THE QUORN 155 



Though I cannot say much from my own observation, I may be 

 allowed to repeat what I have heard. The season before last, Mr. 

 Osbaldeston's hounds had as brilliant a succession of sport as any 

 hounds could shew ; and this year (generally an unfavourable one) 

 they have had about their share. Up to the time I was with them, 

 they had killed their fifty brace of foxes ; though this is not much to 

 boast of in a country so preserved as Leicestershire, with six days a 

 week, and in such an open season. His hounds stand pressing 

 uncommonly well, and are very obedient to command. 



"Whether gentle or simple, I have never yet seen the man in the 

 shape of a huntsman to a pack of fox-hounds who could always 

 comply with the apostolic precept — he courteous ; and in a Leicester- 

 shire field he ought to be nothing less than a Job. I cannot, how- 

 ever, say I witnessed anything more than proper authority in the 

 gentleman I am speaking of, though once or twice put to the test ; at 

 the same time it cannot be said of him, as was asserted of Sir Edward 

 Littleton's huntsman, " that he was never heard either to laugh or 

 to swear." 



It may be easily imagined that the very severe fall and its con- 

 sequences could not fail to leave its impression ; and Mr. Osbal- 

 deston does not ride quite so hard as he did before his accident. It 

 is not that he is afraid of fences ; but he seems in constant dread of 

 being ridden over when in a crowd ; which is indeed the most 

 dangerous part of the business in his fast country. Many a good 

 man, how'ever, after what he suffered, never would have come to the 

 post again at all ; and too much praise cannot be bestowed upon 

 him for the very spirited manner in which he hunts the finest 

 country in the world ! 



Masters of fox-hounds are, in great measure, public characters, 

 and as such only do I myself feel authorised to speak of them. I 

 may, however, perhaps be allowed to say, that in society Mr. 

 Osbaldeston is affable and communicative, perfectly free from the 

 absurdity of affectation, and just what an English country gentleman 

 should be. He resides at Ibbertson Hall, between York and 

 Scarborough, w^here he has very fine estates ; and though the name 

 of Osbaldeston is one of which most men might be proud, yet being, 

 I suppose, deemed awkward to halloo to, he is better known among 



