170 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



request, its close proximity to Barleythorpe, where the 

 kennels and stables of the Cottesmore are situated, 

 making it a convenient locality for such as hunt with 

 these hounds. It is here that Custance, after a long 

 and successful career on the turf, has located himself, 

 carrying on the business of one of the first-class hotels. 

 But it is at Melton that fox-hunting is to be enjoyed 

 to the fullest extent. Every day in the week one or 

 other of the splendid packs that hunt the cream of 

 the shires meets within reach. To-day the Duke of 

 Rutland's beautiful pack begins at Harlaxton Hall, 

 and it will be a strange thing if Frank Gillard, the 

 energetic huntsman of the Belvoir, does not show the 

 large " field " that is sure to be present on the first 

 day of the season a rattling good run over 



The russet lawns and fallows gray 

 Where the nibbling flocks do stray. 



The master of the Belvoir can boast of possessing 

 sixty-two couples of the best hounds in the world, to 

 be excelled by none for shape, uniformity, colour, and 

 condition. The fixture of the Quorn to-day is the 

 historical " Kirby Gate/' where "Tom Firr" will 

 bring his racing hounds ; and, should they run a 

 clinker across the big pastures of this fine " country/' 

 the " field " allowing them to get well away from the 

 cover before they sit down to ride, it will be only good 

 men that will be able to live with them. The ground, 

 after the heavy rain which has fallen, is bound to ride 

 badly, the brooks will be "bumpers," the fences some- 

 what blind, and the pace severe, should the scent lie 

 well. The popular master of the Quorn, Mr. John 

 Coupland, a thorough sportsman and a rare good man 



