134 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



CHAPTER XYI. 



The Hunting Field {continued). 



Among the many advantages aiforded by tlie " iron road " to lovers. 

 of hunting there is none more appreciable than the facility it affords 

 to those who reside in a non-foxhmiting country of getting to hounds 

 with ease and rapidity. 



AYithout any greater inconvenience than the necessity of early 

 rising, a lady who lives in Tyburnia or Belgravia may easily enjoy 

 a day's hunting in Warwickshire or Leicestershire, and be in her 

 own home again in reasonable time in the evening. 



During the early spring hunting of the present year, several 

 ladies came to Market Harborough and Melton on these sporting 

 expeditions, and returned the same day thoroughly satisfied. 



One party, consisting of three ladies and as many gentlemen,, 

 seemed to me to have been admirably organised, and to be quite a 

 success throughout. 



They left Saint Pancras at eight o'clock in the morning, in a 

 saloon carriage, arrived at Melton at half -past ten, and were at the 

 meet at eleven, with military punctuality. They enjoyed a capital 

 day with the Quorn hounds, left Melton at haK-past six, after 

 riding a considerable distance back, and arrived in town at nine 

 o'clock. 



A novel and agreeable feature in the arrangement was that the 

 party dined in their luxurious carriage while being whirled back to- 

 the metropohs, a first-class dinner and the best of wines having 

 been furnished from the hotel, and served in admirable form. After 

 the journey and the sport one of the ladies (I was told) held a 



