122 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Season 



love of sport is decaying. And then surely and certainly lie 



will find — 



Cold calculating thoughts succefd, 

 "With timid doubt and wary deed. 

 Back on the past he turns his eye, 

 Remembering with an envious sigh 

 The bolder feats of youth. 



Passing over Saturday with the Cottesmore — which, though 

 a lovely hunting day, contained only a quick twisting gallop of 

 fifteen minutes to ground from Eanksboro' — we have to deal 

 with Monday last, Dec. 9th, a day almost if not quite as good 

 as the one above. 



The Quorn were at Eagdale Old Hall, a meet that on a 

 bright morning like this produces a prettier picture than 

 almost an}^ fixture in the hunt. I venture no attemi)t at 

 painting it, though ; but will get on at once to Slioby Scholes, 

 which this year fully takes the place of Lord Aylesford's 

 covert, at present under renovation. The first fox was baulked 

 in his early attempt, and, still more unfortunate in his next, 

 was shortly devoured ; but a second one w^as away almost 

 immediately, over the same line as on the last occasion here, 

 and with him they had an excellent half-hour's burst. Cross- 

 ing the two bugbear Shoby bottoms — one of Mr. E. Hartopp's 

 late stud bringing his Meath experience to bear in piloting 

 over both — he led them over the grass towards Asfordby at 

 a tremendous pace. Then, throwing them out for just half a 

 minute's welcome breathing time, he turned to the left, passed 

 close to Saxelby village, and circled Saxelby Wood, without 

 caring to touch it. The hounds covered the three fields of 

 plough almost as quickly as they had the grass, and, again, 

 embarking on good turf (bounded, too, by the sweetest of flying 

 fences), ran straight for Welby Fishponds. Half a mile from 

 it, the fox was in view but a field before them ; but, turning 

 sharp under a hedgerow, their half hour's gallop was over. 

 The holloas resounding back were not upon the run fox ; for 

 they not only traced him into Welby Fishponds, but took him 

 for a short ring from there. But whether it was a fresh one 



