MR. GEORGE OSBALDESTON 105 



their make and shape, and their hunting powers ; but the 

 greatest compliment of all was when one who was often 

 with them said that they did not in the least appear to 

 mind being ridden over, or to be mixed up with the field, 

 to which they appeared accustomed. 



The fact appears to be that both the Squire and his 

 hounds came to see that Leicestershire required a style 

 which materially differed from that which would suffice 

 elsewhere. From all accounts the Osbaldeston of Not- 

 tinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and the Atherstone country 

 was not the Osbaldeston of Leicestershire. On coming 

 to the Quorn he found that he had to conform to the 

 peculiarities of the country, and he wisely adapted him- 

 self to circumstances ; yet even in his most rapid move- 

 ments he always showed himself perfectly cognisant of 

 what he intended to effect, and how to accomplish it. 

 Those who knew him in countries other than the Quorn 

 averred that as a huntsman he was patient, and most 

 averse to interfering with the pack until they had quite 

 failed to solve any difficulty which might have presented 

 itself. " Often and often," writes one who constantly 

 followed his hounds, "have I seen him grind his teeth 

 in vexation, and heard him utter an anathema when his 

 favourites were interdicted from feeling for the line by 

 the continuous charge of a body of men whose one 

 solitary idea was to follow a leader without other care 

 or thought." 



Mr. Grantley Berkeley possibly called him "flashy" 

 because he was quick. He soon discovered that a good 

 start was, if not everything, at least worth a good deal, 

 and in this particular he was said to soon be a match for 

 any of his followers. Having undertaken to hunt the 

 Quorn country six days a week he had, of course, to 

 strengthen his kennel, and towards this end he procured 

 a large draft from Belvoir, the famous hound Furrier, 

 then very young, being among the lot. The story has 



