FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 23 



latter part of the season, when the day perchance is 

 clouded over, the scent is often at its best, the " crowd " 

 has gone home, and those who stay mean to ride. The 

 hounds are not tired, for the condition of the hound 

 in the Shires is as perfect as that of the horses, and 

 they will do their work all the better for the absence 

 of the thunder of many hoofs behind them. Even the 

 hardest and most jealous riders can now afford to give 

 them plenty of room. Now, if there is a travelling 

 fox, you will see what a first-rate run over the best of 

 the grass is like, nor will you think that the charms 

 of the Midlands as a hunting district have been 

 exaggerated. 



Thus we are able to answer the question, " Who 

 should go to the Midlands to hunt ? " I should indeed 

 be inclined to advise every one to have at least one 

 season in the grass countries. It is a part of a hunting 

 man's education which should not be neglected. There 

 he will see the best horses and the finest horsemen of 

 the day. He cannot fail either, if he is observant, to 

 learn a great deal. Doubtless, however, in many cases 

 the season will only be a single one, for considerations 

 of money or of duty may keep many away who would 

 enjoy the sport. Yet there are undoubtedly some 

 people who hunt in the Shires who ought not to be 

 there, and this not because they are not in every way 

 suited to the sport, but because they ought to be else- 

 where. For while the crowds which threaten the 

 prosperity of hunting in the Midlands are weakening 

 the fortunes of hunting elsewhere, we may be allowed 

 to remark that men who have property in other 

 countries ought to be taking their share in the duties 

 of local government, and helping to support the pas- 

 times of their neighbours and their tenants. 



It has been said that hunting in Leicestershire spoils 



