj-light ! again gi-oaned forth master, huntsman, and field, as once more they succumbed to darkness, and whipped off the hounds at 4.25. Thus they had been running for an hour and ten minutes, during which time I do not remember the hounds to have been once lifted. The distance from point to point was nearly six miles ; and the Master, Lord Gre}' de Wilton, Capt. King, Messrs. Ernest Chaplin and Samuda, were all who went on to the end. A splendid day's sport it was indeed ; and a fit sequence to the good Friday preceding. It is only just to say that Tom Firr never shone to greater advantage than on these daj's — a living instance that a grass country need not spoil a promising huntsman, as so many people insist. And, sujjerbly as Mr. Coup land always mounts his men/thej^ never seem to have been so well carried as this season. Such have been the doings of the Quorn, followed up on Tuesda}'^ in like form b}' tlie Cottesmore, who, from Little Dalby Laurels (there are Dalbies enough in the country to confuse a stranger, or even a sojourner of two years' standing, but it is Little Dalby which boasts the squire who gives us sport so good and frequent), hunted over Burrough Hill, and then drove their fox straight away over the grass for twenty minutes to ground. They went almost exactly over the ground of part of the Quorn run "on Friday, passed close by Burrough village, filled tlie Twyford Brook till it almost choked with men and horses, and, keeping to the right of John o' Gaunt, stopped below the earths at Springfield Spinneys. Colonel Forester, Lord Carington, and Custance were leading over the steeplechase course, and were prominent members of the first half-dozen over the brook in question. Once, and once onl}-, have I had to relate such a week of sport. This was last winter, when for eight daj's run succeeded run on every side. But then we could only just struggle through the mud, and our horses could hardly drag their tired limbs along after a mile or two. Now we have been riding over grass that would scarcely soil a satin shoe : indifferent 1873—74.] CHRISTMASTIDE, 1873. 125 horses have seemed almost wonders in their powers of galloping and jumping ; and we have forgotten all about the discomforts of rain and mud, and better still, of wind. CHRISTMASTIDE, 1873. What kind of Christmas does one hunting-man invoke for another, as he grasps his hand and bids him merriment and happiness ? Surely his mind's eye is not fixed upon the hoary icicle-hung figure of conventional Christmastide, vdi\\ its attendant miseries ? He does not mean to wish his friend im- prisonment and inaction ; possible over-indulgence, with its consequent gout or ill-temper ; fretfulness, roused by brooding over the butcher's bill, or pangs of conscience begotten of examination of stable accounts. The lower class may, perhaps, in these days of democracy and high wages, be generally as well able to buy coal as the}' of bluer blood. But still there must be humble homes where cold weather and a fireless grate mean anything but a merry time ; and surely the knowledge of such scenes is not what we wish one another. No, the face of our Father Christmas is an evergreen, warm, and kindly one, that smiles upon'our open air, fosters manhood and sport, and favours the cheery fellowship of the field. Some good folks have been murmuring for what they call " seasonable Christ- mas weather," even though the sun has been shining daily and brightly, a mild, spring-like zephyr breathing softly upon them, and the roads clean as if swept for their convenience. Well, let them! This has been our Merry Christmas, and heartily and thankfully Ave have welcomed it. More perfect and delight- ful weather than we have had it would be impossible to con- ceive, and everything else has conduced to our present happy mode of celebrating the season. We may live and hunt for years (a possibility that naturally takes the form of a prayer) ; but we can scarcely hope to see such a peerless early season 126 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season again, auj more than we can look back upon its like. For two months we have had sport almost incessant, and oftentimes superlatively brilliant. We have had but one tiny stoppage under ** the tyi-annous breathing of the north," an acceptable breath- ing time, too, which " shook our buds from growing " for four days only. The groimd has been ever warm to carrj' a scent and fii-m against hoof pressm*e, with autumn rains still latent under the surface to maintain its properties and qualities. And save on occasions marked and soKtary, there has been a blessed absence of that baneful foe, wind, so that even on days dubbed indifferent, as measured by their standard of spoil, it has been j^leasant to hunt. Nor can I see a single drawback to such a balmy open season, even by casting aside the cloak of selfishness, and donning that of charity. Besides, you can make merry, you can eat and diink your fill as becomes the occasion just as freely at sucli time as if surrounded by frost and snow. Nay, rather you have a present constant source of merriment and converse — a common tlullling subject of interest and excitement to maintain hilarity. Nor is it a mean consideration that even the most combined attack of Moet and Lafitte will fall powerless, when a man is doing his seven hours daily in the saddle. That the New Year may follow worthily in the stejDS of its predecessor is the best we wish it ; but even should its infancy be petulant or fanciful, we can still withhold a grumble till tired of reflecting on the immediate past. Boxing Day in Leicestershire was held in Baggrave Hall, and as universally attended as if by conscription. So far from attempting to say who was present, I would ask the question, " Who was absent ? " Certainly no one of small or great degree, from within a radius of a dozen miles, who could raise or share a quadruped. I have seen large meets of the Quorn before, many Fridays, and some few Clmstmas gatherings ; yet never have I seen such an army — such a census I may almost say — as to-da}', when the horsemen exceeded a half thousand, and vehicles brought their hundreds into action. A kindly multitude it was, though, assembled, high and low, Avith 1873—74.] OHRISTMASTIDE, 1873. 127 but two unanimous objects— to support hunting and to work off the evil physical effects of yesterday's commemoration. Jt was almost such another crowd as came here two years ago to welcome the Prince of Wales, and see him turn the first sod of the gorse which was to give us so many grand gallops. Now, however, they had to rely on their own society, and the enjoy- ment each in his respective way expected from the hunting itself. To do any good at the little Baggrave coverts was an impos- sibility, with such hosts of people surrounding it, and the neighbouring hill sides clustered over like so many disturbed ant-hills. Truly, this might have been a farewell pleasure excm-sion for Mr. Arch's ten thousand emigrant labourers ; or else the farmers hereabouts had with one accord shut up their ploughs, and left their sheep unfed for the day. So, after giving the community half an hour to scrutinise the hounds, and pass seasonable sentiment, Mr. Coupland moved off on a more distant war trail, fixing upon Scraptoft Gorse, as least amenable to a wheeled invasion, and distant enough to make it inaccessible to the pedestrian throng. Still, there was an enormous field in attendance, such a field as made the prospect of sport apparently hopeless, albeit it was a perfect hunting da}', quiet and cold. And yet, in the event the day was as full of varied amusement as a scrap book ; for there were two nice little bursts, hundreds of fences for the hundreds of horsemen, numberless charming incidents thereat, while Firr contrived to work out a capital hunting run, by moving perseveringly beyond the skirts of his clouds of followers. The first fox of the day seemed to drop from the clouds, for he was not seen to leave the long spinney adjoining the covert, till he crossed right in front of the hounds. As w'as natural, the latter w^ere prompt to avail themselves of the advantage, and set off after him at a pace that made the deep ridge-and-furrow of the first field an agony. How horses must, and do, always hate this hateful rehc of ancient agricultm'e ! Nothing kills their pluck, or chokes their lungs, like being 128 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season called upon to plunge and rise at top speed against these chopping seas of turf. Many old sportsmen tell us we ought never to breast them, but to take them on the slant. No doubt we ought, if we have got the whole of the next fence to pick and choose from, with hounds settled down and our start assiu'ed. But it is a doctrine impossible to practise, when riding for bare life (or, next thing to it, a start), and you have to reach a necessary gate or gap in good time, or submit to be blocked altogether out of your run. Perhaps hounds did not go so fast in former days — at all events there were no such crowded fields to contend against as now. The men of this generation have long since laid it down as a maxim (practising it too stronglj', on occasions, perhaps), that one field of real galloping at starting will often save half a dozen afterwards ; and bitter experience must tell one of the heartbreaking effects of a careless or dilatory course at such a time. This first gate reached and passed, the chase opened out over a good grass country, where there was room for everybody; but the pace was so tremendous that there was soon little danger of jostling or being jostled. Tlie quickest were yet some distance behind the hounds, in spite of every effort to get on terms ; those next to them Avere glad to take their pilotage in immediate succession ; while the body of pursuers lengthened out like a huge comet, with the Christmas element as its tail, growing broader and longer as it went. For ten minutes hounds ran marvellously fast ; then, crossing the brook at the back of Barkby Thorpe (by no means a comfortable jump), reached the village in another five. A fresh fox jumping up in the open caused some confusion for a time ; but the real object getting up again in view, the run was carried on over an almost unknown country, and good hunting ensued for nearly an hour. First they left the land of grass and took a survey of the flat " enterpriseless " district near Syston, making a close reconnaissance of the scene of the railway accident, and bringing the holida3'-makers back for an inspection of the beautiful Queniborongh Spire. Having 18r.3-74.] CHRISTMASTIDE, 1873. 129 shown them some of the existing lions of the neiglibourhood, they treated them to an insight of the true character of the Qiiorn conntr}' by leading them steadily and carefully over the nice pastures alongside the Gaddesby brook. The hunt was pronounced over at Queniborough Spinne}', and a halt called for luncheon purposes. At this period tlie}^ in the carriages had perhaps the best of it — though, truth to tell, no one who brings out a second horseman need nowadays lack] a midday meal of luxury that our Spartan sires would have pronounced unquestionabl}^ culpable, for the' so-called sandwich cases to be seen strapped on the backs of many liveried light weights want verj' little growth to give them a second use as portman- teaus. " Chicken and ham ? No. A mutton pie, then, or just a slice of cold plum pudding ? " Such is the verj'- pleasant style of hospitality in vogue at the covert-side in this latter half of the nineteenth century ; and long may it last — at any rate, so long as it is given unto us to pursue. The " liquor question," however, still remains a vexed one — not as regards a means of bringing it into the field at the right moment or in requisite quantity, but as to the most desirable and least objectionable form. The advocates of sherry are crushed by a reference to its acknowledged acidit}'. Brandy-and-water is pronounced insipid. Port is harmless, but detestable when one is really thirsty, and ever a hete noire et terrible to the gentlemen whose office is to keep leathers spotless. Brandy- and-soda has been tried of late and met with varied approval ; the chief objection to it being that if your second horseman Avere to get a fall, the effect of the concussion might be an explosion, costing you new livery and a fresh servant. Cham- pagne has been tested ; but as, after undergoing an agitating process for some hours in close jiroximit}- to an animal mass generating much heat, it is found to assume a character widely differing from Byron's idolised liquid, this too has been dis- carded. Whisky-and-water is much patronised ; but, after all, every man, as is quite proper, holds to his own especial fancy, and maintains it accordingly — just as he does his universal 130 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Seasox pattern of bridle, bis pbni of sboeing, and bis cut of coat. One gentleman bas invented a new compound, -witli a novel name, and one of wbicb we would ratber accept a pull after a dip in the Wbissendine or a crumpler over Skeffington tban anything Ave know ; but its ingredients are as secret as the building of that wondrous cravat we also wot of (which abolishes collar and scarf). To betra}" either might be the loss of a life's friendship, or, at least, of such sacred confidences in the future. But this letter was intended neither as an addendum to Routledge's " Dainty Drinks," nor as a Christmas contribution to *' Food and its Uses ; " so let us get back to rcneric proper. The Quorn to-day, Monday, Januar}' 5th, 1874, have wi'ought a happy omen out of the oj)ening day of the new year, in a proper sequence to their late successes and a fitting prelude to the coming spring. By the wa}', wh^' should we consider a new year such a matter of rejoicing ? Each succeeding one is another unit jotted off our youth and freshness ; each lessens the prospective which is half the joy of life ; and each one makes it more patent that new associations can never fill up the place of ties disi)laced. However, this] is not the time for a course of reasoning more in keeping with a forced absence from present scenes or a bed-compelling sickness. If harassed by such thoughts, let me tell you of a perfect cure. Go and place yourself where j'ou have just seen a fox stealing across the main ride of Walton Thorns, and get two yards to leeward of Tom Firr as he cheers tliem to the cry. If it doesn't make a boy of you, it will make you an old woman on the spot. You must either stiffen in 3'our saddle with concentrated excitement, or you must turn round and cry over your dotage. Huic ! huic !! huic!! Yo-oi ! a'at him there, old bitches! Yo'o'i!! (Santley hasn't a note approaching it.) 1873—74.] QUICK IN AND OUT OF A FEOSTY LANE. 131 QUICK IN AND OUT OF A FEOSTY LANE, Thursday, Jantary 8th. Capital sport and excellent fun again, in spite of the queer vacillating policy pursued by the weather — frost and thaw setting in alternately with equal strength and suddenness. To get to the Quorn meet at Widmerpool Inn on Monday entailed such a pilgrimage of peril, that many usually bold-hearted succimibed on the way. It was only by hugging the hedge- sides that you could make progress at all, the roads being links of the smoothest and most unbroken description, on which your horse would skate for some lengths, then stop and tremble for ver}' helplessness. The turf, however, carried no signs of frost beyond a few thin snow-flakes here and there, while the plough soon softened to the sunshine. Roehoe covert was empty after the death chorus that had stirred its depths on the Thursday previous. Kinoulton was in the unsparing hands of the woodmen ; and then the little field were taken off to a spot that probably none of them had ever heard of — a one-acre plantation called Kinoulton Lime-kiln. A canal bounds two sides of it ; and on the towing-path of this the group huddled themselves, so that rapid exit was impossible. These diminu- tive coverts are what huntsmen delight in — so long as elbow- room is given by the field ; for hounds can slip awa}^ close at their fox, which is nine points out of ten for a run and a kill, at least with the stout varmint of this countr3\ So now a fox was out and away over the Belvoir Vale as soon as the hounds were in. They were away almost as soon as he was ; while the riders were put a hundred yards or so to the bad at once. Kinoulton village was barely a mile awa}^ but as they crossed the road close by it, the fox had gained but afield on the pack, who in their turn had still further improved their vantage on the horsemen — Tom Firr, on a galloper, nearest in pursuit ; Capt. Barker, Messrs. Hassall and Samuda, and Mr. Tittle Gilmour pressing hard to better their positions. The last- 132 THE CREAM OJT LEICESTERSHIRE. [Si:asux named, who was going like a youth and a feather-weight, was afterwards heard to say that, even in his long experience, he had never seen hounds fly along as they did now. To pop in and out of an icy road at such a pace was simply tempting Pi'ovidence. Most of the leaders took a steady pull ; hut a rash four-year-old, refusing to take the office, paid the penalty by remaining hard and fast in the second ditch. A harmless series of summersaults took tlitr hapless rider many yards further in the pursuit, and there he la}-, sadly " moralising the spectacle," like Jaques and his wounded stag : — '"Tis rif^lit," nuotli Ii»' ; " tluis misery doth jiait The flux of tompaiiy .... Sweep on, you [gay ami thrusting] citizens ; 'Tis just the fasliion ; wlieretbre enly and heartil}' on liis countenance than he did. He enjoyed life douhly that he enjoj-ed it with his friends — looking upon companionship as the essential to all amusement, and lovmg hunting as much for its social attractions and good- fellowship as for aught else. And as it was never his wont to speak ill or spitefully of others, so no one Avas ever heard to speak save kindl}' and affectionately t)f him. In this he was a l)right sample of the men who characterise the present happj' ^lelton field — men who take each other as they find ; who are ahove searching out and magnifying the little foihles of their friends ; who are jealous not at all ; who, having once dubbed and accepted an acquaintance as a *' good fellow," are content to hold him as such till something more than the distortion of his trifling peculiaiities can denude him of the title. A tine rider, too, was Lord Rossmore, and as bold a one as ever crossed a country. One instance of his undaunted courage is so vividl}' before me that I cannot but relate it. Many maj'- remember that Wednesday morning of a few weeks ago, when the Belvoir started from Coston covert, for a run that eventuall}'' took them to the "Witham Woods. To those who do, it will require no great further eftbrt to recall how curiously the hounds of a sudden swung across a grass field through the pressing horsemen, now warmed to excitement pitch by a ({uarter of an hour's fiist galloping, and how desperate a set of timber (defended too by a wide-set ditch) offered itself with 1873—74.] LORD ROSSMOKE. 141 the turn. Lord Hossmore rode second at it (ii farmer on a gre}', it will be remembered, liaving barely saved a fall) ; his horse kneed it, and ajiparently rolled on to him. But in a moment he was up, and remounted as soon as the horse was caught. The next fence was of four rails, stronger and higher than the lasi ; his horse was evidently no timber jumper, and was doubtless considerably blown by his fall. But there was neither hesitation nor desj^eration in the quiet determined way in which he gathered him together as he came up, squeezing an effort out of him that landed them both in safety, and made the horse a hunter on the spot. Those who will miss him from among them as a sportsman are, one and all, mourning for him as a friend. He endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact, and it is no mere figure of speech to say that there is not a hunting man between ]Melton and Harborough whose heart has not bled for the 3'oung life thus snatched away. SEASON, 1874-75. A FROST BROKEN WINTER. Xext winter you will pass witli me ; I'll have My house by that time tmned into a grave Of dread despondence and low-thoughted care, And all the dreams which our tormentors are. And we'll have tires To thaw the six weeks' winter in our blood. 1874 closed about as im- l)iopitioiisly as it well could, so if the New Year is to be a happy one, it will at all events start with the advantage of contrast, and is sure of a heartier Avel- come than usual. Mr. Tailby found the sense of inaction so unbear- able that he even antici- pated the tliaAV, determined on seeing the old year out in l^roper fashion, and, acting on Capt. Thomson's theory, that hounds, and hounds only, ought to be considered in determining when hunt- ing IS practicable, betook himself to the chase on Thursday, December 31st. The day Avas one of the most^ bitter of this unfriendly winter ; and it would appear his defiance of it must have actually shamed the clerk of the Aveather into a less forbidding humour, for the latter changed his tactics Season 1874— ro.] A FllOST BROKEN WINTER. 143 the veiy next da^y. The ground behig inches deep in snow, there Avas little fear for the hounds ; hut had accident be- fallen an\' of the little band who rode with them, I question if thej^ could have persuaded the insurance companies that this feat did not come under the head of the unre- cognised " extraordinar}' risks." We nearl}- all insure in Leicestershire now, by the way. Tliere is something very comforting, even to the most romantic mind, to know that when you are wincing under a squeezed rib you are thereby earning an honest penny ; while, as for some few brittle indi- viduals Ave could name, they make a handsome yearly addition to their income by this means. It has been proposed to the companies that the}^ should extend their operations to our studs ; but to this they one and all allege that tliey are not at present in sufficiently wealthy circumstances to admit of their undertaking this branch of the business. But to return to Mr. Tailby, who met his field (some five or six in number) at Stonton Wyvil, Capt. Whitmore driving to covert in a sleigh. In addition to the pleasures of the snow, which lay knee deep in the furrows, a dense fog pre- vailed, in the midst of Avhicli the hounds were thrown into Sheepshorns, and found their fox immediately. Being unable to do anything with him, they were taken on to Nosely, and the scent being fortunately (?) as much opposed to hunting as the elements, pursuers and pack were never far separated, and spent the rest of the afternoon round there and Billesdon. The most remarkable feature of all was that, thougli the horses plunged and stumbled blindly through the snow drifts, and the whole was enacted in an atmosphere wherein vision was often limited to a few yards, not a horse or hound was lamed, nor a hound lost, and the whole part}^ returned home scatheless. 144 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasu.v THE WEEK OF THE SEASON. Tl'ESDAY, JaM'ARY 26111. Neither the fatigue of the clay, nor the pleasant Lissitude usual to hunting men after a second cigar and a manifold repetition of all that has just passed, must hinder me from jotting down at once -what has happened with the Cottesmore. All has been sport this week, in one phase or another. Sport was in the air in a predetermined unmistakable shape as we rode to covert this morning. A pure crisp cloudless atmo- sphere raised " What a hunting da}- ! " from every tongue — even from the most chippy or unprescient. And so it turned out. There was a scent upon which a pack of Pomeranians (the most unsporting specimens of the race canine that I know) could have run, and in whicli the Cottesmore bitches simply revelled. The meet was advertised for Knossington ; and so the hounds met in the meadow below the Hall, while the field — and a field of noblest quality and proportion — met in Mr. Duncan's dining room, and there prepared themselves for the serious business of the day. This day was to be devoted to the woodlands. Tell me, unbiassed and experienced reader, what do 3'ou attach to the prospect of Owston AVood, Launde Wood, Tilton Wood, and such other wild sylvan re- sorts ? Do you not connect the names with harassing hoiu's of idleness, with man}" bitter disappointments, and many futile vows of future abstinence from thus tempting fate? But, on the other hand, do you not also connect it with many a grand hunt— of the wildest, truest, and most sporting type — when you only see good men ride, over a country where there is reall}' room for hundreds to compete ? To-day, too, the best of foxes did all they could to show out the advantages of a lovely scenting day, and to point out the beauties of a country that in its own way has no rival. One of them chose out the right side of Owston at starting ; and with him was enacted a twenty minutes' ring that asked for condition and made good blood a 1874—75.] THE WEEK OF THE SEASON. 145 sine quel noii. There was little jumping — consequently little incident —but there was bursting pace in the gallop round and past Prior's Coppice, through Launde Wood and back to Owston. This, the first act, ended in oblivion there ; but the main venture of the day was from Tilton. We all know how fond foxes usually are of ringing the changes among the multitudinous woods hereabouts — where, happily, however, owners remember they live in Leicestershire, and stamp the trade mark — -fox — on each and all of their possessions. But good genius was at work on this fortunate Tuesday. Two of the noble race went away into the Quorn country (where these others hope shortly to disturb their present security) ; and some seven couple broke with them — only to be brought back together with a luckless company by the whip. Meanwhile Neal, the second in office but now chief of the working staff (West being detained at home by a family affliction) moved down towards the bottom of the covert to a holloa that had something too x)rofessional about its ring to disregard. This was from the voice of Mr. F. Sutton, who was found to be worldng the family throat to a tune that has wakened Leices- tershire many a score of times before. Hounds took up the cue at once — only nine couple of them, but what mattered it on a da}' like this ? Yes, it did matter, as the sequel will show. They ran like wildfire up to Skeffington Hall, where Mr. Tailby was ready to speed the parting guest over the road, and hustle along in his wake as soon as the chorus opened forward — Lord Grey de Wilton, Custance and some rising unknown on a blood chestnut also helping on the van. Really a grand run was this — if others estimate it as highly as it stamped itself on my humble opinion. The oldest of grass, the fairest of fences lie sound Skeffington and Eolleston, and over this perfect country hounds swept on without a check till they even got abreast of the Coplow. What other mark can you put upon such a fifty minutes (up to the first check) than the epithet superb ? Some Avill say, " no fox could live so long." If so, let me point out tliat nine couple of hounds 14G THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season cannot cany a head to burst a fox ; and so, thougli the pace was enough to leave the line marked b}' miles of men leading their horses, it Avas never sufficient to bring such a fox back to theii- mouths. The first and only piece of plough caused the first and only check ; then the}' drove liim through Botany Ba}', and in five minutes more a grand fox saved a worthy life in a rabbit-hole under Quenb}^ Ma}'' he live to be old and happy, and teach his children that an open course is their fii-st and only fitting duty ! Vov those who were fortunate, to- day was one of exceptional sport ; but good and evil fortmie have much to do with a start from the woods of High Leicestershii'e. On Wednesday, January 27thj good fortune took us to the rytcliley, who met at North Kilworth. Passing over the morning, we come to the afternoon draw of Misterton Gorse. No prettier start could have been effected than was achieved from here. A fine big fox away, with the pack streaming after him in view over the grass field above ; and then as merry a seventeen minutes as could be made to order, with a proper sequel to make up the whole forty-five. If you happen to know the pleasant grazing grounds from the starting point to South Kilworth, you want little description to picture the enjoyinent of hounds going over it at best pace — when each fence was to be jumped anywhere and each one had to be taken in a gallop. Lord Spencer, Capt. Middleton, Mr. Corbett and a gentleman from (lloucestershire (at least we have seen and heard of his peformances there) were cutting out the most of the work ; Goodall and young Goddard also in closest attendance on the pack. The remainder of the run was through the South Kilworth and Stanford Hall coverts with a turn back and a kill in the latter. Thursday, January 28th. — A bye day Avith the Quorn at Brooksby Hall. Forty minutes Avith a kill in the open, and an afternoon run of fifty-five — and all over the best of the Quorn country — are tAvo bare facts that speak for themselves. The Thursday bye days have almost invariably proved the best days 1874—7:..] THK WEEK OF THE SEASON. 147 of the Melton -week ; and this was a glorious specimen. Two years ago there was exactly such another bye day at Brooksby — winding up alnd with a magnificent fifty-five minutes' ring (on that occasion from Cream Gorse). Half the grand sport of the week has already been chronicled. Thursday, Friday, and Saturdaj' still remain. The two former days had very mucli in connuon over and above the fact of their success. Both were lawn meets of the Quorn ; both were favoured by the happiest accident of scent and country ; and both were distinguished by a sharpness of style and action that deserves the term In-iUicDit. Thursday, then, was a bye day, which, as we have remarked before, ever carries with it an invariable felicity of augury and event, at least with the Quorn. There was a cheerful little meet at Brooksby — perhaps a hundred " men of business," with a troop of seconds apparently far out of proportion to the number of comi)etitors assembled. The little spinney of Blciikmore might have produced two foxes with the same ease had there been the half-thousand of a Friday ; but there would, scarcely have been the same fair start and good result as now. Hounds settled at once to their fox, and — to tell the briefest stor}' — rattled him to death in thirty- five minutes along and about the Brooksby and Ptotherby valleys, rolling him over in a burst in which the first check came only after twenty- eight. From Cream Gorse there was an initial ten minutes as pro- mising as anything we ever saw, hounds and men both carrying ahead as if each individual were the flyer of the pack or the hunt. The former took the scent across every field abreast, and some twenty of the latter charged their fences in a line — such fences, too, as, without exaggeration, you seldom see jumped in cooler blood. But after a turn over Gaddesby, and with no more imminent point in front than Owston A\'ood or John o' Gaunt, everything in thorough swing, and apparently a run ensured, the prospect was all at once blighted by a dis- pensation which placed two idle members of the working class 148 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season right ill the path of the fox. May their Arch-enemy soon beguile them to emigration for that they spoilt the most assm-ed gallop for which we ever essayed a start. Now we have to speak more fully of the afternoon run, the best part of a truly rich day. Five minutes waiting at Thorpe Trussels ended in a holloa-away at two opposite corners. " This is the best countiy, George, yell away for bare life ! " But Firr's horn is heard at the same moment at the other end, showing his attention was to be devoted in that direction, and necessitating the speaker's scurrying round at best pace to avoid being left behind. The pack broke over the road towards Asliby ; wliile some forty good ** customers " jumped down with them into the dingle beyond, and made the best of their wa}' through the ridge of plough that, bounds the wide grass tract below. When hounds do run quick over plough they can always distance horses ; and so while these two fields were being crossed they gained time and room enough to settle to their work. A struggle through fallow is hardly good pre- paration for a hog-backed stile with a downhill approach. But this was what met them — a trying necessity — almost imme- diately they landed on the grass. An elastic rail must the top one have been, for some tweiit}^ pairs of shins and hoofs rattled and bent it, yet I believe it remains still unbroken. The fence below — running down from Thoi'pe Hall — was stiU more formidable ; for it was made up of a black thick-entwined bull- finch, with a wide ditch open to the aiiproaching negotiator. Eefusals resulting from two other attempts on either side allowed Lord Clarendon to take a lead up the opposite hill, and to be one of the first to swing over the wide bottom that divides the parishes of Asliby and Thorpe Satchville. A good fifteen feet fiy is the lowest estimate we can form of it ; but this did not deter Mrs. Molyneux from accepting her husband's lead with the same cool confidence she displayed throughout the run. Indeed, putting quite aside the natural inclination to do justice to ladies' feats (wliicli naturally strike one before those of the rougher sex), it is impossible to deny a sense of local 1874—75.] THE WEEK OF THE SEASON. 149 pride in seeing Leicestershire so ridden over as it had heen in one week, viz., b}- Miss Hartopp in the Tilton run of Tuesday, by Mrs. Molyneux in the event in question, and by Lady Evelyn Coventry on Saturday last. In each case there was the quiet, unassuming saroir /aire that in no circumstance of life can we of coarser mould pretend to, and yet in each case there was an underlying of determination and a genuine love of the sport, that carried them successfully through every difficulty. A momentary hesitation after the chasm had been crossed allowed time for opening the gates across the Twyford road, before reaching the lucky bridge that here spanned the Twyford brook — hounds again taking up the thread in earnest, and keeping it unrelaxed for some miles to come. INIr. Tomkinson did nothing towards lowering the top bar of the four rails that attempted to bar further progress, though some follower kindly rendered them a degree or two easier. The old Twyford grass country is too well known to descant upon ; so it is needless to mention how scent, as usual, lay upon it, or how each obstacle seemed to take quite as much jumping as the one before. But they do put their fences very close together round the village ; and apparently build them expressly with a view to turning old hunters out to grass. However the last-named gentleman (though his horse was labouring under the dis- advantage of having alread}', early in the day, spent a quarter of an hour in a ditch) and Captain Smith, assisted by Tom Firr, successfully and continuously demonstrated that the strength of a hedge is only that of its weakest point ; and, fast as hounds went, they were well accompanied np to the Lowesby Plantations. Thence on by the right of the park and along the valley towards Baggrave — two foxes now m front, and the fresh one taldng up attention just when they ought to have been killing their fu-st — and Avhen horses were rapidly losing that elasticity which, after all, is almost the chief i)leasure of a gallop to hounds. On the whole, perhaps, the change was a fortunate one ; for the Master meant not to spoil the Baggrave 150 THE CREAM OF LEIOESTERSHIllE. [Seasok of to-mon'ow, even with tlie penalty of whipping off. So a further turn to the right again put their heads for Thorpe Brussels, and with another twenty minutes they reached it, after traversing some of the choicest country of the hunt. Touching Ashhy viUage on their road, they made good the covert from which they had started, after fift3'-five minutes of the hest and severest type. It is next to impossible to kill a fox in the scentless covert of I'horpe ; so the day ended by leaving him there unharmed. Of those who rode from end to end I ma}^ he allowed to mention (leaving out those already named) that the jNIaster never went better, that Lord Clarendon (who, I should say, has seen as much as, if not more, of the whole week's sport than anyone else) was one of the pioneers throughout, Lord Wicklow held a good place, and Capt. King, Mv. Hassall, and Cajit. Grimstone lent their presence to each yard of it. Friday, January 29th, was essentially Colonel lUu'naby's Day ; for was it not his lawn meet, his breakfast, his unfailing little covert, his fox that Avas galloped to death in the morning, and his fox that closed an early afternoon so satisfactorily ? ]hi"u;rave Covert first resounded to the horn only a little before twelve o'clock, and by two a brace of foxes had l)een fairly run into and horses and hounds pronounced to have done fully enough. The early part of the first run, fast now and again, consisted of a half-hour's ring by ]^)arkby Holt and through the parish of Hungerton. J5ut when hounds got back to the covert thej' set the ball rolling again in a nnich more lively fashion ; for they forced their game to break again almost im- mediately, dashed away on his brush, never let him gain a field's advantage, and raced into him after about twenty-tAvo minutes as fast as was ever ridden to. Not once, but three or four times, they ran him into view, and seemed to be actually coursing him — though the}' never got their heads up ; and yet he struggled on, going as long as he could, and then turning with the venom and hatred of death to make his teeth meet in two at least of his enemies. 'Jlie tremendous ])ace of this last 1874—75.] A BYE-DAY STOLEN. 151 8cunT was well testified by the fact tliat out of" a Friday- field there were only some lialf-dozen present to hear tlie who-whoop at South Croxton Village — though, doubtless, the twisting course and the sharp turn back from Lowesby Plantations (the three points given being sufficient to explain the track) had nnich to do with this. Another call being made on the Colonel's covert, another start was soon effected, and soon crushed by a general rush over the line. In a hot and sweltering mass the crowd pressed forward, the oppressive heat of the atmosphere and their own excitement working the whole assemblage up to boiling pitch — amid which the huntsman alone appeared cool and undis- turbed. And well it was he did ; for in no other condition could he have achieved a run under present circumstances. As it was he worked his hounds forward — while Mr. Coupland strove his utmost to gain him a moment's law — once more got on terms with his fox, and pushing him past Keyliam, and past the left of Scraptoft Gorse, killed him in Mr. Tailby's country near Houghton. A five-mile point and thirty-five minutes in doing it. A BYE-DAY STOLEN. On Thursday, February 11th, the Quorn left off at Owston Wood at 4.30 p.m., at the end of a bye day at Gaddesby. For several days a lingering frost had made hunting, even when pronounced practicable, a matter of much difficulty, no little danger, and very doubtful enjoyment — the call of duty rather than pleasure bringing men each day to the covert side. The morning in question was even more unpromising than its predecessors. Snow still lay on tlie plough and on the roads, while the gateways had ice in them that would almost bear your horse's Aveight. So it took an hour or more of anxious indecision, of consultation with groom, gardener, and a casual baker on his rounds, the disheartening sentiments of each 152 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season being pooh-poohed iii turn m favour of om- own wishes ; it took much heel-testing of the lawn and the trampling down of more than one newly- dug flower bed, before we manned om'selves in breeches and gaiters, and (more with the view of avoidmg luncheon than in the hope of hunting) rode forth to the tryst- ing place. Arrived there, though, it was cheering indeed to find that at least the hounds were on the spot, and that many other sportsmen, as sanguine or as foolish as ourselves, were also there assembled. A motley group they made, too, these usually brightly-arrayed Nimrods. I wot the old elm trees hardly believed that under these varied disguises were the same gay Quornites they had so often seen before ; and probably set them down as individuals in quest of the Gaddesby shorthorns rather than of the chase. Truly their garb was a sign of the times, and in each case c^ried the exact impress of the wearer's opmion as to weather and the chance of hunting. (Remember, Melton, unlike Leammgton and Cheltenham, has no Parade to console the disappointed foxhunter as he returns.) They who came in the full glory of pink and leathers (looking amid the wintry scene as if then- valets had forced them, lilce hothouse plants, for the occasion) were radiantly convinced of the fit- ness of the day. They who appeared in butcher boots, saying little but gazing in wistful inquiry ever and anon on the master, were they who, though doubting in their own minds, were yet prepared for serious action. Moreover they had bethought them that, if compelled after all to return from chasing the wild goose in place of the fox, they would proclaim their shame less loudly and present a less crestfallen appearance than if arrayed in the paint and feathers of full dress. Lastly there were the billy cock-and-gaiter number, carrying no sign, vest- ment, or symbol of pursuit, save, perhaps, a hatstring, and, certainly, except a saddle flask. These had come on the oft- chance, partly for the exercise of a ride, and chiefly that, in the (to their light) improbable event of a day's sport, they might not incur the miserable reproach of having missed it through carelessness. 1874—75.] A BYE-DAY STOLEN. 153 A goodly field liaving by degrees collected, it now became a question of persuading the master of the feasibility of hunt- ing. According!}', those who had journeyed from the most favourable points of the country were thrust forward to give their reports, while those who had come from more weather- stricken districts were kept scrupulously in the background. The mixed feeling of the meeting must, however, have been as palpable to the head of affairs as to ourselves ; and it must be noted for future occasions of like uncertainty that all sports- men should come clad as if no possible doubt existed. As it was, the only hopeful conclusion that could be arrived at, based on anything like reliable opinion, was that the " going " on the grass was not absolutely or impracticably bad. But when an old member of the hunt clinched this with the argu- ment that foxes were certain to keep off the hard ploughs for their own sakes, the master yielded with a good grace, and moved off to brave the terrors of the soil. Tom Firr being kept at home by the injury to his back, from which (to the universal regret of the hunt) he still suffers severely, Mr. Coupland had to-day to carry the horn in person. We need not linger over the little spinneys which held not, nor on the five minutes' spurt with an outlying fox near Bleakmore, who, after running the railway for a mile, disappeared as it were under a sleeper ; but may get on to Barkby Holt with all dis- patch, confident in having learnt that it was fit for hounds to run and horses to gallop. We have seen many a good find and many a good gallop from this famous, and now well-kept, fastness (and devoutly do we pray that it may be our fate to see many another !) ; but never have started forth after a subject whose course and principles were straighter than now. It took two critical minutes to get homids out on the line, the oi^eration being by no means facilitated by the over-liastiness of even this miniature field ; and two minutes at such a time is a long reprieve to a fox's life and a heavy handicap on the efforts of hounds. The Baggrave valley was the line taken from the first; and a ruler marking its continuation on the 154 THE CKEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Sr.Asox map would deviate but a trifle from the whole course chosen. Lord Carington on the left and Sir Beaumont Dixie on the right made play over the few earlier grass fields as hounds began to settle to their work, and up to Baggrave all the little company Avere in creditable attendance. There was no moment of loitering at Baggrave covert, for hounds took the line tlirough it at once. At the back of the hall they commenced the smartest part of their career, running now as lioimds should do on a scent over grass. It was a i)oint of chance, fate, or instinct that took you into, or kept you out of, the field l)ounded by wliat looked, as you came down u])on it, an unjum])able bottom. There was nothing unjumpable about it, though, exce^jt in the view of a post-and-rails downhill from the rising ground above. Still in riding to hounds first im- pressions,are the strongest, if not always the best (and thus it is that one keen man surpasses another chiefly on the score of (piickor ])crception) ; so this deceptive place was broken through, not jum])ed, and two fields' galloping scarcely made up the gi'ound lost in avoiding it. After this many easy pleasant fences and a succession of grass that ofl'ered soft sound landing ft)r horses and no frosty mischief to hounds' feet, brought the gallop up to twent^'^-five minutes — when for the first time they checked, between Lowesb^y and John o' (xaunt. Soon on again, just touching the covert; and out bcj'ond along the ]\Iarfield bottom, which thej^ threaded merril}' to the 'J'ilton liills. AVhen fifty minutes had elapsed reynard stole through the buildings of Mr. Frank Sutton's farm at Tilton not a hundred ^-ards ahead. But his outhouse meanderings saved him. He was seen by an old woman to go on ; but tlie lady under notice kept silence until questioned ; and meanwhile the varmint had stolen on in his struggle for Tilton Wood and life. ]\Ir. Coupland worked the problem out capitally, hit the line out once more, and hounds came to a standstill over a drain in the gully be3'ond, when a sudden holloa forward took hounds and field over Whad- borough Hill, and with a brief quick turn into Owston AVood. 1874-75.] A niOTEST AdAINST BCTCHERY. 155 There can be little (l()ul)t tlie run tox ^vas left here ; for he was fairly hunted to a standstill. ])Ut let this be as it may, the chase went on tlirough Owston Wood ; and hounds were whipped oft" when breaking on in full cry for Prior's Coppice. Vet it was a right good run and a right good point, while a better line could not be picked out in Leicestershire. From Barkby Holt to the smaller (^wston Wood is a straight nine miles, while the gully mentioned is not a mile short of it. Prominent- among those who saw and enjoyed it were Lord (irey de Wilton, Col. Forester, Sir J. Ffolkes, Capts.Molyneux, Yates, Farley, and King, with about a dozen others to make up a number best calculated for the truest enjoyment of a run. It cannot but be noted, too, that Miss Hemming rode w^ell to the front throughout ; and that the gre}' showed no falling off" from his previous form over Leicestershire. A PROTEST AGAINST BUTCHERY, Wednesday, Februauy '24th. Six incbes of snow and a confirmed malignant frost. Hunting, too, has only another month of life — of which this is in truth but a deathlilve phase. So broken a winter lias not been known for years. But taking advantage of the present dearth of material for history, I would crave leave to speak a few words on the matter of Digging out of Foxes. I have no intention whatever of making an attack on any particular Hunt, Master, or Hunts- man ; but merely to bring the subject forward as a fact that demands either justification or active condemnation. Granting that there are two ways of looking at every ques- tion, let us for once refrain from limiting our vision to one side, and aim at something lil<:e an impartial view, before plumping arbitraril}' for our own opinion, or asking for 3'ours, worshipful reader. In order to do this, I must request you to 156 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIRE. [Season put 3'ourself in turn in the place of the i^arties most interested, and, as much as possible, to cloak your own sympathies. Let us take the huntsman first — a zealous, hard-working individual and ex-officio a natural enemy of foxes (this same ex-qfficio thirst for blood extending equally and involuntarily to the master and to each of the subordinates). He goes out to kill his fox. He sleejDS better for having achieved it. He looks upon a mask dangling at the saddle with as grateful a satis- faction as an Indian brave uj)on a new-earned stalp-lock — none the less precious, perhaps, that it was tomahawked from a sleei)ing foe. He has toiled his utmost for the life-blood of his victim, and what matters it to him, if the aid of pick and shovel have brouglit that life-blood easier to hand in the end ? Not a whit more than the ostrich hunter spares the ostrich, because he seeks refuge bj-^ hiding his head in the sand. Then he has his hounds to think of. Bad scent, ill-luck, or a suc- cession of failures, may have kept them on plain kennel fare for some days ; and surel^', he argues, they must be disap- pomted and vexed when losing the choice morsel below gi'ound. Then, agam, he bethinks himself, in noble disinterestedness (for he pays none of them) of the poultry-bills ; he makes a mental note to tell some truculent claimant that the robber is now slain ; and finally — and more fatally for reynard and sport than all — he triumphantly notches down one more to his death score. The part of the Master we need not dwell on. In nine cases out of ten he has become inoculated with the same sen- timent as his lieutenant ; while, again, he seldom likes to debar that functionary from the little treat in contemplation. So, putting aside altogether the notion that a run, not a kill, is the essential of what in a hunting sense is usually understood by sport (to show sport, remember, being the object for which he holds office), he will ofttimes look on while a good fox, wanting only the chance to give him this desideratum, is unearthed and torn to pieces before his eyes. Probably he will murmur something apologetically about a *' had fox," or 1874-75.] A PROTEST AGAINST BUTCHERY. 157 '' hounds (lesci'ce him.'" But, if you were a fox, and you found that an idle or lukewarm earthstopper had left a favourite refuge open to you, would you not gladly take advantage of it without remorse of conscience, particularly when you found your powers flagging? We must grant that hounds are glad to get hold of their fox ; but we cannot grant that it is at all necessar}-^ they should do so. In a well-stocked country he must be a bad huntsman who cannot find them blood enough by fair killing ; while in a badly-stocked one it is very certain you cannot afford wanton bloodshed. INIoreover, it is almost an allowed fact that hounds well blooded in the cub- hunting season do not require it to any extent afterwards ; and many authorities maintain that a good " flare-up " of triumph and excitement over the mouth of an earth is just as eflectual and satisfactory to hounds as an actual worry. Lastl}"", let us take the body of sportsmen who make up the field, through whom and for whom hunting exists, and who for that reason possess every claim to have their feelings consulted. They hunt to enjoy themselves, each in his own peculiar fashion — and many and diverse are the individual opinions of each day's events. But was any one of them ever yet known to come home and answer an inquiring neighbour with *' Capital day ! Saw two foxes dug out ! One they caught beautifull}^ — pulled him out by the brush and threw him among the hounds ; the other bolted out, but they had cleverly kept the pack close to the hole, and so killed him too ! Bare sj)ort, and my old mare's not a bit tired ! " But, having drifted unconsciously from analysis into argument, I may as well assume m3'self the representative of the last-named body, and state their opinion boldly. Let it, however, be clearly under- stood that these remarks in no way apply to cases of exception or necessity, but are directed against the too-prevalent idea that digging out a fox (to eat, not to give him a fresh start) is a fitting and sportsmanlike climax to a run. As a case of exception we may take that of a diseased or thoroughly bad fox, whose life would never conduce to sport, and who is 158 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Si:.v.sux therefore better out of the way. By cases of necessity I mean, for instance, an overstock of foxes, giving rise to complaints of damage and demands for tlieir destruction. Scarcely any other circumstances can be instanced for justifiable exception ; and yet there is scarcely a pack in the Midlands that does not frequently lend itself publicly and shamelessly to the deed. And what do the field think of it ? llicy hate and abonnnate it, each and every one of them. They neither sympathise with the feeling that prompts tlie act ; nor hold with the expe- dienc}^ of its commission. To them it represents no pleasure, and certainl}' coincides with none of tlieir notions of sport. They would find nuich greater fun in seeing rats killed in a barn, and derive from the sight a much higher sense of satis- faction. Condennied, probably, to stand about in the cold, unwilling witnesses of what they heartih' detest, they spend the time in giving free Aent to expression of their annoyance and contemi)t. It would do many a huntsman good to hear what is said at such moments. He would find, too, that, however much respect he may have earned at other times, much of this contempt will extend to himself, and serve to lessen good opinion that he cannot afibrd to despise. Finally, fox-digging, in the sense we refer to, is a crying enormity, a disgrace to a noble sport, and should be put down as rigorous!}' as vivisec- tion. Bring forward excuse, palliation, anythmg you like, there Avill still remain a sense of keen abhorrence of the act. So unmistakable is the disgust— ay, loathing — excited in the minds of many good sportsmen, on finding themselves made an abetting party to a bad case of fi)x butchery, that on such occasions (whether riglitl}'- aj^'ojms or no) the I'ollowing tale ever recurs vividly to my mind. An old trapper once told me (and I believed it, though you may not) that in the wild, unor- ganised fighting in the Far West, some forty years ago, he was one of a party of revenge who cut a camp to pieces by a sudden attack. Food must follow fighting ; and gladly they seized upon a savoury meal that was awaiting their slaughtered enemies. A hunter's appetite is proverbial ; but long ere its 1874—75.] A KINO FROM THORPE TllUSSELS. 15'.) limit wiis reached, a strange bone made its appearance that brought an instant chiUing check. The closest scrutiny, the freest bluspheni}', could make it out nothing but a human finger. Xo Channel passage could have acted more instanta- neousl}' on the weakest of mortals than the discovery did on these strong men — and not one of them could ever boast that he had digested cannibal food. This is no made-up story ; I received it and give it as true, and though the parallel may be a strong one, I can vouch that the effect produced on many organisations by the knowledge of having assisted at a cold- blooded digging out, falls little short of the illustration. A lUXG FROM TIIOIWK TEUSSELS. The sport of Thursday, March lltli (I may almost say of that week, in the ]Melton country) was obtained from Thorpe Trussels, the way thither being comfortably varied at Baggrave. The little covert having f )ronce failed, the Colonel's invitation took the pack and the field cii masse up to the Hall, where the cup went round with material that (as was, or was not, proved in the coming gallop) might have thrown warmth into a Bourbon's Wood, Nerved the enervate, given a dastard heart, Made cowards l)rave, the lielpless hel[i themselves. So, reader, follow me to Thorpe Trussels and give me a lead from it, only you must start like a sprint runner if j'ou mean to make sure we are not left behind. I know of no place that requires both ears cocked, both spurs reiidy for action, or your cigar lit merely for luck or " make-believe," like Thorpe Trussels. Hounds swoo^) away from it in a moment from exactly the opposite point you expect, and in that moment you may find yoursflf })enned in, condenmed to follow at a sad and maledictory distance. So pray nip out of the road as (quickly as you can, imagine yourself called upon to clap Tom Firr on 160 THE OKEAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Season to liis hounds, and, above all, keep clear of a piece of beans planted by the good sportsman who owns the precincts. You know the first dip down, where horses pull so that it is a pleasui'e to them and to you to give them their heads for the ascent beyond. You know the quick turn that places you on to the grass — always a racing scent here and a downhill gallop. You know that if you have pushed through these two ploughs you have no crowd ahead of you down the grass vallej^ ; and you have your work cut out to achieve sufficient puU where timber cutting has breached the strongest of blackthorn ram- parts. You must have a handy one, too, to turn sharp to the right with the pack within twenty yards of an open gateway that seems placed by Providence, but Avhich takes three or four of the first-class clean over the mark. Forrard ! forrard ! old ladies ! " Give 'em a moment's time, sir," and don't grumble if the holloa lets the huntsman rob you of his own place — though it is trying even to young nerve and young blood not to get swing enough on at a post and rails with a yawuer beyond. Forrard, along the vaUey towards Ashby, the fences raspers and the pace tremendous — ]Mr. Foster leading, and Firr in position just level with the rear of tlie •[)ack. Now a flight of rails, of stifthess undeniable and altitude horrible — with a wide, but luckily well trodden ditch beyond — becomes an absolute terrifying necessity. In Leicestershire we do not jump unless we are obliged, much less do Ave imperil our necks unless a scent is palpable and exacting ; but you are clean over in the tracks of the leaders, so are we, and so are fifty more — though our own little clatter Avas re-echoed by a crash- ing that reverberated like thunder along a storm-laden sky. Go on, sir, noAv, and make the best you can of the fenced bottom that next faces you, and that lets hounds stretch themselves while j^ou are deliberating between impossible timber and a double into a hedge that may give Avay, but that Avill most likely tmii you over. Make up your ground quickly in the next turn up to Ashby Pastures ; and don't hang over the AA'ide doubly-fenced ditch that aAvaits you on the Avay, or (by 1874-75.] A RING FROM THORPE TRUSSELS. 