338 NIMROD'S HTTNTING TOUR 



Excellent as the Quorn packs must l)e allowed to be, they did not 

 shew much sport last year, with the exception of a few splendid 

 things, particularly one from the Coplow with the bitches, which, I 

 believe, was considered quite the ultra of fox-huuting. They went 

 away close at his brush from this classic ground, taking over the fine 

 lordships of Norton-by-Galby and Oadby, and ran in to him near 



WigSton, AFTER A BURST OP FORTV-EIGHT MINUTES WITHOUT A 



CHECK ! ! There was a trifling pause, I was told, owing to a flock of 

 sheep, but the scent was carried on in a trot, so tliere was luit little 

 relief for the bellows, and only six or seven saw the finish. I 

 need not say these were first-raters ; but, for the honour of that 

 noble animal the horse, I am proud to add, there was one welter- 

 weight up at the death — Mr. Maxse, on the Baron. 



Such runs as these, in any country, are " like angels' visits, few 

 and far between," but they must be highly gratifying to a master of 

 hounds in Leicestershire ; and I can fancy the Squire and Jack 

 Stevens talking over this day's sport on their road home with the 

 pack. "Well, Jack," methinks the Squire to have exclaimed, 

 " thank God ire went fast enough for them to-day ! There was no 

 occasion to cry Hold hard ! no pressing upon the hounds ; and I 

 would have betted a guinea to a shilling on blood after the first ten 

 minutes." 



Mr. Osbaldeston's hounds shewed great sport in their new 

 country, Northamptonshire — the natural consequence of having 

 what may be called fair play. I also understand that in his office 

 as huntsman he lias been extremely fair towards his foxes, on which 

 subject it would l)e well if some of his brother huntsmen would take 

 a hint. " Murdering foxes," said the great Meynell, "is a most 

 absurd prodigality ; for seasoned foxes are as necessary to sport as 

 experienced hounds." That Mr. Oslialdeston's hounds are as good 

 as hounds can be, 1 think no sportsman who has seen them will 

 deny. 



I was delighted to see Lord Alvanley going so brilliantly over 

 Leicestershire, notwithstanding his increased weight, and having 

 been, as we say in the stable, out of regular work for some of the 

 past seasons. His Lordship also, we well know, has been very 

 intimate with " the tittle hours,'' which the doctors tell us are not 



