326 THE CREAM OF LEICESTER8HTEE. [Season 



mouthful of blood that had almost reached the thirstmg palates. 

 The enthusiasm of onlookers had been worked up to a pitch 

 nearly as high, and ten times as loudly expressed, as that of the 

 executive. With a sinking fox frequently close in view, there was 

 shouting and shrieking that was truly appalling, and furious 

 riding that at least was magnificent if not quite foxhunting. 



The Quorn wound up tlieir season with a byeday at Beeb}'. 

 This was on Monday, April 5tli ; and though the postcards 

 only went forth on Saturday night, rumour and the telegraph 

 Avii-es had been busy, and the gathering was one that included 

 members of quite half a dozen other Hunts besides the Quorn. 

 The Pytchle}', Cottesmore, Sir Bache, Belvoir, South Notts, 

 Meynell, Atherstone were all represented. Yet there was 

 scarcely a crowd, such as we get hardened to — only a strong- 

 company, all rather eager to ride. It was their last chance ; 

 and if distinction could not be achieved to-(h\v, ambition — that, 

 perliaps, has long aspired in vain — would have to lie donnant 

 and unsatisfied for months to come. And truly, when thun- 

 derstorms break upon the sport, when the heavens are 

 streaked with lightning at one moment and smiling through 

 a glorious rainbow the next, Avhen the hedges are patched Avith 

 bursting foliage, and lambs run under your horse's legs, it is 

 time to admit that foxlmnting may rest. The happ}^ whui of 

 daily healthy excitement and companionship must be put aside 

 for occupations that may, possibh', bring more grist to the 

 mill, or that, quite as probably, are no whit more profitable 

 either to system or exchequer. After this week we may cast 

 our hunting kit aside, betake ourselves whither we will or must, 

 leaving orders that the stable and its establishment are to be 

 conducted during the summer on principles strictl}^ in accord- 

 ance with the economical views of the new government. We 

 cannot (til afford to bed our horses down in drawing-rooms as 

 soon as the season is over — though this is a free country, and 

 we have no right to pass a remark on those who choose to do 

 so. The best of everything is, generally, good enough for 

 Melton. Wliy should not the same standard, or even a higher 

 one, be api)lied to its noble steeds ? At any rate, the experi- 



