260 HUNTING TOURS. 



In a country like Leicestershire, where the 

 agriculturists are so deeply indebted to fox- 

 hunting, it is truly remarkable that greater 

 facilities are not afforded to masters of hounds 

 for walking puppies. With the exception of 

 the late Mr. Greene and Lord Stamford none 

 of the former masters had landed estates in the 

 county ; but what of that ? Many of the noble- 

 men and gentlemen M'ho have hunted the 

 Quorn country have annually disbursed little 

 fortunes, of which the farmers have had the 

 lion's share ; besides the immense sums circu- 

 lated by the wealthy frequenters of Melton 

 and Leicester, together with vast numbers 

 who rent mansions for the express purpose of 

 hunting in this the most fashionable of all 

 counties. Farmers may conjecture that it is 

 a matter of little importance — that affluent 

 masters of hounds can purchase what they 

 require. So they may, as regards numbers, 

 but not perfections. They can never obtain a 

 first-rate pack of hounds except by breeding 

 them, at any cost. The farmers of Leicester- 

 shire are fond of the sport ; they are prosper- 

 ous and hospitable, and they possess all the 

 fine attributes that distinguish their class. 

 That they should permit themselves to be 



