62 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



with the greater part of the country round Melton, 

 so much so as to feel some surprise that it should 

 ever have attained such fame and popularity. But 

 it must have proceeded rather from its central posi- 

 tion in regard to the three packs of the Quorn, Belvoir 

 and Cottesmore than to the goodness of the country, 

 for all its best country lies in High Leicestershire, 

 which is a greater distance from Melton than from 

 either Leicester, Lutterworth or Market Harborough."* 



Like Brooksby and many other writers, Mr. Vicker- 

 man then goes on to speak of " Billesdon, which is 

 very central for the best country of the Quorn and 

 Cottesmore." Billesdon, from which place comes the 

 second title of Mr. Fernie's hounds, is indeed very 

 central and wants but better railway accommodation, 

 and possibly the social charms of Melton, to make 

 it as popular as any of the villages round that town, 

 such as Asfordby, Thorpe Satchville or Somerby. 

 There is undoubtedly much truth in what Mr. Vicker- 

 man says, yet one is a little surprised to find that 

 he objects to the greater impracticability of the fences 

 of the Melton district as compared to those round 

 Market Harborough, for such is certainly not the case 

 to-day. 



As we jog back in the gathering dusk after a week 

 spent in such surroundings as I have described, we 

 shall feel, in spite of all drawbacks, that a well spent 

 and happy time has been passed. We shall not 

 regret the hours or the money spent in hunting, for 

 the chase leaves no bitter taste in the mouth. " If 

 I had my time to commence again, I would flirt less 

 and hunt more," is the saying tradition has assigned 

 to a sportsman of old ; and who shall say he was 

 wrong ? The only drawback to our perfect enjoy- 



* " Leaves from a Hunting Diary in Essex," p. 342. 