161 all that is impetuous) I must "jump into the small of your back," as they have it on the less ceremonious side of the Channel. Lose no time in getting into, and out of, Ashby Pas- tures ; don't go round it. In medio tutissimus ibis, here as in most other choices of conduct ; and if you reach Thorpe Trussels without a blowing horse, I can only say you are better mounted than we who follow you — though we have only been galloping twenty minutes. You won't grudge the fact of its being a ring, certainly not if the country is new to you ; and when, ten minutes later, j'^ou pull up at the sand-holes at Twyford Village, you will not be sorry that your second horse has only been trotting along the inside of the circle. And the fact reminds me of one of my pet declamations, viz., that against second horsemen and their illdoings — not mine only, but that of all who have hunting at heart, whether they flaunt their penmanship or no. The fallacy (let alone the resultant mischief to others) of attempting to get your second horseman to " nick in " in the middle of a run is now so fully recognised that the almost invariable and peremptory order is to " ride quietly along the roads and bring my horse up cool for the second run." So firmlj^, too, is the principle gaining ground that there was nothing solitary in the instance of Friday, when, on a pig-headed second horseman invading wheat (in a manner that, however unnecessary, was freel}^ licensed a few seasons ago), the whole field set up a chorus that might make him shirk bread for the rest of his hfe, if shame were in him. Not that farmers are appearing a whit more captious about their wheat — on the contrary, as evinced by the same day. There is one, by name — well, never mind his name, there is onlj^ one who lives and farms at Ingarsby — who, on the cry "Ware wheat" being raised on his land, ejaculated "Never mind the wheat, gentlemen, 'tis but forty shillings a quarter after all ! " On Tuesday, March Gth, Melton had no hunting ; which was borne with a chastened spirit after the protracted frosts of the late winter. Pigeon-shooting being now entirely confined to the summer, cock-fighting being restricted by a law whose M 162 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season infrmgement is expensive, and badgers being scarce in these parts, there was little or no harmless amusement to be found ; — and Melton is a place of far too rigid morality to allow of a certain personage stepping in to find occupation for idle hands. ALL FOOLS' DAY, 1875. A SHORT life and a merry one will scarcely apply to the season of '74 '75. A chequered existence and a lingering death will sum up its career more correctly. With its end now near at hand and unavertable, it struggles feebly on to the last, though little glory attends its almost inanimate efforts. " Capital weather for the lambs," remarks the well-satisfied grazier; "Good seeding time," chimes in complacently the tiller of the soil ; and both sentiments sound badly for fox- hunting and its present prosperity. For neither of these gentlemen is prone to over-sanguine speech, or to placing too high an estimate on the blessings vouchsafed them in their respective callings. Though ofttimes to be seen with face radiant with " a wise content," they do not often too lightly or too loudly express the feeling with their tongue. So you may take it that the last month has been as dry and dusty a March as ever blessed farming or destroyed hunting. Huntsmen need an elastic temperament, and perseverance such as is not given to many mortals, to work on cheerfully at their almost hopeless task. Were it not for the silently but solidly expressed recognition of their services that flows in about this time, I doubt if even thei?' stout spirits would not sometimes sink. The epitome of the season 1874-75 may be jotted down in doggrel, without any great effort of description or poesy — November's first day saw a run ; The rest of November saw none ; All December in frost ; Half January lost, Ere hunting had fairly begun. 1874—75] ALL FOOLS' DAY, 1875. 1G3 The sport then for three weeks was rare ; Earer soon till it vanished in air ; Three weeks more of snow, Till the March wind did blow ; And the end of the chase was despair. The saddling bell at Croxton Park has rung out its knell; while that of the Melton Steeplechases has called to its funeral feast. The final meet of the Quorn was on Thursday, April 1st, at Brooksby Hall, where we read once lived " George Villiers, Marquesse of Buckingham, whose sweet disposition and ex- cellent gifts of nature made manifest to the world that his Majesty was guided by his accustomed sharpe understanding and solid judgment in choosing such a subject, most fit to receive his favours, and in implo}dng such a servant most ready to communicate his majesties goodness to all worthy persons." Let us hope he proved himself deserving of such a long-winded panegyric and of such a situation, by hunting his six days a week and bidding many such gatherings to the old hall as assembled to-day. Verily, the old marquis would more likely have swooned away, and even the trembling Wreake have "dived beneath its bed," if such a multitude had arrived to join in the old-fashioned chase at break of day. However, it was not at break of day, but at eleven o'clock, or comfortably thereabouts, that the modern and enormous field moved ofF, and, after spreading themselves far and wide over the countiy while the Brooksby Spinneys were being drawn, eventually found themselves at Cream Gorse. The day was a fine and pleasant one, on which to say farewell to the noblest of sport ; but the dull clatter of your hack's feet, as you can- tered thither over pasture or roadside, seemed to say, "Yours is indeed a pastime for All Fools' Day ! " Yet, though, as everyone who has a stable is but too well aware, the last three weeks have wrought more damage to joints and sinews than all the easy months before, no one was absent from this final levee. The Quorn Hunt were there to a man (or woman) ; while divers familiar and unfamiliar faces, called together for M 2 164 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season the race and steeplechase meetmgs, were there to assist at the last effort of the more mdigenous sport. Despite the near advent of the end, both men and horses seemed fresh and gay as they cantered over the greensward to Cream Gorse. Sorrow may or may not have been in their hearts, but they showed it not in face or manner. If apparent anywhere, it was in their coats. Those of the horses looked ragged and patchj' ; those of their masters — well not quite that, perhaps, but, excepting some few brilUant instances of spring gi-owth, exceeding sorrowful. And there were some hats — oh dear, we won't speak of them ! "We know we thought to do a bit of cheap charity by presenting om^ own to an old almsman hard by the stable yard ; and were only partially gratified when he thanked us warmly, adding " It war just the thing he wanted for that there bit o' new sown peas in his slip o' garden." How- ever, a new coat or a new hat at the close of the hunting season is an object so contrary to the true order of things, as to raise rather a spuit of cm-iosity than of covetousness in breasts or heads hidden under more weatherbeaten garments ; and they are generally held as betokening in the wearer either an access of fortune or a deplorable recklessness. From Thorpe Trussels a fugitive at length took the desired line towards the Dalby grass, but hounds had to be lifted on over the dust of the fallows beyond before an}^ amusement ensued. Then they were laid on quickly, and once more ere the season ended the field were treated to some galloping and jumpmg, and to the sight of hounds running" up to a fan- head. So on over half a dozen nice fences and a few Leicestershire fields past the Great Dalb}' windmill, which lies beside a road, into which a fair flight of rails and a mild thorn fence pomted the only way. The combination Avas not a severe one ; but horses are seldom fond of flying into a road, especially after un- pleasant proof of how j)ainful a concussion even hardened turf can cause. So, though a brown horse popped cleverl}^ in, and a grey landed with a loud grunt (we saw him advertised for sale a while since as " making a noise," so there is no treason 1874-75.] ALL fools' day, 1875. 165 to the remark), No. 3 got close under the tmiber, and shiver- ing it with a crash that all the parish of Dalby must have heard, opened a broad way for all who wished to come through. By the bye, how inconveniently noisy and telltale are old rail- ings that break (and horses invariably know when they will not) ! They afford your friends an opportunity they never miss of making derogatory remarks upon your most promising horse — one possibly for which you expect to get a long price at the end of the season. Moreover, they not improbably turn round before you can return from your undignified jjosi- tion between the beast's ears, or compose your features into something like an expression of unconcern. Memo — give yom* new horses plenty of work over the bar, before you brmg them out in the field as timber-jumpers. At the brow of the hill immediately facing the rough front of Burrough it was necessary to pull up, just as the warmth of the sun and the vigorous exercise had fairly conquered the north wind, and men began to afford testimony to the heat of the chase. Then, dij^ping down to the steeplechase course, ran up to the village of Burrough and round by the Punchbowl to Gartree Hill. Here all trace of the fugitive was lost. SEASON, 187G-77. [*^* Military duties in Lulia robbed the Author of the season 1875-76, and hin unexpected return home at the eleventh hour for tlie winter 1876-77 limited his rceords to the Belvoir aiid the Cottesmore. Thin iMjrpcnedf hmvever, to be the most famous season of a decade for the Iwtter jjack.l FIRST FRUITS OF 1876. ROXTON PARK is the yearly rendezvous named by his Grace of Rutland, whereat Melton is fii'st in- vited to ride to his beautiful pack. The dropping of the curtain for the season is also marked for this time- honoured spot, but we have nothing to do with that at 1^ re sent. Now we look for- ward to months of such fun as only hunting can give us. We have no lame horses m our stables, and we are as " keen as pepper." So on Wednesday, Nov. 8, you might have found yourself at 11 a.m. under the gnarled oaks of the old park, if you number i^unctualit}' as one of your sins ; or you might have met the hounds issuing from the gates at 11.30 if you are practical. You were better oif in the latter case ; for it was a bitter morning, such as November seldom offers — a hoar frost under the hedgerows still, and a Seasox 1876-77.] FIRST FRUITS OF 1876. 167 north wind that treated your ears as if they were autumn leaves. There was but a gentle crowd with the hounds — a matter of strong contrast with the Kirby Gate gathering of the Quorn, whereat the innovation of bicycles ( ye gods, what an age we live in ! ) prepared us for the news that elephants are in futui'e to form part of the Lord Mayor's Show. I do not know if Anno Domini 1876 be marked in the public statistics as an exceptionally healthy one ; but I confess I never saw men or horses with such a bloom on coats and coun- tenances. Faces so rosy and skins so shiny have a happy augury about them, and show a regularity of habit and diet most creditable to summer quarters. We live in reformiuef times nowadays, yet float along on a good Conservative stream, whose waters have more the flavour of stout La Rose and Lafitte than of the Gladstonian wash. Yes, men have turned out this year with a radiancy that onl}^ thorough health, happy anticipation, new coats, and a stable in rare condition could beget. Nothing to mar their pleasm^e but a blind ditch, and every moment of the morning bringing the nod or grasp of sport and good fellowship. It may be almost traitorous to say so, but six days a week {de rigueur at Melton) do not suit everybody, even when the best of good living and the purest of tobacco go to lessen the strain on the system. Lideed, I fear it is only the orthodoxy of the Church militant that imposes sufficient inaction and rest to keep a sound body linked to a healthy soul in this blessed and grass-growing diocese. Later on, if our weekly routine be not interrupted by any demon of the Arctic Regions — roused to retaliation by tlie home thrusts of the Alert and the Discovery — we ma}^ see many a pleasant face, that would now put a pippin to shame, looking a trifle tried and drawn, though no less pleasant than now. But even then (if the shade of Moore will forgive the flippant adaptation). When Many a cheek so red has paled, And many a cold been canght, When many a leg so sound has ail'd, And many a rib grown short, 168 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season we shall have more straight riding, more concentrated zest, and (possibly) more consideration for hounds than in this first blush — for men have hardly " got their sea legs " yet. Talking of colds, it may interest delicate readers to leani they are very summarily treated and ejected in this school of pharmacy. There is no time for coddhng or making a maladj^ of them, unless it is to the extent of a basin of gi^uel and a tallow candle on a Sunday night. On first appearance they are at once thoroughly fumigated with Mr. Carlin's pastiles, then clapped in between a bottle of i)ink wine and a mustard plaster, and so nipped in the bud. If this treatment does not suffice, try two extra waistcoats, and a pulling horse with the Quorn lady pack ; and if tJiis doesn't cm'e you, ask somebody else's advice. Well, but I have a run to tell; so let us rejoin the sweet "middle pack" of the Belvoir, as they trot down to Burbage's Covert this sunny Wednesday morning — Gillard on the con- fidential grey meaning business, and om'selves confident or careful as our mount or nerves determine us. We have abeady snatched an after-breakfast gossip outside Newman's Gorse, whence a brace of cubs have previously done duty as blood to the young entry, and so a blanlc draw has robbed us of our deserts, to wit, being left behind for our own loquacity. We have bustled anxiously over a few little fences from Waltham Thorns, and perhaps even larked over the Thorpe Ai-nold Brook under no other necessity than that of exuberant spirits, and we have seen a first fox lost from sheer want of scent, after two miles of difficult tracking. Thus one o'clock finds us basking in the meadow below Mr. Bm'bage's invaluable covert — Melton represented by Colonel and Miss Markham, Messrs. Lubbock, Creyke, Behrens, Younger, and Parker, and Captains Smith and Atkinson ; the ducal country by Messrs. Welby, Mirehouse, Burbage, Thorold, Mr. and Miss Turner, &c. ; the Cottesmore by Mr. Heathcote ; and the world in general by a body of men by whom hunting is regarded as almost a sme qud non to enjoyable existence, and as a component part of a well- governed empire. 1876—77.] FIRST FRUITS OF 1876. 169 In a bend of tlie river Wreake, and hemmed in by the railway crossing the neck of the isthmus, you would imagine that even bold rejTiard would have but a poor chance of striking mto the open from Burbage's Covert. But many and many a good run has dated from here. It is a snug quarter that foxes favour even from a distance, and where they know they are sure of welcome and security. Hounds are scarcely in covert before a farmer and a rustic are to be seen gesticulating on the hillside beyond the river. They appear to be engaged more in disputing as to the identity of some strange beast that has shown itself to them than bent on attracting the attention of the hmitsman and his followers, now penned up in the triangular field by the railwa}-. At length some one ventures to suggest that a fox has been seen, whereupon Gillard takes hold of the suggestion and his hounds together, and gallops to the spot. True enough, a fox has gone away as freely and readily as ma}' be ; but still again there is some little delay, whip and bystanders disagreeing as to the exact point of exit. Every minute at such tune is, as we all know, a guinea's worth of profit or loss to the chances of a run. Hounds spread keenly right and left, as if conscious of the emergency ; and a skirmisher on the right, catching a guiding whiff under the warm hedgerow, soon brings his comrades to the line. Quickly they swing to the echo, and the ball is now set rolling over the turf. There can be no vigour about it yet ; for there are storm clouds hovering, the ground is cold from the overnight's frost, and reynard has made the most of his start. So field after field hounds start and stop, dash off, and hesitate again, while men spm't here and there in all the fluster of such initial moments, only to have to pull up again just as their hearts are hardened, and their horses in their stride. Hark hoUoa forward at the Burton Tollbar, a mile ahead. This should put us on better terms, and we burr}' eagerly up to the point to start afresh. The pack now take it up merrily ; we try to believe that we are in for a quick thing and a brilliant one, and scuttle up the J 70 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIRE. [Season green lane, alongside whose convenient track hounds are now really running to a head. Sharp to your left now, and follow Gillard over the post-and-rails that bomid the lane. Hold up, 3'oung one ! If you do mean to hit the post, j'ou needn't make such a disgraceful clatter over it, and for ever ruin your reiJutation as a timber jumper ! There is beautiful grass in front — Gartree Hill and the Quorn country opening its anns before us. Every fence has a jumpable place in it, if a summer's growth of leaves, and a summer's sun now shining, will let you see it. Our course is nearl}' due south, and the flickering brilliancy of the sunlight and the half-frozen surface of the northern sides of the hedgerows form two little diffi- culties, under which more than one horse succumbs. The hedges are still so thick that hounds can scarcely pierce them — while a fence that later on we may fly m fifty places, now rears itself a black stockade with scarce a gap or loophole. But a few minutes over the tm'f brings us on to cold plough, and hounds scatter every way baftled and beat. A stray labourer, though, tells of a sharp turn towards Gartree Hill, and they are lifted on once, twice, till the two fields of unsympathetic clay are left behind. Taking no heed of a deceptive holloa over the Burton Yale, Gillard quietly and cleverly helps them to work it out till the}' have crossed the brow above Gartree- hill Covert, and embarked on the stout-fenced pastures of the Great Dalby lordship. Now they are again going fast enough for a gallop and manj' a pleasant jump ; and we revel m it as almost the first fruits of the season. A right straight-necked fox keeps us moving on steadily southwards, turning neither for the tempting shelter of Burrough Hill nor the coverts of the Quorn. The beautiful vista of the valley of the Melton steeplechase course now stretches invitmgly below. Sheep may even be seen dashing aside on the opposite hill, pro- claiming the passage of the harmless terror-striker. Eeynard has nothing but his own safety to think about — even had the silly creatures a thousand new-born lambs to offer — and safety is gradually becoming a very embarrassing consideration to 1876—77.] FIRST FRUITS OF 187G. 171 liim. He lias still a coui^le of miles to the good ; but in a few minutes his pursuers have crossed the valle}^ Now the sheep have foiled the line, and cause another short stoppage ; but soon a soft furrow ends the difficulty. An ugly drop fence of double dimensions, with the choice of a slippery stile ; a couple of open gates ; three inclosures of ridge and furrow — then, with nothing but Owston Wood and its wild neighbour- hood in front, we are suddenly brought to a standstill at a well-used drain between the villages of Burrough and Twyford. One hour and five minutes, ver}^ straight, not fast, but over a beautiful country, sum up this run. That our fox was com- pletely beaten was soon proved, for of course the blacksmith hard-by had a terrier of mettle (was there ever a blacksmith who hadn't?). " Old Thos," as he termed him, tackled his quarry at once, and bundled him out to run for his life, with a hundred yards start of a trul}'^ racing pack. But this good bold fox was too stiff and tired to save his brush ; and, though he had the fairest of chances for his life, they coursed him to death in a couple of fields. A blinding snowstorm marked the close of the first day of the Belvoir in their Melton country; but then they had run into a district said to be almost polar in its attributes, and whose chilly altitude should long favour foxhunting by resisting the incm-sions of brick and mortar. I cannot close this short account of the day's doings without taking on myself to mention that the one lady Avho rode through the run, and rode through it brilliantly, was Miss Markham, to whom blind fences and timber appeared equally welcome, and equally to be made light of. 172 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season A NORTHERN VETERAN. I FIND it noted that the Cottesmore had a long and severe gallop on Tuesday, Nov. 21st, from Loddington Redditch, through Brown's Wood, by Withcote Hall, Launde Wood, Brook Priory, and Oakham Pastures. Near here the huntsman for a critical minute or two was imprisoned in the railway, while his whip viewed the fox beside it, and tried in vain to get the pack to him. When the former escaped he soon got to work again, but it was slow hunting over the green flat past Oakham. Their gallant fox was crawling about the hedgerows when they reached the farthest point of the run — Hambleton Pasture ; but the delay in the railroad saved him. He could not have travelled less than twelve or thirteen miles, and passed covert after covert without touching one. It was truly a magnificent rmi for hounds, and, though devoid of any of the usual incidents of the field as far as riders were concerned, a run worth journe3dng far to witness. It must be confessed that — though, as some of our detractors would have it, we by no means go out in Leicestershii'e solely to ride over fences — we do hke a jump or two when om- horses are fresh, the turf honest, the fences fair, and hoimds running as they can only run over the grass. The impression must not, how- ever, be given that there was abolutely no fencmg in tliis run — for it was obvious that one fine old sportsman, who had travelled far to witness this, and has been paying us a visit fi'om the county whose capital is "bonnie Newcastle," had suc- ceeded in finding at least one bullfinch. He is ever to be seen pushing to the front as keenly as, but a thousand times more cleverly than, an Oxford undergraduate, and to-day he carried away the proof in a feature scarred and crossed like nothmg but a newly-fired foreleg (if he will forgive the sunile). But it was in the Quorn run of the previous day that he was to be seen to best advantage, when throughout there could be but one opinion, viz.. 1876—77.] FROM STAPLEFOKD. 173 That the first in the van "Was that old Grey man Who rode on the old grey mare. Among the others who saw the run none did so better than Colonel and the Messrs. Gosling, Captain Pennington, Lord Esme Gordon, Sii* Bache Cunard and a lady, Lord Grey de Wilton, Mr. Julius Behrens, Christian, and Captain Tryon. FROM STAPLEFORD. It is a pleasure — a labour of love — to write about Saturday, December 2. The essence of a run in a grass comitry is pace, and for j)ace there must be scent, the wliich for some days previous had been an unknown quantity. But on a day like this hounds asked only for a fox in front of them, and pace, excitement, and all the glorious attributes of a Leicestershire burst came as a matter of com-se. Not with one reynard only was- there a gallop, but fun and merriment with three, as I will endeavom* to show. Seldom does it ha^ipen that hounds can fly — with fox after fox, over meadow or over plough, never flashing beyond and never having to stoop for the line — as they did to-day. An early sunny morning in the country gave way to a black dull atmosphere that must have been yellow darkness in London. The air was hot and laden, but the storm clouds had burst overnight, and there was nothing of threat or ill- omen in the smoky duskiness of the sky. The furrows lay often inches deep in water, and the road puddles kept the most sociable of friends wide separate — an' they cared to come respectable to the covert side. The old *' Bedehouses " of the Stapleford domain were named as the meeting place, and thence the hounds were soon taken into the park. As they crossed the mossy and now almost splash}^ turf, their retinue found additions from every side, horsemen flocking through every gate, and hunying to join the already swollen throng, till the 174 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season old hall looked down on as gay and gallant a party as ever mustered to the chase under its grey walls. To find a fox took little time, for in the spinney at the Fishpond, with its well-stocked larder of wildfowl, one was soon unkennelled, sleek and lusty. Him they routed ruth- lessly from his snug quarters, bidding him leave the bed of comfort for a struggle for his hfe. Swiftly he flashed out of the park, and swiftly did hounds flash after him ; but there was little of s^dftness or flash in the exit of the penned-in crowd. Nay, rather, it was more like the foxhunt of a night- mare, that lingering struggle to edge your way along a wire- fenced road, and through a gateway whereat all the carriages of the county seemed gathered. You could see nothing of the pack ; soon you could not even hear them ; but you knew in your agony that they were running hard, and the misery of helpless restraint well-nigh choked you. At last you are free from the park, but only to issue into a lane, and crush through a farmyard, with perhaps half a hundred more fortunate in front. You nnist gi-ind your teeth and gallop; the foremost are little more than a field ahead ; and now you get a glimpse of the pack streaming a field ahead of them. For a mile or so there is little but grass and gates, but the ridge-and-fm-row rides deep and pumping ; and a second horseman, who ought to have been ten miles behind, or in bed, or anywhere else but here, lets one gate slam in your face. You are a well-disposi- tioned man if you can pass him in silence, and a better still if you glare only straight to your front as you go by him. Now you see one of the leaders down, and, as you reach him, find that Captain Coventry has been picked up unhurt from a fall — as ugly as the one that an equally good gallop from Stapleford brought him two years ago. Now you emerge on to the highroad that leads to the village of Whissendine, clatter along it for a himdred yards, and the hoimds swing across you, pointing their heads for Leesthorpe. Three fields of plough stop them no whit ; not wheat, nor tm-nips, nor fallow can hinder them to-day; and, flying onwards, they leave you no breathing 1876—77.] ■ FROM STAPLEFORD. 175 moment to amend for your late struggle. Dashing down a hedgeside, where tlieir fox has turned leftwards in his course, they hurry you on again over the grass, and jon must splash knee-deep through the wet gateway, shout " Ware hole ! " at the top of your voice, as Providence takes you galloping in safety over a honeycombed bridge ; then turn as sharp as you can over the fence to your right. The thorns are high and black, and a brace of men are brought round by refusal before IVIr. Grey swishes through the top twigs. Now take a lead from Mr. Cecil Chaplm and his gallant lady, over the stiff timber into the lane ; catch hold of your horse tight through this acre of smothering plough ; and with them, or as near as you can, pop in and out of the string of little meadows beyond. The dark oak rail that looms on the far side of yon stiff stake- and-bound proclaims you are entering 'on the strong-fenced bullock grounds of "Whissendme. Pull your panting steed together and harden your heart, for there is no choice but to have it, or surrender ignominiously. That stout old sports- man from the north will give you a lead again. Steadying the chestnut almost into a canter, he bounds over the whole in his stride ; and close behind him there rattles over another as gre}' and as good. No shame to you that you accept a lead from two such elders as these. We are wont to boast that our generation produces bolder and better riders than that of our fathers, and that the men of our j^resent youth outdo even the heroes of Mr. Apperley. But what have you to say, sportsmen who dare retire 2X forty, pleading failing nerves or exhausted stamina, when you look upon three-score-and-odd leading the flower of Melton and of Leicestershire, as it has done time after time this season ? It cuts the ground from under your feet. You have nothing to urge but that you are made of inferior stuff. You won't own that ; but at least be silent or honest. There is no surer sign that the mettle is gone forth out of a man than when he informs you that he doesn't " mean to ride to-day," alleging depth of ground, blind fences, or aught else in paliation. Qui s'excuse s accuse. Who 176 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERl^HIRE. [Season in Heaven's name wants him to "ride," if lie doesn't choose to ? He comes out for his own pleasm'e ; let him take it as seems best to him. But it is pitiable work, and the more pitiable because alwaj's palpable — the proppmg up a reputation Avith excuses, when the power to maintain it no longer exists. It avails not in the present ; but rather throws ridicule on the past — a past which, left alone, might speak worthily for itself. But who shall deny honour to old age, when in spirit and in deed it can not only show its vigour unimpaired, but can still take a lead in a field where we think young blood must best be served ? Two raking down-hill pastures now, and Whissendine is in view on our left, the pace tremendous still, and hounds with a clear start over the road in front. The famous stream of Whissendine is but a j)ony's leap hereabouts ; but the two strong laid fences that come next, both leaning down the hill towards you, are a sore effort to a half-blown horse. The pack dive into a little spinney. You congratulate yourself that all is the i^lainest sailing. You are on the best of terms with hounds and yourself, when the former divide on a fresh- found fox ; the huntsman (as you, of course, think) takes them on with the fresh one, and you are left, when the whip sweeps down on yoiw section of the pack, to stare at 3'our watch and upon several faces as vacant as your own. But trul}' — yes, truly, though the circumstances of the case may appear somewhat unfavourable to veracity on this point — tltis twenty-five minutes was the whole pith and kernel of the run ; for the chase beyond only took a half-mile circle round Whissendine village to end abruptly. To the spot of division, or of stoppage, it was brilliant. Further comment I need not stop to give ; for there are two other brisk items of Avhich to tell. A journey to Laxton's Covert was fruitful only in the news that a fox lived up a tree close to Berry Gorse, a mile further on ; and had learnt to deem it so much his home that, the informant added, he invariably returned to his lodging within 1876—77.] FROM STAPLP^FORD. 177 ji (luurter of an hour after being disturbed. So " baste to the trysting tree," and feel thankful that there is a sportsman in authority -who is not likely to let any "huntsman's tricks" be played on poor reynard. Not three counties away from here, I liave heard it told, a good fox lay in a hollow tree, his yellow eyes gleaming in the far darkness, as the gentleman of the whipcord peered in, hayfork in liand, to dislodge him. " Give him a fair chance ! " quoth the man of the horn, the rays of the sun as he looked upward causing a slight spasm of the left eye, the while he absently whistled his hounds to him round the foot of tlie tree. Whereupon Whipcord plunged his fork into the aperture, as if harpooning a porpoise ; reynard dashed out flop against the only hound on that side of the tree, rolled head over heels, picked himself up again, and reached the nearest fence in safety, " You've missed him, you angel ! " the hunts- man shouted, but in a whisper. " Angelled if I did ! " replied AVhipcord in the same tone. And the latter was right ; for though poor pug beat them in fifty minutes that day, he suc- cumbed in five a week after, with the tynes of the fork deep visible in his back. But the Cottesmore don't do such things. Their fox to-day had twenty yards to help him down the first hedgerow, his meagre portion of law diminishing to a scant fathom as he bundled over the fallow next to it. Thence he got on to the grass, and thej' raced him furiously to Little Dalby. Custance and Mr. Powell flew the ugly gulf that tried to stop them half a mile beyond, the latter being pulled back again by a grasping blackthorn, that wanted a six-foot spring to clear it. Hounds then sped on b}' Burdett's Covert, and stopped with a steaming few at a drain under Great Dalby. This merry quarter of an hour- constituted the second item of the day. The third, of somewhat like character, emanated from the Punchbowl, and consisted of ten bright minutes at top speed round Dalby Hill to Gartree — all galloping and jumping that was confined to less than half a dozen, who dipped headlong down with hounds. A dclaj', with another fox or two afoot, 178 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season caused loss of time and consequent loss of what might, with any luck, have been a grand run. The close of the following week was not marked by such sport that the superb hunting weather led one to expect. If 3'ou, reader, who have been entered in the Melton district, and for Avhom the sweets of Ilanksboro' and the Punchbowl have once been distilled, were told that these spots were to be visited to-day — if accordingly you had sent on the pick of j'our stable, while you scattered the mud with a hack that can gallop all the way, and tliat seems rather to prefer your breakfasting ratlier late ; if, moreover, the morning was dull and dark and quiet, the glass rising, and the lightest possible breath of air fanning j'ou from the east — if you had steadily {ohstinatdy, . your *' pal " said) refused overnight to bite the end off a second Claro, had wound up your watch bj^ the sober hour of eleven, and now felt fit and keen as one of these happy Christmas schoolboys — would you not have been sanguine ? Gsiy too, not as " a mere pretender to the name," nor with the gaiety of tlioso "Whose headaches nail them to a nooudav bed ; but in the full glow of a gallop to covert tliis lovely hunting morning, with a heart full of hope, and in the knowledge that 3'ou are casting in your lot with spirits as cheer}' and genial as ever wore jiink or smashed an oak rail. And, as you glanced longingi}' from the top of Ilanksboro' Hill over the green flats that stretched away from j-our feet to Burley, or stood above the Punchbowl, on an apex rising from a sea of historic turf, and conjured up lines that should embrace Pickwell, or Lowesby, or Ashby, would not your ears, too, have been pricked as keenly for a whimper as those of an old hare ])efore harriers ? And would not you, too, have owned to disappointment almost bitter as you moved onwards with the knowledge that two of the best and safest coverts in all Leicestershire had failed to give you a gallop to-da}'? A wild and stormy night had probabl}' to answer for this, and, 1876-77.] FROM STAPLEFORD. l79 rigidly cared for as these two snuggeries are, foxes had for- saken the low gorse for the better shelter of the woods. And again, though there was a fox all the time in the Dalby Planta- tions, hounds failed to find hini, and the lungs of the rustics failed to bring them back when he showed himself. The ivied- tree at Berry Gorse had no lodger to-day — though we had shortly a fresh instance of the bird-like propensities of the flying foxes of the Cottesmore. Laxton's Spinney was drawn blank, and the gallant owner of Stapleford almost allowed us to think the park was empty too, before he galloped up with the news that a fox was in a fir tree hard by. For a week he had known of and peeped at him occasionally, hoping he had in store for us a burst as good as that of a fortnight ago from this very spinney. Now he could see him still, curled up thirty feet from the ground, where one fir tree leaned repos- ingly against another. He had shouted at him a moment since ; but the liead had still peered down from between a forked, branch without a movement. "He Avon't come down; some- body must climb after him!" Young Goddard was at once equal to the occasion ; tied his horse up while Neal collected the hounds at a little distance ; and set to work promptly, as if accustomed to air the Lonsdale livery during the spring months in the adventurous science of birdsnesting. Up rose the red coat and hunting cap, higher mounted the breeches and spurs, till tlie bright figure aloft looked like a gaily clad doll on a Christmas tree. Now reynard's perch was reached, and the expectant field below (doubly anxious after the disap- pointments of the day) every instant thought to see him bund- ling headlong down,, when the voice of the cherub aloft was heard to cry, "Why, he's a dead 'un ! " 'Twas a picture to watch the blank look stealing over one and all of the upturned hope- ful countenances. For a moment mouths opened, but not to speak, assuredly not to laugh. Then as they closed again a sound, half a sigh, a quarter a whisper, and a quarter a groan, fell from every pair of lips. Active annoyance and disappoint- ment was most prominent on the face of the owner of the N 2 180 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skason covert as tlie dead fox was held up to view. For the others, they dispersed in silence and in sorrow. But the good proprietor had another with plentj' of life in him, close at hand, for one was quickly stiiTed up in the osiers adjoining the railwaj'. Taking up his path alongside the railway line, at a moment when the field were just passing over the crossing, our fox gave a perfect instance of how directly op- posed to each other are the services of steam and sport ; for, taking a sharp turn back, he left all but some half dozen men as fairly shut out from the chase as if they had been beyond the Channel. Hounds went like pigeons across the park, but the hunt lasted only half a mile bej'ond, and thus there closed an inferior dav. THE TWO GIIEAT HUNS OF THE SEASON WITH THE COTTESMORE. FROM ORTON PARK WOOD. Januaky Cth, 1877. The dulness of a non-hunting da}' exists not for the man whose task it is to bring back such a run as that of the Cottesmore on Tuesday last. The pleasure of calling up its details and incidents is in itself an excitement to him who writes, even if he is unequal to rousing sjonpathy or enthusiasm in the breast of those who read. No time or need for preface. Material, enough and to spare, is at hand, if my good genius will but enable me to grasp and hold it up before you. A sunshiny morning, with the wind in the north, and a bite of frost in the air. Knossington the meet — and of course the Avhole of hunting and riding Leicestershii'e gathered at Mr. Duncan's hospitable Hall. 'Twould make a roll-call almost as long as that of a regiment to enumerate such a field by name — all Melton, all Harboro', all the Cottesmore men, and all of the Quornites and Tailbyites living within reach. Half 187G— 77.] THE TWO URKAT RUNS OF THE SEASON. 181 an hour later these were clustered on one side of Orton Park Wood, whence this good run was to begin. Orton Park AVood, then, as it is more familiarly known- — or Overton AVood as it is written on the map (and you will -want your Ordnance sheet if you would appreciate the full measure of this chase) — is a s(iuare, well-timbered covert of perhaps thirty acres, with its four faces standing north, east, south, and west. The sound of " gone away," to the southward, soon set the whole of the swollen field in motion. A fox had left; but hounds would not leave another still in covert. Well-organised and quiet as it had hitherto been, the plialanx of horsemen now spread itself round the outside of the wood, galloping eagerly hither and thither as each fresh alarm was sounded on one side or another. A second fox left with his head pointing in the same direction, and so the bulk of the field were led to congregate about this jjoint. Meanwhile there were still a third and a fourth leading the hounds round the wood ; and the echoes rang continually, as first here, then there, they crossed the rides with the pack in pm-suit. From the central point in covert, where the two deep-rutted paths crossed each other, you might have viewed that white-tagged old fellow some three or four times as he strove in vain to break through the encircling chain of enemies. But now the pack have penned him in a corner, and he must either give up his brush, or trust it to the strength of his lissome limbs. They have stood him in good stead before, so with a bold heart he dashes out, the leading hounds clamouring close at him, and sets his mask fearlessly into the north wind. Now then, all you who are within reach or knowledge of his departure, there is little to guide 3'ou, if out of sight, save the suddenly receding sound of the pursuing pack. If you are in the wood with the huntsman and his whip, Colonel Gosling, Messrs. Westley Richards and Duncan, hustle down the muddy rides for dear life ! If, more fortunately still, you are on the north side with Lord Esme Gordon, Messrs. Creyke, Samuda, Featherstonhaugh, Sir Beaumont Di>de, Lord Manners, and some fifteen or twenty 182 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season others, you had best push your hat well clown, and settle to your work that moment — for in a twinkling the pack is half a field away. You are luck}' enough if you arrive on the spot as hounds are nearing the second fence — Mr. Samuda skimming the first post-and-rails, with Xeal in close attendance, while Colonel Goshng is leading the stronger detachment by the hne of gates some two hundred yards to the left. The tui'f is soft and holding alongside the belt of trees that runs from the wood to Ranksboro' Gorse (a mile and a half away), and which hounds are skirting at a truly awful pace ; but you viust push and gallop if 3'ou would live with them at all. You had better have kept with the division on the left ; for the third fence is timber, up-hill, and with a slipi^ery ditch in front, that turns over Down's young one with a double summersault ; the only feasible place is blocked ; and, after all, you must scurry awa}' to the gate as best you can. It looks a thousand to one that our fox is bent upon Eanksboro', and accordingly, as they near its bridle-gate entrance, Mr. Sanmda and several others turn in, and, I am sorry to add, lose tlie run in consequence. Eising the crest of the hill, hounds suddenly bear away to the left of the gorse ; you are still nearly a field behind them, and this field and the next are studded with large anthills as thickly as a clodho]Dper's boot with nails. 'Tis trying ground on which to gallop fast, but you have often seen three hundred men gallop over it before ; and can you ever remember a j^eck or a stumble ? So ^-ou lay your reins on his withers, put your trust in the good angel that has kept 3'our neck straight on your shoulders for so long, and strain after the hounds. *' Forrard on ! " It's plough now, and yet they can run ! Blessed augury ! We're in for a " ripper." You feel it in the jump of your heart, that sends the blood glowing to your cheeks ; you know it in the thrill with which the hound-music strikes upon your ear ; and you swear that here, at least, is pleasure such as a million of consols could not buy. You can afford to push over a downhill fallow or two, and now you are on the best of terms with tlie pack and yourself as 1876—77.] THE TWO (IREAT EUNS OF THE SEASON. 183 you near the Melton and Oakham turnpike road, the Whissen- dine in its earl}- stage running just at your feet. Tally-ho on the opposite hill. There goes reynard, not a quarter of a mile away, the terrified flocks scouring from his path. The brook is here fringed with osier beds, and you must diverge right or left to reach the pastures beyond. Lord Esme Gordon finds it practicable somewhere to the left, the others bear off towards the road. A blind ditch closes Sir B. Dixie's hitherto pros- perous career, while the uncompromising drop into the lane brings Mr. Markliam (who has been going right well for the credit of Eton) to alarming but, fortunately, not serious grief. The ugliest fence in the run indeed is this, with its formidable stake-and-bound, its yawning ditch, its drop on landing, and the cutting of the road beyond. Neal clatters i)ast and up the macadam, having overshot the mark near Ranksboro'. He too views his fox over j-onder, and, turning into the field once more, as soon as the bridge is crossed, cheers his hounds to gain a field upon his foe. You'll get no pull at your horse at present, for they rattle on now as fast as when they started. Another dragging plough well nigh chokes horses that already find tlieir girths too tight for them. Jumping is becoming a labour to more than one horse, whose strength or condition cannot cope with this bursting pace, or with whom liberties had to be taken at starting. Lord Esme Gordon is down, and Mr. Creyke is detained at tlie same time ; Mr. Duncan has got into difficulties somewliere, though he was here but a moment ago. Over another ridge for Leesthorpe — the Colonel, in liis cheeriest vein, leading the van, with Mr, Ernest Chaplin, Captain Featherstonhaugh, Lord Manners, and Neal and Goddard close to his skirts ; so on, over the grass and over fences that you may take in your stride, the hounds racing for Dalby Hall. Now 3'ou jump into the Pickwell and Leesthorpe road, and the Colonel is out again in a jiff'ey. " You can't get out there, sir ! " shouts the huntsman ; " the field's wired all round that side ! " You may either follow his advice and him, and go round the field by the road, or you may take your 184 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox chance with the leader, and ride down the liekl after the Litter to the Dalby Plantations. True enough, there is a wire blocking most of the fence ; but there is one loophole left (as there generally is in a difficulty, if hounds are running only fast enough). It's not altogether nice, but it must be done. The blackthorn binders are very low, though stout ; there is three feet of room beyond, and the little brook is only about six feet broad, with a rising bank above. A very pigmy obstacle indeed in Ireland ; but Leicestershire horses generally make a scramble of it when asked to double, and so there is a scramble, though a successful one now. Open this gate quick, and take the grass up to the Punchbowl, or you may be left stranded in the plough ! See, Neal's horse is completely stopped by the pumping ascent, and is useless for further pro- ceedings ; Goddard has vanished, and the fun isn't over j'et. The hounds merely run the rim of the Punchbowl, barely touch the covert, and are awny again over the meadow at the top, the leading couples starting on as gaily as ever, though there is sad tailing behind them. Not a moment to get breath. You must plunge down over Burrough Hill, and steer now for Burdett's Covert in the hollow below. Don't jump over any of the stragglers, but cheer them on if tlicy will listen to j'ou. There is no official present, and the quartet last-mentioned have been joined only by Lady Florence Dixie. The latter has been sending along the little steeplechaser Sunbeam with a vigour that has distanced all who started Avitli her ; and the mare, served by blood and light weight, is fresh enough to do all that will be required of her. You leave Burdett's Covert just to your right, passing it at the best place you can muster. Surel}' this fox must die soon ; for on Burrough Hill a rustic tried to point him out as just before the hounds ! Still they run over the hill for Thorpe Trussels, taking the line into the very teeth of an old hedge-cutter. Of course he has headed hun ; and, of course, a check ensues. It is the first one though, and we have been galloping for tltirty minutes without a second's stoppage. *' He ran the hedge soide " is the information ; but 1876—77.] THE TWO (iEEAT RUNS OF THE SEASON. 185 the pack will take no heed of strangers, and the hunt is like a ship without a rudder. One member of the party yells over the line with all the little breath left to him, till cheeks are purple, eyes threaten to jump out, and the brim of his hat is nearly waved off. The Colonel leaves his steed to lean with his head over a gate, while he runs after the hounds to turn them. But, in spite of all these scientific efforts, some minutes are lost ere the hounds can be brought on to where they are now holloaing back on the Melton steeplechase course ; so it may be taken that this grand burst virtually ended — in its character as such — on the Thorpe Trussels road. However the hounds soon recovered the line, and carried it over Burrough Village to enter upon the finest and wildest grass country we can boast in the Midlands. But neither huntsman nor whip was to the front — their horses being dead beat by the pace ; so much valuable time was lost ; and when hounds might have been carried forward to the head they were straggling helplessly. I have little hesitation in saying that could the executive have been there on second horses a run might have been carried out that would have had no parallel for 5'ears. As it was, the field Avas kept moving on over the beautiful Twyford and Marfield country till another short check came at the end of an hour and five minutes under Halstead. Again the chase was continued, and for fifteen minutes more they ran nicely and continuously to Owston Wood. Without halting, they took the line on through both the woods of Owston, through Lady Wood, back to Orton Park Wood, till eventually hounds and horses brought up quite tired out near the Kennels of Barleythorpe — a single run (no doubt with various foxes) of fully two hours and over more than fifteen miles of country. Nine couple of hounds meanwhile made another run of their own from Owston Wood to Launde, thence over a splendid country, past Belton to Wardle}' Wood, through this, leaving two couple behind, the remainder killing their fox in the corner of AUexton Wood, Colonel Burnab}^ alone saw all this. 186 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season after the horses of Mr. C. Chaplin and three others were too tired to follow ; and his run, counting from the original start at Orton Park, may be put down as about two hours and forty- five minutes. On Saturday (December SOtli) the Cottesmore had a very fast fifteen minutes from Gunby Gorse to ground (witnessed only by Captains Coventry and Smith, Sir John Lister Kay, and Messrs. Frewen and A. Coventry). The gallop took them to the borders of the big woods, and just escaped the plough throughout. A BELVOIR FOX AXD A QUOIIX PHI. Thvksday, Jamaiiy lliir. To resume with Saturday last, the Gth, when the Belvoir were at Goadb}', and tlie first week of the New Year was brought to a sjiorting and satisfactor}' conclusion. The meet being well within distance, it followed, according to unwritten rules much in vogue, that the time allowed for the journey to covert might be reduced to the finest of minimums, and every chance be run of being left behind. And yet the Belvoir were almost iiunctual to-da}^ and the calculating ones had barely time to vent the morning anathema on the " stupidest ass that ever took a horse on to covert," ere hounds were away with a rattle from Goadby Bullamore. Often aiid again has it been said that the foxes of Goadby were, from over-nurture and too kindly pampering, but cowardl}' instances of the true domestic vulp. But Goadby retrieved its credit and hurled off the im- peachment right bravely to-day, for it sent forth a representa- tive that it took an eight-mile point to kill. Of this the first hour's work ofiered comparatively little of excitement, the chief interest centreing in the final half-hour and the satisfactory kill. I have before had occasion to describe the chain of overhanging coverts which border the vale of Belvoir, and finall}' merge into the Quorn country to the south-west. As these pass 1876—77.] THP] TWO (iREAT HUNS OF THE SEASON. 187 within a mile of Goadby, it will be no matter of surprise tliat the fox now under pursuit took advantage of them at once. Beginning at Harby, the point where he reached them, he followed their whole line without dwelling anywhere till he attained the homestead known as Little Belvoir. Then, dipping boldly into the open vale, he made his way over a country that must have been quite unknown to him till he could travel no longer, and threw up the sponge in Willoughby village — one hour and thirty-eight minutes from the find. The last three or four miles of this run (over the old Dalby countr}', and to the left of the Curate) was i^retty and con- tinuous hunting, the hounds working their line out fast and cleverl}', over grass so deep and wet that galloping was quite a matter of difficulty. A novel instance of the dangers attendant on hunting — and one that fully deserves a place in the alarmist column periodi- cally presented to our wives and mothers by the daily papers — Avas furnished at the scene of the kill. A poor old "widow woman" (as they would term her in the language of the soil) hearing the hubbub, must needs run out of her cottage to see the "hoonters." Fired by the same sounds, her one ewe lamb, in the shape of an enormous sow, broke out of its sty to loo THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skason join in the chase ; and, rushing past the doorstep, upset its mistress right among the hounds. The scene at the moment could be nothing but laughable — the old lady lying on her back in the mud, howling that she would be murdered; the huge pig squealing and grunting as it dashed hither and tliither in an agony of terror ; and the astonished hounds scuttling from the spot with their sterns between their legs. But soon it transpired that the poor old soul had broken her leg, when, in default of a remed}-, a collection was made in mitigation of the injury. THE IIANKSBORO' RUX. Januauy 20tii, 1S77. Am I wrong in saying that tlu' grand gallop of Satm'day last, Jan. 13t]i, Avas as line a run as has been seen in Leicestershire for years ? I may be beyond the mark in classing it thus ; but there are others whose enthusiasm Avill carry them as far, or farther, in their estimate. Come with me, reader to llanksboro', and judge for yourself. Pegasus shall carry you as near the front as he can ; Pegasus at least is never ridden to a standstill ; Pegasus turns his head at nothing ; Pegasus never breaks an oxer ; Pegasus never lies on 3'ou in a brook. AVould that I had a stableful like him ! You may or may not have read of the recent Orton Park Wood run, which formed the chief material of my last two letters. Well, the chase of which I am about to tell was un- doubtedly after the same fox, traversed almost exactly the same country, but eclii)sed the former in that everybody got their fan- start and consequent chance, and that the first part of the run was over the better portion of the line. The run of to-day was a crucial test of men and horses, and a splendid sample of what Leicestershire is when a good fox and a good scent put it fairly on its merits. At one o'clock on Saturday Ranksboro' Hill was crowned by much the same quality and quantity as had skirmished round 1876—77.] THE TWO GREAT RUNS OF THE SEASON. 