CUB-HUNTING. 165 



sunshine and more favourable weather than we have 

 experienced during the last two or three years, the 

 British farmer will be all right again. Better times 

 are sure to come round. There is one fact con- 

 nected with the distress in the agricultural interest 

 that offers a certain amount of consolation to the 

 friends of the farmer albeit there may be somewhat 

 of selfishness in the thought that if they give up 

 growing wheat and take to breeding and feeding 

 cattle instead, we, by their kindness, shall find a far 

 larger extent of grass to career across when in pursuit 

 of stag, fox, or hare. That is a consummation to 

 be devoutly wished by the hard rider, who, after a 

 splitting burst of fifty-five minutes without a check, 

 finds, after jumping a tall stake and binder, that he 

 has good sound grass to gallop his tired steed over 

 when going for the finish, instead of the ridge and 

 furrow of a piece of steam-ploughed heavy clay land, 

 enough to break the heart of the best hunter that ever 

 followed the hounds when coming as the finale to a 

 fine run. 



So much for Melton and its facilities for sport; 

 but next comes Rugby, one of the most suitable spots 

 in England for those intending to go in for hunting 

 well and conveniently. Situated within two hours' 

 journey from London, by one of the best of railways, 

 the North- Western, the visitor to this inland town has 

 the opportunity of riding with the following crack 

 hounds : the Pytchley, the Atherstone, the North 

 Warwickshire, and also Mr. Tailby's late pack, now 

 the property of Sir Bache Cunard, whose meets are 

 handy to Eugby. Every accommodation is to be ob- 

 tained in this academical town. Excellent stabling is 



