THE RUN OF THE LAST FOUR SEASONS. I7 



1858. 



April 3rd. Had a very nice gallop over a grand country from 

 Wardley Wood over Martinsthorpe Lordship, where we bolted 

 him from under a gateway and killed him. I think, on the 

 whole, I may say we have had rather better than an average 

 season. The hounds have improved wonderfully ; I don't 

 think any pack can beat them for pace. 



HUNTING DIARY, 1858-59. 

 Resume of Cub Hunting. 



Foxes have been more plentiful by half than ever I knew 

 them, and the month of October has been a good scenting one. 

 Our sport has been most excellent, considering the drjmess of 

 the ground. I never saw so good sport in my life as this 

 October Cubbing; riding bad, so very hard; foxes all flyers 

 and plenty of them. We have been out 21 days, killed 15 foxes, 

 and run 6 to ground. Very good for High Leicestershire. 



THE Run of the last Four Seasons. 

 1859. 



January 25th. Met at Knossington. Found immediately at Ranks- 

 borough ; ran for Langham, bore to the right for Ashwell, up 

 to the railway, as if his point was Burley Wood ; would not 

 face the railway, bent to the left for Whissendine, left it on the 

 left for Stapleford Park ; turned again by the railway, crossed 

 the Whissendine, bore to the left, and ran along the bottom to 

 the right and got into a drain just before the hounds ; had 

 him out and ate him. Time 55 minutes — racing pace — and 

 the best run of the season, or of the last four seasons. Went 

 home at a quarter to one ! ! ! ! The run of the season. Rode 

 Stargazer — was never better carried. Everyone said it was the 

 best run they had seen for years. 



On 1st February 1859, the Billesdon Hunt was honoured 

 by the presence of Royalty in the person of H.R.H. The 

 Duke of Cambridge, to whom Mr. Tailby was presented. 

 H.R.H., as is well known, usually himself observed and 

 expected to find in others the soldier-like quality of punc- 



