CHAPTER XVIII. 



MELTON MOWBEAY. 



WHEN Nimrod wrote in the pages of the " Quarterly 

 Review," some half century since, in a style never 

 excelled by any writer on matters appertaining to 

 " the chase," he designated Melton Mowbray, " this 

 renowned metropolis of the fox-hunting world." 



Having recently revisited the scenes of past 

 delights, with the view of galloping once more over 

 the broad pastures of Leicestershire, I rejoice to say 

 that the ancient " Mercat Town," as Camden described 

 it ages ago, still maintains its supremacy, and is, as of 

 yore, the abiding-place of those who delight in 

 the noble sport and desire to enjoy to the fullest 

 extent the pleasure of hunting the fox over the finest 

 country in the world, and witnessing the performances 

 of the three most celebrated packs of hounds viz. the 

 Quorn, the Belvoir, and the Cottesmore, each of which 

 can be reached within easy distance, thus affording the 

 opportunity of riding to hounds every day in the 

 week. 



A quieter town on a Sunday than Melton Mowbray 

 cannot be imagined. The grand old church, the pride 

 of the Meltonians, was well filled at the morning 



