1872—73.] A QUORN FOilEST INCIDENT. 79 



once — the fox having probabl}^ turned short back. Certainly 

 he could have gone no further in the teeth of the wind. There 

 was a wonderful variety of nationality out, showing — if it 

 showed anything — that our national pastime is daily drawing 

 recruits from the Continent. There were French, Italian, 

 Hungarian, German, and men of decidedly foreign appearance 

 from Grantham or elsewhere. 



A QUORN FOREST INCIDENT. 



I MUST tell a little episode that occurred last week in the 

 Quorn woodlands. Be it known that the sporting proclivities 

 of the city of Leicester are increasing in proportion as its 

 hosiery and elastic web manufactories grow in importance, 

 though much of this devotion to the chase is in its embryo 

 state. The most popular mode of gratifying it is at present 

 the co-operative system, which allows one quadruped and two 

 pair of wheels to give large parties some individual share in the 

 sport. On or about New Year's Day a vehicle appeared carry- 

 ing five portly personages to hunt with the Quorn in the merry 

 Charnwood Forest. Mirth and glee were as little wanting 

 as well-stocked hampers and huge cigar cases, and the whole 

 turn-out suggested pastime as improved by the civilisation of 

 the nineteenth century. The driver was an old hand at his 

 work, knew every road and covert in this sylvan district ; and 

 had he but known the capabilities of his vessel as well, 'tis 

 probable his freight would have retm-ned in safety and good 

 humour to port. 



A long story may be shortened by relating briefly that, 

 departing in a rash moment from the highways under care of 

 a paternal Government, Jehu undertook the passage of a 

 grassy green ride, where wheels were seldom wont to go. The 

 shandrydan was of a somewhat peculiar build, four wheels and 

 one seat — something like a lifeboat previous to being launched 



