290 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



made, rather than maiTed, by an idiosx'ncras}' of temper, 

 which first ousted him from promised success on the turf, 

 afterwards induced him to decHne the honours of steeple- 

 chasing, and so fated him to be handed tiver to Custance 

 for the remainder of his days. "With a soul superior to the 

 vicious influences of the flat and the flags, he was a gentle- 

 man, a giant in the hunting-field. There he was at home. 

 The fences were seldom big enough ; the pace was never 

 severe enougli for him. He shone chiefly some five years ago. 

 Then it was that only the uninitiated or uiiwary ever thought 

 of following the Doctor. To lie in his wake, with hounds 

 running over a strong countr}', was destruction almost certain; 

 for what the Doctor left in his stride was often an impractic- 

 able place to other horses. During the present season he 

 seemed to have taken a new lease of life ; and was apparently 

 young as ever Avhen on Saturday he broke his shoulder bj'- 

 jumping on to a cut tree root. We do not see many like 

 him. And, for mj^ part, I would rather ride than follow his 

 ■equal. 



Quick March. — To pick up a fox in a clean forty mmutes 

 is always an event ! To run another to ground sharp and 

 •quick in another thirtj^-five makes a day — and, remember, 

 'twas the 21st of March ! This is the month when we realise 

 what we are losing, what we could enjoy, what fox-hunting 

 miriht be. The poem is read, but the poetry lingers. In 

 fitful strains the music comes back to set us aglow ; and bright 

 as airs of Oflenbach are the snatches still retained. Solid 

 constant sport may have left us ; but there comes man}^ a 

 bright flicker to keep the light from departing altogether out 

 of mind. Come -back with me to the swampj'- gateway below 

 The Prince's Covert at Baggrave. You are rather up wind of 

 hounds. But you can't help that ; for you are under orders 

 just and imperative, that the covert shall be kept clear and 

 that this sharp keen morning shall not be wasted. For the 

 weathercock points northward ; a few scant drops have caught 

 the grass — sufficient to dull your boots as you changed from 



