CHAPTER VIII 



A WEEK AT OAKHAM AND A GLIMPSE OF STAMFORD 



Rise of Oakham — The Surrounding Country — Monday with the 

 Quorn or Cottesmore — Negotiating the Dykes— Wednesday 

 with the Pytchley or Belvoir — Lord Exeter's proposed new 

 Pack — Thursday with the Cottesmore or Mr. Fernie — Follow- 

 ing a Single Pack — Advantages of so doing — Friday with the 

 Quorn — Wardley Wood — The Busy Man — Capping — Stamford 

 — Choice of Several Packs — The Fitzwilliam Hounds. 



The town of Oakham has risen into note as a hunt- 

 ing centre within the last few years. No doubt it 

 was known to many people before that. But it 

 was not until the Cottesmore reached its present 

 height of fame as a hunt that Oakham became fashion- 

 able. Though a charming town and situated in 

 the Vale of Catmose, which as a riding ground is not 

 to be surpassed, it must, owing to its limited accom- 

 modation, always be select in point of numbers. 

 The town has, including the parish of Barleythorpe, 

 a population of some four thousand souls. It is the 

 very picture of a quiet market-town. It is reached 

 by the Midland in from two hours to two hours and a 

 half by fast trains from St. Pancras and by the G.N.R. 

 from King's Cross. There are generally through 

 carriages, and here, as elsewhere, both railway com- 

 panies, the Midland and the Great Northern, are 

 careful to consider the wants of hunting men as re- 

 gards accommodation for both themselves and their 

 horses. 



