226 Hunting Countries of England. 



early date) Nottingham will find itself within distance, 

 by morning train_, of all that Melton commands,, and 

 will on any day be able to join in with the Quorn, the 

 Belvoir, and the Cottesmore on their best ground. 



That foxhunting is popular in Nottinghamshire is 

 apparent enough at the covertside — where, perhaps, as 

 large fields assemble as in any Hunt which does not 

 resent the application of the term " Provincial.-'^ 

 This popularity extends in a rather embarrassing 

 degree to the countless hordes of workmen whose 

 hands produce the wealth of Nottinghamshire. The 

 sound of the horn, or the barest chance of hearing its 

 music, has a magic effect on these good people ; and 

 coal and iron and cotton hose may look after them- 

 selves whenever hounds are in the district — one and 

 all of these " merrie men'^ leaping forth as gaily to 

 the note as ever did bold Robin^s followers in these 

 same jolly green woods. Thus to draw coverts in the 

 neighbourhood of where tall chimneys grow thickest, 

 it is often necessary to make a descent from far away, 

 and take these sportsmen unawares. 



Kennels have been lately bailt at Gedling, where 

 there is a station on the Great Northern Railway, and 

 which is as nearly as possible the centre of the country. 

 Mr. John Chaworth-Musters used to keep them till 

 about Christmas at Annesley, and afterwards at 

 Wiverton. It is a curious little coincidence that the 

 present masters of the three Nottinghamshire packs, 

 the South Notts, the Rufford and the Grove were all 

 initiated in their calling through the medium of carrying 

 the horn at Oxford with the Christ Church Harriers. 



You may see a good deal of sport in the South 