189 the Orton Wood ten days previously — a mass of whicli each coiiii)onent item, Avliether of sex rude or gentle, Avas bent on playing its individual i)art activelj'- and vigorously should occasion serve. A flat and unfortunate morning had damped tlieir ardour no whit ; and not even when the pack had spent a fruitless three-quarters of an hour in the famous gorse did they give uj) hope. They knew they had the best and the lightest of the woodlands before them ; that the da}' was of the dullest and stillest, and so of the likeliest kind ; and that the after- noon was yet in full j-outh and promise before them. So they did their duty by the j^ortmantillos that in these days of com- fort and good sense fill up the small of each belted second horseman's back, sent home the morning mount with the pleasing thought that he ought to " come Monday " (as the oracle of the stable will term it), and lit the midday cigar with very fair complacency. Neal's horn called the ladies out of covert ; steeds were set moving, and elbows were squared for the balance-jog that means covert-to-covert pace. But huic holloa ! huic holloa ! Whence the scream that brings all up witli a round turn? Awaj; it is at the top! By Jove, tlie rascal has stolen off the moment he deems the coast is clear ! Better for his sleep to-night had he waited but five minutes more. Hounds are over the hill and on to his tracks ere many seconds are passed ; and the scene that just before was placid as a missionary meeting is now all bustle, hustle, and excitement. Over the brow tear the hunt in a fever of eager- ness, in a wliirlwind of excitement. No one means to be left behind to-day ; and hounds suffer in consequence. The sun shines out brightly for a time ; the scent is catchy, and flicker- ing ; and a hundred men are pressing on tlie back of the pack who only want a little room and a little time to settle. Hounds catch the wild infection from the horsemen, and dash into the scent witli a fling that again and again carries them over the mark. Ten minutes of tliis undisciplined eagerness, and then comes a three minutes' check. Now on again, fast enough to make it necessary to canter and to jump, where on the good 190 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox Tuesday previous there had l)een the fastest galloping. Field for field, almost fence for fence, the fox repeats his course of tliat day. But they are not hurrying him now, and of this part of the run it need merely he added tliat in about forty minutes the Punchbowl has been passed, Burrough Hill swarmed, and the field are hovering on its edge, clustered exactly where they cluster once yearly, on the natural grand stand of the jNIelton Steeple- chase Coixrse. Burrough village is half a mile away, and (dear across the green pastures below comes the shrill view holloa, telling that re3mard has put the valley between him and his pursuers. But the holloa that announced his presence was uttered right in his face, and has tui'ncd him back down the liill. Another holloa rings out from the vale below ; Neal gallops to the spot, hounds are turned rapidly to his horn just as they reach the village, and he is able to lay them on afresh, gaining a Autal five minutes on his fox. Now then my story may really be said to commence. Take all the above as introductor}-. Gallop your best down from Burrough village from the liomids, and start Avith them as they take up the line hard by the winning field of the Steeplechase Course ; send old Pegasus down tlie hill as fast as his shoulders Avill carry him ; delay not a moment, if you would see hounds again to-day. Beckon not yourself safe on the higher ground, and take your way through the village, or, with Colonel Forester and several others good and bold, you may spend your after- noon in vexation and to-morrow's Sabbath in sorrow. Ah, 'tis different work now to what has j-et been done to-day !' The vigour of a breast-high scent, thp dash of pace, the thousand delights of an exciting burst, were wanting before. Now they are present, full and powerful in their influence ; and the man whose heart does not burn and whose brain does not whirl with the glorious extasy is too phlegmatic for foxhunting, and ought to have been born a Bom-bon. The sun has hidden his head, the air is sharp and still and frosty ; the grassy meadows under foot are noted for their scent-carrying power, and hounds fl}' over them now like Avildfire. The turf, aired by days of 187t3— 77.] THE TWO OREAT IIUN8 OF THE SEASON. 101 easterl}' winds, and inisodden by the rottinc; influence of frost, rides firm and elastic ; the fences are such as a good hokl horse loves ; and a couple of hundred riders are sweeping the country before them. QcXco Xeyetv 'ArpetSas. For three days 1 have been thinking over this run and its many incidents, and for three nights hnve been dreaming over them, till the fog of ex- citement has cleared awa}-, and the whole scene and its actors stand out vividly, as if moving on the paper before me. May my pen, for this once at least, have readiness, and do them justice ! For the moment, it seems to me I am watching the eager pack breasting the ascent above " the brook," taking the ridge-and-furrow at a laborious angle. Captain Coventry, on Patch, with Lord Grey de Wilton and Captain Farley, are leading the riglit-hand division, Captain Jacobson and ]\Ir. Tomkinson the centre, and Lord Carington and a strong party on the left. Thus over the old stake-and-bound on the summit, and here is Adam's Gorse but a field below. But the pack bear sharp to the left ; so make the best of the four-railed timber and the ditch that opposes you. The top bar looks as if it would crack, and, besides, hounds are really running now. Two handy gates at the corner of the field take you with the cry. A tliird there is, too — and a fatal one for the leaders on the right, who turn througli it, are cut off from the chase, and give it up in Twyford village. Hounds are still leaning to the left — two trying bottoms have to be flown — the water fenced at the one by timber, the other by blackthorn. So up the rising ground, and here we are at the gravel i)it, whither the Quorn scurried to ground some weeks ago. The earths are sure to be open in this foreign land, and 'tis a million to one our fox has taken the refuge offered liim. Yes, tliere can be no doubt about it ! The pack have dipped into the pit, and the foremost horsemen pull up with ejaculations of disai)pointment and chagrin — when a single hound springs on to the bank, speaks to it above, dashes through the hedge beyond, and calls her comrades after her : Yt'K ! No ! "Wliy ! by jo ! Sold ! sold 192 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox 3'ou could 3'eil joyfully as did Mark Twain's miner, whose dead comrade turned up in the stranger treating him at the har. You can hardly helieve in such luck ; but a-ou mustn't stay to chuckle. Pop over the greasy hogbacked stile at once, and you will be in time to witness the finest sight that ever met 3'ou even in this hard-riding country — a scene that Ackerman's window could scarcely rival. You have heard, reader, that the bosom of Leicestershire is being scarred and seared by railways crossing it in every direction. Some of them are near completion ; others are only planned, like American cities in their early 3-outli in forest and prau'ie — marked out by double rows of high and thick oak rails that have hitliei'to been held as verging on the unjinnpable. But they might be hurdles now instead of unbreakable timber varying between four and five feet high ; for a dozen men, choosing the firmest spots on the old ridge-and-furrow that, yet uncut by the dese- crating spade, runs at right angles across the projected railway, are flying in and out almost abreast. Lord Carington leads them over on the left, Mr, Tomkinson on the right, while the Marquis of Huntly, Messrs. Frewen, "NVhyte Melville, Flower, Pryor, and Russell, Lords Wicklow and "Wolveiton, Cai)tain Jacobson, and the huntsman, solve the double difficulty almost together. No fall, and scarcely a rail touched by iron or rattled by hoof. You Avould have wagered there were not so many timber jumpers in the county. But 'tis wonderful what virtues are brought out of horses and men when hounds really run ! And now they are streaming down the only two fields of plough to be met with from Burrough Hill to Owston, and cut the road in the Twjrford valley half a mile to the left of that A'illage. The brook is just in front ; but the pack tm*n along its banks for the present and point their heads for Owston. Captain Jacobson cleverly crosses the water by the road, hits off the bridle road beyond, and so escapes the dangers in store for the rest of the party. On over the grass at the same quick determined pace. Are we not trul}', gloriously, embodying the spirit of the " Dream of the old Meltonian," whose / ■ \ ^ N't. V il^ < ^ 1876-77.] THE TWO GREAT RUNS OF THE SEASON. 193 stirring lines in last month's Bailij will wake responsive echoes in every heart that beats under scarlet '? Are we not riding to its truest illustration now in *' this bright and happy gallop from Eanksboro' Gorse ?" On, on, .... For the bitches are racing before iis— Not a uose to the earth — not a stern in the air ; And we know by the notes of that modified chorus How straight wo must ride if we wish to lie there ! Formnl along the brookside. There's no country to compare with the wild pastures of Twyford and Owston. Take your fences anywJiere, gentlemen. There's room for half a dozen whole hunts to compete over such a lin€ ; and there are not a dozen of you here altogether. Heavens, wliat's this ? Surel}' not the new railway once more ? It is though ; for the lines of reynard and railway have again converged. Providence has been tempted already — 3'ou Avon't try her again ? Oh, agony, hounds are slipping away hand over hand, and they have led 3'ou to this infernal impediment a second time. Look right and look left, there's no way out of it ! "A fall's a hawful thing ! " said the best of lecturers, and the quotation rises mibidden to your lips as the situation strikes desperate. " Come up, old boy, neck or nothing ! " and Mr. Tomkinson rides upliiU at what this time looks a sheer five feet — the ridge and furrow lying horribly crossways, and a fresh-cut trench beyond the timber. " Ashby's " infirmity is no lack of jumping power. The old horse lands with a grunt, and scuttles over the opposite barricade with another, whisking his tail merrily as he leaves them behind. Lord Huntly bucks over them ten yards higher up, so does Mr. Frewen — floundering, but reco- vering on the best of shoulders as he knees the wooden wall beyond. Lord Manners is in with a flourish, and Mr. Pryor with a somersault, while the navvies cheer and holloa as if they were at Astley's. Lord Carington, Messrs. Whyte-Mel- ville and Eussell have meanwhile turned over the brook at a likely place — only to encounter the railway diflficulty at another spot. The first-named — who, if I mistake not, is riding the 194 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season chesnut Alonzo — gives the other two the office, gallantly sus- tained by both, the Australian four-year-old of the last-named doing credit to his bush training. Lord Wicklow and Lord Wolverton, luckier still, take the brook also before reaching the railway the second time, and hit oif a comforting set of draw-rails in the barrier. But what of those on the left — taking the track of the hounds, though no forwarder than their comrades a hundred yards away ? Do you follow me, reader ? The pack tiuni sharp over the brook immediately, at a place, to contmue with Mr. Bromley Davenport (would that he could have been there in the flesh and in the old bold spirit ! ), !No shallow-ilug pan ■with a hurdle to screen it, That cocktail imposture the steeplechase brook ; But the steep broken banks tell us plain, if we mean it, The less we shall like it the longer we look. Mr. Tomkinson and Mr. Frewen fl}' it together, but the next comer lands in their footmarks, to find hind legs slip suddenly from under him — a flomider, a desperate rear-up, and a back- ward splash ! My word ! isn't the water cold ? Mr. Flower takes his plunge at about such a distance away as one bathing anachine would be from another. Neal is for the moment to "be seen looking for a place to get in, and for some time after- wards for a place to get out. Closing in nearer together, the still diminishing party sail on — each horse doing his utmost, and each rider straining to lessen his distance from the flying ladies. The latter are still glancing along in a cluster — no tailing or stringing to-day, but the whole one compact and hurrying mass. 'Tis fortunate the fences are easy ; for horses are beginning to chance them terribly. Crack and crash rattle the accompaniment of every jump. Mr. Tomkinson is dovm. now, the good horse lying prone and helpless in a ditch. He moves not, nor does he struggle ; but his head sinks, his throat gurgles, and his eyes close. " Poor Ashby, he's gone ! there never was so good a horse ! Had I not breasted Burrough Hill he would have been travelling still. Well, there's no help for it ! " — and, removing 1876—77.] THE TWO C4REAT RUNS OF THE SEASON. 195 his saddle, the tearful owner is about to trudge his weary wa}'- on foot, when up jumps Asliby with a gasp and a whinn)', apparently as lively as ever. Two fields further on Lord AVol- verton is leading, and soon afterwards standing over, his horse. "Are 3'ou heat?" cries Mr. Whyte-Melville as he struggles onward. '' Yes, George," answers his lordship with wondrous cheerfuhiess ; " you must give me the finish over our claret ! Five hundred, though, I'd give for a horse ! " " Here you are, my lord — fresh as a daisy and can jump anything," promptly responds Mr. Childs of the George Hotel, proffering his twenty pound hii'eling. Lord Manners is also walking round his chesnut in the middle of a field, but the operation seems to possess some potent charm, for soon he is remounted and the horse going again with all his former vigour. Mr. Frewen is now nearest the pack, and shouts loudly as he drops deep into a watering-place beyond a dark high bullfinch. But the Australian (I mean Mr. Hussell) is not to be denied, plunges after him, and the two continue their career in safety. The others shape their course a trifle to the right. Horses are sobbing and choking, and if the fox is not killed soon 'tis certain thej will be. Owston Wood is only two fields away ; but re3^nard is so sore pressed he will never gain it. Turning from it he passes to the right of Ow^ston village, and toils on as if to reach once more the gorse from which he started. But hounds are too close and hot upon him to allow of that. They have been driving him along unmercifully and unhesitatingly for upwards of thirty minutes ; now they are almost on him, when for his last chance he rolls into a ditch, crouches close till the pack have dashed over him, then crawls back under the thorns, and so saves all that exhaustion has left of his life when half a mile from Knossington. Hounds of course throw up bafiled — bristling and eager for blood that was almost in then- mouths. But the brook, the pace, and a fall or two besides have com- pletely worsted the huntsman's horse, though boldly and keenl}^ ridden ; and there is no one to help them to their sinking prey. In vain they throw themselves forward and round, till five o 2 196 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 1876—77. minutes afterwards tlie first whip arrives, leading liis horse. When Neal takes them in liand tlie chance, or rather the cer- tainty, has been lost ; and though twent}' minutes later lie hears of his fox crawling and lying down half a mile aAvay, the information leads to no result. Some thirty-five minutes was the final burst, let me repeat, and the rim one hour and twenty-five. So as grand a fox as ever faced the open lived for another day. Let us hope he found a warm shelter for his stifiened limbs and wearied frame that night. If 3'ou will look over the names, reader, with which I have made so free, and count up those to whom no accident befell, you Avill reckon but seven or eight as the number who " lived " and rode tlie run. First to join these before the end were Custance and Sir Beaumont Dixie. Now my story is finished. I trust it is clear ; I believe it is accurate (so far as an individual may assume to relate all of a general action), but I wish it had been written by the gallant author, who was one of the foremost throughout — the only man in England who can really write a run. Certain it is that lianksboro's laurel wreath holds no fairer sprig than the gallop of Saturday, Jan. 13, 1877. Oh, glory ot youth ! consolation of age ! Sublimest of extasies under the sun ! Though the veteran may linger too long on the stage, Yet he'll drink a last toast to a foxhunting run. And oh ! young descendants of ancient top-sawyers ! By your lives to the world their example enforce ; "Whether landlords, or parsons, or statesmen, or lawyers, Eidc straight, as they rode it from Ranksboro' Gorse. SEASON 1877-78. A PREFACE TO THE SEASON. IN'OVEMEEK 1st, 187". NLY an i n t r o - d u ctoiy l)reface, perhaps; only a prelude to still better tilings, possibly — but Jifti/ viinutcs over the f/mss and a kill in the. open, to stir your blood and to make you a greater slave than ever to the chase ! Did you start anxious of your nerve, fearful that your summer's run had indeed left you a year older, and that this might be the year which brings that crisis of a riding life which now and again you see dropping so suddenly, unex- pectedly, and irretrievably on better men than 3'ou ? You come home, feeling that your veins had never com-sed more rapidl}', that 3'our spirit never rose more delightedly to tlie cvy of a racing pack, that there does (as you often declared before, even to the unbelieving) exist a pleasure that excels the sweetest vices in life, and leaves an after-taste that has no regret. A little spinney on a still grey afternoon — after a mornino- that had shown only liow Scraptoft Gorse was again full of 198 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIKE. [Season foxes, and that Scraptoft Hall has lost nothing of its hospi- talit}-. An old fox, and away in view, grass on every side, and a decision just out of your lips that your horse is short of condi- tion, and that you would go home. Go home iwic if you can, and when you get there burn yoiu- saddles and sell your horses, for your day is past, and it is time j'ou left Leicestershire. Twenty couple of cleai'-throated ladies ai'e calling you on, and ten acres of turf are stretching before you. Ten acres more, and you have forgotten all about home and all about condition. You are living in the present, and j'ou are revelling in a scene that has no parallel upon earth. The spinney (of Humber- stone) is a mile behind, and the deep-banked brook that nms below it is only too evident before you. Over the fence to the light, and you are still with the hounds, but j'et behind the water. But gallop for the ford in front, and }ou will be elbowed off quite three fields to the left. Will, the first whip, finds a place where broken rails give a plain fly. Firr and Capt. Middleton get over a hmidred yards to the left — so does Lady Florence Dixie — and the flpng pack are glancing alongside the rivulet at a pace that tells plainly of the scent. So on for a mile or two, then the brook has to be flown again, as the hounds lean away for Scraptoft. Oli, why will sheep not stand still when the hunt bursts upon them ? If you stop for an explanation to a question such as this, you will stop till your place is beyond recover}^ — if not till your hair grows Avhite. Hounds whimper right among the silh- bewildered flock ; but FuT has quickly grasped the position, and cuts ofl" a corner as he lifts them forward. Cold fallow fields cannot stop them now ; and, thank Heaven ! the plough is not deep enough yet to stop a horse that has any blood and bone to lay claim to. The garden of Scraptoft Hall has many a time been Eeynard's recreation ground ; but there is no child's j)lay for him to-day. Through the laurels and past the plantations below is the line, and a rapid one. The Scraptoft Brook is not a big one, though oftentimes a terror in the distance ; and 1S77— 7S.] A PREFACE TO THE SEASON. 199 nearl}' all the small field swing over it, and go on "^-ell pleased with themselves ; for the sheep and an inside place have let well-nigh everyone np again. To Thumb}' Spinney but not into it. Merrily on past it, with fences that tempt j'ou to jump, and a green spring board under your feet. A blind ditch now and then, that might swallow your horse had he time to blunder, and black hedges that make him rise as if at a wall. Piercing straight into Mr. Tailby's country, a second little covert (has it a name ?) is passed in full career. A minute more, yonder he goes only two fields to the good, and the bitches all bristling for his blood. But he is not caught 3'et ; and still they dash on with the notes of death spm^ring him forward. Here is Little Stretton, and here ai*e all the villagers rushing madly out, hats and bonnets in the air, and Bulgarian yells in their throats — " Ye'-taallyho ! " the old familiar stirring sound. Up a single hedgerow, and boldly over the open field. "Loo-loo-loo!" and, snapping at his foes, the old fox rolls over game to the last. Now you may jump off, loose your gii'ths, loose jouv tongue, talk like a fool if you wish ; for every moist red face around you is radiant with sjinpathetic, exuberant joy. A light honest sporting run it was, hounds doing nearly all of themselves and by themselves. It couldn't all be fast, but most of it was, and the comitry was perfect, while the field was almost a miniature one for our (shall I say ?) too popular county. A pretty find, a handsome run, and a brilliant finish — would you ask for more ? And among those who went home satisfied I think I may venture to give the names (in addition to those leading ones already written) of the Master and Miss E. Webster, Miss Paget, the Messrs. Barclay, Captain Henry, and other Captains, Gibsone, Grimston, King, etc. ; Lord Castlereagh, Messrs. Johnson, Warner, Cradock, and Thorp — Melton being as yet but scantily represented. 200 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season KIRBY GATE 1877. Not merely as an annual opening meet does the Quornite look upon Kirb}' Gate. It is a notch in the calenchir of his exist- ence— a yearly resumption of old ties — a gathering up of threads that have grown yet stronger while relaxed — the re- newal of a taste so firmly planted that no temporary abstinence can shake it. It is an opportunit}- for revolving the little bit of philosophy that ever}"- man carries, or thinks he carries, in his mind ; but better and more opportune than any such philo- sophy— shallow as it is, perhaps, and certainly mist}-, gloomy possibly, and most likely illogical — are the hearty greeting, the outspoken welcome, the friendly grip, and the truthful eye. that mark many a brief but heart-warming episode at Ivirby Gate. This Kirby Gate reunion of Monday, November 5, 1877, was held on a bright sunny morning that must have gladdened the scene even to men whose business instincts bade them moan the sad incompatibility of sunshine and scent. It was in truth a holiday gathering, in which even a photographer claimed to take an active part, and at Avhicli even bicyclists asserted their right to assist. In conveyances and chaises galore the lambs of Leicester mustered strong, with hampers and W'ine baskets ; while, that it might not be behindhand Avith its sister town. Melton had sent forth {miJiicredc, comes) a new- born babe with its bottle ! So the road was crammed four deep with carriages, and the green sward opposite the old hall held horsemen to a number that exceeded (it was allowed) all former years. That all who care ma}' know w^hich of our visitors have akeady joined, let me take this occasion to give a probably imperfect list of those present on Monda}-. Surely no more welcome form was there than that of Mr. Little Gilmour, who reckons his Kirby Gate meets almost b)' the score, and attends each one with a freshness and zest depicted on his kindly face that the youngest of us may envy. Besides him, and besides 1877—78.] KIKBY GATE, 1877. 201 the youthful represeutative mentioned above, there came from Melton Sir Beaumont and Lady Florence Dixie, Lord James Douglas, Sir John Lister Kaye, Sir Meysey ThomiDson, Colonel and ]\Iiss Markham, Captain and Mrs. Candy, Captain and Mrs. Stirling, INIr. and the Misses Chaplin, Captains Boyce, Middleton, Wingfield, Smith, and Brocklehm-st; Messrs. F. Behrens, Younger, Frewen, Parker, L. Flower, and the most evergreen of hard riders, Mr. Grey. Lord Castlereagh was there from Keythorpe, Lord Manners and Miss Manners from Quenby, Captain and Mrs. Clayton and Captain Jacobson from Oakham, and Mr. Powell from Billesdon ; while of local residents Mr. Coupland, the master, of course was present, and with him Miss Webster and Mrs. H. Webster. Among many others there were Sir F. Fowke and Mr, F. Fowke, of Lowesby; Captain and Miss Hartopp, of Dalby; Colonel Burnaby, of Baggrave; Mr. Cheney, of Gaddesby ; Mr. Brooks, of Barkby ; Miss Paget, Mr. and Mrs. E. Chaplin, of Brooksby ; Mr. Hassall, of Bearsby ; Captain King, of Kirby ; Messrs. Craddock, E. AVarner, L. Johnstone, and wortlij^ sportsmen and sportswomen to an indefinite number. From the meet to Gartree Hill, the orthodox and accepted draw, is an honest and not altogether unpleasant three miles — honest at all events as regards distance, and pleasant very if you are diplomatic enough to secure a desirable place in the caravan. To change your company in the narrow lanes is an impossibility, though here and there in the route an open field may grant you a variety of companionship if you wish it, and a let-off to 3'our liorse's exuberance. It might have been May as to weather, and there was certain!}- all the romping hilarity of a May day evident in the boisterous eager steeds. Gartree Hill reached at last. There was, as on like occasions for years past, the summit crowned with a black mass of sympathetic foot-people, who, from their point of vantage, commanded, not only the covert that slopes down its side, but the level plain that, in the full ugliness of plough, stretched away to the left, and in the full beauty of grassy pasturage 202 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season merged into the Burton Flat in front, while the steep heights of Dalby stood imminent on the right. There were lots of foxes, and lots of shouting as two or three of them broke away in view. Hounds left at the bottom, and the light fences below gave opportunity to many a man to learn a new horse, or even to recall the feeling of a saddle. For in cases not few the knickerbocker has of late been more familiar than the buckskin, and legs that last year seemed moulded for the top have recently been proudly swelling under the stocking, and now rebelled painfully against their tight imprisonment. The chase that began and ended on the Dalby Manor had but few features ; and so we may pass on to Sir Francis Burdett's covert, where holloas were already resounding, and where we arrived to learn that a fox liad already broken and been headed back. Ten minutes elapsed ; the bright sun had veiled its face in some welcome clouds, and the field, by this time reduced from its holiday dimensions to a workman- like cadre, ranged itself in the road. Some men ate their lunch, some changed their horses, some kept an ear open, some did not; but all began at last to fancy that Eeynard meant to leave them in quiet possession of the open country. A mild holloa, no one knew whence, roused them onh" by degrees to a sense of the changing situation ; but the signal was so faint, and the summons so undecided, that for some moments the mass remained inert and inactive. Fortunately for them the jiack too were all abroad in a bad scenting covert, and the huntsman had but a single and roundabout egress. But, when once he laid hounds on, they rose the hill quickly for Dalby House, and no one could complain of loss of start or loss of chance. For a minute or two again the pursuit hung as the fox doubled in a slender belt of plantation. Once free from this, he started, with hounds close at him, for the Punch- bowl, that offered its tempting shelter only half a mile away. But he wanted no harbour yet, and asked only for a fair field and a clear course. So, whisking round the left of the Punch- 1877—78.] KIRBY GATE, 1877. 203 bowl Hill, he carried the hunt so quickly, that three-quarters of the held climbed the eminence, only to find themselves left completely in the lurch ; but they had still another chance given them, for ho was met close to Somerby village, and driven back almost into their faces. Thus everyone was "in it," as a monientry check took place where Mr. Clifford Chaplin's house overlooks the beautiful Burrough and Twyford feeding grounds — a country that we hereabouts are wont not only to speak of as our best, but to boast of proudly as the best in Enfiland. It was over this grassy arena that the Cottesmore had their two memorable runs last season, and it is over this that the Quorn have never failed to gallop with a burning scent whenever a good fox has thrown down his gauntlet upon it. A field of turnips crowns the hill ; a flight of hurdles makes dashing riders of us all, and fifty men are in among the hounds ; but turnips, nor hurdles, nor over-riding belong to the twenty minutes that is in front. Hounds extricate themselves like eels from the crushing mob around them, and glide suddenly and swiftly into the valley beneath. Two small fences are almost swept away by the charging lines of horsemen ; but the steep dip soon breaks the ranks, for man must have nerve and horse must have shoulders to gallop down here. You must have him in hand, or how will you negotiate the boggy jump awaiting you below '? and you must not check him or you are at once a field behind. Solve the difficulty as best you may, and according as you are on terms with yourself and your mount. And let us suppose you are not the lady whose horse has sunk on his side in the quagmire, nor that, like these two gallant sportsmen, you are up to your knees in the mud, with your horse Ij'ing girth-deep on the j)ost-and-rails that you had pro- posed he should jump. No ! a double on and off' a hedge- topped bank has saved you from the slough ; but you are none too near the merry Quorn bitches as you take a firm ludd on the bridle, and push up the trifling ascent in front. An open gate serves a turn here, and now there is nothing between hounds and the covert of worshipful John o' Gaunt but the 204 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox Twyford Brook and a fair hunting country. Firr is as happy as a king as he cheers to the flying head : and who is there, tell me, of that little vanguard who would exchange places with any man or woman m the emph-e ; for has not the saddle moments such as a woolsack could never give nor even a throne aspire to ? Wide yawns the fence in front, with its thorn-guarded ditch, its stiff-growing binders, and the stout white rail beyond. But the pace is terrific, and the leaders are not likely to stop at aught that looks possible. Down hill they race at it. Custance has covered it in his stride ; but right and left of him there is a crashing of timber. Yet no fall that we can see. Each jump requires a hunter ; but each horse seems equal to the occasion, for the turf rides firm and light, and galloping has none of the toil of last year's experience. Captain Brocklehurst is very prominent on the grey ; Mr. Powell is thrusting along with all his old Harborough fire ; Captain Smith is in his usual form; Captain Middleton in his accus- tomed place; Mr. Frewen is "all there" also; and Lady Florence Dixie is not to be beat. jNIrs. Webster is turned over b}' a top-binder that stubbornly refuses to yield even to her ; but Captain Candy is on his feet, and both are back in their saddles so quickly that scarcely an}' ground is lost. The Twyford Brook is neared, as hounds hang for one second at a gateway ; but starting on afresh, in an instant the water has become a necessit}'. There is little of the glisten- ing element now, for the autumn has been a dry one, and rushes and mud have almost a monopoly of its bed. And to this probably thanks are owing that twenty people are straight- way over without a fall, and with only a scramble here and there. With the chill}' memory of more than one immersion, we came down at it as if to charge the Bosphorus, only to find that horse after horse skimmed it with a contemjituous indiffer- ence such as they are little prone to when the stream is brim- ming level with its banks. It must soon be John o' Gaunt or a finish now ; and the hounds mean that finish to be a kill, for one and all are running 1877—78.] A SCENT OX THE TLOUGH. 205 as if intent on blood. Ware Wire ! — that horrid sound from which our ears have this season as yet been free ! Good farmers, good friends, who give ns our hunting, give us also our lives ! Forget not that the 1st of November is past, and open not tlie door of welcome with a snare still set that was never meant for us ! The good honest oak- rail oxer yonder, that floors one of the leaders already named, offers, as it were, but a friendly nudge compared with the deadly check of the cold and murderous iron, which gives no warning and gives no quarter. Sydney Smith (who, by-the-bye, had about as much right to descant upon " equita- tion" as your humble servant upon astronomy) gave it as the result of his experience that a fall was not a thing to be afraid of, for that he "always got up after one, like the Three-per- Cents, not a bit the worse for it." But then Sydney Smith never got a cropjjer over Avire when going fast over hard turf; his own misadventures being confined to the boundaries of his Yorkshire parish, and being usually brought about by his cob turning a corner with him rather quicker than he expected. The oxer legitimate aforesaid is into the field adjoining the hamlet of Marfield, and the third only from the covert ahead. Some carters in the road have stopped our fox when close to his goal ; the pack turn short with him, but an open drain has saved him, and a stirring gallop is over. Twenty-seven minutes they made it, timing it from the moment of passing the Punchbowl ; and thirty-five may be taken as comprising the whole, from Sir Francis Burdett's Covert. A SCENT ON THE PLOUGH. Thrussingtox "Wolds is a snug little wood. Foxes are fonder of it, I fancy, than are pursuers ; for most of us have some sore memory linked with it — of how we have here been entangled, and lost some run that we had fully meant to see. 206 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skasox First horses and empt}' sandwich cases had just heen sent home, hounds had just heen thrown into covert, when, more promptly than often happens, even from so small a woodland, Reynard was signalled away at a j^oint where all might have a start. Brightly and quicklj- hounds struck out after him as he set his head at first for the better comitry of Slioby and Lord Aylesford's ; hut after two minutes — much of which seemed spent in the air, for the neatest of flying fences came close and frequent — the course turned at a sharp angle to the left, and carried us into a district whose system of culture we knew too well. So crossing j\Ir. Coupland's own farm, hounds ran on as fast as horses could well move through fallows spe- cially prepared by last night's rain to receive and to hold them. The old Fosse road was cut to the right of Ellars Gorse, and over a few fields of grass the pack left then* followers behind, the lost ground having to be made up where the local stream runs under a thick and forbidding curtain of blackthorn. Willoughby village also remained on the left. Plough still, and plough again, hounds now working their way slowly, now dashing on with a sudden rush, but always mitouched, and always making the most of such a scent as was meted to them. The close of half an hour found them nearing the first of the Widmei-pool Coverts. In twenty minutes more they were at the overhanging plantations near Bunny ; horses now standing still all over the country. Lady Florence Dixie's fell, appa- rently blown, and it is feared her collarbone was broken. ISlrs. Heniy came to more harmless grief, probably from the same cause. Dirty coats and trottmg steeds could scarcely be called exceptional. Kere was one man punishing his horse, who perhaps never needed iDunishment before, at a gap over which he might almost have walked ; there was another hauling at his bridle in the endeavour to raise a fallen steed too blown to struggle to his feet ; and there was a pair of Bartley's tightest, on Sunda}' unwTapped for our special admii*ation from their silver tissue covering, now hobbling ungracefully through the vulgar mire. On the pack pressed theii' sinldng quarry into 1877—78.] A SCENT ON THE PLOUGH. 207 and through the coverts of Bunny, and drove him over the open park. With hanging tongue and drooping hrush he made for the lodge gate ; looking up helplessl}^ almost pro- testingly, at the farmer, -who had only to trot alongside of him. But the softest of us are bloodthirsty at sucli a moment. It is the end of a fair fight ; fox and hounds are the contending parties; we have cast in our lot with the hounds, and their victory is at the moment the death of a common foe. The master reserved the head, a proud trophy, to the honour of his pack; Captain Middleton pocketed his brush; Major Kobertson carried off a pad, and the three others were quickly seized by one or other of the little party. I may be omitting someone ; but I may name (in addition to FiiT and Fred the wliip) Captain Sherbrook, Lord James Douglas, the two Messrs. Story, Messrs. S.ykes and White, Miss Paget, Captain Campbell, and Mr. Martin, as close up. The distance from find to finish of the run was eight miles of direct measurement. But the morning, too, was all fun, and varied fim — in a fau-er arena, moreover. Eatcliffe-on-the-Wreake, it should be told, was the meet ; and footpeople b}^ hundreds, and lurchers and terriers by dozens, assembled to see Cossington Gorse drawn. They were a manageable mob, though ; and so a good fox was allowed to cross the road in view of all, and to set his mask for the Hoby country, which I have aforetime belauded so often. Hounds did not get away on good terms ; but in four fields they appeared to be settling to run, and then the Eagdale Bottom blocked the way — a great hair^^ cavernous ravine, the banks of which were lost in brushwood and rank- growing grass. New-built drains intersected the approach and prevented anything like a direct charge, though tliere were those out than whose rush the tread of angels is not more daring. FiiT scrambled in and out where the lately-laid pipes cut into the main gulf, and in a style that would have delighted Captain Thomson's heart. Captain Smitli, ]Mr. Grev, and Mr. AVarner got a clean and successful run at it a little lower on the right ; Captain Candy found a clever place to the left, and 208 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season near to him a wide spot was flown by Mr. Cart and Sir Beau- mont Dixie. Others disajipeared from sight as the result of bohl endeavour. Captains Boyce and Middleton were very soon with the party ; and hounds took them pleasantly on over this superb country till they lost at tlie village of Hoby. But I have written enough on this good Monday. It boots not to dwell upon how Mr. Grey was caught and shaken b}' a wire, at which the farmer of the land himself was on the point of riding, thinking hii orders for its removal had been obeyed. Nor to picture the plight of one of the gallant captams afore- said, whose horse, baulked by another as he took off at a difficult brook, carried him into a tree and there hung, for all the world like the Golden Fleece — the simile, of course, referring to the horse, not, as personal friends might surmise, to the bold lancer. Of course each one volunteered his jest about one avIio had so often tempted Providence being at last " up a tree ;" but all heard witli pleasure that the good horse, after hanging long, with head and shoulders dangling over the water, and groaning bitterly, was safely sawn out of his perilous perch. 1877—78.] THE WHISSENDINE. 209 THE WHISSENDINE. The feature of the week — perhaps the run of the season, certaml}^ the event of November, '77 — was the run of Saturday- last, the 17th ; so let all else stand over, and minor chronicles remain untold, till at least in sober black and white shall be written the story that memory's pages alone may carry in befitting letters of red. Stapleford Park has various coverts, copses, and sj)innies ; but the best-known and staunchest of them all is Laxton's Covert. Thence we started for this fine gallop ; thence have we seen many a sterling chase before, and thence may we hope to see their like again — at least, so long as Major Claggett can give us foxes gallant and bold as the one we galloped to death to-day, and the one that the Cottesmore bitches so fairly ran into in the open in March last. Bearing in mind that readers at a distance are as a thousand to one against those in the neighbourhood of the scene, and hundreds to one even against those who have ever been on the spot, the best endeavours of my humble pen shall be given to render the story clear. Some half-dozen miles from Melton, then, and on a slight eminence lies Laxton's Covert — a most snug little gorse, half encircled and wholly hidden by sheltering pine trees. Below it runs the famous Whissendine — a name with which every hunting man is femiliar, as linked with deeds of the past and with men hke Lord Forester, Lord Waterford, and a generation of hard riders, of whom only Captain Ross and Lord Wilton survive, but whom Nimrod, Aiken, and Ackerman have im- mortalised for us and our descendants. All around is classic ground ; and in the arena embraced within the points of Woodwell Head, Cottesmore, Ranksboro', and Melton every square yard of turf has sprung to the gallop of Giants of the past, of whose deeds we still speak reverently : 210 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season Where'er we tread 'tis haunted holy gi-ound ; No earth of thine is lost in viilgar mould, The scenes our earliest dreams have dwelt upon, Each hill and dale, each deepening glen and wold. Two p.m., and so much of the day spent in little scmTies, which in themselves had neither extent nor interest, till at length they culminated in the burst that is to be my topic. But as the preceding combats on the Douro always hold place in story as leading up to the greater Salamanca, so it is neces- sary to touch on the brief skirmishes on the valley of the Whissendine, which immediately foreran the event in question. If the day was half exhausted, the bright sunshine (of which this November has been as prolific as it has of sport) was wholly so, when the hunt was set going in Laxton's Covert. Away at the lower end, where the sluggish Whissendine takes its course, now running between firm and grass}'' banks, and a hundred yards higher or lower creeping, half-choked in sedge, betwixt boundaries uncertain and deceptive. Hounds crossed it where it was a fair and easy jump, though to the credit of the half-dozen men who took it in their stride, and still more to that of the one lady (Mrs. C. Chaplin) who fiew it with them — none could say it was so, till arrived at its brink. The bridge, too, was close by ; the road was crossed, and a large part}'' cut the fences in pieces till a mile brought them to a little spinney on a second and more difficult brook, the Eye. Sir John Lister- Kaye, Mr. Grey, Captain Jacobson, and, I think, Captain Candy were promptly over it ; but, finding they had somewhat anticipated matters, found themselves in the pre- dicament of having to jump it back again, their retreat not being accomplished without the loss of half their party. Two foxes being afoot at this period, one of them ran the gauntlet back to Stapleford, hounds chasing merril}^ and the crowd behind crashing heartily in their tracks. Then there was a furious ring round the great park — hounds on the inside, horsemen, almost without exception, taking the wider circle of the outside. Now the}' were back in Laxton's 1877—78.] THE WHISSENDINE. 211 Covert, and now was to begin the pith of the run and of the da}'. For five minutes the field meandered or stood in pairs and groups without the covert, or in the narrow riding leading through it. Now and again the voice of the pack told that their game was before them ; but, baffled hitherto in theii' hopes, men were far from sanguine, and scarcely watchful. Away once more over the Whissendine ! This time we leave on the right of the covert, two fields of plough hindering progress as we strain out to the holloa ; and the pack are over the brook as we turn from the crowded gateway, and leap into the meadow that bounds the water. Yes, you thought little of the water as you left it behind an hour ago ; and so you sit down in all confidence to drive at it the horse that made so light of it before. But it is -wider and less encouraging here ; and, worse discouragement than all, Mr. Algernon Tumor's horse slides right in, struggles, plunges, but at length emerges on the other side. If evil example has power with us sinners, how much more has it ever with our equine friends ? Every horse is under a spell at once ; none dare fling themselves as a true water-jumper should ; but one and all fall short, either to scramble out with a second spring, or to roll backwards to theii* muddy destin3\ "Keep straight, sir! " when you have picked your place under the good rule of "having it where you can't see the opposite bank." (If the precept is new to you, make a note of it, and bless The Field, whose recipes are so freely at your service.) But, though your spm^s are your own and your longest, j'our steed 3'our friend's and liis best (or, maybe, your own and the greatest beast that you ever made- believe to be fit for good company), you share no better fate than your neighbours ; and if you only shuffle out on to dry gromid as quick as Mr. Frewen or Captain Smith, j'ou are lucky. The bed of the brook is fairly firm, the banks are low, and the water not deep ; but there is much wallowing and struggling, several men are in or down, and a lady is under her horse. You saw not the latter, so there is no reproach on yom' p 2 212 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season chivalry. She is well attended, while in ignorance and bliss you do 3'our utmost to make way through the two fallows that with- hold you from the wide range of gi'ass beyond. The party that has crossed the water as yet is but a small one. Mr. Grej' joins them here, apparently from the clouds, possibly from the Eye. The cross fence has a ditch, hidden as a pitfall under a thick cover- ing of grass and bramble. Sm'ely, the ditches were never so blind as in this autumn of 1877 ! His little bay horse mistakes it for one of his native Noi-thumbrian banks, essays to jump it on-and- off, only to be swallowed bodily and retained. Haixl that this should happen when just embarking on the very line over which the good old sportsman showed the way to all his juniors a year ago. But hounds have gained and riders have lost b}^ the time the latter have emerged on to the first of the pastm'es, feeling re- lieved as men waking from a nightmare. Casting the last of the sticky mud behind them, they lance themselves over the open. The ants have raised hillocks all over the field, and rush}' grass hides their ill-jilaced edifices. But are not hounds streaming away some three hundred yards ahead ? Have you not hit off your place in the fence that separates them from you, and even marked a likely spot in the one beyond ? Throw 3'our heart in (though your presence be but imaginary) with the little party that are still " on terms," and let your horse thunder his best down the gentle slope. Hounds are running straight for Ranksboro', and the scent is breast- high. Neat blackthorn fences, or here and again a temptmg rail, delay you less than them. A horseman, mufti-clad, is reining in across the path of the pack just as the van-leaders are fairly catching them. "Have you seen him, Timber ?'' is the shout as the figure of one of our best men is recognised. No, he has been travelling homewards in the pain of his bandaged leg, rendered helpless by an oxer a fortnight since. But pain and discretion are forgotten in the moment ; indeed, Providence might have chosen this happy means of curing him, for in three fences the crippled limb is well ! * * Mr. Powell — vide Kirby Gate day previous. 1877—78.] THE WHISSENDINE. 213 But Re3'narcrs eyes must have been sharper than our Mend's, for he has threaded the corner here. Over to the right, where they have blocked the gap with sturdy faggots. Wide round the angle, where the two hedges join, if you would give hounds the room they want. Duck your head under the ash tree, thank yom* stars that that toprail is not a new one, and now you may gallop on with Ranksboro' still the point in front. Hounds are darting in single file through the stile, which forms the only and a slippery outlet through the next bullfinch ; and it must be in single file that pursuers follow — the wide footboard marking the take-off and ensuring each leap. Captain Jacobson is galloping up the other side, and unlatches in a twmlding a white gate into the first of the three roads, all of which lead from the west and south into the village of Whissendine, and all of which are crossed by the chase to-day. Over, again, into the broad meadows beyond ; just skirting the double post-and- rails that look like " a stopper," and welcoming the fair sporting obstacles that horses are not yet too blown to surmount. Here is the second road ; there is a countryman whose yell proclaims he has seen our good fox, and yonder are others whose view holloas tell that he has turned hun to the left. Neal and Goddard come up, hounds are lifted with a view to saving time, and the run goes on, with Whissendine village still on the left. Eoad No. 3 brings up a great accession of numbers, while the men hitherto in position (as above recorded) are left at some disadvantage by the sudden turn. Twenty minutes, perhaps, from the covert to this point — a siveet twenty minutes, truly. Many horses are gasping already ; but there is much for them yet to do, and not a moment given to gather breath. Hounds are on again like greyhounds from the slips ; and over hill and dale race on till another quarter-hour has brought them to the verge of the Leicester and Peterborough Railway, just north of Ashwell — their fox not a hundred yards ahead. But a sinking fox can often make one last tremendous effort for his life ; the pack have not seen him, and scent often dwindles at such a time. The -holloas that salute him as he rounds a farm- 214 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEKSHIRE. [Season house seem only to re-animate, and he has carried his be- draggled brush out of sight before huntsman or homids have turned the comer of the building. But surel}^ he must die soon, or horses will. Alread}' all are " chancing " their fences alarmingly ; while jumping is to some altogether an im- possibility, and others find further proceedmg out of the question. Double post-and-rails are a little terrifying at the best of times. Small wonder, then, that that crash means exhausted nature recumbent on the second flight; and inex- haustible pluck pulhng a half-blown horse out of the ditch beyond. From the grass to the plough leads the next gate, and stiff timber shows the only opening to the field beyond. Two scrambles, one fall, then a refusal ; and, lastly, a brave chesnut leaning in despair against the strong bars. This is the scene here. Four or five men follow the two Hunt servants, and pass the railway by handgates, for which Neal has a key. lleynard is still struggling on, but the hounds drive him from hedgerow to hedgerow, till they force him again over the railway, push him across haK-a-dozen fields, and spring into some turnips almost with him. At last their heads are up. At last they catch a view. Fifty j-ards fui'ther, a scrambhng, rumbling mass. Who-ivhoop ! " They've got hixa. ! " Who- whoop! *' Wish we could all dine together to-night! " Who- ivlioop! "Wasn't it a cliijper?" "What a comitry ! " "What a fox ! " " Give me a bit of him, if only a pad — to smell when I feel low." Who-ichoop ! " What a week it has been ! " It took ten minutes to eat him, and half of that time to bring together even such a remnant of a big field as is com- prised in the following names : Messrs. Powell, Westley Richards, J. Behrens, H. Lowther, Frewen, Brocklehurst, Wilder, W. and E. Chaplin, Custance, and Clayton, and Captains Smith, Boyce, Middleton, and Jacobson. The time of the run was a matter difficult of exact attain- ment. Opinions differed widely as to when and whence this particular fox was started ; but that the cream of the thing dated 1877—78.] PERILS BY LAND AND WATER. 215 from the moment of last leaving Laxton's Covert no one disimted ; estimates of this interval varying between forty-seven and Jifty-Jive minutes. The precise number of minutes is of no real moment. It was a glorious run — for pace, for time, and for country ; creditable to hounds, satisfactory to huntsman, and delightful to those who rode through it. Find and finish, 'tis true, were not two very widely distant points — a measure- ment which many sportsmen will accept as the only criterion of the merits of a chase. But our fox bent his neck only when headed from his course to Eanksboro' as he j)assed Whissendine village ; and again, when dead beat, his last efforts carried him some two miles nearer home. Hounds were never at fault, and never off the line, except in the one instance of lifting them, as told above. The only drawback to the day was that Mr. Flowers' horse broke his leg, and had to be destroyed : while a similar fate had befallen Lord Eossmore's mount in the course of the morning. PERILS BY LAND AND WATER. On Friday, November 16tli, the Quorn gathered under the elms of Brooksby Hall ; the old church, in sight of which Quornites have met for generations past, looking mournful — almost reproachful — under its recent visitation. Some three months ago it was struck by lightning ; and the spii'e, that has been a landmark for centuries, was split, riven, and broken. That the place is more or less one of county interest may be gathered from the following few facts. In the time of the Conqueror it became the demesne of the Countess Judith ; and was held by the VilLiers family for upAvards of five hundred years. Their most notable representative, George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, was born here. In later times it was the seat of Lord Cardigan ; and "the Dandy" (who died after 216 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season swimmmg the Wreake) lies under one of the elms in front. Old Throsby, in his history of Leicestershire, says " Brooksby Chui-ch has a small spire, one bell, and a decent aisle." The present historian finds it to-day with a broken spu-e, a fallen bell, and a shattered aisle. Sport and incident fully marked the day. Even the jom-ney to the covert of Bleakmore and on to the Eearsby Spinneys was unique, if not altogether agreeable, as the towing-path (where double bridle gates occm- every two or three himdred yai'ds) was chosen for the passage of a very large field. There were consequently a variety of prominent and interesting con- tingencies open to one, such as being caught in the pau's of gates, pushed into the river, or having one's leg broken by any of the many kickers who at once developed themselves under the opportunity. Then, when a fox broke from Eearsby Spinney, he took a line close parallel to the railway, tempted his pursuers on to it, having exactly calculated his time so that the midday express came screaming in upon them when irrevocably shut in. Firr and three or four others had literally to gallop for their lives ; the woman at the level crossing lost her head, cut oif their retreat, while screaming as loud as the engine ; and the last two men only 1877—78.] PERILS BY LAND AND WATER. 217 escaped from the fact of their horses being bokl enough to jump sideways out of the railway, the train within twenty yards of them. Three minutes afterwards, hounds running fiercely, they came to the AVreake. The pack shook themselves on the opposite bank ; Lord Castlereagh jumped in ; and the stream at this point turned out to be so shallow, that his horse had only a few strokes to swim. Emboldened by his example, others found it quite fordable five yards to the right. Miss Paget earned the honour of being the first lady who ever rode across the Wreake ; and Mr, Coupland, Firr, Captain Candy, the Messrs. Lowther, and one or two others crossed almost dry. After running quick on to Cossington Gorse, a bob-tailed fox was soon hmited to death in the immediate neighbourhood. In the afternoon hounds were taken back to the Friday side of the river ; and from Queniborough Spinney there ensued a capital half-hour (with galloping and jumping galore) round by Barsby, Baggrave, and Humberstone to Barkby Holt, where the day ended. All hereabouts know how pleasant a district this is, with a quick-jumping horse and a fan* scent — for turf is the only crop grown, and the fences are merely such as dairy farms require. Monday, Nov. 26, contained another little flutter, which redeemed the day and saved us (and ten times more our most anxious master) from despondency. All Widmerpool, you may be surprised to hear, was drawn blank. No, its dependency, Kinoulton, held a fox, unsavoury even in death. Hounds declined him with thanks, and were taken on to Parson's Covert. Nothing alive here. Ditto, it appeared for a long and miserably cold time, at Curate's Gorse. But Firr drew it and redrew it ; a puppy now and again squeaked unechoed (obtaining only a mental promise of whipcord) ; till, just as dull despair had established her throne, a " tallyho-back" sent a glow through each chilled and shivering frame. Men that a moment ago were looking absolutely ghastly and blue as in the last stage of cholera suddenly sprang to life and vigour ; 218 TBE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season and a blush mantled o'er faces long callous to such a weakness, save under the generous promptings of Lafitte or fox-hunting. And, ye Heavens, how they all meant going when the crisis culminated in a swift scun'y to Willoughby Covert ! 