48 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



the Vale for Saturday, though, if you are fortunate, 

 you will see something of it on a Wednesday too. 



On Wednesday our visitor will find himself in exactly 

 the same company as on Monday and Tuesday, for, in 

 fact, Melton has nowhere else to go. In any case, 

 he will have had a pleasant day, and in all prob- 

 ability not be far from his stable door when he has 

 finished. 



As to the best way of occupying Thursday there may 

 be some difference of opinion, and it is quite probable 

 that the Melton division may scatter its forces on that 

 day. Of course, if the Quorn should have a bye-day 

 on Thursday, that would be the easiest, but then bye- 

 days generally take place in a country subsequently to 

 be described as the Friday country, one of the best 

 and pleasantest in England to ride over. But if the 

 Quorn be not within reach, or the pack should be in 

 the kennel, two courses are open. You may take the 

 train, or have a long ride or drive, to hunt with Mr. 

 Fernie, whose Thursdays are, as were those of Mr. 

 Tailby before him, delightful, or you may go to the 

 Cottesmore. In any case, the distance will be greater 

 than on the other days, just so much farther from 

 home in the latter case as may make you wish you 

 lived at Oakham. The increasing popularity of the 

 last-named town as a hunting centre it owes to its 

 pleasant situation and its freedom from the manu- 

 factories which threaten to spoil Melton. 



The growing reputation of the Cottesmore hunt has 

 tended to swell the gatherings in the Thursday country, 

 which indeed has many attractions for the hunting man. 

 The Vale of Catmore is chiefly grass, and is divided by 

 fences easier than those of the more strictly Melton 

 side of the country. This, however, pleases some 

 people who like to jump as well as gallop, but who 



