136 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



a wide radius of the scene. The remarkable function 

 is said to be, " very much hke the Epping Hunt, 

 and you may think yourself extremely lucky if you 

 get back alive ! " 



" For here are all equal — no class legislation, 

 No privilege hinders ; no family pride : 

 In the ' image of war ' shows the pluck of the nation ; 

 Ride, ancient patrician ! Democracy, ride ! " 



Though motors could be counted by the hundred 

 on the opening day of the present season — Monday, 

 November 6, 1911 — it was a congratulation that 

 one well appointed four-in-hand was on the scene, 

 reviving memories of past Kirby Gates in the mid- 

 Victorian period. The police regulations to manage 

 the lines of traffic were as usual admirable, and 

 the crowd of sight-seers larger than ever — convincing 

 evidence that the chase still stands high in public 

 favour. The day was gloriously fine with brilliant 

 sunshine, the boisterous wind being piercingly 

 cold and the dust awful, conditions resembling a 

 wild day in March, for the ground was decidedly 

 hard. Cinematographs and cameras bombarded 

 the hunting procession at every turn, the celebrities 

 of the chase bearing the ordeal with patient resigna- 

 tion. The same evening in town, from a comfort- 

 able stall at the Empire Theatre, the gay scene was 

 shown in motion on the screen to a large and ap- 

 preciative audience. First of all the kennels were 

 shown with George Leaf taking the pack out for 

 exercise, then the Quorn going to the meet on the 

 opening day, and the scene of the dense crowd at 

 Kirby Gate, the residence of Mr Astill. After 

 that the cavalcade passed by in stately procession 

 through Great Dalby on their way to Gartree Hill, 

 a four mile trot from the fixture. The covert side 

 and surrounding landscape were realistically repro- 



