100 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



the present century this far-famed land of fox-hunting 

 has been destined to undergo numerous changes of 

 masters; events sadly opposed to the success of the 

 chase. However talented, however wealthy, however 

 gifted with all the accomplishments and the various 

 desiderata to render a new master of hounds unexcep- 

 tionally eligible, the fact of a change is a serious im- 

 pediment to the advancement of the noble science in 

 any country. There are so many minor details 

 influenced by changes that in the aggregate they 

 become important. No less than fourteen different 

 masters of hounds have presided during the time I 

 have named, and fifteen changes have taken place, Mr. 

 Osbaldeston having been twice the occupier of the 

 Quom establishment. 



In 1847 Sir Richard Sutton, whose celebrity had been 

 established in the Burton and Cottesmore countries, 

 removed his hounds from the latter to the Quom 

 kennels, again restoring the title which had been in 

 abeyance for several years. The Donnington country 

 becoming vacant in 1851, Sir Richard Sutton under- 

 took to hunt it ; so that the Quorn country may be said 

 to have regained its original extent. 



That the surface of Leicestershire is most materially 

 altered no doubt can exist ; nor can those changes fail 

 to have had great influence over fox-hunting. Since 

 Mr. Meynell commenced, a considerable extent has been 

 enclosed, and consequently the nature of the soil is 

 greatly altered by cultivation and agricultural improve- 

 ments. A great increase in the quantity of stock, both 

 cattle and sheep, has followed, which cannot fail to 

 present difficulties to hounds and huntsmen. Mr. 

 Lockley was wont to speak of the numbers of double 

 posts and rails in many parts, which in Mr. Meynell 's 

 time had been recently enclosed. While they offered 

 scarcely any impediment to hounds, they were often 

 serious ones to horses. To go in and out cleverly was 

 an accomplishment of some importance. At the distance 

 the posts and rails were frequently placed, there was 