'Tis a line that I, at least, do not remember to have ridden before. But it was an exhilarating and not too difficult a one ; and suited all ; for each and every one entered with all his strength into the spirit of the moment, and not one man but a hundred were to the front. Half an hour at Willoughby Covert terminated Eeynard's existence and the dav's outing. THE PINK WEDDING. ** The Belvoii- will meet at the House, Melton Mowbray, at 12 on Wednesday, Dec. 12," was the announcement. Sjiring is, happily, far away as yet. Why ; then, the time and place ? It was with a view to ushering a j^oung pair, with aU honours, into the springtime of wedded life. Melton and matrimony are not always and invariabl}' in accord ; but for the nonce Melton placed itself under the leadership of its patron goddess in her duplicate capacity-, and did homage at the shrine of Diana Lucina. Mr. C. Samuda led Miss Cecile Markham to the altar, attended by the presence and good v/ishes of such a bevy of " sportsmen in scarlet array" as has never graced a wedding before. Orange blossom in the foreground, fifty garments of newest pink in the background, surely even the old church of Melton never held so gay an assemblage ! The bride Melton- born ; the bridegroom a Meltonian staunch, surely 'twas a fitting wedding, for two souls whose second common love is the chase. The Duke of Eutland in person graced the marriage and the meet. His departure with the hounds (to Mr. Burbage's covert) was practically cotemporary with that of 1877—78.] THE PINK WEDDING. 219 the newlj^-married pair to their train ; and they dashed by the covert just as the good fox faced the holiday footpeoj)le, and just as the gay throng (on business now bent, but still bedecked with bouquets and favours) was pushing its way through the covert and ford. A brave fox he was to face apparently the whole of the trade and labour of Melton, who, having feasted their eyes on the panoply of the wedding, had moved bodily on to the covert side, there to view as much more of the day's festivities as the}' could. In spite of the whooping, screaming multitude, whose cheers might have daunted even the brave defenders of Plevna, he buckled unhesitatingly to the task of doing his share to celebrate the day. A better scheme he could not have followed ; for he led the wedding guests a merry dance, where all could vent the cheerful effervescence of their feelings without jostle, hindrance, or check. Wide-spread to right and left, they dashed after the hounds — each man full of ride, the brave audacious, and the timid bold. The blackthorn bull- finches in their route caught the white favours of the plunging horsemen — and, holding them, looked as if they had broken out in blossom for the occasion. We have an old superstition in the Shire, that a new coat invariably means a cropper for the wearer ; and, of a truth, this day did nothing to dispel the behef. There were scores of new garments, and there were scores of falls ; for, as the run went on, men who had taken liberties with their horses at first, were prone to sufi'er for it ; and falls came thick and frequent — while from the passing train bride and groom snatched a glimpse of the moving panorama. It was a fifteen minutes burst to Berry Gorse, then more slowly to Laxton's Covert, where their fox had waited, after he had run a few yards along the banks of the Whissendine. The brook was at once a temptation irresistible. Men went for it as cheerfully as if Perrier-Jouet were still flowing before them, and larked over it in a dozen places. By- and-by they came back singly and more leisurely, as they could find a ford. 220 THE CREAM OF LE[OESTERSHIRE. [Season But away again soon for the village of "WTiissendine, past it (at a good hunting pace) nearly to Eanksboro', and round close to the Punchbowl. At the plantation known as Wheathills, there were two, if not three, foxes before them ; their run fox, dead beat, just eluded them, and hounds went on with another. Him they ran through Berry Gorse again, past Burton, and to gi'ound half way between Melton and Great Dalby — 07ie hour and Jifty -three minutes of a continuous hunting run. The early part had been as fast and exhilarating as need be ; and most of it was done at a gallop, over the pleasantest grass country imaginable. A NORTH WARWICKSHIRE CORNER. Thuksday, January 17th. At Hilmorton Village, that men might hunt before they danced. A good run has often marked the day of the Rugby Hunt Ball ; but I at least never saw the date better celebrated than to-day; and, if huntmg gives way to other topics to- night, it will and must burst out wherever doorways have their tenants, walls their idlers, or the supper-room its devotees. It takes more than even dancing, more than even the grand passion, to knock a great gallop with hounds out of the thoughts of men, in whose minds its enchantment is still fresh. Hounds came by train ; so did the Master ; and so did a strong proportion of the field — from Leamington, Coventry, Birmingham and elsewhere. Little time was given them to collect at the meet ; and thus many of them only reached Hilmorton Covert as hoUoas were resounding from each side and each corner. Hilmorton Covert, readers who are strange to this part of the Midlands, is a five -or- six- acre thicket situated on a low grassy flat, almost midway between the Pytchley Coverts of 1877—78.] A NORTH WARWICKSHIRE CORNER. 221 Crick and Lilbourne, and within a mile of the course over which the Grand Military Steeplechases have been so often (but are now, alas ! no longer) run. It is quite a corner of the North Warwickshire country — and often a sweet " warm corner" has it proved. If you are a stranger, of course you can't do better than follow the huntsman — if only you are decently mounted and your heart is half as hard as his. Again a holloa has sounded, on the north or Lilbourne side of the covert, and so the most remote from where you and he are standing. Wheatley is your guide's name, and he gives you no time to look at the hog- backed stile, with its wide foot board, that touches the right edge of the covert. Not even his lead through will avail to put you at once over the broken banked bottom and stiff black- thorn fence that meet you next. His horse comes round at the forbidding obstacle ; but Mr. Wedge and his little brown fly the chasm in as good form as any deed of daring that you are likely to have seen done this season. Twenty yards lower down you may divide the impediment into an easier double jump ; and now you are in the Watling- street road and pounding along, with your mind made up for Lilbourne and two miles on the flat. But hounds are bearing away from you ; so stick close to the lead you have chosen and embark at once on the flat meadows to your left. There has not been rain enough to make them deep ; you may gallop your best and the fences come in your stride. You are not half as near hounds as you ought to be ; for that turn has rather shouldered you off, and they are flying up the wind with a clear half-field to the good of anyone. You may have crossed these very meadows in silk and cap ; but you certainly never had to take tighter hold of your horse than now. And then they had picked the easiest place in the brook for you, and screened it with inviting thorns. Now you must take your chance, where you can reach it quickest — where Wheatley is landing, and one falls on either side of him. A low oak rail marks the take-off; but it is an honest sixteen feet fly. The young one luckily will bear 222 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season riding at it without getting flurried. His haunches are under- neath him and his ears are cocked. Mr. Muntz's great weight- carrier is rushing alongside — giving confidence to you both. So everything is in your favour, save those two struggling splashing horses ; but you are none the less thankful when the hindlegs strike again into firm turf and the water is behind you. Here and there, and ever5'^where for half a mile, are jirostrate riders, rolling horses, swimming steeds, and dripping sportsmen. In thankfulness and with no discourtesy you may leave them to help each other ; for have I not bade you, reader, leap and gallop at the huntsman's skirts. He'll take you in and out of that corner now, to save the deep wheatfield and regain the plough. His eye is on the pack, now bearing parallel to the brook ; timber mustn't stop you ; and j^our blood ought by this time to be heated to even oxer-jumping jDoint. Tell me if you have had to go faster, or have ridden a sweeter line, this year, than in those sixteen or seventeen first minutes which bring you to the railway between Rugby and the village of Hilmorton, where a road cuts under the line of rail. Not very many of that huge holiday field were up at this moment. Captain Osborne had led the scurry throughout, Messrs. Raymond, Townshend, Marriott, and two or three other good men (whose names, I regret to say, are unknown to me), supi)orting him ably and closely. Judge of the pace, when I tell you that after two or three more fields their fox was in view — though the homids themselves failed to catcli sight of him. But he was honest, strong, and bold even now, though panting and faint with the severity of his starting efforts. As he crossed the Rugby and Hilmorton carriage road, some few light ploughs lessened the pressure of the pace ; and so, though there was no real check, he was enabled to pull himself together again, and led them on for Barby. The pastures and the brook of Barby made another fast good portion of the run ; then the chase checked a moment as it turned to the left under Barby and reached the banks of the canal, where the pack was well nigh broken up by a passing barge. On 1877—78.] A RELEASE. 223 again, over country as good as before, their fox ever close in front, and horses more often breaking than clearing their fences. At Kilsby Tunnel it seemed as if he had escaped to ground. Sympathy might, then, possibly have been with the fox. Now it must be full and hearty with the pack and with the huntsman ; for they have taken up the hne once more, and a minute afterwards the death worr}'^ sounds almost on the doorstep of Mr. Cowley's house at Kilsby. A run of credit and of character, a glorious ride and a fox well killed. 'Tis thus at least that we may class it. The time from find to finish was an hour almost to a minute. The hounds did their work quickly, steadily, and prettily, one and all ; and Wheatley is evidently not only a good horseman but a good huntsman. May such a run precede many an annual Rugby Hunt Ball ; and may you and I, reader, see it, and ride over the water as gaily and successfully as we can on paper. I dislike recording accidents, whether to man or his good beast ; but regi'et and sympathy prompt a note of the fact that Mr. Craven's horse broke his back at the Hilmorton brook. A BE LEASE. On Friday, January 25th, the country was placed under lock and key. Snow had fallen to the depth of an inch or so ; and with Saturday hope and company alike faded away. In many cases there must have been just a little touch of relief in the sigh, with which a battered stud was left in the hands of the groom and the vet, while the noble owner fled away to oblivion of blows and sprains and crippled favourites. For grooms were here and there at their wits' end (however deep that terminus might be, in own or master's judgment) ; vets were growing rich ; and even noble lords were now and again to be seen following the chase oft wheels. For the strain has 224 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season not been slackened nor the pressure eased, except for one very brief interval, since cubhmiting; and men are not prone to add to their stables when once many-fingered Christmas has lioked its reminders into theu' mental ribs. A balmy rain had fallen all Smiday night, and on Monday morn- ing the Quornites assembled once more in what is essentially their ' ' home country. ' ' A Friday with them is genial, stirring, and sociable. They invite all the world to join them ; and very few of the world send excuse. A Cottesmore Tuesday is the same. Boisterous is the fmi and glorious the crush on both days. But a Quorn Mondaj^ is quieter, more rational, and often more pro- lific of sport than either. The field is smaller. It consists almost entirely of men associated with, or attaching in some measure to, the Hunt. The instincts of jealousy or compe- tition have little call for play. Over-riding is at a minimum ; for men are not ever afraid lest the surging crowd should hem them in or crush them irrecoverably out of their place. Hounds of com-se, get a better chance, the huntsman fair play ; and pursuing sportsmen do not ride in continued tremor of losing their turn, or that that turn should be too late. On such a day one can, if not appreciate, at least make allowance for, the feeling of some few Hunts which prefer that their sport should be only for their own members, and are jealous of the stranger or the new comer. 'Tis on such a day that one may, if one wishes, mark and learn something of the individuals of the pack ; and so, for that matter, — whether they wish it or not — do men learn something of each other. Good qualities are more marked, peculiarities become patent, idiosyncrasies betray themselves, imposture is dispelled, and friendships are made. To sift and winnow the Quorn field for readers' benefit is not my desire, nor in my power. This I may say, that contact with it under such conditions is ever a soothing process, and one that clears away all ill-feeUng towards one's fellow-men. The Quorn field has its dandies, its jesters, its purveyors of din- ner and after-dinner stories, its thrusters, its men of caution, its ardent sportsmen and its slack, its dauntless pioneer to show 1877—78.] A llELEASE. 225 Avhetlier each bottom is to be jumped or what is its depth, its amateur helps (or liiiidrances, may be) to huntsman, its men of mind and its men of matter. But among all these, and many others, you will never hear a word that carries with it more than good fellowship, jest and geniality. To hunt and to enjoy themselves is the principle they advocate and on which they act. Now to Monday — Wartnaby Stone Pits, a rainy morning, and ever}' man fortified by three days' rest. Let us dismiss the morning, and trace the outline of that cheery afternoon. At twenty minutes to four (by an indifferent watch) the first note sounded in Lord A3desford's covert ; and the hands pointed to the quarter as we galloped round to Will's shrill scream on the Slioby Scoles side. The same scream rang out again clear and sharp when, a minute later, he had by a quick forward movement viewed his fox away beyond the second covert. There he goes — a black form stealing over the Shoby hill, apparently the same faint-hearted one who wasted our afternoon but one Mondaj' ago. But, hurrah, there's another, gliding along the same hill side, but bending his course with the valley that stretches down to Hoby— a light-coloured and lighter-hearted customer is this. Firr is for the moment shut in by a locked gate ; while the dog pack are noisily following the track through the Scoles. " Take the right-hand line for Heaven's sake ! Both are past the gorse bushes yonder ; but the last fox has gone down the valle}', the other only back to Lord Aylesford's." And, ye gods, how they are holloaing back — keeping the hounds' heads up and almost turning Firr in his saddle, with their distracting shouts. But an old hound has flung himself wide and forward with ears closed to the distant tumult ; his deep voice recalls his bewildered com- rades to their senses ; and now they are away, pointing confi- dently for the best country nortli of the Wreake — the best, in spite of the bottoms and nullahs that cross it here and there. The first of these watercourses is met after the three early fields. A small post-and-rails into water running over sound Q 226 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIRE. [Season gravel solves this difficult}'. An earl}' casualty has stopped one of the best (and alwaj's one of the foremost) of riders. His horse flew two fences at a corner in preference to one, landed into a third, a barricade of high timber, and was, I believe, com- pletely entrapped. "With hounds just settled to run hard, a shepherd dog has anticipated them ; but the lost second puts those who meant to ride with the other fox once more on fair terms : and all start forward again together. There are nice fields and nice fences up to lloby village and past the right of it. The range of alarming oxers Ave were wont to associate with the manor would seem to have disappeared ; and there is nothing j-et to hinder or friglitcn as the chase proceeds on its even way. Never very fast, but always going ; and always fiist enough if for a moment you get left behind. Another' mile or so, and suddenly the field pauses where a deep thorn- covered chasm bisects a valley. Scrutiny does not better' its forbidding aspect; so even " Ashb}' ," Mr. J. Tomkin- son's famous roarer, is reluctantly denied a trial, and with mortification on his owner's countenance taken right or left to ford or bridge. And it wasn't a very big place after all ! But we don't like " chancing " these blind wide bottoms — at least when we've been swallowed a few times, or seen the back of more than one good horse broken in the attempt. The next valley has also its watercourse ; but it is to be done either by pushing through the tangled bullfinch and doubling over with a second effort, or — much more pleasantl}' — by using the good bridge that ofiers itself not a hundred yards away. And so in lldrty minutes hounds enter Cossington Gorse. With a burn- ing scent they might have got there in twenty-five, or even a minute or two less. But they reached it now with men and horses steaming, and everyone speaking well of the fun they had seen. The rest of the story of the day maybe summed xv^ as follows : There were a brace of foxes in the covert ; and the run one (draggled and dirty) soon broke again over the road. Over part of the same course they ran him back ; then they had suddenly two lines in front of them. Pursuing on, they 1877—78.] SUNNY FP^BRUARY. * 227 bore to the left to Ragdale Hall, ran between that and the village, and finally (at ten minutes past five) whipped off' when just about to re-enter Shoby Scoles — thus making the run to be otie liouy and ticenty-five minutes in all. The chief news of the week ending February 9, 1878, was the resignation of Mr. Tailb}', after two and twenty years of honourable office. The narrowed limits of his present country and the entire want of woodlands in which to work his J'oung hounds are the reasons which have brought about his determina- tion. As a INIaster who has thrown half a lifetime, lieartily and successfully^ into the cause of foxhunting, his name will ever carry jtvith it encomium and respect. He first offered himself at a crisis ; and has ever since, in fair weather and in foul, carried on with energy and determination the task that he had undertaken. Vague rumours also came afloat of Lord Spencer being about to resign the Mastership of the Pytchley. Ever}^ qualification of position and ability point to him as being the only man to fill a most difficult post ; and if he retires the loss Avill be well-nigh irreparable. Rumour, with her many tongues, Avhis- pers her sinister prophecies also about the noble lord wdio rules with liberal hand over the best and wildest countr}- in the Shires, Lord Lonsdale. SUNNY FEBRUARY. Fkiday, February 8tli, and Monday, February llth^ with the Quorn, -were two as hot daj^s as were ever credited to the month of February. The sun shone out all day with the force and brilliancy of June — all out of keeping with tlie end and object for which our small section of the community had met and assembled. But some excellent sport was shown on Frida}^ when men expected none. Twelve was the hovu' named, in kindness to those who, in ])ump or satin shoe, liad been, till y 2 228 "THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season- well-nigli (layliglit, treading tlie plank of dissipation at the Leicestershire Hunt Ball. The afternoon grew cooler, and it was close upon four o'clock when Colonel Biu-naby's Covert was appealed to. Readily it answered ; and readily did men rush round the deep ridge and furrow which border it, as the horn called them away at the lower end. For a second or two hounds hovered at the brook- side ; and the multitude availed themselves of it to dash into and up the road and anticipate the pack on the opposite bank. Indeed anticipation was the order of the day. Horses' heads were set at their fences Avherever direction appeared defined or even probable. In many instances it happened that hounds liad eventually to be brought back actually behind sinners Avhose consciences can scarcely have been so hardened but that the situation carried its own rebuke. The Master bore his trials with Job-like forbearance; and Firr worked doggedly on, apparently unruffled by the difficulties that beset him. licading and conducing more than all else to this mischief, there is a small and happily select corps in the hunting field, often mentioned and bibliothised by name, who, in their laudable passion for giving each other a lead, consider hounds are altogether apart from the question, and circle freely round them whenever they dwell long enough for the opportmiity. The following is a fair and veritable instance of the doings of the class. X. was an even-tempered, long-suliering, but now exasperated official, who for an hour had worked his hounds through the overwhelming crowd in spite of all difficulties. A. was a prominent member of the above corps, but had just brought his evil career to a close in a blind ditch. B., how- ever, was present in all his iniquity, and just preparing to set his horse at a fence, up to which one hound was feeUng his way. X., a "Wellington in such an emergency, at once pointed to the right, Avhere a new double oxer lay wide and frowning, and remarked, "If Mr. A. were here, Jie'd soon have a cut at it." The words were no sooner out of his mouth than round went B. in full charge, measured his length into a field from which 1877—78.] SUNNY FEBRUARY. 229 lie had no escape, Avhile X. pursued his wa^-, and his fox — free for a time from both of his enemies. 'J'he scent was exactl}' of that ch\ss that hounds wanted room. Room given they couhl have gone very fast. Hampered as they were, they could j^et afford what is best defined as a " quick hunting run." And Avhen hounds run at all over such a country there must needs be fun and merriment for many and most of us. By Barsby, Ashby, and Lowesby, there is nothing but grass, with fences fair and frequent, honest and enticing. When jumping ceases to be a pleasm'e, then Leicestershire has ceased to be the place for us ; and the Downs of the Tedworth or the Brighton Harriers will be our refuge. The thrill of a flying leap is only a iiart of the joy of a good grass country. But it is a very large and leading part ; while our nerve lasts and we are happy in our horseflesh. For like all else in life, it has its provisos and conditions. Circumstance and accident have their full influence upon it ; and the same gauge will not always register a like degree. Ret re fun it is to jump and ride, with a good horse under 3'ou, a light heart within you — with the flush of boisterous health in your cheeks, and head and eye as clear as Amontillado. Reverse the conditions ; word and frame them to embrace a horse that has no confidence in you nor you in him ; call up the demons of late hours, strong tobacco, or whatever may have been the ' agents of deteriorated nerve or inferior health. Forthwith, a jump becomes a necessit}^ a fence is no longer a recreation, but a run with hounds is like a midnight walk through a churchyard. Even if the condition of comparison rests only with the steed, its difterences are forcibk and paljiable enough. You take care not to own to it yourself; but you are quick enough to notice if your friends don't ride their studs all through, in the accepted sense of the term. Two fields and a casual glance will — except, of course, in many brave instances — serve to show you whether theirs is a ride of recreation or of necessity. In the former case 3'OU probably envy them (your own fate being at the moment saddled to the Avorst beast in your stable). In the latter you can 230 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skasox but admire the courage that refuses to yiekl to any such trial. But this is not histor}-. Friday's was a run of which every- one seemed bent on making the most — and by reason of its jumps more than all else. They glanced and darted, aiul buzzed round the pack as it bored its Avay rapidly for half an hour. "When it finally worked back to Baggrave, all were unanimous in i)raise of these thirty minutes, which all had, in ack. But it is not for an individual to preach — though he takes advantage and license of a nom-dc-plume. Egerton-War- burton tells us, truly enough, "we are all of us tailors in turn " ; scriptural authority has it that none of us are sinless ; while the writer of tlie best illustrative hunting poem that ever stirred Young England's blood, is said not only to have killed the " best hound in my pack, sir," but, driven desperate by the misdeed and the reproach, to have retorted, " Very sorry indeed, hut lie imist take his elianee icith the rest.'' On Tuesda}' Lad^' Carington was riding with the Master, Mrs. Arthur was out, as devoted to the pursuit as ever, and Mr. Tailby was riding as eagerly to the front as if still direct- ing Goodall. Sir Baclie Cunard was present, notwithstanding his sad ill-fortune of over-night — when his stable had caught fire, his most valuable horse had been burned to death, and foiu' others so injured that he had little hope of their recovery. Market Harborough appears to be but thinly patronised this season ; but Kibworth and neighbourhood are quoted higher yearly. The Messrs. Gosling were down as usual ; but the Colonel must have been caught for St. James' for the day. Captain Featherstonhaugh, Messrs. Cochrane, Lloyd, Logan, 1878—79.] BOOT AND SADDLE. 253 and Major Betliime were also present. And now, without enumerating more names, I must ask leave to get on at once to the sport of the day. Right happy, varied, sport it Avas, as I hope to show — albeit I have to skim its surface rapidly, and catch its incident hut briefly. Tilton Wood, where they met, is, as half the hunting world know, one of a series of strong woods contained in the valley running from Tilton village to Loddington — famous for stout foxes, and linked with the history of hundreds of fine runs. Skeflfington Wood is nearest neighbour to that of Tilton ; and tliither the hounds were first brought — after being carried to the down-wind side of the covert. Hounds were in full voice, and several foxes in full flight almost immediately. Nine couple of hounds left with the first fugitive, and pursuing him through Tugby Wood, drove him straight into Sir Bache's countr3\ The rest of the pack were hard at work in two or three other directions ; but were soon brought on to the front by huntsman and whip, whose attention had been thus distracted. So there was neces- sarily some little delay ; the fox gained an advantage that was of no slight use to him on an indifferent scenting morning ; and the run was a hunting one where, with luck, it might have been of a truly brilliant character. Its direction was all that could be desired ; for it led almost straight to Glooston Wood, over a line of beautiful open grass. Within a field or so of that covert, it turned to Stonton Wood, and bent back to Nosely — embracing the Stonton Brook in its course. The brook is not a waterjump of great proportion; but its banks are rotten, and from one cause or another horses seldom show a great liking for it. At any rate it always reaps a harvest, when hounds cross it ; and its bosom was not left unruffled to-day. Some horses " scotched " at taking off", and slid to their doom ; others were bogged on landing ; and others jumped just far enough to get in. So more than one new pink left its virgin brightness at its banks. After Nosel}-- there was little done. The run lasted altogether about an hour and a half; of which the first twenty minutes or so was pleasant, if not rapid, going. 254 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox A second fox was found in Loddington Redditch; put every one in a fluster for ten minutes, as he tlu-eaded the woods and then headed for the open ; after which he popped underground close to Tugby Village. Tilton Wood was the word next given ; first horses were sent home, and most of those men having only one out for the day tm'ned homewards too. But in Leicestershire all our best nms — if not all, at least three out of four — are in the afternoon. Scent is generally better, the field is fewer, and hounds seem to hunt with more determination and power. It was a grand fox that left Tilton Wood, and turned a gi'ey mask to stare at his persecutors ere he reached the first hedge. He had not waited to be found ; but he gained very little time by his readiness. Let me pass over how he ran the valley, held to the woods till he broke past Tugby Village, and skirted the gardens of Keythorpe. In Keythorpe Park hounds really settled to run ; and it was by the wire round Keythorpe Park that all the foremost riders were pounded, while the pack dashed on to Vowes' Gorse. A happy turn, just short of this, let pursuers up once more ; and now came the cream of the run. Bearing towards Allexton, they went at a glorious pace and over a splendid countr}' — a half- circle that, crossing the new railway twice, took them over the Allexton Brook, and widely parallel to it, back into Loddington Redditch (fifty-five minutes from start). Through the wood they held on at once, then towards Tilton till their fox bore south- wards again across the valley, and reached the same drain, by Tugby, where the second fox of the day had found shelter. Aji hour and a quarter exactly was the run ; and a great good run truly. Prominent in it were Lord Grey de Wilton, Captain Middleton, Messrs. Pennington, Tailby, H. Lowther, W. Chaplin, H. Flower, Logan, and Major Chaplin, with Neal and Goddard. The horses'of Mr. Pennington and Mr. Flower were apparently as fresh at the end of the run as at starting (though most of the others were sorely beat) ; while I must not neglect (though hurrying over my sketch) to add that one lady, Mrs. Franklyn, rode to the end. 1878—79.] CUB HUNTING. 255 CUB HUNTING. Friday, November 1st. At twelve noon, or thereabouts, the Quorn arrived at Bag-grave, to draw the Prince of Wales' Gorse. The blinds were down at the Hall, the Colonel was away, and there was no sideboard to rob the covertside, to tempt men to be careless of a start, or to urge to extra-valorous riding. But the main influence was present in plenty. One fox away, and to ground in the first field (at an unknown and unguarded drain) ; a second vulp off while the hounds were glued on a third ; and the third to gi'ound w^here another opening made the same drain available. Everybody bristled and rode to the first alarm ; everybody did the same, and incurred the hearty wrath of the Master, to the second ; while to the last, a fully legitimate start, they all charged, with infinite and various grief, a single fence that all had to jump back again. Then three mortal hours of chilly, shivering, watchfulness — a merciless north wind penetrating each waistcoat, the mercurial properties of every flask gi'adually exliausted to zero, and the busiest of cullers drained dry of even his November stories. An obstinate hack — striving his utmost to rub his rider off and hang him on the topmost branches of a bull-finch — gave ten minutes' variety to the cold monotony ; and all hands turned out to a flogging match, riding the hack into the open with whip and holloa. This " divarsion " over, there was nothing for it but to shiver, while, without a scent, hounds scrimmaged hither and thither with the cubs in the low dense gorse — Firr working his utmost to render the covert untenable. " Tallyho over " in one quarter ; and voice and horn at once there to take advantage of the view. " Tallyho over," immediately in another — a perfect game of Blind Man's Buff. By 3.30 the field had had enough of it ; and went home to get warm. Not 256 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season half a dozen were left ; when, at 3.50, a cub really left the gorse, and the signal ran out for the mdefatigable pack. From every bush of the gorse, which even in its ill-scenting humour could not daunt them, they sprang to the horn and holloa ; and spread the whole field to catch up the track they were told was there. As straws launched into a stream they struck the cuiTent, and converged in its flow. We talk of scent. We know nothing even of its influence, its action, or its instinct. The guiding magnetism that apjieals to a hound is an element apart and inexplicable. Red herring nor violets could direct a human nose : and that hounds should fling themselves on to the scent of a fox is an allowed phenomenon. This, though, Avas not to be a run. The cub was beat already; and sought only the sanctuary of his patron saint. He reached the laurels of the Hall, and skirted its windows. Huntsman and-jiarty clattered through the stableyard, to meet the hounds beyond — only to find half of them puzzling round the house — the others huddled up against the library lattice. No doubt the fox liad jumped through the open window; the hounds would not leave it ; old Wisdom was already inside ; and the others could but with difficulty be prevented from following her. Two or three ready horsemen were out of their saddles in a moment, and into the Colonel's sanctum — searching among iron safes, routing among the archives of the Burnaby family, poking their whips behind rows of ancient volumes, tr3dng every dark corner, and even probing the chimney. Wisdom, too, sniifed about hither and thither, whimpering with excitement. The frightened housemaids flocked in, and, as soon as they were sufficiently recovered, aided dihgently in the search. But nowhere could Reynard be found; and hounds were taken back round the walls and through the shrubbery — for it was certain that he must be hid close by. And so he was. He had jumped at the window in his extremity, tm-ned back from it, and found refuge in a hole in the kitchen gai'den. A culvert, some twenty yards long, carried the sm-plus water 1878—79.] CUB HUNTING. 257 from a large open cistern in the garden— and into this moist asyhim he had crept. It wouhl he easy enough to dislodge him with a terrier ; and a terrier was quickly hrought. The source of the drain was plainly visihle ahout five feet down the cistern, and at tlie water's edge. But how to reach it, to put tlie terrier in ? The tank was deep enough to drown a giraffe. The pro- ceedings came to a standstill, and the party looked hlank— till the one with the longest legs was moved with happy inspira- tion. Divesting himself of hat and watch and purse, he lent one lengthy limb to Firr, the other to Will (the second whip) ; then, gripping the terrier by the tail, he was lowered head first into the pit. As one of the gardeners described it raptm-ously, " Jack went in Avith his hacks up ; the fox slipped out at the other end;" the bystanders yelled their loudest; away burst the hounds ; and the diver was nearly dropped into the deep dark water in the confusion. Yet, wet and tired as the fox must have been, he reached, first the shrubberies, then the covert, in safety — and there we were as badly off as ever. Two or three foxes, beat and draggled, crept round the little gorse — : the pack mad to get blood, but the scent not strong enough to help them to it. It was a matter no less of wonderment than of pleasure when, in the failing light of 4.30, a fox (strongly recommended by witnesses as the same who had gone before) broke again towards the Hall. And this time he sought no shelter from shrubbery, library, or cistern; but, bearing up toward Hungerton embarked on to the Quenb}^ pastures. The skeleton field turned in from the Quenby bridle-road to find themselves bound to a most uncompromising line of big fences and stiff new timber. But, whether they liked it or not, the}' had to ride ; for hounds were rapidly leaving them. So they made the best of their way, as the pack swept round at length to the little brook that runs between Lowesby and Baggrave. Fii-r's horse slipped right through the low rail bordering it, and rolled his rider comj^letely under water. And this, on tlie top of his morning fall, and added to a wet ride home — twelve miles at "hound-pace" on a bitter cold night — will fully s 258 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skasox account for it that we lost our huntsman for Ku'by Gate. Tlie scurry, meanwhile, went on, fast if twisting ; and each moment seemed as if it must be their fox's last. But he kept just in front of them for twenty' minutes, doubled back to Lowesby, and found jet another open drain — which saved him. He had run over the prettiest country, and given the few men who had lingered a reward that thev had not hoped for. [But that hounds went home Avithout a taste of fox-flesh was hard indeed upon them. "SVe can scarceh' lay the blame on inadequate earth-stopping ; for each and every one of the holes and drains in which foxes went to ground were newl}' estabhshed refuges. AT HOME IX A STORM. Friday (November 15th) was the first da}' that wind and i-ain ever kept your employe within-doors, with hounds at hand and horses fit to go. This fact is of consequence to nobody except himself — and only to him as testifying a decadence moral or physical — the first grey hair, tlie first forehead line, the fii'st victory of self-indulgence over the rigid rule of sport — the first glimmering of sense, perhaps, but a falHng-off notwith- standing. Nor is his personality for the public only — except, perhaps, as a gauge, in some measure to indicate the feelings, motives, appreciativeness of that section of society of which he forms a sample unit. Of course one ougJit to have gone hunting in Cording suit, or Pytchley Spencer, or some other ingenious riding-tent. Tliere could be no hope, or chance, of vivid active sport ; but still one ought to have gone out, if only to show one's superiority over the ill will of the elements, and to support the Hunt whose button is one's badge. I confess that, for the first time (I repeat with shame) , neither consideration, nor even a sense of duty towards you, Mr. Editor, availed to draw me from the fireside. I wasn't happ}'- though — even with a month's ■collection of bills and a pile of unanswered correspondence to 187S— 70.] AT HOME IN A STORM. 259 Leguile the time. For tlie liours tlirown suddenly on hands, idle only because they are disappointed of a fully i)lanned enq)loynient, are sure to be wasted — or at best consumed in light and frivolous occupation. My day, I'll venture odds, will answer in the main to that of a few score of others similarl}'- placed — with the object of killing time thus unexpectedly thrust upon them. Breakfast as arranged overnight, as late as con- sistent with the meet (or rather later). After breakfi:ist a cigarette against a storm-beaten window — the prosjiect as black and hopeless as may be — the tempest raging pitilessly from the north — and horses counterordered — one only to be kept in readiness should a very unlikely change for the better transjiire. Did ver}' little all morning, except get out blotting book, and spread writing-material pretentiously all round ; mended two pens ; paid frequent visits to the window, ejaculated freel}' when there, and hoped aloud that Tom Firr wouldn't be out on a day so admirably in fjivour of lumbago. Breakfast ap- l)arently scarcely over when luncheon was announced. Now, if there is one process less than all others in keeping with the habits and instinct of an active man it is sitting down cit famille to a hot luncheon as part of the business of the da}'. It is good neither physically nor intellectually, at the time nor in its effects. He is fully aware of this, hates himself during commission of the sin, and still more afterwards — and yet will fall a victim again as soon as temptation offers. After luncheon a banging big cigar, an easy chair and the paper, and to sleep. Woke in a bad temper because people would talk and laugh in the daytime ; and so settled sullenly down to the bills. Docketed them neatly ; and put them away comfortably to await further orders. A cup of tea now. Drew a covert or two, found a fox and killed him handsomel}' in the drawing room, to the great edification of the terriers and with splendid accompaniment of voice and horn. Got turned out of this ; so sat down and went in for letter-writing. Began each with the remark that one had been too busy to answer his or hers before, told him or her that post was going, begged that s 2 260 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox haste would be excused, and asked that lie or she would write again ver}- soon. Then an hour among the bookshelves, — a scrap here, a page there, Somerville and Shakespeare, Burnand and Burns, Mark Twain and Alfred Tennj^son — a taste of each is better than a surfeit of any one, especially for a memory like a Avaste paper basket. Capital day for looking over the guns, that have been lying by a month or two. Found them rusty. Accordingly proceeded to clean and lay out well-oiled frag- ments on each piece of furniture within reach, which shortly, and not unnaturall}', brought down the wrath of the housewife. Wondered what women do wlien tliey don't hunt — and we do. They can't order dinner all day. Yer}^ fortunate for them that they should have us at home thus, once in the fortnight — and the more so that our conversation under such circumstances is .so brilliantly entertaining — its sole subjects being the disgust- ing appearance of the weather and the extreme hardship of being thus pent up in their societ}'. Dinner next, and a marvellous appetite considering disappointment endured, want of exercise, and the shattered constitution that kej^t one within- doors. But they say they were very cold and wet outside ; and had onl}' a slow afternoon limit from Hungerton Foxholes to Noi-ton. THE BELVOIR AT HOME AND ABROAD. Wednesday, Nov. 27th. — Tlie Belvoir at Waltham. If there could be variance of opinion as to the pace hounds travelled 3'esterday, there will ))e little argument on the subject of to-day. It was a thorovigh Belvoir burst — bright, bustling, and brilliant. Let us pass over the morning, when from Melton Spinney, starting close to their fox, they were headed back just at the Melton Brook — hij a j^f^dlar, forsootli. ^Miat in Heaven's name could a pedlar, and his pack, have been doing by the side of Melton Brook ? And what wares could he have hoped to sell there, unless he brought a stock 1878—79.] THE BELVOIll AT HOME AND ABROAD. 261 of cordials in view of immersions ? The headed fox led over plough for ten minutes, then to ground. And from the holloa forward on a second one notlimg accrued. On the way to Brentingby Spinney a farmer told of an old fox curled up where he could keep his eye on the fowls of the homestead. " Tally ho-back " gave the information that he had been disturbed, and had run his head against the whip at the Melton corner ; and they Avho galloped to the first scream had just time to pull up to the last syllable, when a gay brave customer fiung himself over the stubble across their front. Hounds were at him before he cleared the field; and skimmed the four first fiendish arables at a speed that defied approach. Then they hit the grass ; a hedge-cutter had hindered the fox ; and he was in sight as they cut a corner and swung down towards Freeh v Village. The field turned quick over the side fence to their right. Brentingby Spinney, from which they had started, is but a little place, and all were there or near. A small plantation lay beside the bottom ; and the pack drove through it, before bearing still more to the right, over the strong-fenced nullah. Now they had crossed it, and struck up the field beyond Avith the lightning quickness of the Belvoii'— and the field were checked. The fence was guarded by an extra post-and-rail ; and the watercourse stretched deep and wide beyond. But there was no help or alternative. Mr. Baldock drove at it in one spot. Sir Beaumont Dixie in another. No fall, but a scramble and gallant recovery in either instance ; two men down elsewhere — and the rest waited till a breach was efiected in the rampart. The pack were nearly a field ahead, and kept it. They rose the hill, and the tail hounds were the beacons over the brow. Mr. Ernest Chaplin had thro^vn an eye forward, and caught a view, as Eeynard had dijiped down to the copse in the bottom ; so had ridden inside the difficulty, and now was leading pursuit. A locked gate hindered a trio dropping from tlie clouds. The others dipped under a tree, and drove and thrust after the flying pack. Two dense black bulfinches, which w^eight and pace alone could pierce ; and next 2G2 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox a second wide deep bottom — its fence impenetrable and bigh wbere bounds crossed, and no apparent possible opening. Bearing rigbt and left, tlie leaders went for its first practicable points, and gladly found themselves be3'ond. Hounds were "well ahead flj'ing on the fresh hot scent ; and the gi'ound was fetlock deep. But on the big j^astures of Thorpe Arnold the pack had no longer the best of it : and once again the three were with them on terms satisfiictorj'. Their fox was yielding to the killing pace, and now he bore up towards the spot from which he had started. A half-laid wire took a moment's thought and search : and soon they entered a turnip-field, with hounds in full drive. The wet mud must have hung, and smothered the scent. The leading hounds threw up their heads when carrying a straight con- tinuous line : wavered and stood for a second or two, as if the tremendous pace had told also upon them. And this, if I may be permitted to hazard the opinion, explains the check. The leading hounds were hloini. For, though the track lay onwards, they would not stoop for it at once. As a holloa sounded forward, it was proposed that one of the party should carrv them to it ; but this was not acted upon. Gillard soon came up, hit the scent just forward of wdiere they had abandoned it, and the party increased its strength by a score. Eighteen minutes it had been to the check, w'hen their fox was only just out of view. Running on almost as fast, they made it twenty- seven — when, with their fox so beat that he crawled into a hedgerow, among the horsemen and not a hundred yards before hounds, a fresh one jumped up in front, took them three fields on, and spoiled a fine finish. Of the run fox I have only to add that he gained Melton Spinney (though when last viewed he might have been caught b}' a man on foot), recovered his Avind, and, favoured by the inferior scent of the afternoon, still wears his brush. Monday, Nov. 25tli. — The Quorn at Lodge-on-the-Wolds. The term AVold I have only learned to define as betokening inferior land and an infamous hunting country — perhaps a 1878—79.] THE BELYOIll AT HOME AND ABROAD. 2G3 comLinate word of which old and u-ild are the components. It is old because it has never been found worth while to redeem it from its original primitive culture ; and it is loild because it is too poor and weak to tempt civilisation. There is an errant population scattered over it, of the Afredee and Momund description — and the whole tribe was turned loose on this Martinmas Monda}-. That the}' should seek to eke out their holiday' in connection with foxhunting is a point on which Ave give them our fullest sympathy. And we held a Martinmas Fair round Roehoe. But there was a honnc honcUe left for the afternoon ; and the men of Melton wetted their lips in antici- I)ation. " The Curate " was known to be full of foxes ; and was to be drawn when Firr had done his duty by the stranger offspring of the more " old-fashioned sporting plough." (What a hateful adjective is that "old-fashioned"! An "old- fashioned " run is to us of the " new fangled school " as hateful as an obsolete bonnet is to a woman. It means something dowdy, detestable, and out of date. "We don't hunt on the same lines as our ancestors ; and, thank Heaven, we don't X)retend to. AVe don't rise when a fool of a cock gives the signal ; but prefer to use our own judgment, to find our fox at a rational hour, rather than drag up to " his lair in the " chilly dew of the " morning "). The plough was not done with till three o'clock ; and at last a move was made for the promised Curate. " Twenty minutes across to Dalby Wood wouldn't be a bad thing ? Even a scurry to Willoughby would do ! while, if we have luck we might drop in for an out-and-outer over the Vale ! " Second horses are only just mounted, and we didn't expect much fun in the morning ! So let us to The Curate, full of confidence and hope assured. Well, they have been very smart in sending the whips on. There's a cap at every corner. Establishments fully manned — and alive to their work too. That's how we like to see things done. But hullo ! a horn too ! A whisper — a solemn awesome whisper sneaks into our ears. The Belvoir arc in tJte Curate! Our last draw for the day, and Gillard hard at work scattering the litter, till his own fox 264 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox shoukl break. Oh, it's airful ! A silence now, such as even the noisiest — and most irreverent — dare not break ; while in the distance, like sounds of wanton revehy, re-echo the dese- crating tones of horn and hound. Even Tom Firr does not smile, nor laugh aloud. Have 30U ever seen that picture at Munich, of Apollo about to flay Mars5'as — the result and wager of their musical combat ? It has no bearing, of course, on the present crisis — but have you seen it ? But a shrill repeated scream breaks the spell, at least to those who can take an unofficial view of matters. And twenty men rush off to the stranger horn, to which hounds are streaming from the covert. Xatm'e — human, fox hunting nature, can't resist the call. And forsaking their colours the men of Quorn chime in with tlie foreigners — "just to see that fair pla}' is enacted." Fair play they see, and are witnesses, moreover, to the fact that Gillard kills his fox (a veteran thoroughly run to death) in another twenty minutes' hunting. He had brought him from Hose Covert across the Vale — quick and sharp past Sherbrook's Covert over a capital line (grass all the way) by Parson's Thorns into The Curate — to kill him, as we have seen, close to Widmerpool Village, and to spoil the Quorn afternoon. GEORGE WHYTE MELVILLE. LiivE a black heavy cloud, choking the breath and pressing on the heart with its cold damp weight, came the news that spread from mouth to mouth at tlie Quorn meet at Eearsby (Friday last, December 6th). " AVhat, WhyU: Melville of all men ? " was the one first utterance of the hundred who there learned the loss of a dear friend, were there told of the sudden awful death of the man who in himself was almost the life and voice of foxhunting, and there heard that the Chase had brought the end of the one that it least of all could spare. It is not so much of AVhyte Melville the writer, the poet, I am 'y^^ /i/ii>i?. 1878—70.] GEOllOE WHYTE MELVILLE. 265 speaking. But of Wliyte Melville the Iviiidly friend, the genial fellow si)ortsman, the heart}' companion, the courteous chivalrous gentleman. As a writer he was known everyiclicre ,- hut it was so he was known and valued in Leicestershire — as in Gloucester, Northampton, Dorset, Devon, and Somerset. Wherever he lived he endeared himself. Wherever he rode, he rode for the love of hunting — without selfishness, without jealousy, and that, wliile others enjoyed themselves, he too might do so according to his hent. His was a nature that, while finding a leading pleasure in the study of others, was never cynical, hitter, or unkind. Where smaller minds could make Avit and jest out of failings in those round him, he was ready, with ten times the humour, to make fun and story of material that injured no one directly or indirectly. He husied himself, as I have said, in the study of those near him. But it was that he might learn their special interests, and hring home to himself their peculiar tastes. And thus it was that scarce anyone exchanged a morning greeting with Whyte Melville, hut to go on his way delighted that his life had something in it that met symi^athy from without — and, hetter still, the sympathy of a man whose sympathy was worth having. For, out of the natural kindheartedness of a clever man, grew the knack and hahit, wliicli at all times prompted him to say the right thing — a nice thing — to whomever he was thrown across. And he proved his sincerity hy speaking no differently hehind his neighhour'sback than to his face. Somen loved him. English- men do not often speak thus of tlieir fellows ; but many a man icill say thus, or tliink thus, now Whyte Melville is dead. I mean to write no studied panegyric ; but I must be allowed expression as one who looked up to him with admu'ation not only, but with affection, and who knows something of the feeling, evident and evinced, of others of a certain section. In Whyte jNIelville there was nothing antagonistic. He never, with all his acknowledged genius, sought to jiit himself or his opinions in combat. Pie never came roughly against the sus- cei)tibilities of his conu'ades, even to indulge his vivid sense of humour. To meet him in the morning was a warming gleam 266 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox of sunsliine. To ride home with him at night Avas a cheery sunset. He was not, generally, deemed a sm-passing horseman. He went out to amuse himself, and did it thoroughly — seeing a gi-eat deal of hounds, and picking his own way where he and his horse could hest learn to adjust themselves to each other's taste. Nothing Avas more pleasant to him than to educate a willing well bred pupil to jump to his liand and gallop on the finger. I fancy I can see him in that last canter — sitting down in his saddle, his head bent over to watch " the snort and strain on the yielding rein " as he " humoured the " too -willing " mare," his hands down almost on the ponnnel, and all the while he kept up a pleasant How of talk with whoever rode heside him. If his death was a sudden one, and to his fri(*nds a terrible stunning blow, I trust there is nothing impious in the thought that perhaps lie himself — who pleaded that man's most Avorthy death Avas in harness, and that it Avere better CA'er that fruit should be gathered Avhen ripe rather than be left to fall from the tree, — Avould have cliosen liis fan-well thus, in the midst of the glorious pursuit he had made esj^ecially his OAvn. Indeed, he died Avlien his fruit Avas yet ripe ; and he died in the zenith of his fame as an author. He has died Avhen his OAvn world will lament him, Avring their hands bitterly oA'er their grievous loss, and sorroAv earnestly for Whyte Melville. Was there something prophetic, in that the last lines he published were entitled FarcivdU Surely, at any rate, there Avas an augurv in those former Avords of his (ringing now for nights past in my ears), It's worth tlie risk of life and limb and neck, boys, To see them glance and stoop Till they finish with who-whoop, Forty minutes o'er the grass without a check, l)oys. Only a Postscript in mcmoriam. There have been paragraplis with large-letter headings Avritten for the midtitude ; and tliere have been Avords of vivid heart-felt sorroAv printed for sympa- thetic eyes. But his oAvn words give it more plainly, more feelingly, more tearfully noAV, than any outside utterance. Why have they not been quoted ? "To me it seems that there 187S— 70.] GEORGE WHYTE MELVILLE. 267 may come a time "svhen to have given gold for silver in every relation of life .shall he the one consoling reflection — a time perhaps of hushed voices, stealthy footsteps, and a darkened room, growing 3-et strangel}' darker with eveiy breath we draw. Or- a time of earth-stained garments, and bespattered friends proffering silver hunting -flasks in sheer dismay, and a favourite Jiorse brought back with flging stirrups, dangling rein, and its mane fidl of mud, while thr dull grey sky tvheels above and tlie dank tufted grass heaves belou- ; nor in tiie intervals of a pain, hecoming every moment less keen, ean /re stifle the helpless consciousness that, before our crushed' frame sliall be lifted from its wet slippery resting place, it will be tinie to die.'' He gave Gold for Silver while he could. I take the extract from " Bones AND I " — not his best book, but containing some of his richest, deepest, and best thought. It makes one very very sad to read this chapter now. Read it, brother sportsmen, and say if any but a good, a thoughtful, or a noble man could have written it. It chanced that, but a few evenings ago, three or four of us (we were not all illiterate) ti'ied hard, and searched wide, to find a j)lain definition for the word philosopliy. Analysis ^m^^A'. 