30 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



bought there, though this will add something to our 

 expenses. 



Altogether, the necessary expense of a season at 

 Melton will mount up to a very considerable sum. 

 But if the question be asked " How much ? " this must 

 of course depend on the scale on which the thing is 

 done. 



Still there are ways by which one can reduce the 

 total. To begin with, only a part of the season may be 

 spent there. A very great many people do not come 

 to Melton till after Christmas, and some only for the 

 last two months of the season. Now, February is 

 generally, and March often, a good time for sport. With 

 regard to the latter month, it is frequently as good as 

 any in the Midlands, and is nearly always better there 

 than elsewhere. When other countries are dried up 

 and hunting has ceased to be a pleasure, the grass of 

 the Midlands still carries a scent and affords good going 

 to the horse. Towards the end of the season, too, 

 the evening runs are often first-rate, and as the Masters 

 generally draw as long as there is light, there are many 

 excellent gallops after the " crowd " has gone home. 



If a man is prepared to spend the money, has from 

 six to ten really good horses, and is able to hunt four 

 or five days a week, then Melton is an admirable 

 centre. 



Hitherto I have supposed that only a visit to Melton 

 is contemplated, but if it is intended to come there 

 every year, then the best and cheapest plan in the 

 end is to buy or take the lease of a house and furnish. 

 For, although the rent for the season of a well- furnished 

 hunting-box is large, yet house rent in the Melton 

 district for unfurnished houses on lease is not extrava- 

 gant. There are comfortable houses in and round 

 Melton to suit most tastes, and it is infinitely more 



