MR. GEORGE COLEMAN. 55 



a good figure. Nevertheless he required and always rode a 

 weight-carrier, and in selecting his stud was no doubt 

 inclined to sacrifice " blood " to " bone," but as he was 

 getting into years and was no longer ambitious to be in the 

 "first flight," he generally saw all the sport he desired, 

 leaving it to others to make the pace. The Major 

 used to sing many an old hunting ditty such as "The 

 Clipper that Stands in the Stall at the Top," "John Peel," 

 and "The Tantivy Trot," and when the port began to 

 circulate, to take great pleasure in recounting the incidents 

 and exploits of the day. When therefore he, his amiable 

 consort, and charming daughter decided to leave Leicester- 

 shire for the South Coast, it need hardly be added they 

 were very much missed by rich and poor alike. 



In writing of the " old guard," I must not omit Mr. Geo. 

 Coleman, who although of rather a reserved disposition, 

 was quite a feature of the Billesdon Hunt. When not out 

 hunting he usually had about half-a-dozen fox-terriers at 

 his heels, of which he was said to be the best judge in the 

 county. 



At no period during Mr. Tailby's Mastership were 

 hunting quarters and stabling so much in demand as in the 

 early seventies, when Messieurs A. and C. de Murrieta 

 occupied Mr. Beardsley's place, and were reported to have 

 a stud of about 120 horses scattered up and down between 

 Harborough and Glenn. Not only was every stable 

 occupied, but every available cow-shed 1 was also requisi- 

 tioned by these generous adherents of the chase. 



At this time the field would usually include, besides the 

 gentlemen already alluded to, the Earl of Morton and his 

 son, the present Lord ; the Hartopps of Dalby, Lord 

 Downe, Mr. Barclay, M.P., and Capt. Barclay, who bred 

 " Bertram," by " The Duke." — [By the bye, when a 

 foal, Bertram got into an orchard at Scraptoft, and ate a 

 quantity of green apples which had fallen from the trees, 

 causing 'a severe attack of colic : fortunately he was dis- 