1878—79.] FOX-HUNTING IN THE SNOW. 269 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SNOW. Frost and snow, notwithstanding, Ave have had more than one good day's sport in the week that is past — sport, too, that we coidd really see, and even ride to ! Sir Bache Cunard has been hunting regularly, and gaining no mean triumphs in his Ijattle with the elements — as you shall see. On all the uppermost level of High Leicestershire the snow lies thick; and, having settled there before the frost could touch the gTound, now keeps the surface warm and almost soft. It is only here and there, where the snow has been blown aside, that the turf refuses to yield ; and these are the spots to be avoided. Elsewhere horses' feet sink deep enough, galloping is fair and feasible, and jumping possible. The existence of a ditch can only be guessed at ; and of the where- abouts of a hole there is no sign. But it is safer to chance a snowdrift than to hazard the glassy surface of bare ground. Of Wednesday (January 29th) I can give my own impressions.. A postcard said twelve at Keythorpe ; and thither we accord- ingly sallied, on a dull cheerless morning, with the east wind driving a blinding sleet in our faces, till eyes shed painful tears and ever}' feature tingled and ached. The sky was leaden almost to blackness ; the broad gi*een fields of which we make our boast were now a bleak white desert, crossed and cut with tliin black lines, as far as the sight could reach tlirough the clear cold atmosphere. The Coplow alone stood out — like a black edition of the Holy Mountain of Japan — a landmark for all Leicestershire. Horses cm-led their backs, shook their heads and snorted, as they breathed the fresh crisp air ; and gam- bolled on the ice-covered road till it seemed as if not even frost-shoes could save a fall. Lideed, the first half-mile from stables is, at any rate to my timorous mind, the most terrify- ing portion of a day's hunting in the frost. Clattering along the wheel-beaten track, sliding round icy corners, it w:is hard to believe that sane men were going a-hunting. But we 270 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skasok retui'ned to find we had done nothing so very mad ; brought hack " a sound mmd in a sound body," consider that both are all the better for it, and look forward to repeating the process very shortly. Know, then, that we took our start from the Quorn country, where the snowfall has been scantier; and such Arctic fashion of fox-hunting would (except round Lowseby, Billesdon Coplow, Quenby and Baggrave) be im- practicable. But, as we issued from the plain on to the heights of Cold Newton, the lanes had been choked with snowdrifts, now cut through to leave a three-feet wall on either side; while every field was covered to a depth of several inches. Already, too, a happy omen had shed a radiance across our patli and over our spirits. ' In the middle of an open field, whom should we meet but Bold Reynard himself, sauntering leisurel}^ along in the daylight, fully convinced that hunting was a dormant or a dead pursuit. The sight of three horse- men booted and spurred was a sharp shock to his misguided mind ; and the familiar view holloa sent him scurrying off to wonder and soliloquy in the security of the gorse hard hy. At one o'clock punctuality was rewarded by the sight of hounds just breaking up their fox in Vowes' (xorse — the second they have been unfortunate enough to chop in this covert during the last ten days. And round or near the pack stood — not half-a-dozen wild enthusiasts as we had expected, but a field of fifty I Indeed, half the Hunt were there ; and had already acquired the confidence begotten of previous suc- cessful experiment. The following were some among them — Sir Bache and the Misses Cunard, Mrs. Arthur, Mr. and Miss Braithwaite, Miss Studd, Lord JNIanners, Colonel and Messrs. F. and H. Gosling, Captains J. Baillie, Pennington, and Goodchild, Messrs. Duncan, Lloyd, Douglass, Simpson, Ark- wright, Allcard, Crane, Coleman, Foster, &c. ; while Neal, the huntsman of the Cottesmore, was in attendance to study a new branch of the art. The Hunt servants were in full ortho- doxy of colour and costume. For the others, covert-coats, woollen-gloves, and in some cases comforters, were the pre- 1878—79.] FOX-IIUNTINa IN THE SXOW. 271 vailing mode. But the distinguishing fashion was something entirely novel as an article of hunting kit, though in future no member of the B.H. Hunt will he considered to possess a complete outfit without it. This was no more nor less than a pair of thick felt snow-shoes, buckling down the leg and en- veloping the whole of the butcher-boot. (N.B. Spurs will not be worn on this parade. By order.) There can be no doubt about the ajipropriateness of these highl}^ original gar- ments for the work they are intended to serve. lUlnej not only keep the feet delightfully Avarm ; but the}^ protect the inner boot from snow, when the wearer descends for the con- stantly recurring necessity for rail-breaking. For though, again and again, you may assure yourself that a fence has most likely no ditch on the take-ofi' side, and may cram over it fast enough to attain a probability of clearing any ordinary dug-out bej^ond the hedge, it requires a very full faith in the generosity of Providence to allow of tilting best pace at a stout oxer, with the ditch a wide problem in front. The Colonel does it, and will no doubt do it again ; but the rest of us don't, by any means. The sport of the day was a run of two liours and twenty minutes, and held its Ava}'' much as follows. The death and worry in Vowes' Gorse could be heard far and near in the frosty air ; and the foxes of Keythorpe took warning at once. So two at least had gone, when the farther plantations were now draAvn. Holloas resounded from every hillside ; for the AA'alking public Avere afoot and fully alive to the fun. The sporting shepherd Avelcomed the change; the brickmakers, frozen from their occupation in the neighbouring j'ard, made high holiday ; and stablemen Avitli breeches of excruciating tightness straddled stiffly round the covert side. After trying in vain for a fox still left in his lair, there Avas no alternative for the huntsman but to press forward on to the line of one of the early fugitives. And thus they hunted sloAvly aAvay towards Noseley and (the reader who knoAvs the Keythorpe gullies, and the Avays of the Keythorpe foxes, Avill not be sur- 272 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox l)risecl to hear) they found themselves ere long working round and back to the place of starting. They had travelled long enough to show the uninitiated that it was safe to canter over a grass field ; and to teach a horse that it did not quite pay to plunge his forefeet blindly into each snowdrift. A single little fence had been successfull}- encountered, the man had gathered courage, and the steed had learned sobriety. So when they went northwards from Keythorpe, with their fox holloaed away close before them, there was quite a dash upon the line of hounds. A flock of sheep caused an unfortunate check in the otherwise smart gallop to Allexton Wood ; and some of the prettiest hunting was over the few light-fenced fields between there and "Wardley. A quarter-hour spent here (where the beautifully kept rides were soft and firm as tan) ; then back (undoubtedly with a fresh fox), into Allexton. They worked the line througli, with ten minutes' the worst of it. Then they could onh' potter for five more ; and right and left it was worded that the chase was " over," and that we had seen an " excellent hunting run." Accepting the latter phase, we soon had to give up the former. Hounds were away again down a fallow, whose jagged edges stood up like granite above the snow. A clean jump, into ground whose velvet}-- feel at once told it was gi-ass, Avas the first of a jolly series that opened out a new experience. With a curiously improved scent, there was clattering and scrambling where the next gap gave glass to jump over and grass to jump into. There was the crack of a hammer, the groan of shaken joints, when there came a horrid five-foot drop on to a bare dry surface — and conscience re-echoed the groan for the good bold horse that had jumped his farthest. There was battering, wrenching, hammering, and excited halloaing, when the Foot Guards were clearing away obstructive chevaux-dc-frise ; and many a sjDring was made from a ditch-bottom, that was meant to take its source from firm ground two feet above. But there was no fail, nor a single lamed horse : and it was a twenty minutes' hot going that matches in description with nothing I ever saw 1878—79.] WATERLOO GORSE AND THRUSSINGTON GORSE. 273 before. The Messrs. Gosling, the Master, Mr. Marshall, Summers and Shepherd (huntsman and whip) were all in close pursuit of the Colonel's grey. Thus merrily up to Hallaton Village, when time was called, as above. Two foxes were in front — one to Stockerston, and the other (I had nearly written a terrible Irishism) back towards Keythorpe ; so hounds were taken home. I can sum up only to the effect that this was the brightest day I have seen for eight solid weeks. Once or twice a week like this will save us manj^ a groan and grumble. Believe me, it is better riding under such unmistakable conditions than when you attempt to hurry a thaw too quickly into hunting weather. And a day like this rouses the spirit, quickens the blood, and stirs the system, when all three have been growing gradually and lamentably stagnate. Weather (and a due allowance of snow) permitting, the same pack may be seen at AUexton on Monday next — 11 a.m. WATERLOO GORSE AND THRUSSINGTON GORSE. Thursday, February 13th. Glorious weather and glorious sport again. We are up in our stirrups now — making the most of our fortune, and bent on making the most of it to the end. Since in abject despair I posted my last few lugubrious lines, there has been merri- ment for the most despondent, food for the hungriest, medicine for the most dyspeptic : and we are thriving heartily. No need nor time to dwell or ponder now. Events have followed each other in one continued stream, and we are swimming on the pleasant waters still. For the items see below. It was a huge, and, apparently, a happy throng that mustered in the Market Harboro' Ball rooni on Thursday niglit (Feb. 6th) ; and fully half that throng — undoubtedly hearty and happy — ^joined the Pytchley at Arthingworth the next day. They had been given till noon to recover themselves ; and in highest 274 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season spirits they tm-ned up, albeit many a bright complexion was paled, and many a manly eye bore little of its accustomed gloss. They were once more in the saddle, and in the field ; once again there was a chance of vigorous action, and a vent for the pent-up energy of nme weeks' accumulation. Waterloo Gorse is a name of fame — a name that falls with a murmur of melody in old ears, that wakens a stirring memory for the middle aged, and sends an extra glow into the veins of youth and enthusiasm. It is hallowed in half-forgotten story ; it is honoured in recent tale, and a halo hovers round it that will last as long as you and I, reader, are above the bright green sod. Enthroned on a gentle eminence amid what I am safe in terming the stiffest country in England, it forms the central point of an arena wherein no combatant competes with real success, unless he can trust truly in his heai-t and in his horse. On every side the big bullock fields stretch away for miles, intersected by fences that ai'e practicable only here and there, to the boldest and the best. And for this reason, gi'and as are the associations of "Waterloo Gorse, it is not as favourite a covert as many another of humbler fame. On one side (that of the railway) there is great difficulty in getting away with hounds, and in most dii'ections it is almost impossible to ride straight to them when away. On this warm moist morning there was a field that hungered for a ride, that revelled in the rain, and threw off then- coats to welcome the new sensation of hunting weather. They clustered round the gorse (the black- thorn, except for old denomination); and they left no corner unguarded. There was a note in covert, a long stillness, then a little vixen fox jumping out among listless idlers of the pack. In again, and a brushmg scrimmage within the thicket. A crash and chorus that we haven't heard for weeks, a distant yell — and we are almost left behind. 'Tis of no interest how fox and hounds worked a short circle outside; but a different thing when they "leathered" to it on the grass beyond. "Hounds can't run ! " Can't they ? Keep with them now ! Follow Goodall on that little bit of a grey, as he flicks over quickset 1878-79.] WATERLOO GORSE AND THRUSSINGTON GORSE. 275 oxer, and rail. You never thought of the extra timber that he left under the wide plashed hedge. You can't beheve in the hole he found in the high growing bullfinch. You ai-e glad that Lord Spencer smashed the far rail ; and you wondered why Mr. Tailby shouted for "pace ! " Mr. Langham is near enough to follow ; and Mr. Henry is close in his wake. Ah, 'tis a jolly moment, to open your lungs, and to thank Heaven the world contains hunting. To the rocketting bound of a good free horse you catch your breath, thankfully, happily. Why doesn't this last for ever ? Why don't hounds always run ? Why don't all horses jump free ? Why is there so much prose in life ? Why — well, they are running too hard for more questions — and 'twas a hearty fifteen minutes that brought us to Loatland Wood. I (who speak only as one of a mass) felt better — ten years better, for the scurry. And in half an hour we killed our beaten fox in covert, and with satisfaction saw him eaten. Then we stai-ted on a slow dull line (foxhunting, though, and therefore pleasant) and killed a fat animal in the next hour. A pommel-high stream had to be waded — and waded it was, too, by two ladies, the Misses Mackenzie (who, with Mrs. E. Kennard, had been thoroughly placed in the previous gallop). Now we get on to Monday last, Feb. 11th. The Quorn at Sixhills — a day that in itself made amends for a month of fi^'ost. Thrussington Gorse was the som'ce of that happy morning gallop. The field clustered and quivered on its southernmost edge, while the faint sounds of hound and horn came up the wind, to hold them in blind anxiety. A fox gone here ; another there — and the pack still audible in covert. How the crush, the crash, and the scramble came, I can scarcely tell you even now. Or how hounds and huntsman were through the Wold of Thrussington so quickly. Penned up in a mob, one's part is so atomic, and one's initiatory action so con- glomerate, that the memory presents but a misty scene in which one has a dim undefined notion of having taken a part. I remember the deep struggle (some yards of which was per- T 2 276 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE, [Season formed on one's horse's head) through the Wold Wood. I remember two narrow fields of plough (the same we met at starting in our last gallop from the wood), and I know well the two blind fences that hedge them. After these, the scene opens out upon wide acres of grass, good fair fences coming quick and big — fifty men on honourable terms with hounds, and the pack holding their own, with a head half a field broad. A lovely sight and a stirring scene, as they swept down to Hoby — all grass, all galloping, room for everyone, the pace mag- nificent, and the best bit of coimtry in the Hunt. No one was foremost. But most of the good men were there — Firr, of course, close in the wake of his hounds ; and almost equally of course Mr. Coupland beside him — Messrs., captains, and esquires all going as quick as men couldride — Leatham, Brockle- hurst, Beaumont, Ashton, Adair, Lubbock, Cart, Robertson, and forty others almost abreast — with half a dozen ladies among the number. I can hardly tell you how they reached Hoby — so quick, confusing, and exciting was the trip. But the scurry over the grass met no check for fifteen to eighteen minutes — and then there came hunting, with a burst fox in front : and of com'se they killed him. They hunted him, a horseshoe line, by Thrussington, round northwards to Segrave ; com'sed hun out of a farmyard with his back up and his brush droopmg, and worried him under some faggots hard by — fifty-three minutes and a true good hunt from find to finish. That first burst was heavenly : the rest was better than the worse half of one's life. THE PUNCHBOWL RUN. All else of the week, all else of the year, pales before the run of Saturday. My pen may have rusted in the frost ; my right hand have grown stale with repetition of subject. But I must put this before you if I can. I must be pardoned a free use of names ; and I must crave forgiveness for all error of 1878—79.] THE PUNCHBOWL RUN. 277 omission and commission. I can only give the impressions of a looker-on, and plead that in such case the looker-on sees much — not all — of the game. You know the Punchbowl, reader, and its nestling copse, gu't on three sides by close precipitous hill. You know it to be one of the best prized treasm-es of the Cottesmore ; you remember its fame in Mr. Tailby's most successful days ; and for years you have thanked the Hartopp family that they made it the apple of their eye. As hounds entered it on the afternoon of Saturday last, a dense chilly fog swept up its mouth, wrapping it in so dense a gloom that even Captain Hartopp's herculean form was hidden, as on his giant horse he watched the ride cutting the three-acre hollow. We will touch, perhaps, on the morning's doings by- and-bye. For the present their interest is swamped by gi-eater things. Let it suffice that scent had been weak, but that Neal had worked a short running fox to death round and about Stapleford, that men had mounted their second horses, had grumbled a little that they were " not in luck to-day," and were now all alive for whatever turn fortune might take. Now, reader, as you have done before, you shall ride — not my horse, but such an one as is not to be fomid in Melton. He shall carry you through dirt without faltering, and through difficulty without danger. You may sit still on him, and see what others are doing, while you sail freely along. I will answer for your mount. For your vision I can only promise my best. At the entrance to the Punchbowl Gap, you leave the greater company awaiting the turn of events below ; and, grasping Perfection's mane, clamber up the greasy staii'case to the Punchbowl's rim. " 'Tis ever easier to get down than up," you argue; and a score of others — Lord Carrington, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Chaplin, Captain Jacobson, Messrs. Harter, Beaumont, Custance, &c., among them — argue the same. And although all these names recur again, the argument proved itself wrong. For in the thick fog the keenest sight could not penetrate fifty yards ; and the huntsman's voice rose vaguely from a dark undefined abyss. 278 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season Never was truer prophecy uttered than was couched in the Meltonian's muttered caution, as his horse plunged up the ascent, " Steady, old man, there may be galloping yet ! " "Hope there will be," you answer audibly, and pull your own struggling animal into a quiet crawl. But the Punchbowl is bristling, echoing already. A brace of foxes show theii- heads where the upper gi'oup is gathered, and retire hm-riedly together — the one a grey old rogue, the other a peifect leviathan in vulpine shape. A thu'd, a tiny red vixen, flashes through the bushes near. But it is the leviathan with whom the fun is to be, and whose destiny is sealed. Goddard's shrill scream rises through the mist; Neal's horn cuts the fog; and you must go — somehow, somewhere. You have chosen your fate above, and by your choice you must abide. So gallop and go now, though you gallop in uncertainty, and you go in half- despair. The horn rings again out of the valley ; the cry is still swelling below. Neither is nearer towards you ; but the sounds recede, and hope grows fainter. With circus-like rapidity you sweep round the edge of tlie gully, dipping under overhanging branch of ash and oak, floundering over rabbit- holes, and slipping over tree-roots. Now you see how affairs have been going, and now you are pushing on no longer in the dark. The pack has broken towards Pickwell; is a field ahead of you ; and you find as the fog lifts slightly, you are no better than fiftieth in the rush. Right and left, pinlc and black are flinging over the fences to gain the wirebound Dalby and Pickwell road, already crowded for the only crossing. Into the bordering spmney you take your turn, and splash in and out of the muddy brook, to gain the grass on the right bank. Mr. Hugh Lowther keeps the left bank^ followed only by Lord Helmsley and Mr. L. Flower ; hounds favour him in the next quarter mile ; recross the strong fenced brook where no one can follow them ; and give him a turn of which he makes fullest use as they rise the Leesthorpe big field and its short deepfm-rows. Colonel Forester, too, has remained below the Punchbowl mouth ; then leaving the high plantation on 1878—79.] THE PUNCHBOWL RUN. 279 his light, darts into the road to lead the fiekl along the right bank of the stream — as, over wet and broken gi-ass, they hurry on till tliey can bear up again to hounds. Cai3tain Hartopp remains in the lane (I allude still to the Dalby and Pickwell road) to warn all who come of the wire for whose removal he has laboured for years ; then sets to work after Mr. Lowther — and eventually performs the best feat of the run. For, with fully sixteen stone up, he .is well in it from find to finish. Hounds are now pointing for Berry Gorse ; and no one along- side but Mr. Lowther, till they swing round to Leesthorpe — a lucky turn that deserves more gratitude and congTatulation than it has, or is ever likely to receive. Now, reader, j^ou can join in with Neal and with the whole galloping frenzied body, as from the cross roads of Leesthorpe they pound the granite for Stapleford. Admit j^ou have never seen a hound for the past several minutes, till j'ou catch them flying down the stubblefield on the right. Hustle out of the road where you can escape the thundering mass. You can gallop even arable down-hill ; and you have stiffer work than this before you still. Your head is for Whissendine village now ; two quick fences next, and then what I may term the pseudo-Whissendine (the stream leading on under Laxton's covert) is below you^ Its brink is reached by fifty men almost abreast — hounds speeding onwards, now and throughout, as you seldom see them run — not a falter in their straining pace, and every note a whimper. With a bridge within fifty j^ards, Captain Jacobson takes the Avater as it comes, lights upon grass, and scores a triumph which he maintains, deservedly and determinedly, to the end. Mr. Harter, Lord Manners, Mr. G. Leigh, and others, hit off the bridge in their stride. But the bridge has a gate ; and the gate is fastened as it cannot be opened from horseback. It is only a moment to turn round and jump on to the low- parapeted brickwork ; but it is a precious moment with a pack on the wing as now. And now, instead of sound turf, they are on the most choking plough that ever defied a horse. They daren't trot ; they can't take a pull. The test must be put ; 280 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season and horses are sent through the two next fiehls to mamtain their honour and pronounce their pedigi'ee. You and Perfection, reader, make nothing of it ; but skim into the gi'ass bej'ond to take easy note of thmgs as .they go. You may cap on the tail- hounds : you may cheer Captain Jacohson and the good brown as they draw up to the leaders ; and you may cry Forrard to Mr. Harter and his contingent as they strike the grass in l)ursuit. You will note how, right and left, the front now extends fiill four hundred yards broad. Hounds are streaming up a hedgerow a field to the right of the "NVhissendinc and Stapleford road. Captain Jacohson leads the van, jumping fence for fence in theii- wake. Mr. Harter, on his strong bay, rides next, with Mr. Beaumont on one of his neat thorough- breds, giving him just time to land fairly over each leap. Mr. Leatham is allowing some three stone to the last named, and has nothing like the *' quality " under him, but he drives forward with a detennination that almost defies weight. And right forward among this central group Mrs, Molyneux glides along — doing as full justice to Lord Grey de Wilton's silver- tailed brown as even his bold owner could have done. Lord Manners is well up ; and Mr. Clayton is riding a splendid old steei>lechaser. Captain Ashton on the right is as forward as anyone, and is pioneer to a strong following on that side. Parallel again on the left are Lord [Helmsley, Caj^tain Brocklehurst, and Mr. Flower ; and hitting off" the road alongside are Neal, Colonel Forester, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Chaplin (he on a stout good bay, she on the black Onyx), and half a dozen others — galloping their best on the hard level, yet unable to gain a yard on hounds. You may glance round to the crash of the new ash palisades. The breakage is none of Lord Carington's. The old horse (once the best of his Melton stud) retains at least his talent for timber ; and, blown as he is, leaves no leg behind him ; but the next comer smashes all before him for the public weal. Every fence takes more and more jumping : the pace is awful ; even the turf is fetlock deep ; and each furrow sucks 1878—79. THE PUNCHBOWL RUN. 281 like quagmii'e. As the cliase passes the right of Whissendine village tlie front closes up, and crosses a road at almost a single point. The stream of the dreaded Whissendine is here but a 3'oung and easy brook ; and better still, there is a useful open bridge. Flying onwards hounds are pointing for Ranksboro'. In the dim fog you can just discern their darting forms ; but you have better guidance in the black coats of the two leading horsemen, and the hogmane tells you that the pink at their heels can only be Mr. Lowther. In the hurry of such moments the eye catches and retains memory of horses rather than of men. The incident, the action belongs to the horses : the riders are for the time but ciphers in your notice. You mark well what horse is galloping alongside or j)ast you, jou know what horse springs the fence before or beside you ; and you judge how you are holding your own or losing ground by the striding forms that your eye can include, though fixed intent on 3'our own difficult course. The terrible strain of the past twenty minutes is beginning to tell its tale. There is rapping and scrambling over the timbered corner next the Whissendine ; there is choking and sobbing and stopping when another hill top brings a deep seed field. I could say whose career found its check in a ditch bottom ; and I could tell whose chesnut could be driven no more. There is shouting at each gap such as in Meatli is the usual accompaniment to the ash plant down the shoulder, but in Leicestershire is only heard in direst extremity. A dozen men are together now ; and few of them care about the stifi" rails scraped by Neal's gre}-. A long black belt of trees — 25 minutes by the watch — where are we ? It is the Fishpond Spinney of Cold Overton. Surely 25 minutes never passed more quickly, evolved more incident, or contained a more exciting struggle ! Panting, steaming horses, flushed and perspii'ing men, flanks heaving, faces beaming — distress and happiness brightly commingled. Besides those with whose names I have ah*eady made free, there were 282 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season present at this moment Captain Candy (in spite of two falls), Captain Boyce, Messrs. Gerald Paget, distance, J. Belirens, Creke, Younger, and several more. (I cannot dare a complete list.) They think the run is over ; the}^ call it a brilliant burst. Flasks are in'oduced, congratulation given, and cigars offered. But, beyond that cii'cle of fog and steam, the chase is still pro- ceeding. Neal can only count half his hounds, and has by no means accounted for his fox : so he, at least, is restless — if others are satisfied. A holloa over the hill tells him there is something more to be done ; and he casts round towards Pickwell to learn that the leading hounds have slipped on, and that he, and we, are merely with the tail. Captain Brockle- hurst has caught a glimpse of them as the}' disappeared forward ; and now, instead, of pm'suing the fox, it is tracking the line of hounds. Not a horse can gallop ; few can trot ; and it becomes a laborious pilgrimage in the dark. To cut description short, they {i.e., huntsman and field) struggled on, breaking through gaps, trotting over grass, working forward as the tail hounds showed a line, or foot-j)eople gave information, till they reached Pickwell village — to find eight couple of hoimds wandering helplessly round. ]\Ii-. Duncan, on his road home, had met them, running breast high by themselves ; and the villagers said they had been there five minutes. And this to ni}'^ mind epitomises the excellence of this grand run. Hounds had gone — without a check and at extraordinar}^ speed — for forty minutes ! — and when can you remember the like ? Neal cast round the village ; and tii'ed horses fell at small broken fences. Most of the field went home ; but a few remained to do their duty by huntsman and master. Hounds were brought back to the village, and every nook was searched. There was a feather in the churchyard, a whimper in the parson's garden. Yo^ oi over there, old bitch ! From an ivy- covered wall drops the monster, his great brush hanging, and his ponderous head drooping low. He darts through a farmyard under horses' very heels. " Tally ho ! Tally ho ! Fifty pounds 1878—79.] THE MASONS OF MELTON. 283 to kill him ! " Hounds are on liim in a trice — one more difficulty as lie runs the Somerby Park ; then up the gull}' beyond — and they nail him fifty yards from the Punchbowl ! As big as a wolf, as strong as a tiger. The pace beat him. Did you ever see so fine a fox ? Did you ever ride a more glorious gallop, since that from Ranksboro' in '77 ? We have a finish now. We wanted it then. Perhaps we went a more perfect hne in that famous run. But — if I may venture odious comparison — the Ranksboro' Run was all a better countr}'^ ; and there was no fog to blind one to leading hounds. The pace was equal on either occasion. I have told the run roughly — probabl}' imperfectl}- — but, as I saw it, from a side line. In my humble judgment, there were, in the fastest part, but three men in it, as men should see a run — if you will accept the definition that "to see a run " means that you are in each field before hounds leave it, and that you only ride a run when 3^ou ride to the sight of hounds throughout. We are often content to do less, and we dislike judging ourselves by so strict a test. In this instance the men most prominent eventually were served by an early turn ; tlie}'^ had a bad start ; they quickl}' got to the front ; and to their credit they made their mark right honourably. THE MASONS OF MELTON. A FORTNIGHT of almost unexampled sport found its end in the snowstorms which set in on Saturday-, February 22nd, Day after daj"- there had been a good run — on many days a great run. And, if hard riding be any test, men never showed themselves more appreciative. For months there had been none of the routine of six days a week. Of the emiui of over- taxed strength they knew nothing. They had forgotten that such a thing as fatigue could exist ; and to a fall they attached no more terror than to the bugbear stories of childhood. So they rode with surpassing vigour and dash ; and if misfortune 284 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIKE. [Season came freely and frequently, it had little effect on the survivors. I never think it my part to chi'onicle accidents — but, whether from the depth of the ground, from frost-fattened horses, or from both, falls have been very numerous and not always harmless. The Quorn set no light value on their ran of Friday last (February 22nd). Of late it has been more or less a reproach on the Quorn foxes that they have run short and turned too quickly. The smallness of their coverts and the length of the late frost might fairly have led to results justifying such an accusation. But no stone of this kind could be cast at them to-day ; for in an hour and thirU)-five\minutes hounds were taken over fully thirteen miles of country, while a bee line from the point of find to that of finish could not be less than eight. IVIr. Coupland gave the world till 11.30 to reach Great Dalby ; but even this was scarcely indulgence enough for such as would dance by night and hunt by day. The Masons of Leicestershire held their ball at Melton on Thursday night. To belong to the brotherhood of the hunting-field was held to be quite sufficient title to a share in the freemasonry of the evening; Melton and its neighbourhood trooi^ed in, and, in white apron or pink coat, made merry till morning. Following this up, it was believed, in some quarters, that the meet would be postponed till twelve o'clock — in spite of advertisement as usual. And those who were fortunate enough to act upon the impression, lost their sport. The moment Firr spoke in Gartree Hill hounds opened too, and immediately the thick thorn covert was alive with foxes. Backwards and forwards they boimded over the broad rides. One and two slipped away. Then one with ragged fur was seen; and to " Idll the mangey one" became the object. Again and again he was hemmed into a corner ; but if he had the misfortune to be bald, he was certainly no invalid, for with astonishing activity he darted each time through the midst of the ravening pack. At last, after a moment's silence, came the signal of the fox gone — in all probabiHty our hau-less friend — 1878—79.] THE MASONS OF MELTON. 285 and Firr hurried out to set hounds on his track. Away through the long plantation below Little Dalby — a Friday field, and two little handgates. Then round Burdett's Covert, up Burrough Hill — much holloaing, and hounds never fairly settled. The ascent was breasted ; and at once it was necessary to descend again. Quickly hounds bore up once more into the Punchbowl; and this was the moment when you either sickened of climbing or went vigorously on to take part in an excellent sporting run. The past ten or fifteen minutes ought really to be wiped out of the computation of time-takers ; for from Gartree Hill to the Punchbowl is scarcely more than a stone's throw. Over the steep pitches and gulKes to Somerby Village hounds bustled merrily on, with a brace of foxes before them ; and then they were laid on again beyond the village — with the cream of old Leicestershire before them and the flower of young Leicestershire in their wake. Over the good wild grass to Owston village they ran, all of themselves and sometimes by themselves — for the big fences and intersecting bottoms gave them all the room they wanted. An honest stretching oxer bordered the fii'st field ; a single attempt was made at it ; and a single horse went on riderless — while a gate opened the way to all who followed immediately after hounds. By the way, how wild and eccentric is, usually, the career of a riderless horse — even of an old hunter ! The animal now taking his own part with hounds soon struck off at right angles to his proper course, in order to clamber and crash through another compound bullock fence, in order to reach a deep wet bog beyond ! In the same way, with the Belvoir on the day immediately following, a horse without its rider galloped straight into an open pond — as if attacked by gadflies. Three broad gateways carried on the van and the body of the field, till presently hounds bore leftwards across a bottom whose width could only be determined by experiment, its nearer bank having a dark thorn fence to screen it. Mr. Brocklehm'st and Mr. Herbert Flower were first to make the trial, each dropping only a hindleg. The three next comers 286 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season put a worse aspect on the venture, for tliey rolled in a row — the wag of the paiiy executing his tumble Avith all the activity and insousiance of "The Comic Skater" of the Aquarium. There was a j^leasant easy place handy, where j'ou and I, reader, could save ourselves from undue danger — nor yet lose sight of hounds. And again, there was a ford and gate to render the humble brook below Owston village still more suitable to men of our time of life. By the village side, a sheepdog for once did us a good turn, for he drove our fox away from Owston "Wood, and bade him take his chance over the lovely hills and dales that stretch away to Twj'ford. And over this beautiful ground the chase sped happil}', at a fast hunting pace. Everyone could be near hounds, and a large field pursued its way delightedl}-. The new railway for a moment checked them all — excepting Lord Manners and one follower, who rattled the big rails in, and found an easy place out of, the line. The rest then galloped a field round to pass under the viaduct. By the village of Twyford the brook runs not wide but bare — nothmg for a willing horse at a trot, but not encouraging to the shifty, nor enticing to one that is sticky. Twenty men left it beliind them at once, nor turned in their saddles to learn that in it they had left something more, or one and all must have hurried back to help. The dear butcher was overhead in the brook ! The butcher of Melton — the butcher who is always helping the fallen, the butcher who is the ready slave of any lady in difficulty, the butcher who carves wide holes for us in the thickest bullfinches, the butcher in blue who, witli sixteen stone above the saddle and seven pounds ten shillings under it, has ridden for three seasons with the lightest and the richest ! The butcher is as hard and keen as liis cleaver: the mare is a marvel. The butcher had made up his mind to be forward ; the mare meant the same. But the chasm of the brook came before her unawares : her courage failed her ; in sudden fear she planted her feet, and bent her neck in shame — and, alas, the butcher went on ! Don't laugh, please, reader. I did not — or only as little as I could. But 1878—79.] THE MASONS OF MELTON. 287 for many a day I shall think of that honest form, as in its cling- ing robe of blue it clambered back up the bank, like a bathing- woman after her task is done. From Twyford to Lowesby is no great distance. In the park hounds were only just saved from pursuit of a fresh fox, and onwards still the chase proceeded. Baggrave was left just on the right ; so was Hungerton ; and the course continued between Keyham and Quenby Hall. No prettier hunting, no more quiet skilful handling was seen in the run than took jilace under Quenby Hall. By the time Mr. Carver's spinne}' was reached, horses were galloping slowly and jumping rather feebly. But the end was close at hand. With Scraptoft Holt but a few fields on the right front, Firr caught a view of his sinking foe, helped his hounds over a single plough, and in another minute had him in hand. A thoroughly fine sporting run, a good point, and a rare line of country, best conveys the general verdict on the morning's sport. From Gartree Hill to Owston Village is a straight four miles and a half. From Owston Village to where the death took place is another seven — and to have covered this distance in an hour and thirty-five minutes conveys a notion of no mean j)ace. 288 THE CKEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season A Ride on the Railway. — Cro-svii point on Thursday, March 20th, furnished an episode fortunately uncommon. The Gunby Gorse fox escaped easily on a weak scent ; but the Pocliin famil}^ knew of another lying handy to supply the loss. So from the neighbourhood of Edmondthoii^e hounds got away, not only in view, but almost on his back, and for some few minutes could not help but race him (Messrs. Jacob- son, Custance, Coupland, and Firr — master and huntsman being on a holiday trip — cutting out the work with Neal). Reaching the Midland railway, he turned to run the water meadows parallel with the line to Saxbj'^ Station. Reaching the level crossing between "Wliissendine and Ashwell Stations almost the whole field (in spite of the warning from the woman at the gate-house that the 1.23 train from Melton was overdue) gaily took to the line of rail, to ride nearly two miles to Whissendine Station — as if no such thing as a locomotive were in existence. As they neared the station, they first heard, then saw, the overdue tram speeding to meet them. At the platform, however, it pulled up, that horsemen might get off the embankment. But to pass a pufiing, snorting engine blowing off steam, and the vapour driven by a stiff breeze into the face of one's horse, is easier ordered than done, and a regular panic ensued. Horses plunged and shied, and the signal wires caught some of them as in a trap. In this way Mr. Hassall was thrown down and kicked on the leg — his liorse getting loose. Mr. Younger also was struggling on the groimd to hold his horse. Captain Stirhng's priceless ches- nut " Brilliant Rascal " became quite unmanageable, broke loose, and after rmming some 100 yards down the line, turned back and was charged by the train, but was caught unhurt. Mr. George Finch and his horse rolled together down the embankment without injury to either ; the horse bolted down the line towards Whissendine, and was caught at the level crossing, nearly two miles off — his master follow- ing in the guard's van and mounting his captured steed as soon as the train could come up with it. In the meantime 1878—79.] DEATH OF THE DOCTOR. 289 Mr. llenry Finch and liis mare were charged by someone whose own horse was out of control, were knocked head over heels down the embankment, through the hedge, und into the water meadow beneath. Luckil}-, and wonderfully, no damage was done to anyone ; and it was most amusing to hear, first the expostulations, and then the objurgations, of sundry passen- gers, who were sadh' put out at the dehu', fearing they would thus miss the branch train at Peterborough. It happened, too, that Lady Castlereagh was a passenger in the train and a spectator of the melee. "While all this was going on, the pursuit had taken a* ring into the Belvoir country, returning by Wymondham into Stapleford Park ; thence back by Wymondham lioughs — slow hunting all the way. Hounds, however, got up to their fox as he struggled on towai'd AVhissendine, and pulled him down in a small spinney by the riverside. With so poor a scent Neal was fortunate and deserving of all praise that he could give his hounds the fox they had so well earned. The Cottesmore were at Beaumont Chase, 8th March, Saturday. They who met them brought back little to tell beyond the scene of a single fence. (Under Wardley Wood, if I remember right.) A small, deceptive hedge tempted the field to jump it in a line. The ditch beyond was altogether out of proportion ; and some five- and-t we nty men fell in a row^ — two of them being left standing with their bridles in their hands. Death of the Doctor. — Two events I have to notice. One is of gladness and congratulation, viz., the appearance once more of Lord Wilton ; who, though rather crippled in his riding hand, has taken the field with all his old enjoyment. The other, in a minor but scarcely less general degree, is of regret. The Doctor is dead ! The Doctor had grown to be an insti- tution in Leicestershire. Not only did we all know the old horse ; but we have shivered in our tops agahi and again, Avhen called upon to follow him over high timber or wide bottom. A varied but not unhappy career has been the Doctor's — V 290 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season made, rather than maiTed, by an idiosx'ncras}' of temper, which first ousted him from promised success on the turf, afterwards induced him to decHne the honours of steeple- chasing, and so fated him to be handed tiver to Custance for the remainder of his days. "With a soul superior to the vicious influences of the flat and the flags, he was a gentle- man, a giant in the hunting-field. There he was at home. The fences were seldom big enough ; the pace was never severe enougli for him. He shone chiefly some five years ago. Then it was that only the uninitiated or uiiwary ever thought of following the Doctor. To lie in his wake, with hounds running over a strong countr}', was destruction almost certain; for what the Doctor left in his stride was often an impractic- able place to other horses. During the present season he seemed to have taken a new lease of life ; and was apparently young as ever Avhen on Saturday he broke his shoulder bj'- jumping on to a cut tree root. We do not see many like him. And, for mj^ part, I would rather ride than follow his ■equal. Quick March. — To pick up a fox in a clean forty mmutes is always an event ! To run another to ground sharp and •quick in another thirtj^-five makes a day — and, remember, 'twas the 21st of March ! This is the month when we realise what we are losing, what we could enjoy, what fox-hunting miriht be. The poem is read, but the poetry lingers. In fitful strains the music comes back to set us aglow ; and bright as airs of Oflenbach are the snatches still retained. Solid constant sport may have left us ; but there comes man}^ a bright flicker to keep the light from departing altogether out of mind. Come -back with me to the swampj'- gateway below The Prince's Covert at Baggrave. You are rather up wind of hounds. But you can't help that ; for you are under orders just and imperative, that the covert shall be kept clear and that this sharp keen morning shall not be wasted. For the weathercock points northward ; a few scant drops have caught the grass — sufficient to dull your boots as you changed from 1S7S— 70.] QUICK MARCH. 291 liack to hunter — and there is a business feeling in the air that is altogether apart from the heav}' slackness of a primrose mornuig. With a plethora of foxes at Baggrave v.e have often dwelt long before settling to a run. Who then will now be- lieve that a galloping whip means an3'thing but a skirting hound driven back into covert — the pack scarcely in the gorse ? Tongues are wagging ; stories are half told ; steeds are champ- ing; and 3'ou sit at ease. But one, here and there, is restless — with ear cocked, and e5'e that strajs from anecdote and chaff. By Jupiter, they're awa^- ! "Behind there's the master's faint chiding, as vain as the Norseman's reproof to the sea." They're gone ; and you must go — and push over the sticky meadow, and its short deep ridges, as fast as a short back and lengthy shoulders can be driven. A single blast of the horn stra3's up the wind. " They may be a mile away ah'eady ; and I'm a miserable man ! " A second rough meadow. Hold his head tight, and let him have the rowels ! Here come the pack swinging across 5'ou. You are more in luck now, than tliej'' who, like you, were penned at the other far corner. For on the right you have galloped one side of the square. They have a wide angle to turn. And now you ma}' cling as close to Firr's coat tails as you can. His scream Avill live in your dreams to-night — as he takes tlie horn from his lips to cheer the stragglers to the head. You lift the old horse (or the young one) off his head as he tips tlie timber and drops into a deep furrow. With both heels in you send him up hill, as huntsman and Master (for the ]Master is there now) scarcely leave daylight in a high-grown bullfinch ; and you sit back to steady him where they have floAvn a wide place in the bottom, prefaced by honest ash rails. Hunting isn't dead yet. "NVhat a pace the little ladies go ! How long can it last ? For the turf is all but dry — and now they strike a fallow. The glitter is gone ; but there is plenty still to enjoy ; and your blood need not drop to zero yet. The Beeby brook is crossed — a small place here, but an awkward creep, with a Leicester- shire horse lately roused, and yourself in a hurry. Ah, a V 2 292 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season plough is at work over the next hedge ; and bokl EejTiard hates the implement as heartil}" as j-ou do. It has turned liim in his track, only half a field ; and most of that is saved b}' the help of the ploughman. Steadily, not swiftly, they carry it on over the brow to the Keyham and Hungerton brook. Busily they take it across of themselves ; and quicker now they speed those low level meadows that foxes have, this season, so frequentlj' favom-ed. Every fence is a de- light when horses bound, as now, off the surface. It is no labour to them to jump or to gallop to-day ; for even the weakening sun is hid l)ehind a cool grey curtain. And hounds run better, more vigorously, than they have done for a week or more. They want no help as they pass Humberstone Spin- ney ; and bear ui)wards for the village of Barkbj' Thorpe. There he goes, not a field in front ! Keep quiet, and let them bring it on ! But tlicy hang on the dry arable. Firr takes them in hand on the second, drops them on to his brush, and the rest is the old glad scene of baying hounds, delighted huntsmen, screaming whips, smoking horses and beaming faces. A trifle short oi forty minutes, as we glanced at the watch in that first deep meadow, and remembered again the duties of timekeeper as Firr's n-Jio-ichooj) called in his followers. How hounds could run to-day was proved again with the fox from the Laurels at Scraptoft. He never went straight ; but they always ran fast. And they twisted and turned with him over ever}' field in a half-mile western semicircle round Scraptoft Hall, till in thirty-five minutes they pulled up at a drain between that place and Baikby. " A jolly day's sport for March," came the verdict from ever}^ tongue — heartil}' and gratefully. A BAGGEAVE FINALE. April lOtb, half a gale from the nor'-east, with cold, tlriving rain, but the glass rising and the turf full of mois- ISrS— ro.] A BAGGRAVE FIXALE. 293 ture. A morning as uncomfortable as weather could make it ; but for all that it was stormy, for all that it was in itself chilly and cheerless, there was nothing in it to shoiilder out the sportsman's hopes and interests. On the contrary, it was a 2^ossible morning, and Avith as little of the languor and dust}" debility of a model spring day, as if dark Decem- ber were back in surly earnest. No, scent was likdij ; a fox a certainty ; a (jood one a probability ; and — and all turned out trumps. The Colonel was down, and hall and dining-room were crowded with dripping shivering forms ; while hacks stood steaming outside, and hunters with staring coats, drooping ears, and tail tucked close awaited their masters' exit. Full of worthy importance, Mr. Muggleton (Chief of the Staff to the owner of the Prince of Wales' Gorse, and facile iniiiceps among fox keepers) lounged by the hounds on the lawn — awaiting the signal as eagerly as they. *' Hope you'll find him at home, sir ! Never been without him yet ! " No, Muggleton, we'll lose all faith in keepers if we don't ! And now to the Gorse — the Master just in time to prevent its complete encirclement, and Firr's voice raising its testimony to Muggleton almost on the moment. [A parenthesis here for the benefit of gorse-growers. Young gorse has been lately planted over any little bare patches in the covert ; and experiment shows tliat the plants thrive better where the grass and weeds have been left round them than where the ground has been kept rigidly clean.] A big dog fox breaking right across the open, and running the gaimtlet of the gazing squadrons, straight for the Hall. Carriages to block his path, and folk to shout in his face. Of course he can not go there ; but his bold dash has given him his start, and eventually gives him his life. Wheeling off towards Beeby, he again puts his head straight; Avhile con- fiicting evidence is hindering Firr from an instant dash in pursuit. The delay, though, is only of seconds, and the moment hounds touch tlie line a run is secure. Not room 294 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox for too many where they have glanced through the corner rails. You are lucky if you are early in the hovering throng, all so madly eager for a chance. If you let twenty before you now you are twenty behind, and will ride half unsighted through the coming burst. For good and fair as is the country here, the fences offer only a certain number of open- ings ; and even twenty men cannot ride abreast, with hounds running as they will to-day. And to think that, witli a meet at twelve — a meet at Bag- grave — nay, more, the last meet of the Quorn on the grass — nearly half of Melton should have been late ! So late, indeed, that even the half hour of grace, and hospitality was of no avail — to save them from gnashing of teeth as thej' trotted on far in the wake, from sackcloth that evening, or from ashes for a month to come. Alas ! alas ! As one who has made every possible experiment in delay, and is appreciative in the fidlest degree of the luxury of dilatoriness, I pronounce most emphatically, yet with all symjiathy, that to lose a run by late arrival at the covertside is one marked excei)tio}i to a too fascinating princii)k'. It constitutes only a bitter lun'edeem- able disappointment — and is an expensive treat withal. No ; poor and humble as is your servant, he holds few luxuries to be so extravagant as missing a good run with a good horse. The lovely undulating Beeby country stretches in front ; and the pack sweej) into it with a life and dash that challenge pursuit, def}^ overriding, and at once proclaim a run. Firr settles gladly down with them ; Captam Candy takes up the running in the manner that he has made his own — and so pre- eminently his o^vn — this season. (For in ever}' run I have been fortunate enough to see, and in many of which I have been only told, has he taken a leading part. And for the frequent use made of his name I can only urge that as a public chronicler I have had no choice.) Mr. Coupland, too, does not forget that Master and Leader are almost synonymous terms ; Mr. Pennington is galloping fast in front ; Mr. F. Gosling is right up, the Colonel is close at hand, and Custance is making 1878—79.] A BAGGEAVE FINALE. 295 full use of the three stone advantage he can claim over most of us. It is the '' hig " pack before us to-day — little of their extra music as the}' la}- themselves down to the keen scent. The leading horsemen are going their best ; but there is no race for places ; for after the first four fences there is a locked gate (an onh' exit), then a second delay at a most unexpected wire- Again the van is huddled for a moment where a chain encircles a gatepost. For ererij fence is not plain sailing ; and the last stride only tells if a gate has deceived. Some one must jump off, of course. ^Vho is it to be ? At such times, I notice, w^e are most of us more eager to proffer suggestion than to take , the matter into our own hands. " Some one hold my horse ?" is more often uttered v/ith only a half-hearted desu'e that the request should be complied with. Rather it is often thrown out in hopes of shaming some other one to undertake the office apparently volunteered. For, in spite of " Wait for him ! Let him mount ! &.C., &c." the hapless labourer reaps less ad- vantage from his praisewortliy task than any of his friends. The throng possibly makes a strong restraining effort to give him time to regain the saddle ; but is only too often broken through from behind, and the good Christian is carried along stirrupless, blown, and scantily thanked. In the present in- stance the volunteer is ready, willing, but unskilled. Dis- mounting in a jiffey, he has the chain off, and the gate unlatched immediately. Firr is sent forward c.v officio. The others pull up to await their friend in need. But he has not yet graduated thoroughly in the school of foxhunting ; and the occasion is one of bewildering hurry. After two ineffectual dives at his stirrup, he calls all his youth and activity to his help, Hings himself, waistcoat pockets downwards (to put it nicely) on to his saddle, and does his utmost to struggle into the perpendicular. His steed of course sets off again with the others ; and the sequel scarcely needs recital. A dark clad form rebounds on the turf halfway up the field. Still less is it necessary to add that he who would help others is not left altogetlier friendless in his misfortune. 