2 yo The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present, 



wear — and never ventures upon caricature. As one 

 could not have written ^^ Good-bye/' ''The Place where 

 the old Horse died/' or the " Clipper that stands in the 

 stall at the top/' so the other could not have created 

 *^ Jorrocks/' a favourite equally with Mr. Pickwick 

 himself in the affections of the hunting world. The 

 '' Handley Hunt " series will still be in demand when 

 the " New Zealander " is contemplating the ruins of St. 

 Paul's from London Bridge; but should the worthy 

 Islander ask for a copy of ^' Market Harborough " he 

 will probably be told that the name of such a book is 

 quite unknown. Emanations of intellect, however telling 

 at the time of their birth, should they be deficient in 

 certain attributes, especially those of dramatic presenta- 

 tion, will needs be crowded out of immortality. It was 

 an ill wind for the little Northamptonshire village that 

 blew wealth into the lap of its most distinguished and 

 popular resident. The little white hunting-box, upon 

 the face of which is now engraved in deeply-cut letters 

 ^^ Melville House," became all too small for an increased 

 power of expenditure ; and a change was made to 

 Wootton Hall. 



After hunting for two or three seasons from here. Why te 

 Melville, to the sorrow of many a friend and neighbour, 

 broke the link that had so long and so happily connected 

 him with the '^ P.H." and took up his abode in London, 

 from whence he got his two or three days a week with 

 Mr. Selby Lowndes and the ^'^ Baron/' his chief friend 

 and companion in his journeys to the Meet being the 

 much lamented Hon. Robert Grimston. Upon the mar- 

 riage of his daughter — his only child — Major AVhyte 

 Melville again moved into the country, and settled in the 



