4 INTRODUCTION 



only person who can tell when the hounds have got sufficiently 

 clear of the field. In Leicestershire, thank goodness, there 

 is no such thing as riding to holloas, whatever they may do 

 in the provinces. I'd be sorry for the man who would have 

 committed the impertinence of attempting to start a Ouorn 

 field by a holloa in the presence of Lord Lonsdale ! If the 

 hand of his Lordship resembled the " mailed fist" of his 

 friend the German Emperor, that of Mr. Baird was like unto 

 la main de fer dans uu gant de velours of Her Gracious 

 Majesty the Queen, who ably rules her people almost without 

 their being conscious of the beneficent guidance. A stranger 

 mi^ht often hunt with the Cottesmore and not know who was 



o 



the master, and yet there is no better disciplined hunt. The 

 Melton people were greatly indebted to the Duke of Rutland, 

 who hunted the Belvoir at his own expense, and did immense 

 service in his country to hunting by keeping the farmers 

 friendly, and by arranging with his tenants to put up no wire, 

 to walk puppies, and to encourage the sport in other ways. 

 He had a worthy successor in his son, Lord Edward Manners, 

 who was often ably helped in his field duties by his brother, 

 Lord Cecil, who generally rode uncommonly big jumping 

 horses. The Belvoir met every Wednesday at Croxton Park, 

 which is seven miles from Melton ; and frequently on other 

 days at places within easy reach, such as Melton Spinney, 

 Piper Hole Farm, and Hose. All three masters were very 

 popular among the farmers, without whose friendly co-operation 

 good hunting is impossible. 



For permission to ride over their fields and for taking 

 down wire for the season, Leicestershire farmers receive much 

 profit from the influx of visitors. Of this, the hay, corn and 

 straw bills form the most obvious but by no means the most 

 considerable item ; although old oats at twenty-six shillings 

 a quarter show a state of agricultural prosperity that would 

 be unattainable without hunting. It is true that the hundreds 