296 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 1878—79. All, 'tis a sweet country and sweet fun as hounds run thus to Keyham, and past the right of that viHage straight for Scraptoft Hall (twenty minutes). "With the laurels so directly in front, and the Gorse just on the left, most of the pursuing crowd bear in that direction. Hounds, with a not uncommon perversity, bend the other way — and hence, as they sweep down the valley towards Humberstone village there are onlj' four or five riders in immediate attendance. A dozen feet from bank to bank, the farther one strongly hedged, is no eas}' jump for a Uttle horse, and had best not be attempted at all by a cowardly one. Custance's small mare rockets over without touching a twig ; Mr. Marshall does it in-and-out ; Captain O'Neal and Mr. G. Paget are successful too ; while Mr. Beau- mont jumps in — and hauls out. The pace is scarcely so quick now — indeed, up to Scraptoft will be reckoned the fastest part of the run — but after the brook (that watering the Humber- stone-and-Scraptoft valley) is passed, the liunt closes up once more, and Evington is reached — a point of five-and-a-half miles in thirty minutes. By Stoughton and Oadby they ran and hunted fast ; and should have had their fox. But a probable change was spoken of near the former village. At any rate, with a left turn they arrived Glen Gorse after almost exactlj' one hour, of such a chase as few foxes could liave withstood. The line had passed Avithin a few yards of the covert ; and owing, no doubt, to the advisabilit}^ of making the covert *'safe" on every side, a long delay was succeeded by little further result. Their fox was tracked nearl}^ to AVistow, and was then given up. But it had been a fine run, with a point of more than eight miles and over an excellent country. Almost every resident and visitor in the land between Melton and Market Harborough was there to assist in this winding-up feat of the Quorn; and divers strangers had come from far. There was a strong partj^ from Rugby ; and I should not omit to mention that Miss Davy rode forward as well as anyone in the gallop. SEASON 1879-80. FIBST CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. performance in public ; and took place at Cossington. The afternoon was quite up to ordinary November sample. The morning was merel}' thus — Two old foxes at Cossington Gorse ; and afterwards two cubs killed out of the many at Thrussington AVolds. The palates of the pack having been thus duly whetted, they went to Walton Thorns to seek a run — and found it. An old fox left westward, and over a rough and varied country beyond Seagrave gave them three- ouarters of an hour good hunting, to bring them round to Cossington Gorse. Pushed out from there, he beat them on the return journey. Stragglers and missing were all re- covered bj' the way. There had been various disasters in the early part of the run ; and hurrying sportsmen had scarcely vouchsafed as much sympathy as they might have done. But dismounted horsemen Avere now directed towards the parish in whose direction their steeds were last seen careering. Sym- 298 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE, [Skasox patliy was even carried so far as to point out to the toiling owner the very gate on wliich his five-year-old had suspended himself head downAvards, after leaving all properly constituted authority in a previous ditch. Better than all, the identity was noAv discovered of one of Leicester's fair sons, who " lost to view" (bar a pair of well built butcher boots) was still "to memory dear " — and will be for some time to those whose sides still ache from the scene. How he ever got so far as to cover a wide fence without his horse, or could measure his distance so exactly as to touch neither earth nor blackthorn, but only mudd}' Avater and brambles as he flew head doAvnwards, is be- yond understanding. Perhaps the good steed,- who for long stood leaning open-moutlied on the other side, might be able to explain. By the Avay, Avhile on the subject of losses, "If A. B. C. will communicate with Mr. Tomlin, Billesdon Cop- low, he may hear of something to his advantage." And to show that this advertisment is ho)id fide, it may be explained that these initials are neatly Avorked on a very desirable silk handkerchief, Avhich some ten days ago Avas left by him in the right skirt of his coat, on a thornbusli in the covert of Iiotany Bay. It is requested that A. B. C Avill either send for his sku't or transmit the remaining one — considerations of dehcacy and adornment alike rendering it desu'able that the tAvo should be found on the same Avearer. As regards the handkerchief, there is no pressing hurry, as it Avill pay for its keep. In the initial Aveek of the season '79 — 'SO Avas Aveather of curious variety, and sport now and again. On Friday, November 7th, the Quorn had a nice day's — if a hot day's — sport from Barkby Hall. It Avas not onl}" " as balmy," but as bright as May ; and after hounds had run fast for some tAventy-and-odd minutes, men Avho had summered well and shunned the pigskin till November, looked as if the}^ must explode — or get into the nearest pond. Horses, too, made the Avorst of it. They found themselves kicked along as unflinchingly as if it Avere Christmas time. Yet the hedges and their guarding ditches had nothing of a Christmas look. 1879—80.] ElEST CHAPTER OF ACCIDE^'TS. 299 Each fence was woolly and indistinct ; the sun dazzled and their masters gave neither mere}' nor time for thought; so the}'' floundered and crashed ; put down their fore-legs where there was nothing to depend upon hut vacuum and the certainty of a somersault ; and cared as little for their hind-legs as a free- thinker for consequences. The tale of casualties {The Field never publishes a mortuary list) was entirely quadrupedal. Four empty stalls are better than one empty chair. It is a miserable thing to hear the gun ordered ; but it is ten times worse to be told to ride for the doctor. And Ave are material- ists now-a-days. Cremation finds as much favour as the coffin. Sanitary motives may bid us in good conscience to consign any aged relatives to the flames. The old horse goes to the boiler in the cause for which he lived. We give him a chance of repaying a small measure of his borrowing — muscle for music, strength for excitements. Better — far better — that Roman and Rosebud should for one day string their notes upon the sinews that sprang so often to their echo, than that a longlashed tyrant should cut a shilling a mile out of the poor derelict in 3'ears to come. Friday's first fox was excellently found for the folk who make of a meet at Barkb}' a joyous holiday. Half an hour of a bright warm morning had they spent basking round the Hall. Then from the plantation at the very gates they realised tlie find of a fox, saw the rush of the scarlet torrent, and heard the full notes of hound and horn. Over the hill, past Barkbv Thorpe, sped the chase. An open trench in the first field cost Captain Campbell his best horse. It escaped from him here ; and, jumping sideways into a road, broke its back. The Humberstone brook, with its high rising banks and its thorny fence on the landing side, had also its victims. But I will pursue the list of casualties no further. A paragraph in a daily has akeady given undue prominence to the accidents of the day. Anxious friends, startled by the ambiguit}' of that announcement, may rest satisfied that though some good steeds 300 THE LEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season Avere disabled and shot, neither fate befell anj' of the riders. Twenty minutes or so over the Barkby-and-Scraptoft country is always a treat. And it was to-day, in spite of a choking atmosphere and a broiling sun. Grass and good fences, and the Quorn ladies running fast — is not this Avhat we dream of in winters abroad, in summers at home ? And the same, at further length, marked the afternoon. The fox of the morning got to ground. Then there was an adjournment to Scraptoft ; and from the Holt came the run. It began inider the diffi- culties of a divided pack, and only established itself in earnest when Hungerton Foxholes was reached. By this time Firr had got his hounds together; and catching a view as his loitering fox again broke covert, clapped them on to his brush, and drove him straight across the country nearl}^ to Brooksby — a good six-mile point. The line passed between Barkb}- Holt and Baggrave ; and went on by Queniboro' Spinney to Gaddesby, beyond which a change of foxes came to spoil the fuiish. The pace throughout was fair, never very fast : but it Avas a right good hunting run. There was the best of ground for those to disport themselves who liked to ride the line of hounds. There were bridle roads and gateways for all who l)referred a more sober course, and j'et would take part in the run. I never saw men hotter than the}' were this Frida}'. I have seldom seen as many fagged faces as on Saturday (November 8th). Many of our good sportsmen abjure the saddle heartily from April to November. Some of them have done no harder work, meantime, than is involved in lying full length on a snow}^ deck, to read a novel and await the arrival of another appetite. These come down, perhaps, to Kirby, and straight- Ava}^ launch forth into hunting six days a Aveek, that, forsooth, they may enjoy themselves. Small Avonder, then (especiall}- if Ave consider the hot mornings and the chilly evenings frequent of late) that toAvards the end of a Aveek, backs have been bent in an agony of stiffness, saddles have been as hot iron, and 1S79— 80.1 FIRST CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 301 that Sunday should be as eagerly looked for by the Meltonian as by the most fervid ritualistic maiden. Nor is it strange that one of the subjects under discussion this week, together Avitli tlie Turkish Crisis and Lord Carington's speech upon Entailed Property, should have been the source from whence good diachylon can be procured — that of the Melton chemist's having been found inadequate to give the relief required and enable the patient to pursue his dail}^ vocation in comfort. The autumn hour of 4.30 on Wednesda}-, November 12th found the main street of Melton clattering to returning hoofs (we can hunt Avith less condition and make out the day with a single horse up to Christmas) ; and in the dusk was pointed out the closed shutter of the local tobacconist's shop. No one la}' dead within ; nor had the Meltonians, eager to put by a winter's consumption, emptied its contents so rapidly as to bring the worthy man's business to a sudden standstill. No, the}^ have put his walls of cigar boxes, his fences of briar roots and white meerschaums, to quite a different purj)ose — they try their hacks over them ! Dr. Johnson or Newton (it has been ascribed to both, and to others besides) tenderly took his lady love's finger and silently made it a baccy-stoj^per for his pipe, in place of uttering the expected proposal. Tlie damsel could hardly have been more surprised at the cool act of appropria- tion than, under almost reversed conditions, was the proprietor of the tobacco store — when, on Wednesday morning, crash through the closed window came a Meltonian on his Avay to covert. The chandelier volleyed across the shop ; pipes and cigars flew in every dn-ection ; but the horse Avas unhurt, and scarcely a curl of the rider's head Avas ruffled. No permission have I to disclose the perpetrator of this Curtian leap. Were there not Three Avho kept the bridge, in the brave days of old, and one avIio ne\'er turned his head until tlie timbers crashed behind him ? They gave him corn land that Avas of public right, and they made a molten image in his honour. Should 302 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox not our hero, the leader of other dauntless Three, who bears the honoured name so bravely, at least have his corn bill paid for him and be given a statue in Melton market-place ? Sub- scriptions will be received by Brooksbj'. SNATCHED FROM THE FROST. Monday, December 22, was the best day's sport the Quorn have had to date. After fifty minutes' quick hunting in the morning, they killed their fox handsomely in the open ; while the afternoon was enriched with a screaming twenty minutes — to ground. All Sunday it had been freezing hard, till in the evening the wind swung round to the south-west, a misty rain came on, and the ground softened as if by magic. " A most unexpected pleasure " was it to Avake to hunting this morning. And, taken thus by surprise, we arrived at the meet with scarcel}^ customary punctuality. Hounds moved off well within the expected half-hour of law ; and had not our friends the foot- folk delayed Keynard's start for a few minutes, most of us nnght have under-estimated that morning run. As it was, all but the rcrij late arrivals took their turn at the first two fences, found that their horses could make use of their feet, and so thouf^ht no more about frost for the rest of the day. Jn a new fir plantation, on the hillside south of Old Dalby, there were a brace of foxes — active they must both have been, or they would have been chopped in covert ; hold, one proved himself to be. Breaking through the encircling mob (for there were a hundred on foot to fifty on horseback), he led us down steep inclines and up rough ascents, along the edge of the Vale, till he topped the crest of Wartnaby Stonepits, and headed for the Saxelby grass. Often baffled in his course, he worked on to Wartnaby and Kettleby — the pace excellent so far (perhaps a quarter hour), and the field, bothered by the rugged nature of ground and obstacle, having all their work cut out to keep ISrO— so.] SXATCHED FROM THE FROST. 303 on terms. The fences were mostl}' safe good jumping — but gaps were dangerous, and foot-jiatli stiles were best avoided for an}' jump twice the size. Pace mended again before Clawson Thorns was reached by a grass-hne ; then slackened off after they had touched the covert and dipped into the Y-Ale. "With steady, pretty hunting they ran np to their sinking fox in an orchard at Clawson Village, bundled him out of this in view, and rolled him over a couple of fields beyond. Ah, but the burst from Welby Fishponds had a life and sparkle about it that warmed all the frost out of our frozen veins, and drove the blood through every frame — till the sallowest cheek v>-as red, and the dullest eye grew bright. It was only twenty minutes. But it was twenty minutes after a long frost and little sport — twenty minutes over a superb grass country — and a twenty minutes so fast that horses would all have sobbed to make it five-and-twenty. At Welby Fishponds they found, and at first seemed bound for the tight enclosures of Asfordby parish. But even in the quiet afternoon a shep- herd dog was ready ; and so the start was made the other way. A tiny plantation towards Cant's Thorns served their fox for a covered way as he left. But it was evident in a moment they could run — for the ladies spun over three fields of plough as merril}'^ as over down. Then they launched on to the best of grass, put their heads for Saxelby, and sped along its beautiful vale as fast as they could chatter. The fences of this strong grazing land grow everywhere with all the power of blackthorn on rich soil — each hedgerow, a dense bullfinch, with perhaps only one weak spot or a timbered gap in its length. I tliink I remember each jump, as I saw the leaders race for it, and saw the pack ever half a field ahead of them. I know I shall ride that gallop over again in my dreams to-night — and none the less vividly that I have sat down to jot its outline while it clings fresh with the mud on my coat. That black converging bullfinch seemed for a moment to have caught them all in its grasp ; 304 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox but FiiT, Captain Middleton, and Mr. G. Paget bored tbrough its darkness on the left, while Mr. Cart, on the old gre}' mare of the Oakham jumping j^rize, popped over a high palisade in the ver}'- corner, and got the inside turn for a few fields. There was only one hole — and that a mere smeuse — in the next blackthorn wall ; but Sir Beaumont Dixie ducked his head and plunged through it, with a certain loss of blood and hair, but with considerable advantage to his followers. Half a dozen timber and thorn variations brought the scurry over the Saxelby rail- way tunnel ; and, three fields be3-ond hounds were over the gulf known as the Saxelby Bottom. An easy on-and-off made this amenable at the right point. Next came a choice between a slipper)^ little stile, with the hedge meeting overhead, and with silly sheep crowding among your horses legs, and the two side fences, of j^lainer description if of more stalwart build. Rising the hill, Firr, Captain Middleton, and Mr. Beaumont had an un approached lead, thougli a dozen more men were on terms, as for a moment the liuntsman cut a corner with his pack — where a farmer had turned the fox half a field from his })ath. Yet there was not a second Avasted, nor a second in which the music was not going. Another mile of hurried galloping, another mile of free fair fencing, and men stood hot and hajip}- above Lord Aylesford's covert — two-and-twenty minutes from the find, exacth^ twenty (if I measured it right) from covert to covert. A few minutes later ii-lio-irJioop sounded over an open earth. And now to dinner. A PULL FROM THE PUNCHBOWL. The Cottesmore run of Saturday (Januar}^ 3) may well form the pith of my story. One hour and twenty minutes from the Punchbowl, a seven-mile point, and a kill in the open — is the outline ; and here are the particulars, as well as I can give them. 1879— so.] A PULL FROM THE PUNCHBOWL. 305 Saturday came in with a bright sunny morning, a keen hut gentle breeze, and just a suspicion of hoar frost under the hedges. It was one of those mornings that told you hounds must run — and, however dazzling might be the sun, it could have no power in January to spoil sport. So, past hardships had no place in the thoughts of the hopeful multitude who met hounds at Leesthorpe. The following few names will give some inadequate idea of the Cottesmore field as it turned out on Saturday, and as it usually assembles this season on its more fashionable side. Completeness is not aimed at; and another day's list might show numberless names not now in- cluded. Let it stand tliat from the Barleythorpe and Oakham neighbourhood came Lord Carington, Lord Castlereagh, Mr. Hugh and Lady Grace Lowther, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Chaplin, Capt. and ]Mrs. Candy, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton, Capt. R. Caring- ton, Col. Gosling, Capts. Jacobson and Tryson, Messrs. Gosling, G. and H. Finch, G. Noel, Westle}' Pdchards, Wing, Orme, and 8. Hunt. From Melton came Sir Beaumont and Lady Florence Dixie, Capt. and Mrs. G. Stirling, Mr. and Mrs. G. Paget, Mrs. Adair, Marquis of Queensberry, Lord James Douglas, Sir John Lister-Kaye, Col. Forester, Capts. Boyce, Middleton, Smith, Beaumont, Behrens, Messrs. Brocklehurst, Cre3'ke, Harter, Hill Trevor, H. and L. Flower, Jones, B. Tjubbock, INIarshall, Parker, W. Younger, Capt. and Miss Hartop, from Dalby ; and from various parts Lord Manners, Sir R. Sutton, Sir Bache Cunard, Col. Ptilmer, Capts. Barclay, Dawson, and Wallace, Messrs. Barclay, G. Cunard, A. Heathcote, Herbert Flower, Hungerford, Custance, Logan, Newton, Peake, Pennington, Verney, Wroughton, Sec. These, then, and twice as man}^ more with them, moved down under the sunshine to see the Punchbowl drawn — meeting, perhaps, a sharp air tliat the^' had felt nothing of as tliej' rode before it to covert. For descriptive purposes it will be enough to say that the Punchbowl is a warm dell in a rough chain of hills, on part of which the village of Burrough is perched, and on the summit of which the Piomans left an en- X 306 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox trenched camp that might still be held by a couple of regiments against ten impis of Zulus. Steep gTadients run down into the lower country on all sides, save the Saddleback leading south- wards to Somerby. Some three miles due east is Ranks- boro' Hill, with a rough • midulating country intervening. Beyond llanksboro', again, is a wealth of deep undrained grass, varying from the level plain of the Vale of Catmose (better known in i)arts as the Burley Flat), to the higher ridges of Over- ton, Oakham Pasture, and IManton. After the clamber to the rira of the Punchbowl, there was little interval before Goddard's shrill throat was trilling a higher, cheerier note than ever nightingale aspired to. But the first spasm of excitement led to nothing, for a shepherd proudly told how he had " run him back to covert." The demon, and the demon's dog, were posted exactly where Rey- nard would have made his point (for Somerb}'' or for Ranks- boro'). So it became necessary for the fluttered field to take up their post again ; and from their vantage spot to mark a big fox, with a mangey back, cross and recross the ride at their feet. But it was not for long. They were quickly called away — this time in a direction almost opposite to that of the run already prompted and soon to be executed. A gO(Kl fox had to play the role of a bad one. He skirted the brow of the hills ; worked round, as well as continued interception would let him, by the Roman Camp and the onlook of the Melton Steei)lechas& Course, till after encountering many imaginary perils, and many visible enemies, he struck his proper line and crossed the gullies for Pickwell and the countr}' beyond. Past Pickwell Hall — with crashing of timber that was far behind his ken — the Hunt bore on, and set forward in earnest. A mile further, and it settled honestly — heartily — at length desperately. I may dip for new ink at the moment when there were two distinct lines calling for attention — the one on plough and snatched up by a solitary couple ; the other fainter, though on grass and, to all appear- ance, certainly continuant. There was a vigour irresistible about the former. The pack were tallied on to the head, and 1879—80.] A PULL FROM THE PUNCHBOWL. 307 here was (in the opinion of many thorough judges) the heginning of a glorious end. From this point to the foot of Ranksboro' Hill was a deep two miles : and — with hills to climb, and plough and pace to meet — there had been already- labour heavy and incessant. Plorsesin condition were stretch- ing their girths, recent purchases were reduced to a sorry hang- dog trot, when there was a moment's x^uH ftt the Overton Fish- l)ond Spinney under Eanksboro'. Every sign and circumstance pointed to a beaten fox. Half an hour of such severity must have left as killing a mark on him as it had done on horses. And why, unless distressed, should he turn from liisline at the base of a strong holding covert ? So reasoned many other judges — and reasoning thus arrived at a conclusion anything but profitable. At this moment Neal's ear caught a halloa, and his eye, thrown forward to the sound, gave him a glimpse of a fugitive form stealing over the opposite brow. AVitli only a word to his hounds he was through the little handgate of the gully in a moment — the steaming field squeezing their turn through as best they could. Over the sedgey, anthilly pas- tures beyond, most of them rode leism-ely — knowing nothing of this fresh start, and confiding comfortably in the thought that hounds were safely dwelling in Eanksboro' Gorse. They had only to reach the eminence to be very clearly undeceived — Hounds were streaming away below, with a single horseman near them, and half a dozen more only just within hail. Mr. Baird had pierced the well-known Orton Park and llanksboro' belt of trees with the pack, started off with them, and kept nearer to them for the rest of this great gallop than did any- one else. The turf was more than fetlock-deep ; the scent was ravishing ; and horses were already half beat. He could gain nothing on the hounds ; and with such a chance, a clever rider and a stout horse were not likely to be overhauled. He found his way through each bullfinch as it came ; and struck off the Orton-and- Oakham Bottom just where it could be jumped. Capt. Boyce and Mr. Gosling (jjrlmiis) were nearest him as he rose the first hill in the bee-line to Oakham Pasture. The X 2 308 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Season former broke a stiiTiip-leatlier at a critical juncture ; and his place %Yas taken by Neal, Capt. Smith, Capt. Middleton, Lord Carington, and Col. Gosling. Lord Castlereagh was near at hand ; and so was Lord Queensberry, with a fainting horse, Lord James Douglas, and ]\Ir. Beaumont — though each of the four fences up the hill to Oakham Pasture brought the latter a fall apiece ! Mr. Clayton, too, formed one of the struggling front division ; in which Lady Florence Dixie and Mrs. G. Stirling were also to be numbered. Hounds Avere reached at Oakham Pasture, but held on beyond as far as the brook be- tween there and Manton Gorse. The tremendous pace had crushed their fox. He turned leftwards by Martinsthorpe (the extreme point), crossed the railwa}', was hunted back towards Oakham Town, jumped up in view — a great fellow with back arched, brush dangling, and all his pride gone. Yet he made one hard struggle more, was run in view for several fields, gained two minutes' more life by doubling a hedgerow, then was made the centre object of a noisy, hot, delighted crowd who had met the returning chase and shared the finish. There was no mange about hin back ; and, i'faith, three foxes — mvich more two — miglit have been run to death in tliat desperate cliase. Twenty-five reallij fast minutes will, as all the world knows, break the heart of any single fox. This run was an hour and twenty minutes in all — nnd fully fifty of it had been extra- ordinarily fast. Yes, there had been pace, time, and distance enough to slay two fine foxes. WJiere the change came is merely a matteV of theory and speculation. The map Avill show that the route between the extreme points of the Boman Camp of Borough Hill and ]Martinsthorpe was boAv-shaped, in its curve by Banksboro". And now I have nothing more to add on the subject of this splendid run. The following incident is published as a warning to such as would pursue the fox in Charnwood Forest, without providing themselves with trained guides or taking the ordinary precau- tion of mountaineers — of connecting the party by means of ropes when crossing the more dangerous heights. While the 1879—80.] A PULL FROM THE PUNCHBOWL. 309 Quorn lioimds were out on Tuesday week, the hardy sportsmen who hunt in this wild region were called upon to traverse a rocky ledge overhanging the cottage of some native peasant. The party was led b}' a noble lord, who was under the impres- sion that, as he was on his own propert}^, he at least would be able to find his wa}" in safety — when to their horror the ground on which his horse appeared to be treading so securel}^ sud- denly gave way under him, and both disappeared entirely from view. In their terror and amazement the spectators made certain that horse and rider had dropped into some disused coal mine, and had given them up as utterl}' lost. But soon a grimy face reappeared from the chasm — and his lordship in- formed them that he was standing on his saddle). In another moment stmxly arms pulled him up to a place of safety — while the old woman of the cottage, grumbling loudly, unlocked the door of her cow-shed (through the roof of which this rude entry had been made), and led the horse out through the door. '-^-^>^^trli -^*-^ 310 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season SCRAPTOFT AND BARKBY. n WiK^^'^^ ''*J J3 III j^^: Let the Quorn gallop of Friday last, Jan. 9, be my theme. The meet had been Baggrave Hall, and the morning in sequence to Colonel Bmiiahy's Annual Tenant Dinner. "Why all the neighbouring world should consider the occasion eminently theirs, is a question not for me to solve. Thej' all do, and Baggrave Hall on the Friday immediatel}^ consequent on the Colonel's Fete is a rendezvous for Leicester's million, and as many more besides. The Prince of Wales' Gorse loosed off a leash of foxes for theh." morning's edification. Firr hunted one to death through the clouds of skirmishers that hoVered over the Hungerton and Coplow districts. The morning's retrospect, indeed, contains little else than an over-strung pack, a flanking crowd of gallopers, a direct onslaught of over-riders, and a huntsman coolly working his best, with apparent disregard of mob and multitude. "With everything in favour of the fox — a cold quiet morning and sundry loud-voiced idlers alone excejited — he was killed after a twisting career, as he reached Hungerton Fox- holes— found the said holes stopped two feet from the surface, and was pulled out b}' the leading hounds. The next chase 1879—80.] SCEAPTOFT AND BAEKBY. 311 was similar — a nice country, a nasty crowd, and fox accounted for — to ground. Then much of the rough element dispersed — not all, for it was vociferous indeed at Scraptoft, though it appeared hut little afterwards. But my stor}' hegins only after the raw cold ride to Scraptoft Gorse, whence the second, and the hetter, run of the present season was to date. Hounds were quickly busy, and a fox was quickly out — and in again. Let us pass over how he broke a second time, how his track was jumped on before a hound appeared upon it, or how the huntsman was allowed to blow his horn unhelped, while the pack Hashed back on the heel line. " Hey Caliban ! Oh for a Master ! Oh for a INIan ! ! " (for Mr. Coupland can still only take the saddle, and the reins of government for half a day). Over the Scraptoft lane, through its plantation, and out into the open, the fox had gone — three hounds in his wake. It was a wild beginning to a consummate end. The huntsman, who alone seemed to keep his head, strove his utmost to throw the body of the i)ack forward to the head. Those three hounds might — and ought — to have been stopped at once. Now, with a sharp fling to the right in one pasture, and as sudden a twist to the left in the next, they baffled Firr's efl'ort to cut through his encircling, misinforming, crowd ; and with a tremendous scent Avent forward for Barkby. For a mile or two they defied ajoproach ; and onl}'^ on the farther bank of the Humberstone Brook dwelt long enough for their struggling comrades to reach them. A high post-and- rail stood in mid-stream ; and the huntsman's good bay sur- mounted it with a clatter of wood and iron, and a sjilash of mud and water. Similar success brought his next two followers over. The third performed a feat as startling as I ever saw achieved by horseflesh. AVe of the more timid order, mean- time, had popped over the stream at its narrowest, dismounted to break down the fence beyond, and were now safel}' making our way along the higher ground on the other side. Passing opposite the jump in question, the top rail of the timber was 312 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [SEASO>r alone visible above tlie level of the farther bank. Galloping- hard into the gulf rode one, Avhose estimate of Leicestershire could only have been that which is shared by three-fourths of the outer world — viz., that it is purely and simply a "flying country." The awakening to his error Avas a rude, and only by happy accident failed to be a terrible one. Above the level of the bank only the rider's form was at that moment to be seen. The next instant the pair had so utterly reversed posi- tion, that only tlie horse's four gyrating hoofs flashed above the intervening green- sward. A grinding splash was heard ; spray flew up into the air, and wc rode back to pick up the corpse. But, thougii shaken and startled — not nearly so much frightened as lookers on — the sportsman was picking himself out of the shallows, preparing to go onwards — and, in future, to ride slow at stifl' timber out of a hole. But the pack were now together, the field were all handy, the fox had gained but little law, and a run was established. Under Barkby-Thorpe Spinney there was a quaiier-minute's hesitation ; afterwards scarcely a second's, until the chase was over. Freeing themselves from the last of the three ploughed fields in their course, the pack hurried gaily on to Barkby- Tliorpe A'illage, took a quick turn through some tiny plantation there, and flew the wall of Mr. Brooks' Park. Their fox must have waited for them somewhere about this point ; for, well as they had been running already, they now stretched themselves nearer the ground than the}^ could ever do before — and the next seventeen minutes constituted and defined a true Elysium. So far there had been time to talk, to speculate, and to trifle, as we went. Now it was an earnest prolonged eftbrt to keep near hounds. They swept past the door of Barkby Hall, glanced across the Park, the narrow iron outlets from which Avere a sad hindrance to many, who had been enticed through the entrance gates. Captain Goodchild made his way out earliest. But hounds were already a field away, for Queniboro', as the leading men ducked under a tree to gallop the bullfinch 1879—80.] SCRAPTOFT AND BARKBY. 313 ratlier than be checked by another gate. In the same way they slipped over the timber and little brook at the bottom, rose the hill and its dividing qnickset in their stride ; and still it Avas a matter of galloping a stern chase. Lovely grass the whole of it, small enclosures drained as they should be, and fences made up with due regard to a hunter's fair powers. The pack had now set their heads for Barkby Holt (Barkby gives its name to a wider sphere and to more scattered points than any three ordinary lordships) ; and keeping on one side of a boimdarv- liedge nearly all the way — while FiiT and Captain Middleton rode the other side and took the cross fences in a line with them — they strained to the head as if running in view. Three fields from Barkby Holt the leading company consisted of the above, together with Captain Ashton, Messrs. Adair, Hill Trevor, L. Flower, Captain Candy, Lord Grey de AVilton, Sir Beaumont Dixie, H. Flower, Captain "Wallace, and some few others. Lady Florence Dixie and Mrs. Gerald Paget were also riding up throughout the run — which went on, without slackening a moment, through the Holt and out beyond. Beeby Village was left on the right as, with gasping horses, the small field rolled through the fences, and prayed that their sinking fox might soon be to hand. Hounds did it all them- selves Avlien the difticulty of a cold dirty lane came ; quickened up again as the}^ extricated themselves, and carried the chase over another mile of grass. A wide, impossible ravine stopped the way ; one or two of the leaders had already slid down into its depth, and prepared to lead their jaded steeds up the opposite bank — when the Quorn ladies bayed forth the signal that the end had come. Their fox was to ground in a rabbit- hole. He had run ffty -tiro viinutcs before them, and, by map- measurement, over some eight miles of country in the time. For their reward, and as a counter to local i)oultry-claims, he was doomed — and dug. AVith the single excej^tion of the abstract virtue, point, this fine gallop had ever}' good qualit}' — pace, distance, country, and company ; and the run was alto- 314 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHTEE. [Season gether due to hounds, who only asked for a fair fiehl, and the truest of handling — to he let alone. It is this st^'le of treatment that (with no Irish blood in his veins) the Quorn huntsman specially knows how and when to adopt. ASH. WEDNESDAY WITH THE BELVOin. Asii AVednesday (ilir(i>/s brings a run — to those who are unlioh' enough to seek it with the Belvoir. The}^ who stayed at home are now finding their penance more sore in full dis- coverj'^ of the measure of their abstinence. Full credit, with- out scoffing, be to them and tlieir conscience ! For ourselves, if we have ever been unwilling sinners, when making the hunt- ing-field the scene of this Wednesday's fast, there will be little hanging back in future. In the glorious memory of to-day, we shall leave our sandwiches at home on the anniversar}-, aiid take the saddle without a twinge of conscience or a thought of Avrong. The Belvoir have, again, had a screaming run, a brilliant day, and a grand finish. As customar}', thej' met at Croxtou Park at one o'clock, that no prejudices might be affected, no matin interfered Avith. The sun of j-esterday was hid behind a grey cold sky, the glass had been rising steadily, and there was little or no wind. The influence of rain and sun had worked well upon the frost-rotted ground, making it firmer to ride, and less clinging in Reynard's footmark. Added to all this, there was a bite at one's fingertips and a pinch at one's toes, that ever betokens a scent. A scent, indeed, there was ; as I shall endeavour, in this hasty sketch, to show. Let nie waste no time in needless words. You may know the long bridle-road journey from Croxton Park to Si)roxton Thorns. The lengthened train of horsemen had wound its way to within half a mile of that covert, when a fox jumped up in a stubble beside them and made for the Thorns. As the}' reached it, the long line of horsemen was able to close up, and took the 1879 -so.] ASH WEDNESDAY WITH THE BELVOTK. 315 front together. A brace of foxes liad reached tlie covert shnul- taiieously ; the one had gone tliroiigh (most of the pack after him), and a keeper or a farmer was loudly pointing his line. But the leading couples (Gillard with them, horn at work) dashed down the road for Coston, racing along the muddy lane as if in sight of their fox. At the cross roads a few Iiundred 3'ards on, three hounds took the fields with a line — and a burning scent. They had crossed the little Coston Brook, and a field beyond, before an}' of their comrades were even striving- after them. And now how shall I put it ? These three hounds were running desperately ; and the field imagmed, or fondly tried to believe, that the others were close at them. But it was wrong, sinful — more wrong, more sinful, than being out hunting at all to-da}', that men should have given them- selves to ride to a couple (Uid a half of hounds. Yet it was marvellous to see those three hounds race along — not only over turf, but for half a mile down a road, then over a woolly fallow, turning out of the lane with a swing that did not take them a yard over the line. It was miser}' to pull up ; ini(i[uitous to go on — and iniquity for long had the best of it, in spite of loud deprecating utterances from those who were in front, and on whom the duty of stopping them should have devolved. At length the flagrancy of the misdoing became so obvious and pronounced, as to overcome both anxiety to be forward and dread of seeming officiousness — and, as soon as they could be reached, the three hounds were stopped, for Gillard to bring on a reinforcement. Even this caused scarce a moment's dela}'. Their half-blown fox had turned through the village of Sproxton ; and from it they sprung on again with a whole pack and undiminished vigour. The line had curled completel}- round, and set their heads again for the same Coston Brook. As I have often dared to say before, we are bad water-jumpers in Leicestershire ; and the little stream, not ten feet wide, Avas at once choked in half a dozen places by struggling horse and man. One of our most gallant soldiers was ])ulled, more than half-drowned, from under his horse. His boot came off 316 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season easily enough ; but neither eloquence, nor barrack- square exer- cise, availed to pull it on again — gail}- and garrulously though he hopped about the bank. He is ever a friend to others in misfortune, and only yesterday was hauling a pinned friend out of a ditch by the expedient of loosing him out of his boots. It is very impertinent, it is wholh' unwarrantable, to laugh at a friend in distress — but it Avas horribl}' funny to meet the smart footguardsman travelling home that evening attired something like a deserter from the blues. In place of the faultless get-up of the morning, he had white room}- cords, high Blucher boots, a blue cutawa}', and — in place of hat or helmet — a billycock of some service. But he was warm and dry ; and his friends, thanks to that friendly farmer, will soon see him to the fore again. Ah, in the flutter and fun of this hai)py run there was man}' a Avayside episode for laughter and frolic — were there now time, and Avere it allowable, to recall it. Will confiJence, elegance, nothing avail, Wlien the black stops short at a post-;ind-rail ? Or, supposing you're teaching a sticky horse, Is it lair to find fault with cannon or cross ? These queries are not meant for poetrj', scarcely for rhyme ; but they contain a moral ; and they come in at a check (after some tAventy-five minutes), just as our fox has crept into Coston Village, and Ave go on Avith another (this point being supposi- tion founded upon eA'idence). After Coston Village a long sIoav quiet hunt, in Avhich second horses might be picked up at any time, b}' Wymondham and Edmondthorpe Villages up to WoodAvell Head — Gillard picking his way forAvard to a very different scent to that of the earlier chase, and hounds stead \^ as harriers on the plough. They had run i)alpably into the field bordering the covert, and were being held along its margin for the trail in — Avlien Will's voice sounded shrill beyond, and they Avere laid on once more on terms Avorthy of the day. Pop your luncheon into j-our pocket, clap in the spurs, and ram 1879—80.] ASH AVEDNESDAY WITH THE BELVOIII. 'M? your old hat down as hard as its many crushers will allow ! Squeeze your way as rudely tlirough that beastly handgate as you think an apology will cover. Down the slope for Market Overton, the grass field is already outspread with gallopers. Xot a hound to be seen; and men appear to be jumping wildh' outwards— left and right and forward. Three or four red coats, and as many black, are glimmering, glancing, right ahead. These must be the guiding stars. Men never ride as fast as that unless they have got a start above their fellows. Timber is the fencework of the Market Overton Vale. Often it is light and airy ; but, by all that is holy, they have been putting new rails down everywhere to prepare for to-day. The leaders, too, must be possessed with a sudden," insatiable fury. They seem to look upon everything wooden as a challenge. Not a gate is swung ; but two are jumped in immediate succes- sion— and these are Leicestershire gates in verity and strength. In five minutes there must have been full fifteen timbered jumps — hounds lancing forward all the while to a scent extra- ordinary. At such moments 'tis impossible to do more than struggle your own afterway, giving little notice to others — un- less it is to the good pilot on the chesnut, setting example for the 3'oung one in his wake, fence after fence (for horses are as imitative as, and much less craven than, their masters). Messrs. Hugh Lowther, G. Drummond, jMr. Rhodes, and Lord Esme Gordon, are, with Captain Smith, taking the timber rapidh', and out the lane cleverly by means of a stile in and a stile out. Quickest after them, I must be allowed to mention Mrs. Candy, gallantly carried and gallantly riding. In and out of a roadside garden, on to the grass flat through which runs the Oakham Canal. Tally ho ! he crosses the big open pasture right across the horsemen ; while the}' pull up to breathe, and the pack, catching up ever}'- yard of his line, race on, and race back, to sweep the meadow with a front fifty 3'ards broad. This is a scenting — this is a heavenly da}'. Fallow nor stubble, footpath nor fence, can hinder or thwart their gay noisy course. The 318 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Season Belvoir mean blood to-da}'. Teigli Tillage is on the hill, they rise to it and leave it on the right. Twenty men jump into its lane abreast ; a black hedge has to be pierced beyond. " Thank you, sir, you'll give us a lead." Yes, but " the Dodger" icon't ; and it remains for the martingale grey to break the binders. Now we are sweeping down hill — fences laid easy, horses stretched freely, the pack a clear field in front. Water forrard again ! Oh, my hj^drophobic soul ! The Ash- well Brook — and the ver}^ spot last animated by a swimming grey mare ! * Get to the front, water-jumpers — and delude us over in your stride ! Ah, hajDpiness ! Hounds swerve on the very brink, and clatter on to the right, as if glad as we are to be clear of the shining, yet miry, stream. Coursing along its banks, they li}' forward till a field-bridge spans the difiicult}' ; and then the}'^ rush their fox over the railway — midwa}' between the stations of Ashwell and Whissendine, where on the map you will find the word Loch/e written. I can convey no fair idea of the scent that prevailed to-da}'. Hounds could follow and turn unyichcra, at best pace and never hesitating. They doubled a hedgerow with their fox, pushed hard as ever over a fallow to the railway ; and were beyond it long befn^e they could be reached by the crossing. Mr. Brocklehurst cheered them on to the railway, tlien had two hundred yards to work round after them. I3y the time he had bored the road bullfinch, they were fovir hundred yards ahead. Boggy, deep, and awful were the next four fields. Horses, fairly fresh yet, had their lungs choked at once. The first fence was crashed through in two points — the Dodger (the nom de plume is the horse's) break- ing his way through on the right, Mr. Gerald Paget following, — the welter regaining ground after a lengthy struggle and gaining more still by at once striking his line to the right for firmer soil. Another faint, scramble, with a sinking feeling between the knees — the pack in the sky-line, and one's hopes of further progress rapidly reaching the same eminence. Then * A recent luckless experieuce of the Author's. 1879—80.] KAIN AND SPOKT. 319 the beaten effort of a good horse to surmount one more high- timbered ditch — a dig of the heel, such as one hates to use except on an unwilling evil slug — next the wide vista of an up- hill broken plough, speckled bodies rolling over each other at the far corner. Who-whoop ! Avho-whoop ! ! ]Mr. Brocklehurst takes the treasured remains from their mouths. Mr. Graham shoots up on the gre}', fresher than any other man or horse. Captain Byng had also ridden right up to hounds throughout. Of the others, I have alluded to all that seemed, or were snid to be, most prominent. Thirty minutes was the final burst from Woodwell Head. They had run altogether one hour and fort}' minutes. It has been written — Is there auglit worth losing or keeping ? The bitters or sweets men quail" ] The sowing or the doubtful reaping ? The harvest of grain or chaff ? But then the poor fellow who wrote this was a foxJinnter — and Avrote it in a land which owned not a pack of hounds. A Note. — Sir Bache Cunard's bobtail fox of the Market Harboro' Ball day was brought to light next morning from under the railway — by the kennel boy going five-and-twenty yards to ground, with a dark lantern, and a rope to his legs ! He found the brickwork of the culvert had fallen in ; but, with the help of a second terrier, he dragged the body of the fox out. The first terrier, put in on the day in question, is sup- posed to have been drowned after killing the fox, as he was not in the drain alive the next day. It should be mentioned, too, that so keen were the establishment to get the fox, that the whip had sat up at the drain all the intervening night. EAIN AXD SPORT. The soil a sponge, and everj^ stream swelling far over its banks. On Saturday, Feb. 14th, the Cottesmore meet was 320 THE CKEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Sr.ASox Wild's Lodge — some two miles from Melton, whose denizens might well congratulate themselves that they had to travel no fm-ther against the driving wind and ceaseless rain. Indeed, a morning to all appearance less favourable to foxliunting could not be conceived. I'he glass was falling as rapidl}- and steadily as the rain itself; sky and air were ji regnant with storm ; and the prospects of sport were apparently hopeless. Witness the result, and pay no further heed to weather or the chapter of probabilities, where foxhunting is concerned ; but go out whenever you have a horse ; and let frost, or funds, alone have a voice in dissuading you. It ma}^ be that that tyrant Frost is now making us reparation for the hardships we have siiffered at his hands ; and that the wondrous scent to wliieh, day after day and amid all other vagaries of Aveather, we ari' now treated, may in the main be owing to his cleansing, purifying effect. On Saturday the Cottesmore ran hard all (hn/ ; and their foxes cared as little for the direction of the wind, as hounds cared for its presence. They began with a desperate forty minutes from the Punchbowl, which ended b}^ the body of the pack getting on to a brace of fresh foxes, who turned down wind again in company — while five couple went on to show that their run fox had escaped into a gravel-pit- earth. So deep was the ground tliat the first two miles of steej) undulating grass and plough were enough to stop anytliing tliat had known a dealer's yard within six months ; and before the burst was over the line was dotted with exhausted horse- flesh. Only a few of a large field started to ride on good terms ; and no others could ever gain a yard. There had already been two pumping circles round the precipices of Little Dalby and the Punchbowl ; when the run began suddenly at the same point whence started the great gallop in the fog, of last season. There were some thirty starters across the road where the Leesthorpe Bottom runs nearly to the base of the Punchbowl. The wired difhculty has been broken down ; and twenty men took the right of the stream, the others the left along the plough. The latter had to jump across again as quickly as 1879—80.] RAIN AND SPORT. 321 tlie,y could ; for hounds bore up forthwith for Leesthorpe, and bent still more to the right when over across the Pickwell road. The right division was served at once by a bridge over the other gully which now'met them ; and they alone had a chance of seeing the chase. Hounds had a clear lead ; the fences were light, but every ditch was overflowing and every furrow Avas a sheet of water, while hill and valley succeeded each other short and severe. Mr. Munro on the ex-steeplechaser Fireking, cut out the work ; ^Ir. Arthur Coventry in his track. Im- mediately next, and riding more quickly and brilliantly than a lady is often seen to do in such a Leicestershire burst as this was Miss Parsons — followed by Sir John Lister-Kaye, Cai)t. Smith, Lord Carington, &c. As they swept round behind Somerby Village, closer order was attained when a momentary check took place, and then a more level country can'ied them forward for Owston. As that village hove in sight came the difficulty, the change of scent, a double back on the part of the body of the pack ; and the cream of the run was over. Eanksboro' found fun for the afternoon. It was a chilly damp waiting on the brow over the gorse till Reynard consented to go. Then he ran the plain towards Oakham, before bearing up to take them a dashing twelve minutes into Orton Park Wood. A sheepdog was ready for him as he issued beyond, so back he came to Eanksboro', just touching it before giving them some charming quick hunting over the Langham Flat — where the most gluttonous of riders must have found food enough for his jumping appetite. This pursuit, too, ended indefinitely ; and recourse was again had to the Gorse. Eighteen cracking minutes over the grass from Eanksboro', with a horse fresh enough, and good enough, to keep within reasonable reach of hounds, forms, to my unambitious mind, an item to light up an afternoon's existence, cheer an evening's thought, and fix a bright spot in memory — better than many more prolonged and costly pleasures in other spheres of life. This is, no doubt, only an enthusiast's view. But are not all 322 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox foxhunters enthusiasts ? And if to be so is a reproach, then we own to glory in our shame. Eighteen minutes was not all the run ; but it was the best and quickest part of it, and no halt or hesitation came till then. The course had been over Ranksboro' Hill, and curved towards Somerby along a goodly line, till it pierced the plantation bor- dering the Somerby and Cold Overton Road. The military and ex-military element (who form a large proportion of Leicestershhe's Hunt and hardriding societj^) were fully to the front, in the persons of Captains Cand}', Smith, and ]Mr. H. Brockkhurst, who, with ]\Ir. Beaumont, had been, perliaps, the leading spirits. After this point hounds ran nicely nearly to Orton Park "NV'ood. But well as they go while close at their fox it was not a day to kill him ; and as soon as slow hunting began, scent seemed to fail and quickly die out. Yet it was truly a fine, and a hard, day's sport. MARCH SUN AND SCENT. Thursday, March 18. — A sunm' gallop with the Quorn, and half an hour to tell it. A b3'e-day had been ordered for Barkby ; and had been quietly kei)t for a true Quorn field. The wind was in the east ; the sun had the whole heaven to himself; the fallows were dr}^ as piecrust; and, in short, to go a-hunting to-day seemed about as fitting an experiment as that of Ingoldsby's children who " went a-skating, all on a summer's day." But a seven or eight minutes' preface from Scraptoft Gorse showed the remarkable phenomenon of hounds going their hardest through the cloud of dust raised by their passage over a, wheatfield ; and gave a hope, an instinct, of the coming fray. Now the}-^ are away again from Scraptoft Gorse — this time nearly up the wind, and Avith a point for Keyliam. All the field has been mustered at the Thurnby end of the covert ; and the scream Away is dimly heard. You may glance at your watch, 1879—80.] MARCH SUN AND SCENT. 323 rebutton your coat — even exchange some out-of-place chaff, as you gallop the side lane to reach the bordering road. But the glimpse of white speckled forms, streaking the gi'een meadow beyond the intervening trees, must stir you to life and energy, if you have any ; and you swing the corners and drive into the ojien with either spur well. How on earth Firr can find time to work his horn at such a moment is more than an outside mortal can explain. It is going hard ; and so is he, down the turf slope to the Scraptoft Bottom, a boggy, hateful place, Avith a strong guard of thorns be3^ond. Mr. Herl)ert Flower loses his horse in making a way through ; Captain Barstow gets to the other side with a flounder, but is floored b}^ the following oxer, where the near ditch is filled with thorns and the far rail lies wide. Firr is alone in near pursuit of hounds flying like the wind : Captain Barclay is straining after him, and Captain Heygate in his wake, with Ijady Florence Dixie close up. Gallop as they can, hounds beat them all the wa}', for this furious fourteen minutes (as Avell as 1 could time it) to l^arkby Holt. Gates help them, and fences lie easy. There is a bridge over the Keyham Bottom (as they leave the village to the right), and the Beeby difficulty is overcome by galloping the village road. "He's just afore j^ou ! " cries one rustic. " You'll be on him in a minute ! " shouts another. They had left covert at his brush ; but he is never in sight again, till they spring into the field beside Barkby Holt. He had meant ^^assing the wood, but when half way over the stubble had realised his peril — and here he comes across them, with his brush already down and his tongue hanging. Tally ho ! Lu — lu ! ! The leading couples course him through the fence ; and his doom is sealed — though he may, and will, j'et postpone it for a while. He seeks a breathing moment by crossing from the Holt to the Gorse ; but quickly they bring him back, and out where he entered. He takes a comrade away with him ; and a plough team divides them, sending one to Beeby, the other to Queni- borough. A trusty old lady of the pack has never been dumb or faltering since they entered the Holt, and she elects for Y 2 324 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox Queniboro'. llunning well again over grass, picking it slowly over liard-baked fallows, the}' nearly reach the village of the needlespire ; turn to Barkby ; hunt up to their wearied quarry in the park of Barkby Hall ; and jump upon him at the spot of the Meet — in honour of the good sportsman who bade us welcome, and Avhose chief thought is ever for the interests of the Plunt. L'iftj'-seven minutes was the reckoned time start to kill ; and to have achieved such a run on such a day was indeed a triumph, and a boon unexpected. Not the least extraordinary part of the run was the perform- ance of a twelve-hand pony, rough and unridden — who, escaping from a grass field, cut down all the hard men of the Quorn by riding in Firr's footsteps from Scraptoft Gorse to Barkby Holt — and on to the death ! All through the dust and sun which prevailed during the three later weeks of jNIarch there was a scent quite inconsistent with such conditions. It seldom happened but that liounds could run — generally fairly, sometimes well. And as foxes are much the greater sufferers under the heat, and consequently were unable to travel away from their pursuers, there Avas as much slaughter achieved last month as at any period of the season. Blood is the huntsman's object, 'i'lie process of his efforts for it form the source of our interest ; and his success is almost an equal delight to us. Thus, in spite of summer days and dusty winds, we saw foxes limited up and killed, and had a " vast o' fun " by the way. There was a drawback that forced itself home to many of us, and protrudes itself now whenever the stable is visited. AVe could harden our hearts for a fall, but we could not harden our horses' legs, and the casualties among the latter have been as pronounced as the fatality to ft)xes. It may fairly be set down that March has done more damage to studs and pockets than all the rest of this varied season. For the last Aveek or so, in place of galloping the driest ridge, your aim was ever to secure the dampest furrow. But, pick your i^lace as cleverly and care- full}' as you could, you never knew how iron bound was the 1S79— so.] MARCH SUN AND SCENT. 