THE QUORN AT KIRBY GATE 35 



the Hon. Lancelot Lovvther, hunting from Asfordby 

 Hall, but now migrated to the Cottesmore to fill 

 a similar position in that country. A lifelong ex- 

 perience following the chase has given him an eye 

 for a country and knowledge of the run of a fox, 

 coming at opportune moments of great assistance 

 to the huntsman, who when in difficulties is pretty 

 sure to turn to Mr. Lancelot Lowther. 



A study of hunting records convinces one that 

 England would be poorer without its House of Lords, 

 for on the active list is to be found quite an array of 

 Dukes, belted Earls and Barons, many of whom act 

 in the capacity of " common or garden huntsmen." 

 There is hardly one claiming the distinguished title 

 of M.F.H. who would not admit that Leicestershire 

 was the school in which he graduated before taking 

 ofiice with some remote pack, far removed perhaps 

 from the fashionable shires. Such empire-making 

 work has been carried on by members of the House 

 of Lords for generations, long before the present- 

 day crop of uouvcaux riches were dreamt of. For- 

 tunes have been spent by titled famiUes for the 

 good of sport and the welfare of the country-side. 

 The history of our titled aristocracy is inseparable 

 from that of fox-hunting, and except for their 

 hereditary sporting instincts and large - hearted 

 generosity, England would not hold the proud 

 position she does to-day. No follower of the chase 

 can subscribe to the '' wild-cat theory " that the 

 House of Lords requires either mending or ending. 



Distinguishable amongst the crowd at Kirby 

 Gate is the fine presence of Lord Belper, Chairman 

 of the Quorn Hunt Committee. Other very well- 

 known personages in the world of fox-hunting are 

 EHzabeth Countess of Wilton, and Mr. A. V. Pryor, 

 at whose house, Egerton Lodge, the Quorn hold 



