THE OLD ORDER CHANGES 



" I find that a copy of a letter from the late Lord Forester 

 to his Grace the Duke of Rutland, writing upon neutral rights, 

 explains that Bloxholm belongs to the Belvoir Hunt and that 

 he — the late Lord Forester — gave the late Sir Richard Sutton 

 leave to draw it upon the understanding that it was to be 

 given up to the Belvoir when required, who should alone have 

 the right to draw it. The same letter also mentions that 

 Ashby Thorns and the covert made by the old Mr. Chaplin 

 beyond Byard's Leap were neutral between the Burton and 

 the Belvoir." 



In 1 88 1 some leading members of the hunt on the 

 Lincolnshire side called a meeting for February 24th, at the 

 Town Hall, Grantham. This step was taken in consequence 

 of the following communication from the Duke of Rutland 

 to Colonel Reeve. 



" I have written," the Duke says, "to Lord Brownlow, telling 

 him that after this year I must reduce my hunting days to 

 three instead of five, and that this will oblige me to give up 

 a great portion of the Lincolnshire country. Increasing age, 

 infirmity and the present agricultural depression force me to 

 do this, but you will understand what pain and sorrow it gives 

 me to break what has been through so many years the source 

 of so much pleasure and enjoyment. It is indeed very painful 

 to me, but I shall always remember the kindness I have re- 

 ceived from you and so many kind friends and supporters." 



Mr. John Welby, Sir John Thorold, Mr. Broke Turnor, Sir 

 Thomas Whichcote, Captain Thorold, the Rev. W. Newcome, 

 and last, but not least, that ever good friend and liberal 

 supporter of the hunt, Lord Brownlow, determined to avert 

 this misfortune. The Lincolnshire men were averse from a 

 division of the hunt then, as they were in 1896. Eventually 

 the following proposals were made by the Duke and accepted 

 by the meeting. 



1. The Duke would be pleased to hunt the country two 

 days a week on the Lincolnshire side if the county gentlemen 

 guarantee £i,SOO a year. 



2. As the Duke would hunt Leicestershire without a sub- 

 scription, he cannot bind himself to hunt five days a week. 



321 Y 