325 groiuid beyond your fence, till the grunt of battered joints and the groan of a vigour painfully and suddenly checked echoed awfully beneath you. At the moment you almost realised the mischief done. You knew it better still the next morning, when the old weak spot had proclaimed itself beyond mistake, and " Harkaway must be throwed up for the summer" was the morning report of the man of the stable. The grass, where exposed to March influence, resounded like a drumhead to the stroke of the hoof. Old horses cracked up in landing upon it. or hurt themselves at their fences for very fear of jumping, while 3'oung horses met with a shock that might take them months to forget. Yet when hounds are in cry it is hard to turn aside from a little place that at ordinary times Avould be seized upon as just our chance — and, as sure as we gallop a hundred yards to the right for a gate, so certainly will the}^ sheer off two hundred to the left, and put us at once out of distance. On Monday, March 29th, this state of things was in fullest force. The Quorn ran hotly. It was dangerous to jump, and distressing to gallop ; but if you did not do both to some extent, you had no chance of seeing the merry hour's pursuit, which, if it did not actually end in blood, brought a fox to .death's very door at the mouth of his own earth. It Avas positively distressing to see him roll through the fence border- ing his refuge — and to none did the painful sight come more deeply home than to him who had hoped to avert so sad a finale. " Poor thing, I'm sure he'll die in the earth," was uttered with a pathos and feeling that none but a brokenhearted huntsman could have thrown into it. That fox deserved a more glorious end ; they had hunted him from Mr. Cradock's never-failing Spinney at Six Hills over every difliculty of plough that he could pick out for them ; they had pursued him stoutly over the well-honoured (and, liappil}', well-gated) Hoby Ijord- ship ; coursed him round tlie fiirmyards and cottage gardens of Ilagdale till he slipped them for a moment behind the village, and with a last struggle staggered to Slioby Scoles — and the open earth. It was a hard and well-worked chase, honestly meriting the 326 THE CREAM OF LEICESTER8HTEE. [Season mouthful of blood that had almost reached the thirstmg palates. The enthusiasm of onlookers had been worked up to a pitch nearly as high, and ten times as loudly expressed, as that of the executive. With a sinking fox frequently close in view, there was shouting and shrieking that was truly appalling, and furious riding that at least was magnificent if not quite foxhunting. The Quorn wound up tlieir season with a byeday at Beeb}'. This was on Monday, April 5tli ; and though the postcards only went forth on Saturday night, rumour and the telegraph Avii-es had been busy, and the gathering was one that included members of quite half a dozen other Hunts besides the Quorn. The Pytchle}', Cottesmore, Sir Bache, Belvoir, South Notts, Meynell, Atherstone were all represented. Yet there was scarcely a crowd, such as we get hardened to — only a strong- company, all rather eager to ride. It was their last chance ; and if distinction could not be achieved to-(h\v, ambition — that, perliaps, has long aspired in vain — would have to lie donnant and unsatisfied for months to come. And truly, when thun- derstorms break upon the sport, when the heavens are streaked with lightning at one moment and smiling through a glorious rainbow the next, Avhen the hedges are patched Avith bursting foliage, and lambs run under your horse's legs, it is time to admit that foxlmnting may rest. The happ}^ whui of daily healthy excitement and companionship must be put aside for occupations that may, possibh', bring more grist to the mill, or that, quite as probably, are no whit more profitable either to system or exchequer. After this week we may cast our hunting kit aside, betake ourselves whither we will or must, leaving orders that the stable and its establishment are to be conducted during the summer on principles strictl}^ in accord- ance with the economical views of the new government. We cannot (til afford to bed our horses down in drawing-rooms as soon as the season is over — though this is a free country, and we have no right to pass a remark on those who choose to do so. The best of everything is, generally, good enough for Melton. Wliy should not the same standard, or even a higher one, be api)lied to its noble steeds ? At any rate, the experi- 1879—80.] MARCH SUN AND SCENT. 327 ment is in one instance having a fair trial; and the good quadruped who is called upon to submit himself as the subject submits very placidly to the trial. He is housed amid damask hangings, stretclies himself on a Turkey carpet, and a velvet ottoman supports his manger. And this is how the idea sug- gested itself to young Melton's fertile brain. It was before breakfast, some hours, that a rider came up the drawing-room stairs. Had he ridden down again, he would have been tlie richer by an honest penny. But his trusted steed refused the office ; his wager was lost; and all he could do was to make the best of his failure by selling his horse upstaks for a century less than he had refused for him on terra firma. The winner of the bet was the buyer ; and he thus finds himself in a position to afford scaffolding and crane, by means of which his new purchase will eventually return to humbler quarters. At present the latter appears to be very much at his ease, ap- parently feehng in no degi'ee abashed by the novelty and grandeur of his position. The occasion of his descent is to be held as high holiday by the townsfolk, and will be considered as the vdnding-up event of the Melton season. SEASON 1880-81. OCTOBER BREWING. HEN the Q u o r n a d V e r- tise for ten o'clock in their best grass country, when the leaves are beginning to drop, and the clipping machine has worked its way round the stable, it is fairly time to drive the quill over Leicestershire once again, if only to let absentees know how the ball already set afoot is likely to roll on. Merrily, indeed, it should go, if hard and patent facts may be made to stand for symptoms. But this is Thursday night that I am writing, and, an October Thursday though it be, it has been marked with a run that should make more than one Quornite Avish he had been there instead of at Newmarket. I can only tell it plainl}^ and hurriedly, and, as it were, for those to whom the ground is more or less famihar. Here it is, as far as post and press allow. Baggrave again ! As it reaped the final honours of last season (and those of the one before), so it has scored the first of this. The Quorn met at Beeby for cubhunting ; and Season- 1880—81.] OCTOBER BREWING. 329 liones% and successfully they chivvied the cubs in Baggrave Covert till midday, Avhen hounds lunched upon one at the Hall door, and men could not but accept the example and the General's ever-read}^ cheer. But the run ? Casual readers need only glance at the fact that it was a point of ci[jht miles and a half in one hour and five minutes, and entirely over the grass. Quornites will follow me while I sketch geography and outline. They all know Carr Bridge Spinney — a miniature plantation half way between Baggrave and Lowesby. It was from here the chase began, and it was at Stapleford Park it ended. As is only to be expected in mid-October, it was a purely local field that clustered on the hillside. They watched one fox twist into a rabbit-hole at their veiy feet ; and when in a moment a second one scurried along the brookside, thej^ were content to set him down as another of the same sort, and to look forward only to some brief spell of hedgerow-hunting, till he too should be accounted for. So they cantered leisurely through a couple of gates, scarcely realising, apparently, that hounds had not only flung themselves out before voice and horn had summoned them, but were already away over the brow, a first leafy hedge drowning all but their sjiarkling cry. Some half-dozen men were awake enough to take up running at once ; the rest only gradually awoke to the fact that to see hounds required riding to them — now as much as heretofore. To Thimble Hall was an uphill mile of aftermath, with a couple of pieces of timber, and a brace of blind fences on its slope ; and now the pack were full}- a field to the good, and galloping had to be earnest to be of use. Few studs have galloping condition in October t and he was a lucky man who had condition under him (as complete as was needed) to-day. Crossing the road b}' Thimble Hall, hounds bore down for a brief moment for Twyford, then crossing the road between that place and Mxxx- rough, passed over the new railway and the brow beyond. Circling towards the Melton Steeplechase course, they bent to the right again ; and, putting Burrough A''illage on the left. 330 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season ran the steep gorges that lead to Sowerhy. Another deep valley took them between Somerby and the Punchbowl, and carried them on to Ijeesthorpe — the first twenty minutes having been racing pace, and the run throughout being very quick, with hounds never lifted except for one smgle second's help. They were over Leesthorpe Big Field almost before any horseman entered it, and the nearest of these were Messrs. T. and F. Cradock, Mr. Johnson, the Huntsman, and the new first whip, George Cottrell, from the Belvoir. Straight on they fiew for Wild's Fiodge, near which a cart had diverted the fox in his route ; and, bearing away short of Berry Gorse, they struck up the hill towards Eanksborough. On reaching the pseudo-Whissendinc, however, they held along its farther bank for Stapleford (hounds aliout this period running quite alone), got up to their fox a field before reaching Laxton's Covert, and for some seconds were all round him in a hedge- row. Firr had come up to them again, and the prize seemed almost in his hand. But the luck of war Avas against him. His fox slipped through their midst, and reached, first the covert, and then a drain under the road, and so a splendid run ended without blood. Hounds must have covered some thirteen or fourteen miles of country, and did it, not merely unassisted, but most of the time running far ahead of eveiyone, though some half-a-dozen men were riding as straight and hard as if Christmas had passed and carried off all leaf from hedges and grass from ditches. The day was bright and cold and sunshiny : there was a great scent (as need not be said) : and their fox must have been of wonderful stoutness to stand before them thus. If we see many runs that can compare with this for point, time, and distance, the season of '80-81 will indeed be an exceptional one. 1880-81.] A LATE BEGINNING. 331 A LATE BEGIXXIXG. The smartest item of the Quorn liistoiy for November, 1880, was enacted on Friday last, November 27th, after meeting at Gaddesby. A violent wet morning reduced the muster to a small and roughly-clad field hardly in keeping with the dignity of the Hunt, scarcely a member of which had courage, or it may be extravagance, enough to appear at the covertside in pink. Indeed, as far as I remember, about the only gay and orthodox garment was the outcome of Irish landed property — a fact that may be useful to Messrs. Parnell and Dillon, serving them to " point a moral and adorn a tale." The gallop I refer to came from Ashby Pastures — only seventeen or eighteen minutes, but very fast and very charming — a burst, hardly a run, but very welcome in this hitherto eventless season. Let us suppose that you, reader, never saw the jungly depths of Ashby P.astures. You will find it a square manageable wood of a hundred acres or so, on a gentle slope towai'ds the east. There is comparatively little timber left to obscure the view or obstruct the sound of horn or hound ; but bramble and thorn grow rankly, and matted grass works in to choke up every interstice. Even the rides are almost obliterated by the wild growth of covert ; and a few mud-tracks, deep and narrow, are the only paths by which you can wade your way through the wood. However, you Avork slowly on after the huntsman, hock-deep in soft sludge, while the gale whistles and howls through the trees, cutting the scene of coming action com- pletely out of hearing of the many who still remain upwind of the covert. There is no crash about the hound-music that proclaims a find. The thicket is too dense for that. The wavering cry is scarcely exciting ; for it seems impossible that a fox can be driven quickly out of such a fastness. But he wants no driving — the wiry form that comes bounding over 332 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skasox the inulergi'owtli, with the noise of a deer. His Avhite mask confronts you like an apparition. The hthe bod}- flashes aside Avith a wave of a brush that looks broken, if not bare, at half its length. You may have seen many a fox before, and evt-r}' one of them gave 3'ou a tingle, if you are fit to go out fox- hunting. But there is a dash, a devil, about this ugly-faced fellow that makes you gi-ij) the saddle at once. Iloimds are bustling after him almost before you can scream ; and the huntsman flings them on to his back to a tune that ought to have pierced even such a breeze. Splashing and trotting down the covert you may be through a little handgate as quick as any others of the down-wmd division ; but already hounds are swinging beyond a new-sown wheatfield. The proprietor is one who has hot moments, but in cool blood allows himself a substantial interest in the chase. AVho knows ? this may be one of his hot moments ! 'J'ruth often hits hard — when well worded. A pitchfork might hit harder still ; and there's a great brawn}- fellow running between the jiack and you. Hope he can't sta}' over the plough! AVill your 3'oung 'un face the brook at the bottom ? liucky, by Jove, you put on the spurs icith rowels this morning. This is better. You are on turf now, and there's not half as much danger in front as a'ou imagined when behind. ]{ather a cropper than cold steel any day. But the pack are a full field ahead, and a dozen of the dark-draped wet weather field between you and them. Hounds have got away all but in view, and Firr's signalling horn could have been but a passing shaft up the wind. Hurry along the grass, turn as short as you can into stubble, galloi> a cart track, and there you are — pulled up short at a locked gate which Firr has just skimmed and which has brought up all others aghast. Eight Turn. I>fft "Wheel — a little fence and a bigger one — the latter really only big because the man just before you worked elbows and heels, made his horse jump a stride too soon, and frightened you terribly in the effort. Pddge and furrow next — hounds increasing their advantage as they go — Firr popping over the fences in their wake — Captain 1880-81.] A RUN UNSEEN. 333 jNliddleton going Imrtl on ]\Iiisketeer to reach alongside — first ^vhip driving knowledge into a stickey one, by help of example and ding-dong determination. Greasy stile and broad-plashed hedge furrows lying right and furrows lying wrong — but good going now, and the pace tremendous. As far as you see from the distance, there is no one else " in it." Few others started ; none others kept up the pace. A parallel lane has served a dozen, who reach the Melton turnpike at Kirby as soon as any. These have seen the chase all the way, without hazard or the trouble of the intermediate fences. The same order meantime has been maintained by those riding the line, while with a screaming scent hounds flew over the grass pastures, as the chase bent a crescent shape across the wind — working towards jNIelton instead of at one time towards Cream Gorse. A mile or so beyond Kirby, a great fox is plamly to be seen toiling across a field on the left, just before hounds reached the road from the right (fifteen minutes exactly, they tell me). A few odd minutes more, and the pack is stopped on the railway embankment, where many a fox has been bred, where many a fox has got to ground before, and whence a train is now to be seen issuing in full steam from ]\Ielton Station. Captain and Mrs. Stirling, Messrs. Coupland Adair, Peak, Harrison, and half a dozen others form nearly all the party up at the moment. A RUN UNSEEN. Tuesday, Xovcmhcr 7th. The Cottesmore have had a great good run over their best country. And the shameful fact has to be recorded that not a soul saw it ! A spoilt dinner, a vexed evening, is a harvest that ought to be reaped to-night by three hundred foiled labourers — whose toil has been in vain, Avhose bread has turned sour in their mouths, and who think just a tenth part of them- selves as when they went out this morning. Yes, the mournful. 334 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Sf.ahos miserable fact remains, that no one was found good enough to keep hounds in sight in the best run that has yet come off. I can tell you what happened generally. The plaints and ex- cuses that are forthcoming would fill the volume of the season. A right tm-n at this point or that might, one would fanc}', have made more than one man the hero of the day, and of the winter, l^ut no one got the turn, so at least there is none of the heartburning of envy. As it is, the only note is that of bewailnient, self-reproach, and meagre excuse. It wanted five minutes to two in the afternoon when hounds flew to Goddard's scream on tlie Tjaunde side of Launde Wood — the crisp sharp air, that liad succeeded the dripping fog of the morning, bnnging the sound through the wood as clear as a boatswain's wliistle. As we hurried out of the main ride, the fox was just skimming the hillside overlooking the Abbey ; and soon a complete chain of signals marked his route over the two miles to Owston "Wood. Hounds came dashing out, over-eager and headstrong, and flung tlnough and beyond the scent half a dozen times in the hurried scramble across the valley. Between the adjoining properties of Launde and With- cote run two great gulfs. Tlie first could either be rounded by a wide sweep to the road on the right, or be explored left- Avard for a bridge that certainl}' used to exist. It Avas there still, but has been converted from a bridle-Avay to a footbridge, by the appalling expedient of substituting for one of its two gates a stile and footboard. So in single file the body of pursuers on this side had first to squeeze througli a little handgate, and then to jump tlie timber off the bridge. There was no great danger or difficult}^ about the process ; but it took time — and it must be remembered that Ave gallop after the hounds by hundreds, not by scores, in this countr}'. Most l^eople, however, Avho kept pushing on, reached Owston Wood (at a point just opposite Withcote Hall) as soon as the hounds. And noAV comes the turning-point of my dismal story. Directly they were inside the great covert, hounds settled down to run Avith a vigour that we have seldom seen this season — never 1880—81.] A EUN UNSEEN. 335 certainly in covert. Tlieir fox turned westward at once, and ran the deep rides tlie whole length of the wood. There was nothing to stop hounds ; but there was mire, and claj', and water, bogs, and holes to hinder you, however doggedly and desperately you plunged on, thankful if 3'ou could but catch a glimpse of the j-earguard of the pack swinging round the corner of a ride. INIen who had dashed through the wood, and even turned immediately parallel with the hounds, were in no better plight. They had to make a considerable detour to begin with ; they had to open a dozen gates along the edge of the wood, and they then had to wade along a deep muddy lane as stickey as an}' of the rides inside. To make a long story short, no one succeeded in reaching the extreme end of Owston "Wood (towards Whadborough Hill) as quick as the hounds — except two visitors from Ireland, Lord Cloncurry and Mr. Clinton, who had fouglit their way through the wood, onl}- to issue with blown horses, utterly unable to cope with the stiff succession of timber and ox fences that opposed them. So they were compelled to put up with the sight of the pack fleeting swiftly away like a dream in the distance. Round the outside of the covert ]\Ir. Harter appeared just in time to catch sight of a tail hound or two struggling over the second grass}' slope ; but before he could jump out of the road and climb the first, even these guiding stars were lost to view, and all after- wards was blind darkness and hateful disappointment. Mr. Tailby, the Messrs. Gosling, Sir Bache Cunard, and Neal and- Goddard, are none of them likely men to be left behind at Owston Wood, under ordinary circumstances. But here they were, with a dozen others, equally keen and ready, galloping wildly over the country without a beacon, with scarcely a notion, to guide them. And such a country ! That's where half the bitterness lies. Let me finish my tale, and forget it. A grander, sounder, fairer extent of grass does not exist than that between Owston, Marfield, Burrough, and Somerby. It is as much finer, freer, and in every way superior to ordinary ten-acre pasturage as the blue swell of the Atlantic is to the 336 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox mucld}" cliojis of the Channel. Last year hounds took part of this line more than once — running towards John o' Gaunt, and over the Twyford Brook to gi'ound near Burrough Village. Now the}' must have travelled the same path, and carried it a long way farther — and all at a flying pace. At the IJurrough and Marfield lane, after a two-mile gallop into the teeth of the wind, a carter said the pack had passed hy several minutes since. "Where last year's fox got to ground, a yokel told them triump]iantly that *' the hounds Avas miles ahead, and never a one of yer with 'em." At Burrougli-on-the Hill, it was learned that fox and hounds had passed along the valley close under tlie village, and had then home round for Somerhy. In fact, Avhile men under some inexplicahle illusion had heen tearing up the wind, the chase had gradually hent down it, and left them on an outer circle. Two sportsmen of experience, who liave both stood the buffet of wind and weather on distant seas, alone steered below the wind, and at length cut across tlie line somewhere near Somerby, the pack having then been running some five-and-forty minutes from the start. The one found a single hound with a lead of half a field, two couple more in hot pursuit, and the rest just striking ofi* at a tangent on a fresh line ; and he went on with the former. The other was so baffled by the aspect of aifairs — hounds branching off in two distinctly different directions — that feeling himself altogether unable to decide upon which could be the right line, lie determined on a middle course of action, and remained where he was. The two couple and a half, meanwhile, sped across to complete the circle to Owston Wood ; while the body of the pack got to Knossington, and there to difficulties. Here my story ends ; and I hope it may be many a day before I have to write such another. It is worthy of remark that the Cottesmore hounds have only twice this season met with scent enough to really run. On both these occasions they have had all the fun to themselves ! 1880—81.] MASTER AS HUNTSMAN. 337 MASTER AS HUNTSMAN. On Friday, Dec. 17, the Quorn had a round of sport from noon till dark — three runs and a galloping scent. A sharp ■wind-frost had whitened the grass and glazed the fallows ; the sky was cloudless, the sun hrilliant, the wind in the north-east — and it looked for all the world as if our old friend of last winter and the winter before was once again upon us in earnest. It was all we could do to get to covert — the meet being at Ingarsby, the residence of that good yeoman Mr. Carver. It was more than we could do to get there in time : and it was lucky for most of us that Hungerton Foxholes was drawn blank to begin with. For though the grass was only crisp on its upper blades, as if dipped in frosted sugar, the roads were hard and unsafe as a polished oak floor — that most dangerous and undignified of floorings. Everyone had arrived, though, by the time the Master had thrown hounds in to Botany Bay. Poor Firr was still writhing at home under the pain of a maimed frame, and that worse agony to a keen huntsman of homids being in the field without him. A quick find, much shouting in the road — and over the mound of the Coplow into the gorse on its southern slope. Three couple of old hounds kept matters moving on across the valley at once — throwing their tongues loudly to call on their comrades, already stra^dng to a fresh line in covert. The ladypack was out to-day, as quick and hardworking a lot as ever took the field. Luncheon in Leicestershire is a highly dangerous — if a very tempting — institution, especially when indulged in according to the elaborate fashion of our time. Big gold or silver cases, requiring both hands to hold — while, to be correct, the owner stands dismounted, with legs planted wide apart and manly waistcoat open to the breeze — conduce very largely to both comfort and appearance. But when hounds slip away in a sudden second from one of our small coverts, and said owner 338 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season is caught in this position — with his mouth so full of hejelliecl mutton pie that he cannot even call out for his horse — the bravery of his bearing is not unlikely to be lowered for the day. This is no fancy portrait, nor even a rare instance. "SVere there not at least fifty fair sportsmen caught posing thus when the Belvoir set off to run from Wood well Head last Ash Wednesday? And were there not as many more thus left sorrowful to-day at Scraptoft ? The site of the late gorse is this season onl}' marked by a few brambles and the young shoots of the burnt whin. There is nothing to stop a iox there a moment : and they never dwell long in the Holt alongside. They found in the latter ten-acre brake before half the field were within sight or sound ; and then most of those present galloped round the southernmost end of tlie wood instead of striking through towards the gorse. Hounds left covert with their fox almost in view; went like lightning across the two grass fields to Scraptoft Hall, and crossed the road short of the shrubberies. The whip was there to 02)en the gate and cheer them over ; and then, with their fox frequently to be seen not half a field before them, ^ they ran as hard as they could stretch over the neat nice country in the dii-ection of Barkby Holt. Their onl)^ imme- diate attendants were Capts. Smith and Middleton, Messrs. Harter and Baldock, and a lady on a brown mare. The fences came quick and often strong ; but they Avere all to be ridden at n gallop — and, in fact, were best suited by the pace. The course thus run was not a very long one — being only to the Keyham-and-Beeby Road, and back on the nearer side to "Keyliam Village. Something between fifteen and twenty minutes probably covered this part of the gallop ; but it was as warm and quick a burst as need be, for the fortunate few. In spite of the rime still whitening the surface, the grass was every- where sound and firm ; and no real difiicult}' crossed their path from the time they started till the}' met tlie less lucky majorit}' on the way to the village. Their fox wasalread}' nearh- blown, xmd now doubled back almost among the field. Being hunted 1880—81.] MASTER AS HUNTSMAN. 339 back to Beeb}' be took refuge in a drain, was bolted, and soon I'un into. Nor was tbe fun of tbe fair yet over. Barkby Hoit was close at band — a goodly certainty. Wben tbe gorse, annexed to it, was cut down in tbe autumn, two, if not tbree, strong eartbs were brougbt to liglit in tbe tbickest part of tbe covert — ex- plaining ami)ly wliy foxes were often so suddenly lost, or some- times not found at all. Since tbis discovery tbe Holt lias been quite its old self again. And tbis afternoon, besides at least a brace of foxes, it lield a stinging scent. I never saw a fox more closely rattled tban the one to wbicb tbe little ladies now gave tbeir attention, 'i'wo or tbree times be made believe to break, but reall}' never meant going till obliged. So tbe}' sent bim round and round tbe wood for a quarter of an liour — bristling over tbe rides close at bis brusb, driving bim botly round tbe outskirts of tbe covert, till be was fairly terrified into boldness, and dared tbe open in earnest. By tbis time, too, be bad " done a lot of work " as tbe buntsmen say : and was ratber handicapped for a trial of strength with bounds over a coimtry. The same remark would apply equally to many of tbe horses that had been plunging round and round tbe inner depths of the Holt. The}' came out, like the fox, half draggled and with much of the steel out of them. There was still, though, any amount of " go " to be found in their riders ; for which they were glad enough to find a vent in lancing over the Beel)y fences. Many were trying to retrieve — or at any rate to make amends for — the loss of the midday plum ; two or tbree were riding elate, with the taste of tbe fruit still in their mouths ; and, urged on by one exciting cause or tbe other, tlie pursuit of hounds was carried on by the whole division with a zest as marked as that of the bounds themselves after their fox. Past Beeby to Scraptoft Hall they went a bee line — hovering only for a second at the Ke3'liam Road. Five feet of solid timber frowned defiance ; and the boldest turned aside for gate or gap. No, not the boldest. There was one who appeared to have come from some distant, hardriding land : and now found bim- z 2 340 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Sl-.ASOX self opi^osite the impediment, side by side with one who, in our Liliputian land, has long been held a giant — one who has, perhaps, levelled more oxers than any single caqienter has set up in a lifetime. Regarding the timber a« one might glance at a big man whose head is streaked with silver, while one assures him that his grey hair alone saves him the thrashing he would otherwise receive — the stranger muttered audibly, " Ti .r. COUl'LAND, E.SQ. hounds only weren't at fault," shook his head disappointedly; and he, too, turned aside. For the third time in the day the flat meadows by the Kcyham brook Avere crossed ; and when Scraptoft laurels were reached holloa and hat were raised in the road beyond. Hounds, however, took some time to clear the shrubberies, and, though their fox was hardly able to travel at a walk, he crept on to the Gorse, and they failed to touch him again. From Barkby Holt to the end was twenty-five minutes — to conclude a day of excellent fun. 1880-81.] NEW year's DAY, 1S81. 341 NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1881. A CHANGE came in -with daylight ; a soothing Avarmth flooded the snow ; the grass hurst forth Avith the sun ; and, with heaiis elate and spirits above debt and difficult}-, we jumped to breeches and boots. Pickwell was the Cottesmore meet, and thither we splashed, through inches of half-congealed mud — hugging our- selves over the glad surprise and the shifting landscape. There was still something in the stable to ride. 8unda_y's rest Avould bring something else past the turning-point of blow or sprain. Friday's mount would come Monday — and anyone who, in our climate or our life, la^'s plans for more than three days at a time is only likely to hatch disappointment. In fox- hunting you must live for the day ; your imagining may take the form of hope, and it will then enhance all 3'ou realise. But never let it be calculating or procrastinating. A chance once missed — whether a good hunting day or a start in a run — does not readily come again : and a lost opportunity will linger longer through summer months than many hai)i)y memories. At least this is the philosophy of a mind indifferently consti- tuted. No doubt there are many as badly balanced, a too absorbing enthusiasm being in part to blame for a faulty equihbrium. In tbe leisurely journey of some three miles to Orton Park Wood, after a short burst from the Punchbowl, horses had every chance of regaining their wind. The brief gallop alread}^ experienced was held to have been anything but sufficient to allow of a change of saddles ; and as things happened I fancy but few men ever got their second horses afterwards. The field had scarcely manned the good gravel ride in Orton Park AVood before ; from sign or symptom or instinct, the}^ became alive to the fact that a fox had gone somewhere. Hounds flung themselves out of sight into the underwood; Neal and the Muster shifted imeasily about ; but for a time no tangible sound or token came to proclaim a fox away. A certain few 342 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Se.vsox knowing ones, however — whose movements it is alwaj's desirable to watch, if one's own ears or craftiness fail — were at once on the alert, and shnffled quietl}' down the immetalled bnt well- mudded ride towards Oakham. By the time they reached the handgate a holloa ample and shrill set them oft" round the wood to its liraunston side. Half the pack were alread}^ out of covert, gliding down the slope beyond ; and horn and cheer soon brought the others on. But, after the first few fields of shaip and i^retty going, the least exciting part of the run was its course to Owston "Wood (a turn short of Prior's Coppice and by Chiselton Spinney). The grass was sound, and the fences clean ; but liounds did not settle down to run with vigour. In fact, it was palpable that in more than one instance the stupid beasts did not get out of the way nearly quick enough for ambitious riding. AVe have learned, by the way, that a prophet has to come abroad for honour — thougli be it noted in all goodwill, that if some men find honour thrust upon them, tlirusting on a strange pack is better honoured in the breach than the observance. Hounds hunted tlieir way tlie length of the liittle Owston AVood, emerged at the bisecting road, and never touched a covert again. On the other hand, they ran really hard for an liour and fortj/ viiiintcs, with scarcely a moment's check, over some of tlie most beautiful grass country in Leicestershire and Butland, and killed their fox. ^Melted snow and recent rain had left the ground wet and splashy rather than deep and stick}"^ ; and, somehow or other, horses were able to go pushing on, in many cases, to the end. Or as they tailed off, of course they left no mark behind them ; and with the limit of one's own tether, one dropped into obscurity as tlie others, like spray from a jet of Avater. Surely a single fox could onl}' have lived so long before hounds on tlie i>lea that he was not burst at starting, but had leism^e to travel well ahead before the j^ace became oppressive. The ran was something of a ring, no doubt. But a ring that takes an hour and forty minutes' galloinng must embrace more than a fan- extent of ground — 880—81.] NEW year's DAY, 1881. 343 and sHcJi ground, as all you who know the country will confess. To Owston Village Avas a mile, or perhaps two, of small enclosures and quick-recurring fences. Each fence appeared to have one spot in it more tempting and easy than the rest ; and Capt. Stephen seemed quickest to discern and seize upon that spot. As the chase swept on, it passed the very point at which the great Eankshoro' run of '77 came to an end. (How a few years' riding over a country, still more a few years' writing about it, imbues every fence and every field with a memory I) And, by the way, how the actors on our little stage shift, and how quickly ! Scarcely one of those who drew rein then are here to-day. Poor Major Whyte-Melville, Lord Caring- ton, Lord Wolverton (no, his rein was drawn just before, and so was Mr. Tomkinson's), Lord Huntly, Lord Wicklow, j\Ir. Frewen, Mr. Russell, Capt. Jacobson — these made up almost the number who rode through that memorable gallop, and not one of them is hunting here now ! Custance is, if I remember right, the sole remnant of the band — standing forth a memorial of that event as he does of Col. Thomson's famous Waterloo Run. But I must get forward with the present. At Owston Village hounds swung to the right for Somerby, ran jiarallel to the road thither for a mile or more, till at the spot where our morning fox was lost, they bore away still more — leaving Somerby Village on the left. Messrs. Cecil Chaplin, Hanbury, Harter, and Capt. Middleton were perhaps quickest and nearest to turn with them, and to land into the Somerby-and- Knossington lioud. The two former jum})ed an uncompro- mising piece of timber abreast into the field beyond ; Capt. Middleton found his way into the same field on the right ; one or two others followed their lead, and the rest snicked the road for the corner immediately at hand. Hounds were running fiercely all this time ; but paused a little on the second hill top after a third road (Somerby-and-Cold Overton) : and the van recovered its strength — jNIessrs. Baird, Blair, Finch, Newton, "VV. and E. Chaplin, Gosling freres, Marshall, and Adair, promi- 344 THE. CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIRE. [Skasox neiit with others. (Forty-five minutes to here.) Neal lielcl hounds forward up a single fiekl ; they hit it off at once, and were awa,y again hefore horses had snatched more than half a minute's breathing time. But even this helped them a great deal; and allowed them to struggle onwards over the swampy grass. Severity neither of pace nor ground appeared to affect Mr. Cecil Cliai>lin's grey, any more than did the fact that he was carrying — well, no feather. Even after forty-five minutes the two preferred stiff timber to a crowded gateway ; and went on at once with a hundred yards advantage — to be increased rather than diminished, as hounds left Kanksboro' Hill and Cold Overton I'i.shpond just to the right, to cross the Oakham- and-Melton Road. I may be pardoned for repeating a dictum from a dozen mouths, viz., that a welter weight never went better to hounds in a fast run than Mr. Chaplin did to-day. Along the brookside to "Whissendine Village the fox had been viewed ; and the huntsman was able to save a couple of sticky fallows. Grief by this time had been freqvient ; coats and hats, and even habits, bore testimony to the quality of the gallop ; horses were sobbing ; while jumping was at a discount, and very feeble when enforced. Passing just to the right of Whissendine "Spillage, the chase went on — the pace getting extra credit from the blown condition of the horses. The ragged bridle-road that is known as the T.angham Lane was eagerly seized upon, while the pack streamed along the meadows on the right. Thej' dwelt, however, a moment or two to let all join them who could, before the}'- bore again more round towards the village of Langham. Mr. Hugh Lovvther, jumping out of the road, here cut across their front, in time to view their beaten fox creeping along the bank of the brook behind the village. Bar accidents he Avas theirs now. But that accident nearl}^ came in the shape of a passing train : and while a single hound dashed forward close after the fox, it' was a minute or two before the huntsman could extricate the others from the railway and bring them to the front. Burley Woods loomed on the hill not a mile away : but the sanctuary 1880— SI. A SAMPLE OF THE SEASON. 345 was just beyond poor Eeynard's strength. He could go no furtlier than one of the little Burley Spinneys, and there they killed him — one hour and forty minutes from the find, and as severe and good a run as ever did credit to hounds and country. As I have before said, the point was the least remarkable part of the run : but take Owston Village and Burley Spinney to furnish a diameter, and you will find that the ring was not much less than seven miles across. And the very fact of the line being curved allowed a much larger propor- tion of the field to see the run — or much of it — than if it had been absolutely straight. I must not conclude without expressing one word of heartfelt sorrow for the sad and sudden death of Mr. Herbert Flower, Avhich took place last week. As a friend he endeared himself to all who knew him ; as a comrade in the hunting field he was always cheerful, pleasant, and consistent ; and a wide circle deeply lament his untimel}' end. A SAMPLE OF THE SEASOX. January '29th. Hidden mider deep ridges of drifted snow, there is little to denote the existence of the grass-country beyond its few trees and the tops of its highest hedges. Its sheep and cattle are housed ; its rich people have fled ; and its poor are sufter- ing Avithin doors. Work and j^lay are alike at a standstill, or have moved elsewhere. Communication has just been opened up along country lanes ; but for some days villages unblessed with a resident butcher and baker were in danger of total staiTation. Londoners are said to have run short of water. But better, surely, to go unwashed than unfed — better dirt than hunger. Cuttings have been made everywliere through the deep drifts that block the roads ; but to get from field to field is still in many places impracticable. I hear of foxhunting in the snow in various places, and of a fox having been fairly run down by the Hambledon. "Where 346 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season you can get about the lanes at all, you may, after all, be neail)' as well off as if hunting in some unridable parts of Devonshire and Somerset at the best of times. There is just snow enough everywhere in Leicestershire to protect hounds' feet, except perhaps on the sharpest and roughest fallows, where the wind may have laid the ground almost bare. Sir Bache Cunard has been out ; and Goodall has kept the I'ytclile}' in exercise. But with both packs there has been the complaint of entire absence of scent. To add to this difficulty, a thick fog has lirevailed on many days. I had the pleasure of assisting at -f one attempt during the past week ; but, with foxes on foot two or three times, only the single hound that first brushed Re}'- nard from his kennel could proclaim the fact. Afterwards onl}' waving sterns, and a helpless, excited flinging round the place tlius indicated, in any way denoted that a fox had passed. Scent on snow Avouhl seem (as far as a dozen opportunities have given one the right to judge) to be as varying as in open weather. At times hounds can really run with a head ; and then, with the advantage of moving readily over the snow, will generally kill tlieir fox. But with such a want of scent as on the day I refer to, foxes readily creep away as soon as found. Had hounds been able to run, the}' could only have been followed by the ear, so dense was the mist — and would likely enough have left you benighted in the fog. Hiding was — • if not an impossibility — a matter of unpleasant practice. Your horse was sure to find his level in the first grip or ditch, and as surely deposited you exactly where the ground was barest of snow. Tumbling on smooth ice is disagreeable enough ; but to come with your ribs on the broken surfiice of a frozen ride is still less fun. You may get a deal more amusement — and keep yourself in condition much better — by running about on foot. A pair of long coarse stockings over your boots and legs will keep you dry and warm all day ; wbile the cold sharp air will make j'ou feel young again, and the work sets muscles in play that may have grown stifi:' with years of saddle or saun- tering. But best of all — if your interest and symj)athy incline 1880—81.] GRTM DEATH. 347 that wa}' — is to see the glad delight of a pack let out to amuse itself after a Aveek or two of kennel confinement or slow objectless exercise. Every hound is lit to jump out of his skin with effusive pleasure ; revels in the keen atmo- sphere, bounds joyously over the snow drifts, and busies him- self in covert — as if in search of a long-lost friend. Onni DEATH. Foxhunting came into full swing again on Thursday, Feb. 3, on which date the Quorn had a byeday, and a somewhat event- ful gallop from Grimston Gorse. It was not quite what the first sound of " forty-five minutes, and a kill in the open," would lead one to infer, inasnuich as it was made up of two pieces, each with a separate finish of entireh' distinct character. They started in an instant from the Gorse, and at the end of a five-and-twenty minutes' hunt the Master and whips and most of the field were hovering round Old Dalby Wood in distracted search of Firr and the hounds. Of a sudden their anxious eyes were gladdened by the sight of the familiar coat and cap, perched on a roof in the valley below ! Had he gone there to mock them, or, like Actieon, to escape from his own hounds ? Not a bit of it. There he was, master of a triumi)liant situa- tion— his conquered foe at his mercy. Face to face they stood, each baring his teeth to the very widest, Tom Firr with amused delight, bold Reynard Avith savage despair. At the mouth of a hothouse flue a coal-black mask was visible, the shining ivories and sparkling eyeballs making a picture that will certainly form material for Firr's next nightmare. Nothing in the fanciful figurehead of Tom Moody's ghost could hold a candle to it for expressive savagery. But charming as was the scene, and striking as was the comparison of facial efi'ect, it was not deemed necessary unduly to prolong the tctc-a-tctc ; so a jJole and a sack were obtained, and pressure having l)een brought to bear upon the occupant of the flue, he was induced to change 348 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season his quarters into the sack, with a view to further proceedings. Tlie next step was to conve}' him to suitahle open ground. He was then shot out of his hag with a good start, and off he went over the country as black as soot couki make him, a type to ilhistrate how the crow flies. His flight was a pretty strong one, too ; for, though hounds never checked behind him, and his sable form could from time to time be seen flitting just in front, it took them two-and-twent}' minutes before they could blacken their jaws on his waistcoat. An incident in this latter scurry fell but alarmingl}- short of a catastrophe. The ponds were still ahnost skateable, while snow lay in scattered ridges under the hedges so freely that half the jumps Avere on to the most speculative landing. The undaunted pluck that carries one of the most prominent of our lad}- riders * so gene- rally into a good i)lace, to-day dropped her quite out of her dejjth into a deep dug watering place, where she was only quite accidentally descried from a distance, fighting hard against the surrounding ice and the mad eflorts of her horse to make aise of her as a stepping-stone. Twice she was knocked quite under Avater, and once only felt her feet on any ground at all. Sympathy and outstretched hunting crops arrived only just in time, and a good constitution brouglit her out hunting the next day apparently none tlie worse. But it was a perilous adven- ture, with nothing that approached the laughable about it ; and it would have been hard and inapj^ropriate indeed, if one, who will dare anything that others will b}' field or flood (even to swimming the Wreake), should have ended her days in a horse- pond. An Interim. — The next day (Friday, Feb. 4) the Quorn Avere in due course at Great Dalby — a field of four hundred (fierce and well mounted) taking the place of the quiet home party of the bj'eda}-. On a morning hot and promising the}^ poured in from ever}' side, till there Avas scarcely standing- room on the village green — and didn't the}' " loose oft" " doAvn the slope of Gartree Hill, Avlien the sight of a fox had * iliss Tatrot. 1880-81. J AN INTERIM. 349 quickened theiu into furious life, and the cry of a single hound liad dissipated all self-control ? In vain the Master connnanded, besought, implored for a nunnent's grace. Believe me, Mark Twain's impenitent mule is a fool to the aspirant for honours in Leicestershire when the fit is full upon him and the fiend of jealous}' has possession of his soul. Ears he has none. Eyes he has, but only for one leading hound — or, better still, the fox — and for the fence at which he must be first, or be mise- rable. His best friend, crossing his vision at such a moment, is but a black hateful blotch, to be cut out and erased, or at the least to be wiped out of all significance. Such are certain men at certain times ; and such they certainly Avere as they burst through the dam of restraint that sought to hold them back on the slojie of Gartree Hill on Eriday. They started only one by one after the fox, but they rushed in a mad mob after the first hound, the latter flinging along gail}' over three enclosures in the happy honour of having a Quorn field all to herself. The first early rush had been towards Great Dalby, but the presence of drain-diggers altered it at once to the Burton Flat. The pack dashed through the torrent as it bent, and with a tremendous scent carried a fiying head across the smooth wet meadows over which the covert looks. Spreading right and left, the great field bustled and splashed as best they might in their wake, open easy timber prefacing the early part of the galloj), a wide cavernous boundarj'-fence then giving a still broader spread to the charging phalanx, and the deep sodden turf clinging with distressing tenacity to every plunging boof. How desperately, wildly, a field was crushing forward; that usually boasts of riding fairer than any Hunt in England, might have been gleaned by a glance along that single wide fence. Men rose at it pocket to pocket, lit on each other's heels, and even rolled over one another on the farther bank. Beyond this again the play opened out rapidly. But a well- known quick-set-and-double post-and-rails temj)ted only one candidate, Mr. Chandos-Pole, who at once took upon himself the responsibility of simplifying the unnecessary complication. 350 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season Approaching the subject with his custoniaiy vigour, lie brought all his weight to bear against such needless exaggeration of detail, reduced the strongest arguments of the other side to shreds, and passed quietly on his way. The main current of l)ursuers, meanwhile, parted right and left for adjacent gates, and rose the hill for Leesthorpe in two divisions. Never was less flippanc}' displayed than at the little oxer on the upward slope. It was bent, doubled, and finally broken, as if every horse had lost the use of his hindlegs — and this the result of only twelve minutes' galloping, plus a month's frost ! But the result was not confined to horseflesh. The corpus rile and vulpine was just as weak and out of condition. AVhile you were thinking how best to frame to j'our groom yovu* sentiments as to the absolute unfitness of the beast on which he had sent you out to break your neck (and surelj' when a hundred grooms are out of place, his master's life should at least be some little matter of care to the one who is lucky enough to be receiving pay to be ])itched into) — all this wliile poor Rej'nard was cursing the ease with Avhich he had found rats ready to hand, and the well-fed indolence in which he had spent the weeks past. You and I, reader, may have looked rosy on our un- wonted exertions, and scarcel}' thrown as much muscle into our saddle-grip as a beaten horse demands ; but then we had neither a long and pitiless pair of spurs into our ribs, nor a hungry i>ack yelling in our ears, to enforce the fell conse- quence of frost and self-indulgence. So for once one and all of us could outstay our horses, and many of us found we had already done so ere the hill-top was reached. I5ut our fox had fortunately been only too glad to turn into the sheltering spinney of Wheat Hills, there to quiet his own panting sides. Tiittle rest, though, he found there. The covert was hotter, and the scent as keen as outside ; the din was terrific, as hounds spun their quany about the plantation ; and very soon lie issued forth with the clamouring pack at his heels, and a shepherd dog running him closer still. Indeed, it looked a limidred to one against the fox, and ten to one on the collej'. 1880-81.] DANCE AND DISASTER. 351 However, Rej'iiard just })cat him to tlie first fence, and so saved liis brusli handsomel}'. Tlie interference of the shep- herd dog probably served him rather than liounds, for in the next few fields he got farther ahead of them, and somewhere soon he set a substitute going in his place. Except as affect- ing the chances of a kill, previously so imminent, the latter answered all purposes, for he set his head straight across the open, and led them smartly onwards by Berry Gorse and across the valley to the left of Stapleford. Not the worst of the run was the part that embraced the broad grass fields uj) to the railway. Hounds then crossed the line for a brief while, turned alongside it again to the right to Saxby Station, and were next carried on to a holloa towards the village of Freeb}'. Thus, starting in the Quorn country, they now left the Cottes- more, to embark iipon that of the Belvoir. But the best of the sport was already over, though pursuit was prosecuted for a long time to come, till Newman's Gorse and Freeby Wood had been run through, and hounds at length bnyed over the earth in the former covert. This Avas about two hours after the first crash fi-om Gartree Hill, the initial half-hour being the cream of the run, and that being about the tether of two-thirds of the horses as far as jileasant riding was concerned. DANCE AND DISASTER. Till an hour almost beyond the term "small," in the morning of Friday, Feb. 11, the Shire in question joined hands with its sister of Northampton, to bring off the annual United Counties Bait at Market Harboro'. The two then, having danced their fill, and snatched their forty winks, set out together to meet the Pytchley at Oxendon, smoothing their countenances as if neither schottische nor champagne had had aught to do with the night before. To describe a ball is not the province of a hunting correspondent. The 352 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Sr.vsox Harboi'o' Ball, though, is a yearly cheerlul gathering of hunting peojile, with their wives, daughters, diamonds, matchmaking, lovemaking, and merrymaking ; and it forms a very important item in the winter calendar of the Shires. Does it not, more- over, mark for us the passage and effects of time (whether for better or for worse) more clearly and prominently than any other gauge to which our local society is subject ? It is here that we look to note, year by year, who has grown old, who has grown up, who is fair, and who has become fat. It is here we ask ourselves with wonder if the slender maid, whose first triumphant debut was on these very boards (no, it was stone, with drugget loosely stretched over corn dust, in those days), exists to-night in the buxom matron now taking her third turn at supper. It is here we mark the gay young soldier to have become the grey-haired veteran, the rosy and youthful fox- Imnter to liave bloomed into the well-waistcoated grower of turnips and shorthorns. A generation is but a little thing after all, beautiful in its budding, comfortable and self-appre- ciative in its full bloom, and awakening to dependence on its own resources only in its fading age. We scarcely like to own that a term of years has passed for ourselves ; but. Heavens, the mark is very palpable in our cotemporaries ! How many Harboro' Balls should men have seen to justify them in ap- pearing with heads grizzled or bald — how many to acknowledge a gTown-up daughter? They brave the lapse of time un- flinchingly, perhaps, when hatted and set going with hounds, though they don't ride bad-shouldered ones with careless in- difference nowadays, and they generally know their horse can jumj) timber before they ask him to do it. But they don't foot it as lightly as when first they jingled their spurs, and, somehow, the number of their dance is more often a matter of mistake than it used to be. Well, but Harboro' was Avell done, and well attended. The glitter of diamonds was, perhaps, scarcely as remarkable as usual. But the dresses were as striking to the iminitiated male as ever, and no doubt as ami^le a subject for next day's converse and comparison for the 1880—81.] DANCE AND DISASTER. 353 more observant sex; of a truth, they could lay claim to the epithet of amj^le on few other grounds. Oxendon is a cross-road meet, and Waterloo Gorse a little covert. So it will he taken without contradiction that the former was crowded and the latter surrounded long before operations commenced. Mr. Langham gave till twelve o'clock as grace to the ball-goers ; and, as Oxendon is but two miles from Market Harboro', and great numbers of them had en- camped close to the scene of action overnight, they received every possible indulgence towards making their self-appointed task an easy one. Goodall had brought out the "middle pack," and directly they were in covert they set their fox afoot. But in the dense thorn-thicket he could creep about as he pleased, leaving apparently no sign of his passing ; in fact, he might have been there now had he chosen to remain. But he was quite game for a spin over the countr}^ and probably will be again. The crowd drove him back once, if not twice, at his old point along the railway bank. But he fairly cut his way through them at last, and threaded the village of Oxendon to start with. Half the horsemen struck at once into the road above the covert, there to witness, or commingle in, a catas- trophe as startling and terrifying as is often to be witnessed. Down the broad lane leading into Oxendon Village rushed a stream of horsemen six deep, and galloping twice as fast through their midst tore a dog-cart. In it sat a young lady, clinging convulsively to the seat, while the reins dangled about the horse's legs, and the trap swung hither and thither in its wild career. Pale, silent, and helpless, she swept past, before those upon whom she dashed had time to learn the meaning of the cries, " Look out !" " Stop the horse !" &c., &c. Grazing the flank of one steed, shying off from another, she shot the rapids safely through a marvellous succession of hairbreadth 'scapes, till, with a whirl and a crash that thrilled through the heart of every onlooker, the cart bumped against a galloping horse, turned a somersault in the air, and lit overturned, with its freight apparently under it. By the happiest luck in the 354 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season world the catastrophe came exactly where a joming lane threw a corner of muddy turf almost into the middle of the road, to receive the hapless lady with no further hurt than the terrible fright. But this was not all. Simultaneously with the crash of the runaway horse and cart, two other horses came tearing down, as onl}' madly-fnghtened horses can. The one carried nothing but saddle and flappmg stirrup-leathers; its rider gone, but a shaft-mark in its quarter, from which blood spurted at each stride like water to the stroke of a pump. The other bore its rider wildly down the steep incline, to dash him in a heap against the first cottage wall. Yet the only fatal casualty was the shaft-pierced steed, though the combination of accident was horrible, and such as, happily, seldom attends the hunting- field. Nerves had scarcel}'^ recovered, though, before Captain Hunt scrambled up from a broken-backed horse. Altogether, it was a bad day for the timid. But, to turn from what was fearful, let us go to what was bright and amusing — the few minutes from Waterloo Gorse, when at last their fox could be forced from a bad- scenting covert, and a smart, driving pack of hounds were away to their own sparkling music. From Waterloo Gorse to Farndon is but a short distance, easily gone by road, but very stirring by way of the fields alongside. The fences are as big as the county of grazing Northamptonshire owns. But the burst was too brief to dwell upon, far too brief to satisfy. Then the order came for Althorpe Thorns, and a field of fom- hundred followed like lambs to a narrow turf bridge below the covert. The bridge not unnaturally succumbed, and three-fourths of the following never even had the satisfaction of seeing the covert drawn. Hounds went gaily away from it at once, and over a wide hilly country ran hard for the next twenty minutes to Sibbertoft and the Hothorpe Hills. Dipping from these again they slipped quickly across the valley to Bosworth Hall, to hunt prettily back to the line of hills and on to Sulby, where they killed, almost immediately after starting their fox forward from the gorse. What more you saw depended on your 1880—81.] SHARP MOMENTS. 