1879—80.] RAIN AND SPORT. 321 



tlie,y could ; for hounds bore up forthwith for Leesthorpe, and 

 bent still more to the right when over across the Pickwell road. 

 The right division was served at once by a bridge over the 

 other gully which now'met them ; and they alone had a chance 

 of seeing the chase. Hounds had a clear lead ; the fences 

 were light, but every ditch was overflowing and every furrow 

 Avas a sheet of water, while hill and valley succeeded each other 

 short and severe. Mr. Munro on the ex-steeplechaser Fireking, 

 cut out the work ; ^Ir. Arthur Coventry in his track. Im- 

 mediately next, and riding more quickly and brilliantly than a 

 lady is often seen to do in such a Leicestershire burst as this 

 was Miss Parsons — followed by Sir John Lister-Kaye, Cai)t. 

 Smith, Lord Carington, &c. As they swept round behind 

 Somerby Village, closer order was attained when a momentary 

 check took place, and then a more level country can'ied 

 them forward for Owston. As that village hove in sight 

 came the difficulty, the change of scent, a double back on 

 the part of the body of the pack ; and the cream of the run 

 was over. 



Eanksboro' found fun for the afternoon. It was a chilly 

 damp waiting on the brow over the gorse till Reynard consented 

 to go. Then he ran the plain towards Oakham, before bearing 

 up to take them a dashing twelve minutes into Orton Park 

 Wood. A sheepdog was ready for him as he issued beyond, 

 so back he came to Eanksboro', just touching it before giving 

 them some charming quick hunting over the Langham Flat — 

 where the most gluttonous of riders must have found food 

 enough for his jumping appetite. This pursuit, too, ended 

 indefinitely ; and recourse was again had to the Gorse. 

 Eighteen cracking minutes over the grass from Eanksboro', 

 with a horse fresh enough, and good enough, to keep within 

 reasonable reach of hounds, forms, to my unambitious mind, 

 an item to light up an afternoon's existence, cheer an evening's 

 thought, and fix a bright spot in memory — better than many 

 more prolonged and costly pleasures in other spheres of life. 

 This is, no doubt, only an enthusiast's view. But are not all 



