THE SHIRES. 247 



season through. Under the rule of Lord Spencer, who 

 has brought to bear on his favourite amusement the 

 talent, energy, and administrative powers that, while 

 they remained in office, were so serviceable to his party, 

 the Pytchley seems to have recovered its ancient renown, 

 and the sport provided for the white collars during the 

 last year or two has been much above the average. His 

 lordship thoroughly understands the whole management 

 of hounds, in the kennel and the field, is enthusiastically 

 fond of the pursuit, and, being a very determined rider 

 as well as an excellent judge of a horse, is always 

 present in an emergency to observe the cause and take 

 measures for the remedy. Will Goodall has but little to 

 learn as a huntsman, and, like his father, the unrivalled 

 Will Goodall of Belvoir celebrity, places implicit con- 

 fidence in his hounds. " They can put me right," seems 

 his maxim, " oftener than I can put them ! " If a man 

 wanted to see " a gallop in the shires " at its best, he 

 should meet the Pytchley some Saturday in February 

 at Waterloo Gorse, but I am bound to caution him that 

 he ought to ride a brilliant hunter, and, as young Rapid 

 would say, " harden his heart " to make strong use of 

 him. 



Large grass fields, from fifty to a hundred acres in 

 extent, carrying a rare scent, are indeed tempting ; but 