355 distance from home, and whether you were a one or two-horse man for the da}', the fiehl thinning considerably at this period. Snow flakes were still falling liglitl}'^, as they had been doing since morning, though they appeared to influence scent for the better rather than for the worse. SHARP MOMENTS. The Quorn Friday of February 18 was just saved by a brilliant little burst in the late afternoon. It was a very brief experience, but a bright sharp episode, such as stamps itself in clean and deeply cut outline on the memory. It passed like the rush of a whirlwind, but remains in mind as if all the thrill and excitement were still in being. A dull flat morning had been passed in tracking the footsteps of an Ashby Pastures' fox, whose ingenuity in trailing his followers over mile after mile of gluey plough was the only admirable part of the pursuit. I have hunted a certain number of yesivs in the Quorn country, but never before conceived that there could be so many acres under cultivation. The field was a very large one, of quality and intent quite in keeping with a meet at Thorpe Satchville in early spring, and they got heartily tired of dragging about the countr}' on a cold line, long before the run was announced to be at an end. By this time they were at Keyham, and soon afterwards they saw the Barkby Thorpe Spinnies drawn blank. Hounds had already run through Barkby Holt, besides having slipped their field from thence only the evening before, in a hot scurry to Scraptoft, But Mr. Nuttall insisted thej^ would still find, if they would but return to try. Accordingly tlio pack were drawing the covert again at a , quarter past three ; and at half past their tongues were going freely to announce the wished-for news. Not too much scent in covert, either. They could never get up a crash ; and they followed their fox rather than drove him. But the Holt is a right good place to view a fox from quarter to quarter, and an easy place in which to move about with hounds, if only you are not deterred A A 2 356 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season by the trifle of deep deep rides. Tally-ho- Over at one point; a false start from covert at another ; two circles round the little wood — and twenty men are listening with bated breath close to the exit on the Gaddesby side ; while hounds are working their way through the thicket close by, and the rest of the field are j^osted at chosen spots in and around the covert. Huic Away ! Huic Away ! ! He has gone without being viewed. Hounds are away, and we shall all be left behind as j^esterday. The thought is maddening ; and the rush for the gateway is as fierce as the scramble from a church on fire. Into the muddy lane. Out bej'ond into the open grass field that borders the Gorse. Not a hound in sight ; but ]\Ir. William Chaplin, hat in air, riding down to the gate in the opposite fence. The Master's trumpet sounds sonorouslj', and Fut and a consider- able following come streaming from the main ride. Ah, how lucky, a gate so exactly placed — and a good fellow who Avill just have opened it by the time we can reach it to gallop tln'ough. Oh dear, oh dear ! what a pace hounds must be going ! what idiots were we to be standing still ! Eh ! what ! ! Locked — by all that's holy ! The fence is a rufiianly one, and horses have been jiulled out of their stride. No help for it. Mr. Harter whips round to fl}' the hairy ditch and sturdy rails, quickly followed by Mr. Barclay and Mr. Chaplin, while Firr springs over parallel to them, and the}' light into the field just m time to see Phantasy's white stern whisking through the next fence in pursuit. Rough ridge and furrow, forty acres of anthills — is this a field for making up ground ? You will do better by catching the headland, though it does carry you off to the right. Strong-timbered fences, chasing pace, a horse that is fit — isn't this life and fun ? Blood of man and heart of horse are beating stroke for stroke. Each stride is a responsive effort, each jump is jointly-timed action. No fear of mistake or fall while the enthusiasm is thus mutual, the object in common. This is why a steeple-chaser jumps so freely and faultlessly. He is never baulked by, but works ever in confidence with his rider. There is no moment of 1880—81.] SHARP MOMENTS. 357 liesitance now as the left division springs the Queniboro' brook in the open field, while the right pushes through a strong bullfinch into the Croxton Lane, takes the rails out at a stand, and strikes the brook at a bridge. It is only at the second ridge beyond that ]\Ir. Harter and Yirv race up to the pack as they hover a moment at a wlieatfield. Another second, they are over the Queniboro' and Tilton turnpike, and set going again amid the most closely-fenced and intricate country in the Hunt. In the place of the former broad pastures come narrovs^ dairy meadows, with gaunt great fences only to be pierced here and there. The pack are raking onwards, and momentarily there is more danger of losing them. Turning and twisting here and there, the leaders jump in and out to keep on terms ; and as hounds dash through a narrow plantation short of Gaddesby, one and all of them are pounded. Mr. Brocklehurst in vain attempts to force a direct course ; the others (among whom, besides the above, are Mr. J. Behrens, Captain "Smith, Lord Henry Vane Tempest, and one or two others) push their way into the plantation at a corner, wind through a labyrinth of trees, and clatter out over a rail beyond, while Mr. Peake makes use of a stile and footboard in the side fence adjoining. A| fm-ther difficulty comes next in the bottom, over which hounds have turned suddenly for Barsby. There is a vast noise of cracking timber, much struggling and " Come-up "-ing, and a way is made. Fences every fifty yards, stiffly built, strongly bound, horses shortening their stride, bullfinches spoiling shaven features — one object only in vifew, to get -on somehow\ Ah, it is too short, very sweet — an excitement worth livmg for. Who says that a ride ought not to constitute part of foxhunting ? Let such go to harriers, leaving us the merry Quorn pack, and a scrambUng burst from Barkby Holt ! Yet it had been better for us and poor Keynard that that water-fed drain by Barsby had not held out a false sanctuary. It put an end to our gallop and an end to his troubles ! Tear him and eat him, old fellows ! Peace to his manes ! and a glass to-night to foxhunting. 358 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season SNOW SKIRMISHING. The Quom do not often commit themselves to the eccentricity of hunting in the snow ; but they could scarcely help it, or have regretted it, on Friday, February 25. Snow had been on the ground all the week, protecting the soil from the slight frosts which nightly hardened the roads, to be softened again by each day's sun. Thus, bej'ond a crisp white covering, the turf rode pretty much as usual, the ditches were clear, and the roads could do no harm to hounds' feet, when once the sun had shown itself. Men had flocked into Gaddesby from all quarters, declaring they had cantered across the fields in perfect comfort. Many had even come in the full assurance of pink and leathers. Hounds were there to time ; the Master had slept on the spot, and was nothing loth ; and, accordingly, to the delight of both staff and outsiders, the order was given for Ashby Pastures shortly before midday. Horses kicked the snowballs gaily from their feet as they frisked across the sward from the Hall ; and it was obvious that in going fast the peril lay rather in the missiles of your friends than in any difficulty of yom' horse to keep his feet. That fox in Ashb}'^ Pastures must have been looking out of the gate, so ready was he for the coming of hounds, and so instantly did they hail his presence. He should have been a good one ; but his was only a homely mind. He shuffled out of their way at the moment, rather than lose the" number of his berth, as the sailors jiut it. But to huny across to Thorpe Trussels was his first idea. To get back again was his second. The afternoon, however, set things going to a much better tune. From one of the Gaddesby plantations (that abutting on the Queniboro' Spinney) a brisk fox was off like a bolt, over the road, and through the covert beyond — pointing for South Croxton just long enough, possibly, to delude you away from the bridge that bears honour to Her Ladyship of Stamford. 1880—81., SNOW SKIRMISHING. 359 For tlie Queniboro' brook, easy in some places, is here a deep cut undercurrent, winding its sluggish way between high rotten banks, with overhanging bushes blocking many of the most desirable points. In a word, the facilities it presents for getting into it are held quite on a par by the difficulties of getting out — and before the bridge was built both used to be made patent almost every week. There was little thought of the snow now — though under a change of wind it was melting fast and balling hard, and the snowballs flew about dangerously as the field swept over the meadows to Barkby Holt. In spite of doubts and drawbacks there must have been some seventy or eighty horsemen out, at one time or another of the day. Melton was represented by every degree of attire, from complete orthodoxy to walking trousers, the latter being the undress of a party of disbelievers on hacks, who yet had not been able to refrain from keeping then' heads towards the meet. So there was quite a field of riders with hounds, as the latter entered the Holt, while the former foolishly galloped round to anticipate an exit on the other side. Thus as hounds twisted short in covert with either their own fox or a fresh one, only Captain O'Neal was there to leave with them on the Barkby side — when with fresh vigour they struck forth again, almost in the direction from which they had come. All that could now be seen by the cavalcade toiling in the immediate wake of the huntsman was a bev}" of dark spots flitting over the snow in the distance — like gulls under a storm cloud and over a bright sea — and a grey steed carrying a mufti-clad figure over fence after fence. Thus they pursued over one of the Barkby Lanes and iiito the Queniboro' Valley beyond. Here one and all pulled up short at a single stout and high rail fixed firmly in a greasy gateway. There were hoof-marks up to it, and hoof-marks beyond — and the Captain was on for'ard. So proof was not wanting that it was jumpable. Yet there was a general puU-up ; and a howling appeal to a venerable labourer to pull it down. The old man fumbled hard at the offensive barrier, but not a bit would it 360 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season give. A bold 3^outh of the party then charged rail and old man together — kneed the one, and frightened the other out of his few remaining senses, lit on liis horse's head as that touched the ground, and, after half a minute's picturesque struggling, resumed his seat again. One other followed his lead with equal success, but with some less poetry of action ; and Pro- vidence then directed the failuig hearts of the others to a gated sheep-pen in the adjacent corner. Meanwhile the gi'ey and the hounds had crossed the brook by a ford, reached Queniboro' Spinney, and were moving on for South Croxton, when at length huntsman and field reached them — some twenty-five minutes from the find. Now the pace was slackening — as pace always does slacken after the first burst (in all but most exceptional instances) — proving one of two things : either that a fox goes much faster than hounds, or that the scent of a fresh fox is much stronger than that of one that has stood some time before hounds. Putting aside the difficulties that a beaten fox creates by doubling and turning, what is the explanation, men of know- ledge and experience ? For you will scarcely gainsay me in the assertion that the heat of a chase is in its earlier stage, and scent more often languishes than freshens as pm'suit goes on. But of the Quorn fox — or foxes — on the occasion in point. They ran him up to where a drunkard in a smock frock was cooHng head and heels on a stile in preference to drinking his time and earnings completely out in the public of South Croxton adjoinmg (fact, not figure, this). Drunkard of course had interfered with the fox ; but the latter had still gone on, and had been seen along the Tilton road. Unfortunately, before his line could be recovered a new fox was among the rearmost horsemen, and shriek and scream and j^ell insisted on the huntsman's return. Very loth he at length assented, with the consequence that a new edition of a run was created, which wasted itself at length in a return journey by Barsby, and to no definite end. A holloa on a sinking fox is often a halleluia in the ears of a huntsman ; but holloas, ninety-nine 1880—81.] SNOW SKIRMISHING. 361 times out of a hundred, are deceit and destruction — a sentiment not culled verbatim, but for all that a mere repetition of what has been written strongly by every pen of any worth in hunting literature, and what is more difficult than aught else to realise and receive in its fullest sense. "Always a run on Ash-Wednesday" has grown into a proverb at Melton. There never was less chance of its being verified than this year — with ten days' snow on the ground, a sharp frost overnight, and a fresh fall in the early morn. But it came off, nevertheless, and the Belvoir served up their annual dish in as good form as ever. They brought out their beautiful " big pack " to show the foreigners ; for, in spite of weather and appearances, there were men from every county, almost from every country — dukes, counts, lords of every degree, and "jolly huntsmen " of every sort and size. The meet Avas a very nominal 12.30 ; and due allowance, besides, was given for any length of journey, or even of discourse for those who had minded to avail themselves. Atherstone, Meynell, South Notts, Pytchley, Quorn, Cottesmore, Sir Bache Cunard's, and Belvoir of course, were all represented in more or less strength* Mr. Rolleston was there with the laurels of his great Lowdham run fresh upon him ; Goodall had come over from the scene of his many recent successes, for a day with his former chief ; and, from far and near, train and carriage and hack had assisted to pour numbers into the white desert of Croxton Park. Six inches of snow ! "What a prospect ! Still everyone undauntedly held on. Carriages ploughed through the deep dragging mass. Horsemen trotted forward, all gaily attired and wearing the smile of certainty and content. In ordinary years we should have been tramping about home in shooting-boots and gaiters, and using language expressive. Now amid snow and frost we are hunting and smiling, and even enjoying ourselves. Baffin's Bay for the summer, and a pack to hunt the Polar fox, will be our next move — and if hounds can draw sledges there, they should be able to hunt without harm to themselves. Rough riding, though, I fancy — unless a reindeer be a fan- mount. 362 THE CPvEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season But this by the way — only suggested by bad weather, and by the thought of possible land-trespass-enactments in the future of this sad century. Of course hounds were at the meet, and it was meant they should hunt " Mr. Burbage's Covert " — so trot back, Meltonians, and be thankful. Two foxes away for the Quorn country — time, somewhere about 2.15. One bore right, the other left ; and hounds could not quite stail upon either. In fact, from various information they meandered between the two. Gillard kept his temper, and his head, under all provocation, and was rewarded by one of the two foxes being headed across him, enabling him to make a fair start after all. Disappointment was at once turned to delight as the pack broke across the scent and flung themselves breast- high along it. This fox had been headed and holloaed at, but he had left his mark behind, and over the grass to Burton Lazars they spun along charmingly. (I had forgotten to note that the snow lay but sparsely anywhere here, though we had tramped through many a mile of white-sheeting to reach suc!i a comforting prospect.) Instead of snow there was a sea ox mud and water. Witness that lane above Captain Ashton's new house. But we look for good grass and firm roads here next year, please. Yet over plough and du't the scent held good, and we got on to better ground soon. What better than the Gi-eat Dalby lordship ? And so with stirring fun we came to Gartree Hill — five-and-thirty minutes from the first practical note outside covert. But not half done with the Quorn country yet. The whip holloaed his fox away for Burton, and in the next fifteen minutes through the dec;p ground onl}- the hounds were in it. A check in the Sandy Lane, near Melton, and afterwards a good quick hunt leftward and back by Great Dalby, nearly to Ashby Pastures, and through Thorpe Trussels. One hour and twenty-five minutes up to this : all beautiful hound work : huntsman hard and keen and quiet : ground deep as darkness, scent first-rate, and grief profound and harmless — this is the epitome. Two foxes ahead now, and little doubt of a recent change. This 1880—81.] A LINK WITH THE PAST. 363 spoilt it for the working staff, if not for us idlers, who, having amused ourselves, went home pleased enough. The run had been almost a double ring, had included both bad country and good, but had been full of spirit and amusement. The verdict on the season 1880-81 has abeady been passed. Not even three final weeks of uninterrupted sport would now avail to redeem it. It has been, with us, a bad, broken season — " the worst on record," say the veterans. Long and frequent interruptions, continual want of scent, and wild uncomfortable weather, have signalised it as the least j^leasurable winter of, at all events, the decade. There are one or two among us who have made the present season their first experience of Leicestershire. Let us hope they will not frame their opinion of the country from what they have now seen, or no doubt their first experience will be also their last, and they will move else- where, disappomted and incredulous. A LINK WITH THE PAST. A GALLOP from John o' Gaunt has come as a link with the past. Time v:as when we looked upon it as our right by cus- tom, expected it as belonging to the projoer order of things, and felt aggrieved if it failed to come oft' quite once a month. From John o' Gaunt to Burrough Hill, or the Punchbowl — twenty to twenty-five minutes over the Twyford Vale. Could anything beat it for country or delight ? Not so very long ago, either — not a dozen years, even. And yet, when in memory we sweep away the curtain of railway embankment, and throw open that beautiful plain of broad pasturage once again, the most prominent figures are not all to be found in om' present hunting-field. Even Firr's horn had scarcely woke Leicester- shire then. Looking back to that bright succession of merry bursts, I can still see Mac Bride issuing bedraggled from the Marfield Brook without cap or horn — the good grey (afterwards ridden by poor Major "Whyte Melville in Gloucestershire — and 364 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season still, I believe, alive) shrouded in black mud as he laboured on in pursuit. I can still see Mr. Corbett-Holland popping out from behind a hedge-row to take up the running on the safe side of this Marfield Brook. There was no bridge in those days, and the wind was blowing straight for the Vale ! I can see the Earl galloping a little faster and much quieter than anyone else — Su' Frederick Johnstone and Captain Coventry' racing for the Twyford Brook — and ]\Ir. Powell, both spurs in for an oxer that nothing but old Burgund}'^ could have got even half over. Now let me explain how John o' Gaunt is now situated ; and then tell in a few words what happened on Friday — March the 18th the date. John o' Gaunt is a square blackthorn covert backed at the distance of a mile or two b}; the Cottesmore Avoodlands of Tilton, Skeffington, et hoc genus omne. Looking northwards it faces that perfect undulating vale reaching to Burrough, stretching on the left hand to Ashby and Thorpe Satcliville, on the right to Owston and Sonierby, and inter- sected by the two little streams above mentioned. But, to shut off this face, there has been for some years past an irre- sistible power at work — the progressive and devastating Deus ex macltind of steam and iron : and not only is one railway embankment now regularly carrying its noisy freights past the sacred ground, but a kind of double junction is being reared and created at the verj- covertside ! Yet, in spite of all this, our gallop came off as merrily as of old — so what need to lament the past or mourn over the present ? The Quorn had met at Ke3diam. I will take it for granted that 3'ou have at some time or other attended a spring meet at Keyham, and had an opporfunity of making yourself acquainted with its average size and composition. Thus I need only write that it was much as usual — or, perhaps, a little more so. The moiety of a positive summer day Avas then consumed in killing a bad fox from among the goodly number at the Coplow, and in strolling quietly on to John o' Gaunt — calling at Lord More- ton's covert b}'' the way. The sun was still very hot and bright, but a cool breeze was 1880—81.] A LINK WITH THE PAST, 365 moving, as hounds spread out over the low cut stuff of which the Tilton side of the covert at present consists. Tallfjlio- Over sounded before they entered the thicker growth. Gene- rally a good fox that finds himself. He's away at the bottom in another second. The gate is locked, but the whip soon cuts the Gordian knot with a hoist at the hinges. The pack have struck the line in covert and are bringing it through — to a point two hundred yards from where he has just been viewed steahng away. Their heads are up for a second as the hunts- man gets clear; and they swing out to his horn in a moment — while the Master slips round them to bend their sweep within bounds. " The other side of the fence he has gone" — and the other side of the fence they drop on to it, with a gain of half a furlong. Through the gateway and on beyond, they glide out of view in a second. This gate, too, has a chain round it — for when did hounds last run this line ? The left of the gate is fenced with high timber, the right with much more desirable wattle. Mr. Wade and his grey have no hesitation in selecting the former. Neither have the next i)air ; but the result in the latter instance is successful only as demonstrating to what extent a good ash rail can resist momentum and upset loose calculation. The gateway is crowded at once with hesi- tating, baffled material. The wattle is easy enough ; but the timber is the point of dishonour, attracting open-mouthed, awesome attention. At last one sheep of the timorous flock by piteous bleating obtains the right of a cut at the lesser difficulty ; and the flock streams over, making the way easier as it goes. A third locked gate, a third impossible {hardly possible) fence brings in another delay and a better chance for hounds. Now they are streaming over the neAv railway ; and, before their following has dived under the adjoining bridge, are flitting away in that old happy direction that leads to twenty minutes of clear grass, the possibility of a cool ducking, and the certainty of a fl5'ing scent. If hounds have started well, they improve their terms as they go. They are three hundred yards to the good of Firr, as he slips down the bank 366 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season to make liis way quietly over the Marfield brook, where the current narrows and a post-and-rail adorns its brink (easy places always offer themselves to a man who confidently rides only for hounds). Oh, such baulking, bothering, and scram- bling now. Ever3'body in everybody else's way ; many men disinclined to jump till tlie}'^ have assured themselves which is the nicer place ; and most horses asking for still a little more time to think. Hold up, sir ! Well recovered ! Two inches less spring — and you would have followed your hind legs back- wards into water ! And you have left the bank broken — and the brook wider — for us by quite two feet. The hounds are dis- appearing over the brow, before the huntsman is half-way up the great grass field and a scattered dozen have crossed the water after him. On in hot pm*suit of the pack for another mile or so of fine turf and pleasant fences. Little change of position in this time ; but the lot closing up quickl}- as hounds waver a second on the only morsel of plough encountered in the gallop. Mr. Wade, Mr. Johnson, Captain O'Neal, Lord Manners, Mr. Cecil Chaplin, Mr. Brooks, and Captain Towns- hend from the Atherstone, Lord Grey de Wilton, Captains Boyce and Candy — these were some of the vanguard, in the earliest, quickest part of the bm'st. Hounds of themselves set things forward again in a trice; and swoop down upon the second trial in the line — the Twyford Brook. But this, by the same happy accident that had discounted the dangers of the Marfield stream, is struck at a point where it, too, is the mildest of obstacles. So not a single coat is wetted, in a journey which has often found a ducking for fifty. Rising the hill side to the left of Burrough Village, another half-moment's hesitation occurs. Their fox has dodged for fifty yards along a dusty road, and the pack fling across the line unable at first to make it good. Mr. Coupland is there to check the pressing field; and a heap of praise is due to the huntsman for the quiet, clever wa}^ in which he helps hounds forward without getting their heads up. Thus, with no practical loss of ground, the run goes on over the hill, crossing it at a point above the 1880—81.] A STRANGER IN THE LAND. 367 Melton Steeplechase Course — and with this beautiful arena in front there seems plent}'^ more fun in prospect. But Reynard is blown by the pace, and beat by the heat. He turns back from the valley almost as he enters it, and seeks refuge in the valley of Burrough — twenty minutes from the start. In five minutes more lie is stiff and stark. Hounds lunch on him, and tiu'n for home. With lambs running about in every field, with the new grass shooting up on the southern slope of every hill, with spring making patchwork of our liorses' coats, the buds appearing in every hedgerow, and the dust from road and fallow powdering every glistening hat — this cheery little gallop was more than we could hope for, all that we could wish. And is not a bit of foxhunting like this a set-off against any week of worr}', against a world of small vexation ? A STRANGER IN THE LAND. In this almost final week we hunted amid sunshine and snow, cold winds and hot dust — sometimes without an atom of scent or a particle of sport, at others with success quite unexpected. Friday, March 25, the Quorn at Beeby — the wickedest weather and the worst scent of all this sinful season. The same cold blast was blowing from the west — more wildly than it had blown through the week. It was a matter of physical courage to leave the house at all — while moral courage had to be called into play to condone the billycock and covert- coat that, however incompatible with a Quorn Friday, were absolute essentials in support of a battle with the fierce elements. Sleet and snow made the day their own, and declined any sympathy with the sport which we consider worthy of all our time and all the money we can throw into it. Many foxes, again, at the Coplow. Three fields, and a dead loss of scent. Still worse from John o' Gaunt. Fox broke, with hounds out in a moment. Latter crossed his line twice 368 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season in the first hundred j-ards. Huge excitement : a rampant exodus of horsemen : and only a faint whimper in the next half hour. Black clouds driven down the wind : icy particles stinging the pupils of your eyes : shivering misery. A vixen at Barkby Holt. Home to growl at the fireside. Hunting very expensive amusement. Very silly to be so infatuated. Groom in for orders. Bound to be a run to-morrow. If Friday was a day of comfortless inaction, Saturday was one of sunny incident. The snow storms had exhausted themselves during the night, dealing out a heavy fall at Bel- voir Castle, a thick sprinkling at INIelton. Thus, when the sun was at its meridian, Meltonians were riding to the meet through a clean country, while at the kennels the hunt ser- vants long |thought themselves weather-bound. But things were set right in course of time, and the whole party moved off to Mr. Burbage's covert, under the soothing influence of a north wind (for in the waywardness of our climate, the change of wind from west to north at once brought warmth with it). About a mile from the city of Melton Mowbray lies Mr. Burbage's covert — a blacktliorn stronghold in a bend of the Wreake. A ford gives an exit from it on the south ; a rail- way crosses its northern face. Add to these details of posi- tion that the rising gi'ound beyond the railway is always covered with footpeople whenever a whisper is abroad that the covert is to be drawn, and you will understand that a fox and his followers have frequent difficulties to contend with. To-day was an instance very much in point. While hounds were in covert, the field as usual edged closely up to the gate at its corner with a view to the ford beyond. The keenest spectator of all was the veteran owner ; who, now able to join the sport no longer except on wheels, had driven down to view a fox away. It was a sight almost touching to watch the keen unselfish interest of one who for so many years took active and prominent part in the vigorous pleasures of fox- hunting— an interest now confined to providing sport for 3'ounger men. It might indeed have taught a sceptic to think 1880—81.] A STRANGER IN THE LAND. 369 well of human nature, to note the delight of the old and crip- pled foxhunter, as hounds were cheered out of covert and ui full cry swept across the meadow in front of him. I believe that, as three hundred other younger and haler men set off to enjov themselves, he experienced a pleasure as genuine as, and certainly more generous than, in past years he has gathered from many a good run in which he has held his own with the best. May his days yet be many, and may we learn to grow old like him ! One broad meadow alone intervenes between the covert and the railwa}', and along the bank of the river till the stream runs at right angles under the line. The fox of to-day scurried across this meadow straight for the railway, but just before reachmg it swam the river and struck back over the country in the old du'ection of Ashby Pastures and the Quorn country. Thus he had taken us away from the ford, and left the railway and its bridge as the best apparent medium for following him over the water. There used to be another practicable ford somewhere in this corner. There may be still, but nobod}- felt inclined now to plunge in on chance ; and so one and all made for the railway, and crowded into it lilce mice into a wire trap. No, not all ; for Lord Grey de Wilton and Captain Boyce grasped the situation at once, doubled back through the main ford, and struck in with hounds in the country beyond sooner than almost any of the self-caged ones. For, while the pack dashed off with the greatest vigour on the line of their fox, the hapless beings who had committed themselves to the railway were the victims of unforeseen comphcations. The "track," as our Transatlantic cousins term it, haj)i3enedto be just under repair, and material was piled and scattered over it in lavish confusion. Great wooden sleepers lay in a continued heap along the bank, from which we have often been able to spring easily over the side fence. Thinking that there must soon come a clear space whence jumping would be i:>ossible, the leaders blundered on over bundles of clanking iron pins, over bare and newly-fixed sleepers, and mounds of fresh-turned B B 370 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIRE. [Seasox 18S0— SI. gravel, burning to turn aside, but pent in among the debris, plunging despairingly onwards, but finding no chance of extri- cation. Hounds meantime were glancing forward at best pace, close at their fox with a burning scent ; and the situation rapidly became desperate. Mr. Mackeson alone (a visitor in a strange land) had sufficient quickness of thought and action to clamber over tlie heaps of sleepers immediately he found himself on the right side of the river, and to brush over the girding fence. Followed by Wells, the first whip, he rode nearest in the line of hounds, though a flight of timber brought him on to his hat, by the wnj'. However, the young soldier had quite the best of it in this, his maiden essay among the INIeltonians. Mr. Harter was the unhappy pioneer down the line, and he and Lord Henry Vane Tempest, Captain Candy, and Mrs. Sloane- Stanley (who, I ma}' be forgiven for saying, has ridden brilliantly through man}^ of the best gallops of late weeks) were the first to extricate themselves — some few others nlso clearing themselves from the trap by a plunge over the timber heaps and jagged fence alongside. A lady and a collar-boned sportsman, with his arm in a sling, had alone been posted on the other bank of the river ; and these trotted on to keej) hounds in sight as long as they could. For the others, it was ludicrous to note how every one was riding in the dark, among the small enclosures and tall fences between Melton and Burton, with the sun in their eyes and not a hound in view. Those from the left rode their hardest across the line of hounds to the right, and rice versa, the two sections crossing •each other like a pair of scissors. Not till the Melton-and- Oakham road did they really drop on the pack. In two fields more the}' were in what is known as the Sandy Lane. Down this they whisked for half a mile, turned into the fields again towards Sanhani, and at the end of fifteen minutes five or six men saw hounds roll their fox over in the open. It was a queer, rough scramble ; but if pace is any merit, and big fences any pleasure, then it had much to enhance it. SEASON 1S81-82. HARVEST-TIME. r.RTAINLY, the leaf is not off the hedge- row, the corn scarce!}^ off the fields— bnt the ^v o r k that hound and liorn have already found to do has been full}^ as exciting, twice as health-giving, as the other sport ushered in by October with beater and spaniel. A hot corner has its charms ; but a cool corner, with the last cub fled, and the Master's order just uttered " Tjct them go after him" is better still on a fresh morning — when the ground is fit to ride, when a young horse is fretting for action, and a man would still fancy himself young. Call it cubhunthig or call it w^hat you like, there will be few merrier mornings before Christmas than that of the Quorn on the last day of September. A small field, a rare scent, and two smart gallops over the best of giass — what more is wanted to make up a day's|^sport ? Could men ride to it ? Yes, and thrust and hustle and]^skirt as fast as hounds could take them — for there was[^room and choice of place for every one ; none B 15 2 372 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. ]Season of the summer Avire came in the way ; where the hedges were too big there was ahva3'S the " bit of timber in the corner," and, where the timber was not to their Hking, generally a gate within reach. The morning was bright and hot as if harvest were just to begin ; and most of the horses were woolly as undipped wethers. But the long gi'ass reeked with cold dew; the turf Avas saturated with recent rain, and all nature was more luxuriant and fresh than at any period of the summer. No wonder there was a scent — over wliicli hounds should revel, and horses melt into sobs and soapsuds. At eight o'clock the pack was basking in the sunshine at Gaddesby Hall — scarcely anybody with them but the staff. At 8.45 they were in Queni- borough Spinne}', the little road-side covert that lies oj)posite Barkby Holt, and above Mr. Cheney's nice 3'oung coverts. Everybody chooses his own time to start cubhunting ; and there had been some little misapprehension as to the rendez- vous. At anj' rate, there were not a score of lookers-on when a brace of lusty cubs romped across the road for the Gaddesby Spinnies. Sudden silence in the clamour told that hounds had no other line in covert ; so they were thrown over the road before many seconds had gone. Down the slope and through the fii-st of the Spinnies they flung. Away below, amid the " stooks " of fresh-cut barley. A locked and rotten gate, or a still more rotten post-and-rails beside it, made, perhaps, the first fence of the season — almost always obliga- tory as a youngster's dip from a bathing machine. The first chill over, blood warmed and instinct glued itself once again to the doings of the spotted beauties. Headstrong and lash- ing were the old ladies of the pack — tasting freedom and a driving scent. Not fifty yards too far, though, did the}" swing in their galloping cast. No crowd to choke the green lane now : and, rounding into it, the}' caught the line where Rey- nard (young or old) had threaded ; and now they Avould teach the puppies what grass and gaiety mean. Under the dazzling sunshine and over the sparkling dew — across the meadows for Barsby. Moderate fences seemed terribly big, for we'd little 1881—82.] HARVEST-TIME. 373 confidence in ourselves as yet, and less still in the horse we had never crossed till to-daj\ But the ditches were, luckily, mostly heyond the binders ; the new purchase was soon found to know quite as much as his rider ; and we could squeeze his fat sides as if we had never felt funk. The subtle waters of the Asliby and Gaddesby brook were quickly and comfortabl}' forded ; and then it was uphill, big grass fields, and foUow- my-leader — the honour and office of gap-maker falling by universal accord to the trumpet-major. Twenty minutes thus; and, frothing, pantmg, and labouring, we reached Ashby Pas- tures. Fox, hounds, and huntsmen were all in the road toge- ther on the far side of the covert. A turn back launched them again into the open — this time alone. The next half-hour was spent, by the field looking for something to ride after, and by the hunt officials in getting a divided pack together ; Firr in the meantime having, with half the pack, followed a fox over miles of open country by himself in the Ivii-by and Frisby direction. The rest of the morning was all at, or from, the Gaddesby Spinnies. First, a taste of blood to whet the puppies' palates — then a healthy hearty scurry, that in November would have set the Meltonian after-dinner tongues rolling. ''Hunting is never mentioned at a Melton dinner," wrote Mr. Appleby. In humility and shame I plead for my generation, suggesting only in defence that the Meltonian of earlier yeai's either gave all his attention to his dinner, or had much more control of self than his successor of the present day. I am the more at a loss to understand the dictum — knowing the two facts, first, that the Waterford Meltonians were all sworn and agreed Tories, and could have had no political wrangles to SAveeten discussion ; and, secondly, that they all lived in single happi- ness— till they had so far outrun the constable, or else bonneted him so often {vide old Melton prints) — that it became advis- able to seek the alternative of respectable married existence, and its discursive field of argument. But this gallop — and in plain, brief, fact. Well, there were 374 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIEE. [Season SO many foxes about Gaddesby, tbat it appeared only a matter of which sj)inney it should be wherein to kill one. They made the death of one, and sought another for sport. Him they found on the slope through which they had run in the first early morn — and he broke very like a bold old fox. Not the worst moment in life is seeing hounds struggle and fight their way out to the scream. How keen are those romided ears ! what an instinct must ever guide them to the exact point of exit ; what fierce, brave disregard of pain and obstacle must hy each individual be exercised that he may be in time to take his jiart. To watch this at the end of a summer's hm-tful in- activit}' is to feel like a fish throAvn back into water — after a prolonged gasp on the bank. Quornites know well the valley tlu'ough which runs the Gad- desby brook — and they like it best when well momited. The fences gi'ow so lusty and stout that only odd holes and corners are fit to be approached with any confidence, even then. Happy is he who, or whose friend, knows the gates and bridle paths. Just now, too, when the hedges are gaudy and thick as the gi'ass, and the rank pasturage grows up and over their ditches, he is the artist who can skirt (not slcim) a country quickest. A ditch towards him he may take under compulsion — though he will flutter gail}' over the leafv screen protecting its little pitfall bej'ond. He may even be on a timber jumper ; and take valour from beneath his saddle, when a stile tempts. But the rule now is Gates. Where there are no gates. Providence — as far as your trust dares take advantage. But horses are very sage at saving themselves, and consequently you. They care little for the coward on their back ; but for their own convenience they ■\^-on't fiill if they can help it. An easier country lies over the road towards Piearsb}'. Hounds then divided suddenly ; but were reunited on a hardrunning line that led within a few fields of Queniborough. Now they .swung back to the left ; and, over the brook meadows, were scarcely to be kept in sight — while black bullfinches frowned and palisaded openings laughed the timid to scorn. The jmce, too, Avas crushing 1881—82.] AUTUMN CONDITION. 375 under a snn that broiled your nose, and made gross horseflesh to swelter and reel. The young Reynard that had made so good a fight was also about wound up as he regained the spinne}', whence he had first started — five-and-thirty minutes since, and never a check in tlie time. He wore his brush for ten minutes more ; but only to crawl the little covert and take one short turn outside. Who iclioop then sounded the end of a thorough day's sport. The field of to-day was, Avith the exception of three early Mel- tonians, purely local, and consisted of some fifty on horseback. It is a pleasure to note that among those riding to hounds was Miss Paget of Eearsby, whose terrible fall of last winter seems to have left few traces. Of the three hailing from Melton, one was Mr. Beaumont, who has returned irom AustraHa with an undimmished love of foxhunting. AUTUMN CONDITION. What do you say to fortj'-three minutes and a six-mile point over the grass ! Is not that good enough for October ? AVliat would the crowd think of it in February ? AVhat, then, was it not worth to a little field now ? ** A pound a minute " is the proverbial estimate. But where could you go with forty- three pounds in your pocket, and buy one tenth part of the excitement and delight compressed into that ride Avith the Quorn ? Friday last, October 21st, was the date — and here are the details. The morning was thoroughly wet ; and the field was of skeleton proportions. There were, in fact, only the follow- ing few, as far as my memory senses me — the Master and Miss Webster, Mr. Cheney, Miss Paget, Lord Lewis, Colonel Chip- pindall, Captain Campbell, Messrs. Beaumont, Parker, Pen- nington, J. Cradock, AV. Markham, O. Paget, E. Miles, AV. Martin, W. Miles, Wade, Watts, Carver, with a very small margin to be covered by the usual terminate etc. 376 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox The meet had again been Gaddesby : and the earlier part of the morning had been sjient in following up the same fox that, a month before, had given us a first flutter across the country — from Mr. Cheney's new covert to Aslib}' Pastures. This time there was a split in the pack soon after starting ; the edge was taken off the scent ; and it was a half-hour's hunt instead of a twenty minutes' gallop. Thus, somewhere about midda}-, the Hunt was back at what is known as Gaddesby Spinne}", proper. As its name implies, this is a covert of only a few acres. lUit it is closel}' planted with privet, and carefull}' kept and tended withal. The place of fJl others from which to insure a burst — the certainty has never failed for the last year or two, since the spinney has grown to maturity. Firr himself viewed Reynard away (no matter now whether cub or old customer). Thus the ladies all bustled out of covert almost before their fox was over the first field, with his head to Eearsby — and lialf the certainty was assured in a close quick start. Three choldng bits of fresh-turned plough to commence with — then never a 3'ard of dirty ground till the chase was ended. Horses could only trot through this ; but hounds, too, were held back by its cold sticky surface. Once clear of it, they swept down towards the little boundary stream that runs between the parishes of Brooksby and Gaddesby — and their fox took the opportunity to swing to the rightabout and make his point, in exactly the opposite direction to that forced upon him at starting. Now he stuck his head for Burrough on the Hill nearly' in the teeth of the wind, left all the Quorn coverts on his left, and — once settled to his line — never bent his neck till he reached his goal. Along the brook- side above mentioned Mr. Pennington and the huntsman rode close to the now flying pack — httle meadows and nice fences to be taken at galloping speed — and the same sort of riding (if you clung to the right of the little stream) all through the first hot and hurried ten minutes. 'T would be impossible to have crammed more necessar}' jumping and better pace into 1881—82.] AUTUMN CONDITION. 377 the time : and men and horses seemed half bk)wn ah-ead}-. The ditches were hUnd ; but I saw no falls. I know one who saw stars ; and his best feature still wears an unhallowed hue — as of gin and bitters. Horse took an extra little stride to gather himself for timber beyond the W00II3' ditch, felt his hindlegs going in, and averted a fall only by throwing back his head into rider's hapless face. Rider, who has not had the gloves on for some time, shook his head sadl}^ and savagely at the unaccustomed shock— ^and made me a free present of the incident to adorn my tale, bargaining only that the ignomin}^ of his blood}' nose should not be debited agamst him as obtained on landing after a jump. By this time the hounds had reached wliat is known as Mrs. Loy's House, above the village of Gad- desby ; and, threading the garden, crossed the road, on to the open fields beyond — while horsemen had to double round by the back yard, and pass the difficulties of a wire and locked gate as best they might. Watches Avere out as if a check had come ; and " AYhat a jolly ten minutes ! " Avas on ever}' tongue. While the run had in reality only just begun, we (poor sim- pletons) had quite taken it for granted that this was to be but one of the short merry scrambles we had so often seen over the same ground ; that we had been quite justified in taking every possible liberty with our horses ; and that a fat cub must by this time be nearly burst up. Getting on to the grass again, we were quickly imdeceived. The spotted ones were vanishing over the next brow, two fields away — fiying wp the east wind, Avitli Gaddesby Hall and its surroundings left far behind. There was nothing for it but to sit down and make up the ground as fast as one dare squeeze a half-prepared horse. Everything, luckily, was in favour of quick going. The ground Avas sound and Avell turfed ; the fences Avere mostly a quarter of a mile apart — and, though stifi;' in the main, had many useful easy places in the line of route. The wavy ridge and furrow Avas ruled the right Avay ; and, above all, there Avas no croAvd to choke the gaps. Tavo deep, hidden grips in midfield Avere nasty traps for bloAvn horses. There Avas no 378 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season' seeing them till you felt the check fore or aft. You were lucky if your stride happened right, and you escaped the purler that stopi^ed Mr. AV. Martin's forward career. A cluster of open drains (opjiosite Ashbv Pastures), where so many foxes have gone to ground, Avas another chance that both fox and pursuit galloi^ed right over without hindrance. Eighteen minutes now and one welcome gasp, while Mr. lieaumont is oli' his horse at a locked gate into the lane 'twixt Ashby Village and Pastures. Only a low stile out ; but we are no longer in a position to take liberties. That it is stiff and greas}' is but too obvious ; and it is only under stern compulsion that Fin-'s lead is ac- cepted— while one who seeks a weaker and blinder place conies through with a clatter that might be heard at tlie Coplow. The pack are still a long half-field in front, over fine-scenting, wide- spreading, grass country — the little following now narrowed to huntsman, ^Master, and tlu-ee or four others. Soon Mr. Coup- land's weak knee fails liim at a fence ; and a nasty roll and a jarred joint are tlic result. Then, with most of the jumping power gone, the huntsman rattles the strong low timber in a high bullfinch. 'Sir. IJeaumont and Mr. l^irker each hit it hard; while Mr. AVatts and ^Ir. Cradock find a weak place in the hedge alongside, and brush through it in such fashion as panting horses can achieve. Thus struggling on, they reach the grassy gully opposite Thorpe Trussels, leave the covert one field to the left, and come up to hounds as the latter cross the new railwa}^ by a bridge. Mr. A. Paget is standing in the field by his house (Thorpe Satchville Hall), when the pack appear over the railway, and hover for a moment all round him "Have you seen him, sir?" "No." " How long have you been here?" "Only a minute" — a comforting assurance; Peynard may still be forrard. In a second they are j^ushing on again ; and strike the road into the village twenty-eight minutes from the start — twenty-eight minutes as sharp and severe and sweet as heart of sportsman could desire. The drizzling rain is thickening and the sky is blackening. Our fox has run a lane for some hundred yards ; and the scent is 1881—82.] GRASS AND WATER. 379 110 longer wluit it was. But patience, and a thorough trust in the leading hounds, carry the huntsman through ; and so, Avithout any absolute check, the pack break again on to the grass, and speed away as cheerily as ever. Horses have just caught their second wind — while smoking and steaming for those few moments to give hounds room in the lane. Covert- coats are soaked abominations, no longer keeping out the rain, but excluding all air from the wearer, and adding several pounds' weight of tophamper to a horse's burden. Adam's Gorse is left two fields to the right ; and the Melton Steeplechase Course is cut clean across. Each eye is strained over the green heights of Burrough Hill and the rising ground on either side, to catch a glimpse of the quarry that surely must be sinking now. But no sign of him is to be made out ; and hounds touch the road just under the village of Burrough- on-the-Hill, to cast and feather round in difficulties. Again it is steady road-work by some of the more accomplished old matrons ; and again they leave the road, to drive right up into Burrough Village. And here their fox has crept into some outhouse, drain, or other place of refuge — a place of security that he must have known well and depended on heartily, or he would never have faced the wind for such a distance and at such a pace. Every possible point of exit from tlie village is carefully " made good," and nearly an hour is spent in rum- maging for his hiding-place. But all to no purpose ; and a gallant fox, if he recovers the strain of such a journey, may give us that beautiful line again. GRASS AND WATER. A DELIGHTFUL day of sport was Friday, November 4th, with the Quorn — such sport as 5'ou come to the Shires to see, and can see nowhere else. You may find as thorough foxhunting elsewhere ; you may go over more gi'ound — and sometimes 380 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox you may go over it as quick. But where will you get half— a tenth part of— tlie fun and life on the way ? You should be young, or still fancy yourself young. It is not a country for riding to points, or for sitting in your saddle on a quiet eminence, watch in hand. You must still be hearty and am- bitious enough to bustle and thrust, if only by road and lane. You must at least throw in energy enough to grow red in the face, mop your brow, and talk excitedly when a gallop is over. (We speak of a r/alloj} here — very seldom of a run unless it has failed to reach the standard of a gallop.) You must come home aglow, swear you never rode such a horse in your life, order the best of your limited cellar, and drink foxhunting emphaticall}^ at least once a week — or things are going down- hill, and the sooner yon are off to ]Mudshire the better. Here are the events of Frida}', as far as I can set on paper the outline of what already seems a hurried happy dream — figures, faces, and fiicts tumbling over each other in a misty chaos of excited action. Memory may clear and the thread unwind itself as I go along. I remember, to start with, that the meet was Beeby, the field (the effect of non-advertisement) scarce!}" a crowd — certainly not a medley — and that the chief new arrivals were the Duke of Portland and Captain Candy. I remember that a stiff shower took all the glaze off our war- paint ere the meet was reached — and that throughout the day the air was hot and choldng as a sirocco (three days previously, you may remember, we were slipping about in the snow at Tilton !). Now we are at the Coplow ; memor}^ has had a dig of the spur ; and we may start fair. After cubhunting experience, it was only to be expected that a cloud of foxes should be afoot. (No, by the hye, the term, an old book told me years ago, should be a sculk of foxes, as it was also of friars and thieves; while, added the same authority', a company of cobblers should be spoken of as *' a drunken- ship.") But it was luck and ready management that allowed of our getting away at once with the traveller. It is no easy matter to lay hounds on from Botany Bay, the covert imder 1881—82.] GRASS AND WATER. 381 the Coplow Hill. But to holloa and horn they were soon over the crest and away for the wilds. The dips and rises that come, like a chopping sea, hy Tondin's Spinney and thence in the Tilton direction are more fit for mountain mules than for lengthy Leicestershire horses, though I fancy the mule would turn stubhorn, had he to face the blackthorn fences as well as to climb the steep grass ridges. I need make no long story of this run. It was in the main a pleasant, galloping half hour — a plough-team and its fresh-turned soil giving five minutes' breathing time en route. Still, a fox that will go at once from the Coplow to ground in the Tilton Highlands deserves credit, and gives hope for a futm-e day. And before reaching the Cottesmore Woods, tliere were ten very good minutes over big grass fields, and fences that, while looking rather formidable, everyone could juni}) — and everybody did jump in safety and pride. (What more do you want for a field, each member of which is bent on taking a part, for his own fun and accordino- to his self-measurement '?) By Skeffington Wood and Tilton Wood — to ground in the earths below the latter — the run over, thirty-five minutes registered, and horses and men alike giving perspiring evidence of the closeness of the day and the severity of the ground — and this on the very spot where they were shivering so bitterly three days before. Moving back into Quorn territory through Tilton, Lord Moreton's covert became the next point of appeal. A small gorse covert on a spur, overlooking the wet and narrow orass vale that runs from John o' Gaunt to the Coplow — and alon