88 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIRE. [Season 



who has witnessed a hmidi'ed routs ? Papa ever seemed the 

 only uncomfoi'table one of the party, and appeared fai- less the 

 "jolly old cock" than when an hour or two later he was to be 

 seen beyond the precmcts of the ball room, enjoj'ing the 

 princely hospitality of Messrs. Mm'ietta, and talking foxes and 

 turnips with a brother squire of the same good sort. Every 

 house in the two counties seemed to have brought a strong 

 party to swell the gathering; and, besides these, there were 

 waifs and strays from every shire and province in the three 

 kingdoms. As many different hunts were represented as at a 

 general meeting at Boodle's. The gi-een of Cheshire was there 

 to fraternise with the white collar of Northamptonsliii'e. 

 Nimrod of the flints of Kent w^as comparing notes with 

 Nimrod of High Leicestershire. Devonshire and Charnwood 

 Forest were to be seen discussing with friendly vehemence the 

 scenting qualities of their respective rocks and glens. Scots- 

 men were full of Capt. Thomson's resuscitation in Fifeshire, 

 and Irishmen of Lord Spencer's invitation to his Pytchlej'^ 

 tenants ; while the Londoner had brought his red coat down, 

 to show that if he is not hunting this year he lias done so, and 

 hopes ere long to hunt again. There was a display of scarlet as 

 lavish as at a regimental ball — showing that the good old 

 custom of our forefathers, of standing by then- colours by night 

 as well as day, is fully reasserting itself. (How much better 

 would it be, too, if we, in oui' modern bad taste, could recog- 

 nise that the shapeless black nether garments, now worn with 

 the pink, are in harmony neither of hue nor tradition with that 

 part of the dress which we have ah-eady re-adopted.) But not 

 even the bright liveries of the foxhunters could tln-ow into the 

 shade the varied tints and effects at which their sisters had so 

 successfully aimed. In 



Violet, rose or pearl liued, or soft blue, 

 Goldeu or green, the light now blended, 

 Now alternate — 



they made a picture, in comparison wdth which all the efforts 

 of a kaleidoscope would seem dull and colourless. 



