14G THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



cannot cany a head to burst a fox ; and so, thougli the pace 

 was enough to leave the line marked b}' miles of men leading 

 their horses, it Avas never sufficient to bring such a fox back to 

 theii- mouths. The first and only piece of plough caused the 

 first and only check ; then the}' drove liim through Botany 

 Ba}', and in five minutes more a grand fox saved a worthy life 

 in a rabbit-hole under Quenb}^ Ma}'' he live to be old and 

 happy, and teach his children that an open course is their fii-st 

 and only fitting duty ! Vov those who were fortunate, to- 

 day was one of exceptional sport ; but good and evil fortmie 

 have much to do with a start from the woods of High 

 Leicestershii'e. 



On Wednesday, January 27thj good fortune took us to the 

 rytcliley, who met at North Kilworth. Passing over the 

 morning, we come to the afternoon draw of Misterton Gorse. 

 No prettier start could have been effected than was achieved 

 from here. A fine big fox away, with the pack streaming after 

 him in view over the grass field above ; and then as merry a 

 seventeen minutes as could be made to order, with a proper 

 sequel to make up the whole forty-five. If you happen to 

 know the pleasant grazing grounds from the starting point to 

 South Kilworth, you want little description to picture the 

 enjoyinent of hounds going over it at best pace — when each 

 fence was to be jumped anywhere and each one had to be 

 taken in a gallop. Lord Spencer, Capt. Middleton, Mr. 

 Corbett and a gentleman from (lloucestershire (at least we 

 have seen and heard of his peformances there) were cutting 

 out the most of the work ; Goodall and young Goddard also in 

 closest attendance on the pack. The remainder of the run 

 was through the South Kilworth and Stanford Hall coverts 

 with a turn back and a kill in the latter. 



Thursday, January 28th. — A bye day Avith the Quorn at 

 Brooksby Hall. Forty minutes Avith a kill in the open, and an 

 afternoon run of fifty-five — and all over the best of the Quorn 

 country — are tAvo bare facts that speak for themselves. The 

 Thursday bye days have almost invariably proved the best days 



