168 Hunting Countries of England 



view to tlie pleasure of the chase — and for that purpose 

 only. 



The days of hunting have hitherto been arranged 

 very simply as follows — The Midland Railway cutting 

 the country in half, the southern portion has been 

 chosen for Mondays, the northern for Thursdays, 

 except that an extreme eastern corner has been left 

 for an extra day on alternate Saturdays — when the 

 Cottesmore are on the farther side of their own 

 dominions. 



Some of the Monday country is extremely good ; and 

 all of it may be termed fair. That of the Thursdays 

 embraces a superb grass district that has no superior 

 in the shires ; while that of the Saturdays is on some 

 sides very perfect — if very stiff. 



Nearest to Market Harboro^ on a Monday is Grumley, 

 whose well sheltered and carefully tended coverts form 

 a never-failing base of supplies. Foxton is sometimes 

 named that footpeople may not know whether to 

 assemble at Gumley, above Papillon Gorse, or round 

 the spinnies at Lubenham. But Gumley is always the 

 opening meet; and a standing dish throughout the 

 season. For the afternoon there are the Laughton 

 Hills to be drawn — overlooking the green valley to 

 Theddingworth, and facing the neutral hills of Marston 

 and Hothorpe. Were it not for railway and canal, 

 this valley would bear a brilliant name. As it is, 

 foxes seldom face it. And when they do, hounds 

 must more often cross it alone. Marston in Mr. 

 Stanford's map is coloured as being over the border — 

 whereas its spinnies and the adjacent wooded heights 

 are neutral with the Pytchley. You must take your 



