408 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



consistent as it was pleasing. He was indeed a type of gentle 

 unassuming nobility. His death forms a mournful sequel to 

 that of his dear friend (the two having many characteristics in 

 common) — to reach whose deathbed at Windsor he first 

 brought on himself the seeds of an illness, that has now laid 

 him low. 



HARD AND FAST, 



The spur of the moment is the best persuader for Pegasus, 

 the more so if he be a trifle stale, from over and constant 

 driving. Saturday, Jan. 7, exists till Sunday puts it out of 

 memory, or Monday clouds it with new event, so let it be 

 jotted down at once. 



The Belvoir are in better form this season than for j'ears 

 past. The pack is more than ever worthy of its fame ; the 

 huntsman is keen, quiet, and persevering ; and — as happens 

 to be the case with each and all of the present establishments 

 of the Shires — two excellent whips work heart and soul with 

 their cliief. On Saturday last a hard, smart field assembled 

 at Piper Hole — the old walled park adjoining Goadby. The 

 dazzling sunshine had power to blind, but none to warm. Men 

 bit their fingers, at which a wild north-west wind had been 

 beforehand. Some said What a fine day, otliei-s What a miser- 

 able one — as they had risen the right side of bed, or had sought 

 slumber tardily or in vain. But that sharp, crisp air meant 

 scent and sport, in spite of a bullying wind that eddied round 

 the hateful beaver, and pierced through any waistcoat that 

 covered less than fourteen stone. Sun is often credited with 

 power to spoil sport. It is never a cause, though it may often 

 be an accompaniment, of a want of sport — as in dusty March. 



The wooded hollow of Old Hills was drawn, first through 

 the medium of cracking whipcord (while a straining pack — 

 the little ladies — shivered and whimpered with impatience on 

 the bleak hillside), afterwards by running the pack through 

 the gully. Nothing came of it but an opportunity of marldng 



