70 The Hunting Countries of England. 



for a thousand should be overheard — and, if hounds 

 run, you will ride none the worse for that morning^ s 

 abstinence. 



The first of the three courses by which you may 

 hunt with the Quorn being to take a six- days a- week 

 stud to Melton; the second is to establish yourself 

 at Leicester or Loughborough, the third is to take a 

 hunting box in the country. We have already made 

 some allusion to the first-named plan ; and further, in 

 treating of the grass side of the Quorn, shall consider 

 that part of the country in connection with Melton. 

 On the merits of the other plans we shall have some- 

 thing to say as we continue. 



As regards its position from London, Melton Mow- 

 bray is a little more than three hours^ journey from 

 St. Pancras, by way of Leicester. Leaving London 

 at 3.30 p.m., you are landed anywhere in Melton 

 before 7. But it is only attainable on the morning 

 of hunting by taking the mail train at 5.15 a.m. — 

 with all the miseries consequent on such an hour in 

 December or January. 



Monday and Friday being, as we have said, the 

 two days on which the Quorn are out on their Melton^ 

 or grass, side, we will take them first in order. A 

 glance at the map (sheet 9 of Stanford's series) will 

 show the river Wreake running from Melton to 

 Syston, where it joins the river Soar on its way from 

 Leicester. North of the Wreake, then, is the Monday 

 country of the Quorn, while south and south-east of 

 the two rivers is the Friday country. The Midland 

 Railway has cunningly chosen the valleys of these rivers 

 for its course; and close parallel to them runs the 



