SG(i F0X-H0VN1), FOREST, AND VRA1R1E. 



Yet they seldom murmur, generally smile — and think under 

 their breath. A soothing, quieting influence and example is 

 theirs. And with their presence men forget to be brutal. 



I pass to the run of the day — South Kilworth New Covert 

 (new or old, the two are but a field apart) the point of origin. 

 Hounds started fast — and the ride began with the option of a 

 broad -set stake-and- bound, in which I fear, I descried, as I 

 skirted it, our best veteran on the proper side, his mare 

 engulfed on the wrong. But the twain were in full evidence 

 again ere the chief work began. The parishes of the Kilworths 

 were hunted out ere Goodall succeeded in forcing his fox 

 forward — at length, vid Kilworth House, Caldecott's Spinney, 

 and northward. Hounds lost no time (the Pytchley never lose 

 time) when they crossed the road where the Long Spinney 

 ends, and laid themselves out on the grass towards The Sticks. 

 Their fox was now game for the open. He bent westward 

 from the covert — a mile hence was in view — and the fun 

 waxed furious. Though in view, he was no beaten fox, but 

 went like a lamplighter to Kimcote Village — a string of 

 Pytchley men proper, such as Mr. Foster, Mr. Jameson (the best 

 man in England to follow with a young one), Capt. Middleton, 

 Messrs. Adamthwaite, Loder, a dark collared stranger, and 

 others, close to hounds as they threaded the bottom, and 

 bore for Gilmorton. A pretty country this — the privilege of 

 Mr. Fernie — and no wire, no red Hags, no sickening doubts as 

 to possibilities of progress. Plain sailing, in fact — fences 

 suitable and gates to encourage. No desperate venture as we 

 saw this morning — a leap at high wire, in hopes that a bold 

 horse would take top-timber as his office ! 



This thirty minutes of the hour was hot, happy and eager — 

 which is as much description as my diary will allow. Slower 

 hunting then to Misterton — a brace of foxes, and confusion, 

 when an hour and a quarter had been scored. This much 

 antecedent to Shuckburgh and the morrow. 



