FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 13 



They have not, and never had, any intention of taking 

 a leading part in the hunting-field. Why, then, are 

 they there ? Simply because our hunting countries 

 are very pleasant places to spend the winter in. The 

 society is that of London in the season, and is the best 

 and pleasantest in the world. Its faults and its 

 virtues are the same in both places ; and we enjoy 

 the one and endure the other as best we may. 



There is for every day its occupation set down by 

 fashion. You need never ask, "What shall I do to- 

 day ? " for, having come to Melton, the question is 

 answered for you. " To-day we meet at Six Hills, or 

 Knossington, or Croxton Park," as the case may be. 

 The life is a healthy one ; the exercise pleasant ; and 

 you are sure of an appetite and pleasant company at 

 dinner and of a game of bridge afterwards, if your 

 tastes lie that way. A man who has money and 

 some well-mannered horses can, even if he is not an 

 enthusiast about hunting, have a capital time at 

 Melton. He ought never to be bored ; he ought to eat 

 well and sleep well and to be sufficiently amused. 

 There is much of hunting talk it is true, as is natural, 

 but only among the enthusiasts. Others can talk of 

 what they please, and hear, if they are so minded, the 

 latest gossip of their set. 



These people form a large proportion of the winter 

 visitors. They supply much of the money and a good 

 deal of the society of hunting, and are a useful addi- 

 tion to our hunting-fields, so long at least as they 

 abstain from using motors to come to the fixtures 

 with. A motor is no doubt a useful thing in its place, 

 and possibly a delightful way of taking the air, but 

 surely the smallest appreciation of the aesthetic and 

 historic aspect of hunting must make any one see that 

 it is out of place at a hunting gathering. Then they 



