THE GOLDEN AGE 



assemblage of the fashionable hunting men of Melton and 

 Leicester, Here I took part in a regular fox-hunt, had a 

 capital run, and moreover distinguished myself by keeping 

 well up with the hounds all through. Anson and Bouverie 

 both fell on my left and right, whilst I came off with a whole 

 skin." To this the good baron rejoined: "Your Royal High- 

 ness's rehabilitation in the good opinion of the fox-hunters is 

 a thing to be viewed quite as you view it, and yet it is not 

 without practical value so long as fox-hunting continues to 

 be an English national pursuit." The Queen when writing to 

 King Leopold refers to the same subject, with evident amuse- 

 ment at the respect shown for the Prince's performances 

 across country. " One can scarcely credit the absurdity of 

 people, but Albert's riding so boldly has made such a sensa- 

 tion that it has been written all over the country, and they 

 make much more of it than if he had done some great act ! " 



To return, however, to the Castle. The Prince won golden 

 opinions at Belvoir, not only by his riding in the field, but by 

 the knowledge of and interest in agricultural matters which 

 he displayed, and which we know was one of the many 

 interests of his busy and useful life. 



To the too short life work to which he devoted himself, the 

 benefits of which we still feel, the Prince returned, and he, 

 too, passes from our history. 



The departure of the Royal party caused no cessation in 

 the sport at Belvoir. 



I find nothing of note to record except the death of the 

 celebrated black fox from Clawson Thorns — probably a 

 descendant of those turned down by the third Duke — 

 which would not even then have fallen a victim to the hounds 

 had he not been headed by some boys at Melton Lodge, when 

 hounds caught him at Holwell Mouth. On February 2nd 

 Lord Forester and Mr. John Woods were the only men with 

 hounds in a great run from Freeby Wood into the Cottes- 

 more country. 



" Found at Freeby Wood, ran to Melton Spinny, back by 

 Freeby to Stapleford Park, and by Wymondham to Wood- 

 well Head ; here most of the horses were dead beat. They 



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