1870—71.] A SWIM OVER THE WREAKE. 



A SWIM OVER THE WREAKE. 



Ox Monday, February 6tli, the Quorn at last called together 

 the whole body of their supporters to rise from their dismal 

 slumber, and hold a merry meeting under brightest auspices. 

 Three days' honest thaw, backed up by a warm sou'-wester, 

 had completel}' expunged all marks of the evil reign of the ice 

 king ; and from all sides they once more trooped gladly forth 

 to wet their spui's over a fair course. 



The meet was at Six Hills — or, rather, iras to have been, 

 for there was scarcely a meet at all — the hounds moving off 

 along the Fosse at the proper time, while the field dribbled 

 up en route, or at the covert side. There were several new 

 faces to greet the spring ; and more than one well-known 

 one, who had made his mark before, now appeared with full 

 intent to do the same again — the type of the latter variet}^ 

 being Captain Smith, boldest of bold Carabiniers, who may 

 console himself for the frost with the knowledge that the rails 

 will now crack as easy again as in the autumn. Lord Wilton 

 was not able to put in an appearance, though said to be work- 

 ing fast towards recovery. But one wlio loves the grass 

 countries almost as well was there ; and if he did not see 

 matter for a sonnet in the good hunting run that marked the 

 re-opening day, it was that his horse thought no more of giving 

 Whyte Melville a crumpler than if he had never heard of 

 Digby Grand, or else considered that the author of Market 

 Harborough ought to have been with Mr. Tailb}' at Marston. 

 Well, whatever may have been the vagaries of his steed, it 

 did one good to see him joining in a scene that no one can 

 depict like him, and taking in a picture of which he loses no 

 detail. 



At 11.30, or shortly before, the hounds were thrown into 

 Cossington Gorse, and roused its inmate and its echoes almost 

 immediately, making every yellow blossom quiver on its stem, 



