200 THE CEEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



KIRBY GATE 1877. 



Not merely as an annual opening meet does the Quornite look 

 upon Kirb}' Gate. It is a notch in the calenchir of his exist- 

 ence — a yearly resumption of old ties — a gathering up of 

 threads that have grown yet stronger while relaxed — the re- 

 newal of a taste so firmly planted that no temporary abstinence 

 can shake it. It is an opportunit}- for revolving the little bit 

 of philosophy that ever}"- man carries, or thinks he carries, in 

 his mind ; but better and more opportune than any such philo- 

 sophy — shallow as it is, perhaps, and certainly mist}-, gloomy 

 possibly, and most likely illogical — are the hearty greeting, the 

 outspoken welcome, the friendly grip, and the truthful eye. that 

 mark many a brief but heart-warming episode at Ivirby Gate. 



This Kirby Gate reunion of Monday, November 5, 1877, 

 was held on a bright sunny morning that must have gladdened 

 the scene even to men whose business instincts bade them 

 moan the sad incompatibility of sunshine and scent. It was 

 in truth a holiday gathering, in which even a photographer 

 claimed to take an active part, and at Avhicli even bicyclists 

 asserted their right to assist. In conveyances and chaises 

 galore the lambs of Leicester mustered strong, with hampers 

 and W'ine baskets ; while, that it might not be behindhand Avith 

 its sister town. Melton had sent forth {miJiicredc, comes) a new- 

 born babe with its bottle ! So the road was crammed four 

 deep with carriages, and the green sward opposite the old hall 

 held horsemen to a number that exceeded (it was allowed) all 

 former years. 



That all who care ma}' know w^hich of our visitors have 

 akeady joined, let me take this occasion to give a probably 

 imperfect list of those present on Monda}-. Surely no more 

 welcome form was there than that of Mr. Little Gilmour, who 

 reckons his Kirby Gate meets almost b)' the score, and attends 

 each one with a freshness and zest depicted on his kindly face 

 that the youngest of us may envy. Besides him, and besides 



