MELTON HOWBRAY. 145 



over a good country, during which I do not think I 

 ever was off the grass. 



The aspect of the country on the morning succeed- 

 ing the meet at Kirby Gate was very different from 

 the bright and glorious day when I rode with the 

 Quorn, for the snow fell in large flakes and the cold 

 was excessive. The day was that of the weekly 

 market, and the town was alive with farmers and 

 visitors bent upon buying or selling the various com- 

 modities displayed, varying from a hand-basin to a 

 heifer ; and a brisk trade was driven, notwithstanding 

 the falling snow and the muddy state of the streets. 



The fixture for the Cottesmore Hounds was Tilton 

 Wood, eleven miles from Melton. The state of the 

 weather and the distance to covert determined me to 

 postpone riding with this crack pack until a more 

 favourable opportunity. Accordingly I spent my time 

 in looking over some of the fine studs of grand horses, 

 attending the cattle-market, where I was greatly 

 tempted to bid for an extremely small calf, which I 

 really thought must be very cheap at seven shillings 

 and sixpence ; but whilst I was endeavouring to make 

 up my mind to embark my capital in this promising ven- 

 ture, the auctioneer abruptly knocked it down for the 

 trifling sum of eight shillings ; and perhaps it was all for 

 the best, for I doubt if I should have known what to do 

 with it. Then I visited the museum, on the portal of 

 which I read the words "Maison Dieu, 1640," and, 

 entering into the ancient edifice, I examined the curious 

 collection of what may be described as odds and ends ; 

 not finding, however, since my last visit to Melton, any 

 remarkable additions to the articles under the charge 

 of the venerable dame who accompanied me round. 



