466 APPENDIX 



Robert Yerburgh, who was a fine horseman, and I have every reason 

 to feel grateful to him for preserving foxes in the Belvoir Hunt. We 

 seldom drew a covert of his without finding two, three, or more foxes." 



A Morning with the Belvoir. (See page 311, vol. II.) 



Tuesday, the 3rd of December, 1878, being a hunting day with the 

 Duke's, it was with no little satisfaction that I saw the trysting-place was 

 at the seat of that sporting Baronet, Sir John Thorold. In due course, 

 owing to the kindness of a confiding relative, I mounted the pigskin, 

 though with some slight misgivings as to scent (and still more considerable 

 ones as to the quad), the day being cold and snow threatening. A hunting 

 trot soon brought us to the meet, where I was pleased to see a select and 

 well-mounted field, though I am sorry to have to record the absence of 

 Sir John, and also of Frank Gillard, the (much-enduring) huntsman. 

 However, among those present I was glad to observe Sir Thomas 

 Whichcote (looking as hearty as ever). Col. Reeve, Col. Fane, Captain 

 Willson, Mr. Micklethwaite, Mr. Brook-Turner, and his hard-riding 

 nephew, Algernon Turner. I noticed the militia was ably represented 

 by two gallant captains. Among the ladies I had the gratification of 

 observing Mrs. Franklin and her daughter. Miss Thoroton, and the two 

 Misses Willson. With regret I have to record the absence of a well- 

 known bruiser, the Hon. M. E. G. Finch-Hatton, who I hear is suffering 

 from the effects of an immersion in the Brant, which his horse failed to 

 clear with its overflowing banks. A word as to the hounds. It would be 

 superfluous to praise this beautiful pack, which for colour, contour, and 

 levelness are equal, if not superior, to any hounds in England. With the 

 usual " Hounds, please, gentlemen," the beauties moved off, and we soon 

 found ourselves at West Willoughby Gorse, which was drawn blank — an 

 unusual occurrence. Hence we trotted to Spare o' Gorse, which happily 

 was not spare o' foxes, one of whom was soon afoot, and, finding the covert 

 too hot for him, boldly faced the open. He was quickly followed by a 

 heavy man on a large horse, assisted by some half-a-dozen others, 

 apparently very keen on jumping (?) the gate and obtaining the brush 

 before the hounds got away. An indignant holloa from a gallant colonel 

 stopped this unsportsmanlike proceeding, and the hounds fortunately had 

 the opportunity given them of getting on Reynard's line, not having to 

 pick the scent out, as they often have, between the horses' legs — a circum- 

 stance which nips in the bud many a promising run. We might be 

 lenient to gentlemen who have " osses to sell," but we can show no 

 sympathy either to stout or other parties who scarcely ever jump a fence. 

 The hounds viewing the scent, crossed the road, and soon hit off his line, 

 rattling him along at an average pace towards Normanton Hill top. 

 Here the hounds dipped below the cliff, and brought the line to the 

 Windmill Farm ; and the hounds being slightly at fault, a judicious cast 

 brought us to the Honington road, where a flock of sheep crossed the 

 scent. A holloa back in the direction of Sparrow Gorse brought the 

 hounds round, and we proceeded at a smart gallop ; and, hitting the line, 

 the hounds ran magnificently, sterns down, scent breast high. Leaving 

 the gorse on the left, we crossed the High Dyke, making as if for North 

 Rauceby Wood, swinging round in the direction of Brauncewell ; however, 

 at this point the scent failed, and after wide and patient casts, without any 

 good results, they trotted off to the wood adjoining Byard's Leap (a place 

 where it is said that a horse of that name, ridden by a witch, jumped the 

 incredible distance of forty yards). Consulting the enemy, I was obliged to 



