258 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Skasox 



account for it that we lost our huntsman for Ku'by Gate. Tlie 

 scurry, meanwhile, went on, fast if twisting ; and each moment 

 seemed as if it must be their fox's last. But he kept just in 

 front of them for twenty' minutes, doubled back to Lowesby, 

 and found jet another open drain — which saved him. He had 

 run over the prettiest country, and given the few men who had 

 lingered a reward that thev had not hoped for. [But that 

 hounds went home Avithout a taste of fox-flesh was hard indeed 

 upon them. "SVe can scarceh' lay the blame on inadequate 

 earth-stopping ; for each and every one of the holes and 

 drains in which foxes went to ground were newl}' estabhshed 

 refuges. 



AT HOME IX A STORM. 



Friday (November 15th) was the first da}' that wind and 

 i-ain ever kept your employe within-doors, with hounds at hand 

 and horses fit to go. This fact is of consequence to nobody 

 except himself — and only to him as testifying a decadence 

 moral or physical — the first grey hair, tlie first forehead line, 

 the fii'st victory of self-indulgence over the rigid rule of sport — 

 the first glimmering of sense, perhaps, but a falHng-off notwith- 

 standing. Nor is his personality for the public only — except, 

 perhaps, as a gauge, in some measure to indicate the feelings, 

 motives, appreciativeness of that section of society of which he 

 forms a sample unit. Of course one ougJit to have gone hunting 

 in Cording suit, or Pytchley Spencer, or some other ingenious 

 riding-tent. Tliere could be no hope, or chance, of vivid active 

 sport ; but still one ought to have gone out, if only to show 

 one's superiority over the ill will of the elements, and to support 

 the Hunt whose button is one's badge. I confess that, for the 

 first time (I repeat with shame) , neither consideration, nor even 

 a sense of duty towards you, Mr. Editor, availed to draw me 

 from the fireside. I wasn't happ}'- though — even with a month's 

 ■collection of bills and a pile of unanswered correspondence to 



