76 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



is fitted for the chase, and across which many historic 

 runs have taken place. From John Ball over the 

 road to Jane Ball, and away to Walton Holt or 

 Willoughby Waterless are lines which will not be 

 forgotten by those who have ridden them. Nor will 

 any one ever weary of them. Peatling, Foxton and 

 Countesthorpe are all names which will become familiar, 

 and all are associated with sport. Wistow Park and 

 its coverts lead us back to Kibworth, and thence we 

 find ourselves at Smeeton Gorse and Gumley. The 

 latter, though only a patch of woodland, is a noted 

 stronghold for foxes, and Gumley Hall is the tradi- 

 tional opening meet of Mr. Fernie's hounds. 



These are the chief features of the Monday country. 

 There are no large coverts in it, and its extent is not 

 great, but so well preserved and cared for are its 

 coverts that it affords ample sport for one day a 

 week and even for an additional bye-day. When 

 once clear of the Marston Hills or Laughton, the 

 country, though undulating, has hiUs less steep and 

 severe than those characteristic of the Cottesmore and 

 some parts of the Billesdon country round Keythorpe 

 or Goadby. Thus, offering as it does chances of 

 excursions into the best of the Pytchley and the 

 Atherstone countries, besides its own excellent grass, 

 the country hunted on Monday by Mr. Fernie's hounds 

 is a very attractive one, and adds not a little to the 

 fame of Harborough as a hunting centre. 



One of the charms of Market Harborough is the 

 variety of the sport which is attainable from there. 

 Some people are very fond of change. They like to 

 see a new country, to watch the methods of a strange 

 huntsman and the powers of a pack of hounds hitherto 

 unknown. Now, on Monday the man from Market 

 Harborough has always two and it may be three 



