130 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIEE. [Seasox 



pattern of bridle, bis pbni of sboeing, and bis cut of coat. One 

 gentleman bas invented a new compound, -witli a novel name, 

 and one of wbicb we would ratber accept a pull after a dip in 

 the Wbissendine or a crumpler over Skeffington tban anything 

 Ave know ; but its ingredients are as secret as the building of 

 that wondrous cravat we also wot of (which abolishes collar 

 and scarf). To betra}" either might be the loss of a life's 

 friendship, or, at least, of such sacred confidences in the 

 future. 



But this letter was intended neither as an addendum to 

 Routledge's " Dainty Drinks," nor as a Christmas contribution 

 to *' Food and its Uses ; " so let us get back to rcneric proper. 



The Quorn to-day, Monday, Januar}' 5th, 1874, have wi'ought 

 a happy omen out of the oj)ening day of the new year, in a 

 proper sequence to their late successes and a fitting prelude 

 to the coming spring. By the wa}', wh^' should we consider a 

 new year such a matter of rejoicing ? Each succeeding one is 

 another unit jotted off our youth and freshness ; each lessens 

 the prospective which is half the joy of life ; and each one 

 makes it more patent that new associations can never fill up 

 the place of ties disi)laced. However, this] is not the time for 

 a course of reasoning more in keeping with a forced absence 

 from present scenes or a bed-compelling sickness. If harassed 

 by such thoughts, let me tell you of a perfect cure. Go and 

 place yourself where j'ou have just seen a fox stealing across 

 the main ride of Walton Thorns, and get two yards to leeward 

 of Tom Firr as he cheers tliem to the cry. If it doesn't make 

 a boy of you, it will make you an old woman on the spot. You 

 must either stiffen in 3'our saddle with concentrated excitement, 

 or you must turn round and cry over your dotage. Huic ! 

 huic !! huic!! Yo-oi ! a'at him there, old bitches! Yo'o'i!! 

 (Santley hasn't a note approaching it.) 



