36 THE BELVOIR HUNT. 



favoured region. Then there Is a magnetic 

 attraction for another class, whose utmost 

 ambition consists In over-riding hounds ; 

 for in this country, unless on one of those 

 exceptional days when there is good scent, 

 they have frequent opportunities of enjoy- 

 ing their fun. The land is light, and the 

 fences of a character not calculated to 

 impede progress. These very aspiring 

 gentlemen are nevertheless sometimes 

 disappointed in their pleasures, and it 

 would be hard indeed if they were not, see- 

 ing how frequently they cause disappoint- 

 ment to those who go out with the legiti- 

 mate hope of enjoying a run, and of taking 

 the country as it comes, rough or smooth. 

 Thus there Is a fine opportunity of witness- 

 ing the '* malice prepense " which prevails 

 to spoil sport, by defeating the operations 

 of the pack, and frustrating the efforts of 

 the huntsman. But I will proceed to ex- 

 plain how a gallant fox and a good scent 



