CHAPTER XII 



LADIES IN THE SHIRES 



The Old time Hunting Woman — And the New — Ladies' Dress in 

 the Field — The Right Sort of Hunter — Proper Side-saddles — 

 Famous Lady Riders — The Late Empress of Austria — Hunt- 

 ing Manners — Expense of a Season in the Shires — Trying a 

 Lady's Horse — Melton the best Centre for Women — Society 

 at Melton and Leamington. 



One of the most notable features of hunting in 

 grass countries is the number of women in the field. 

 Nor is the way in which they cross the country less 

 remarkable. Of women who hunt a larger proportion 

 ride at the top of the hunt than of men. Many indeed 

 have a pilot, whom they follow, but others are quite 

 capable of taking a line of their own and do so when- 

 ever hounds run hard. Times have very much changed 

 with the Diana Vemons of to-day. Whereas in old 

 times the woman who hunted was treated with courtesy, 

 but was made to feel herself present on sufferance ; 

 now she has attained in the hunting field the much 

 talked-of equality with man. No one would dream 

 nowadays of treating the question of whether women 

 should hunt at all as an open one. The only discussion 

 that ever arises is whether women should hunt four 

 days or six in a week. Yet it is evident that Whyte- 

 Melville had his doubts on the point, as those may 

 note who read " Kate Coventry." That heroine was 

 expected to give up hunting on her marriage as a 



