2o6 GOOD SPORT 



on the part of hounds, and we did not draw 

 agam." 



Of memorable days' sport seen with the Cottes- 

 more and Arthur Thatcher, the diary contains 

 many against which is the mark of excellence, for 

 he was always cheery and keen, both of which are 

 sterling qualities in a huntsman, putting a field at 

 once on the best of terms with the day's sport. 

 Idolised by those able to ride up to the pack, Thatcher 

 managed also to give the tail end of the hunt the 

 best of fun. A horseman beautifully balanced and 

 possessing fine hands, big fences were jumped with 

 consummate ease, and Thatcher was one of those 

 who seldom had a first whip riding at his elbow. 

 Both methods would, however, appear to be equally 

 successful in furthering sport, for other Leicester- 

 shire huntsmen nearly always ride with their first 

 lieutenant close at hand. Another contrast be- 

 tween leading Leicestershire packs is that the 

 Belvoir staff wear the palest of tops, the Cottes- 

 more favouring the dark mahogany colour. It is 

 recorded in history, that Beau Brummell, the great 

 dandy of the last century, on the occasion of a 

 visit to the sixth Duke of Rutland, introduced the 

 fashion of wearing pale buff tops, the tint of a buff 

 Orpington's egg. 



The entry of two days' sport seen December 

 1903, recalls the lawn meet at Edmonthorpe Hall, 

 the residence of Victoria, Countess of Yarborough, 

 and Mr. J. Maunsell Richardson. In the absence of 

 the master, the command was taken by Mr. W. 

 Baird, the ex-master, and the first order was for 

 Woodwell Head. Notwithstanding the fact that 

 the Belvoir had twice on the previous day run 

 through the covert, a fox was soon astir, leading 

 the way to Gunby Gorse, where hounds overran 



